Read Broken for Free Online Page B

lavender BCBG dress we bought two weeks prior. I noticed Frenchy with Cara, talking to this young pop singer near the dining room where the caterers were working feverishly to keep the food perfectly stocked. Cara gave one of the waiters a dirty look when she noticed the bruschetta was low. She looked cute in an indie pop kind of way. She had on a long black pencil skirt, high stilettos, and a loose, low-cut sleeveless pink top. Frenchy was awkwardly posed as she stood there in conversation. She laughed at Cara’s every word. Frenchy donned an all-white, sleeveless single-shoulder-strap minidress.
    One thing I never had to do was entertain a full party. Daddy had never had any type of party since Mama’s death. Not even a work event. On the night of Mama’s death, theywere leaving Daddy’s company’s Christmas party, when she turned as she was walking to the car to call for him, and a cab hit her.
    I took a deep breath as I blinked the tears back. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t think of that anymore. I had imagined it in my head 100 different ways. In all the scenarios, she could’ve run out of the way. I was starting to get a little headache.
    Sierra rushed over to us before I could have another thought. My phone vibrated. I turned to Merek and smiled. He looked confused. “Hey!” Sierra said and gave me two air kisses.
    â€œYou remember Merek,” I said.
    â€œOf course, we have been blessed with such a transfer,” Sierra said.
    â€œSierra!”
    â€œShe’d never have the guts to say. But I’d say. You gave her a toothache,” Sierra said.
    â€œYou have funny friends. Next thing, I will have created a heart attack too,” Merek said, looking nervous.
    â€œWhat?” Sierra asked.
    â€œShe thinks I’m sweet on you,” I laughed.
    â€œIt’s funny?” Merek asked. His face grew serious. I was quiet. Sometimes the best answer was silence. He raised an eyebrow.
    â€œDon’t get like that. What makes you think it was a joke?” I brushed my finger along his arm. “I’ll be right back.” I grabbed Sierra’s arm and fought the crowd like a boat fights the rising current. I didn’t know why we were walking away from him. Was he my future, and all I wanted to be was stuck in the past? The thought of Noel being the paststill left me feeling hollow. Was Merek enough? Could he ever be enough to fill the place I had for Noel? I forgot to read my text from earlier.
    â€œHe’s even more delicious in better lighting,” Cara had texted. Oh, great! Now it was official. Merek and I were on her radar. Where was my brother?
    I had no idea where Sierra and I were headed. I did want to stop at the lavish food table. There was a huge hibachi bar. I helped myself to some tempura veggies and shrimp. Then I scooped up some yellow tail. The dessert table was decked out with like 15 different types of cake. The blacked-out double chocolate had my name on it. And, of course, I helped myself to the truffle table. Two chocolate-covered strawberries and a piece of almond bark made it onto my plate. This was the best! Sierra stood at the back of the dining room, looking out at the beach. Whatever, I was hungry. I walked over, with a mouth full of fish.
    â€œHow are you going to play Dance Mania with a full stomach?” she asked. “We should eat after we play. They are playing my favorite song ‘It’s Not Okay,’ you know—it’s just not, it’s just not okay. It’s not okay for you to break my heart. It’s not okay to treat love like you can stop then start.”
    â€œI really like the lyrics, but I’m not playing,” I said.
    â€œCome on, Milan. You never do anything at parties.”
    â€œNo, I can count how many times I’ve pretended I wanted to dance because you dragged me on the dance floor,” I said. I noticed Dimitri on the far south end of the house just past