Page 55 of Collide (The Rhapsody of Heartbeats #1)

“Elena, you’ve been sleepwalking through life for two years. You were practically dead with grief. And now look at you—pacing, feeling, fighting. Yeah, it’s messy as hell, but that’s relationships, babe. You’re here. You’re living again.” Her words land hard, right in the center of my chest.

“But what if I’m setting myself up to get hurt?” I whisper.

Riley shoots me a look. “It happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s part of the deal. But if Alex makes you happy? Chase that feeling. Ride that high. And honestly?” She grins, bumping me again. “You deserve to ride that man , too.”

A startled giggle bursts out of me, the tension cracking enough. I cover my face. “Oh my God, Riley.”

“What?” she laughs with me. “It’s true! You’ve been all locked up like a nun, and now you’ve got a six-foot-something Swedish snack who’s clearly crazy about you. Why not let yourself have that?”

“Broderick,” I say, shaking my head.

I see the realization wash over her face. “I get it. You weren’t planning on Broderick. He came out of nowhere. But now it’s a choice. Are you going to go with what’s in your hand, or rush headfirst into the what if ?”

She’s right. I need to decide.

Because hanging in the balance between them, it’s not fair. Not to them, not to me. And as much as I crave that validation—from two people, something I never thought I’d experience—I can’t become my father.

I can’t string people along because it feels good to be wanted. Chosen.

“You don’t have to have all the answers right now,” Riley says, her voice gentle, tugging me back. “But maybe it’s time to stop running from what you want and run toward it instead. Headfirst. Even if it’s messy, at least it’s sexy. And no matter what, I’ll be here, whatever you choose.”

I stay quiet. Let the words settle. Because she’s right.

Maybe I don’t know where this ends. Maybe it explodes. But Alex makes me feel . And isn’t that worth something?

I let out a breath. “I think…I think I want to see where this goes with Alex.”

Alex is the right choice. I’ve already let him in. It makes sense.

Riley grins. “Good. About time you admitted it.”

I glance at her, squinting. “You always this smug when you’re right?”

She laughs. “Always.”

I smile, and for the first time all night, I feel a little lighter. “Thanks.”

Riley loops an arm around my shoulder. “What are best friends for if not to encourage questionable life choices?”

I laugh again, tension peeling away. Together, we turn to face the house, lit up with guests and the hum of the party.

After our little heart-to-heart, I slip upstairs. My legs move on instinct, but my chest stays tangled.

The second I open the door to my room, I freeze.

Alex is lying on the bed, one arm thrown behind his head. His eyes find mine the second I step in.

“I couldn’t find you,” he says, voice low, unreadable.

I close the door quietly behind me. “I needed space.”

His jaw ticks. “From me?”

I hesitate. Too long.

Alex sits up slowly, his eyes sharp. “If you don’t want this, Elena, tell me now.”

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. His words disarm me.

He exhales hard, dragging a hand through his hair. “If you’re with me, you’re with me . Not running off and hiding every time it gets complicated.”

My pulse thumps in my ears, but I step closer. “That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Then what are you doing?” His voice softens, but the fire in his gaze doesn’t move.

“I’m scared,” I admit.

His shoulders tense. “Of what?”

I stare into his eyes. “Of getting it wrong. Of believing this is something it’s not.”

Alex rises, closing the space. He reaches out, brushing his thumb along my jaw, so gentle it unravels me.

“This,” he murmurs, voice rough, raw, “is real.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Then say it.”

His hands slip to my waist, holding me like I might vanish. “I’ve wanted you since the moment you fell into my life. Not just for now. Not for when it’s easy. I want all of you and only you. ”

My heart pulls tight in my chest.

“And if you’re mine,” he adds, his thumb drawing slow, dizzying circles against my hip, “then you’re mine.” His gaze darkens, voice softening to something low and certain. “No doubts. No running.”

Everything inside me leans into him. I let it.

It’s not perfect. It’s not certain.

But it’s real.

I lift my chin. “I’m all in.”

Something fierce flashes through his eyes, then he kisses me, hard and hungry, like he’s claiming me.

When he pulls back, his lips curl into a smirk, but it’s looser now. Like relief.

“Well, then,” he murmurs. “Looks like I finally have a girlfriend.”

The word knocks something loose in me. I laugh, breath catching. My cheeks flush. “Say that again.”

He arches a brow. “What, that you’re my girlfriend ?”

I bite my lip, smiling. “Yeah.”

His smirk deepens, tugging me closer. “ My girlfriend ,” he whispers against my lips before sealing it with a kiss, the confirmation I needed. We’ve slapped a label on it.

I feel the resolve settle into my bones.

And just like that, I let Broderick Schwartz fade to the back of my mind.

For now.