Read Broken for Free Online

say, trying to keep my tone light. “You’re drinking and it’s not even lunch time.”
    “I’m having eggs,” she says, pretending to be shocked by my accusation.
    I lean toward her glass. “That doesn’t smell like just O.J.”
    She slides the glass away from me. “For your information, I’m having a mimosa.
    It’s called brunch.” She looks at the bartender, as if to say, Can you believe these kids nowadays? They don’t even know what brunch is.
    “Yeah, well, brunch is over,” I say, an edge creeping into my voice. “And it’s time to go.”
    Kaci touches my arm lightly, probably trying to warn me to calm down so that things don’t escalate. But it doesn’t take much with my mom, and so it’s too late.
    “How dare you come in here and embarrass me in front of my friends?” my mom slurs, standing up and wobbling toward me.
    I glance up at the bartender, but he holds his hands up like this has nothing to do with him. He walks down toward the other end of the bar.
    “Mom,” I say, “that guy isn’t your friend. He’s paid to serve you alcohol and talk to you.”
    “His name is Peter,” mom says, “and he’s a great conversationalist, unlike some people I know.”
    I’m about to really let her have it now. But Kaci pulls me back and leans in.
    “Mrs. Elliot!” she gushes. “Oh my goodness, it’s so nice to see you!”
    My mom looks at her blearily. “Do I know you?”
    “I’m Brody’s sister, Kaci. Remember? We used to play at your house all the time when I was younger. You made the best chocolate cupcakes. What were they called?”
    My mom’s face transforms as if she’s just been reunited with her long lost daughter. “Devil’s food cake!” she says. “Kaci! Of course I remember.” She leans forward and hugs her. “How are you, dear?”
    “I’m good,” she says.
    “And your family?” my mom asks. “How are they?”
    “They’re doing well,” Kaci says. “Listen, I’d love to catch up with you about everything. But maybe we could do it back at your house? You could give me the recipe for those cupcakes if you still have it.”
    “Of course,” my mom says, grabbing her purse and taking a last sip of her mimosa. “I was just about ready to leave anyway, but these people just won’t stop chattering away. Everyone wants to talk to me all the time and I’m too nice to just say enough is enough.”
    I trail behind them as Kaci helps my mom out to the car and into the passenger seat. Kaci slides into the back and chats with my mother about absolute nonsense on the way home.
    Midway through the drive, my mom starts slowing down. She starts yawning, and her eyes are drooping. Without any booze to fuel her, she’s fading fast, and the pauses in the conversation start growing longer and longer.
    By the time we get into our driveway, my mom is moving in slow motion. Kaci and I help her inside, where she announces that she’s going to go upstairs and “spruce up.”
    We both watch her navigate the steps slowly, and for a moment I wonder if she’s going to fall backwards and crack her skull on the stairs. But eventually she gets to the top and weaves her way down the hall and out of sight. A few seconds later the door to her room slams shut.
    “Yeah, she’ll never come back down. That’s a wrap,” I say.
    Kaci smiles at me. “I know how it is. Believe me.”
    “How did you know what to say to get her to leave?”
    “I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Just good at reading people, I guess.”
    We look at one another for a long time. There’s suddenly an electrical charge in the air and I’m not doing anything to break it. Next thing I know, Kaci’s leaning toward me. Just like last night.
    Only this time, I kiss her back.

Chapter Five

    Natalia
    Cam’s not in study hall. I spend the whole morning completely keyed up, waiting to see him, but he never shows. As soon as the bell rings, and I know he’s not going to be there, my heart drops into my shoes and stays put