Read Unraveled (Holding On Book 3) for Free Online

would.
    “What a dirty bastard,” Jemma finally declared. “I can’t believe he was just sneaking out?”
    “Yup.”
    “And he was going to just write a note?!”
    “Yup. ”
    “And that morning, he had the nerve to—”
    “Yup,” Carly said again, cringing as she cut off her friend.
    “Dirty bastard !” Jemma said yet again. She gave a sharp shake of her head.
    Carly’s emotions had been on overload all day. It felt good to let someone else in. She’d assumed that it would be Quinn that she’d tell first because her sister would help her carry that mental burden. Yet, she didn’t want to do that to her sister. Not today, of all days.
    Jemma was the perfect alternative. She wouldn’t judge , either. And she’d probably understand better than anyone how Carly felt. While their other friends were married and starting families, the two of them were still far, far away from experiencing the joys of marital bliss.
    “What are you going to do?” Jemma wondered.
    She made a face. “No idea. I don’t know how I’m ever going to afford rent. I barely have enough in savings from my summer job to get me through as it is. But add rent to that? I mean, yeah, I can get a job when I get back. Maybe. Although with school underway, it’s hard to find jobs this time of year. The other problem is, I’m not naturally smart like Quinn is. I mean, I work my ass off for decent grades. I don’t have time to work next semester. Then again, if I don’t have anywhere to live, it won’t even matter. I’m just…screwed.”
    She cast a forlorn look to Jemma. Jemma pulled out her cell phone.
    “What are you doing?” Carly suspiciously wondered.
    Jemma waved the phone at her and then began tapping away on it. “I’m texting Bart, asking if he’s free to drive us home. I have a hunch tonight could be a late night.”
    Carly nodded then hesitantly asked, “I don’t mean to be a pain in the ass, but do you think I could crash at your house? I can’t deal with Margo tonight.”
    “Not a problem,” Jemma assured her. She’d been friends with Quinn since grade school. She knew Mrs. Johnson well so she didn’t need further explanation. Her phone chirped and she glanced at it. “We’re good. Bart will be here in a bit. He was getting ready to head out anyway. Another round?”
    Carly laughed. “I think I’m out of practice. Or at the very least, I need to slow down.” Her head was already spinning. There had been a time when she could out-drink just about anyone. Those days were no more. While she still enjoyed a night out, even she realized she’d become a bit more responsible over the past few years. She had a feeling that tonight, that just might change. Then again, if she was ever due for a night of drinking herself senseless, she decided tonight was that night.
    With a responsible ride on the wa y, and somewhere safe to crash, she decided… Why not ? She reached for her beer.
    “ I think I better make sure you eat something,” Jemma said. She flagged the waitress down and ordered them each burgers.
    “You know what really sucks?” Carly lamented.
    “Um, aside from your fiancé dumping you?” Jemma asked with raised eyebrows. “What could be worse?”
    “I lied to my parents. They have no idea that Nolan and I are… were …living together. They think that I’m living with some friends off campus. It’s the only way that they agreed to pay my rent after I moved out of the dorms. You know how they feel about ‘cohabitating’ before marriage.” Carly used air quotes, while she mimicked her mother. Margo, especially, was firmly against what she constantly referred to as unsavory cohabitation.
    Carly perched her elbows on the table and then rested her face in her hands. She took several deep breaths. Despite the alcohol, her head was still clear enough for her to realize just how much Nolan had derailed her life. She finally lifted her head to face her friend.
    “My parents are never going to forgive