Beautiful Broken by Nazarea Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

and I drag her closer, hugging her to me as she shifts on my lap.
    "You should go home, Scout," I whisper.
    "Don't want to."
    I laugh at the petulant tone, the glazed look in her eyes. "Go. I have to work." I kiss her forehead, and she wiggles against my cock. She smirks when I groan then stands.
    Scout hesitates by the door, looks at me and opens her mouth, like she might say something. But she doesn't—just leaves without another word.
    What the hell have I started?
     
     
    Scout
    It's one thing to say I want to talk to someone. It's another thing entirely to actually find someone. It’s funny, because I grew up here. I know this city better than any other in America. But finding a therapist is something completely different.
    I call Louisa.
    We both grew up around UB—her father is a professor there; he mentored Atticus. But before that, Louisa and I were in school together. From kindergarten on up, we were there. We were close until sophomore year, when everything in my life seemed to fall apart in a matter of weeks.
    I never explained it to Louisa. But sometimes, I think she knew.
    As I punch in the numbers, I grin. It's funny that years later, I still know my best friend's parent's house number.
    "This is Stella, can I help you?"
    I falter. For some reason, it didn't occur to me that Louisa wouldn't be the one to answer her parent's phone. "Hi, Ms. Stella. It's Scout."
    "Oh, gracious, Scout! How are you, darling? Are you back in town? Atticus didn't bother to tell us."
    "I am—for a while, anyway. Atti's been a little busy, with his work, you know."
    For a few minutes, I'm engulfed in mindless chatter about Branton and the inner workings of a small Southern town. I promise to come by for sweet tea and a hug, and I realize that it's a little awkward, but I've missed it—the sense of belonging, the warmth and affection that comes with no strings.
    Stella isn't nice because she knows I have drugs, or the money to buy drugs, or because she wants to sleep with me. She's just a sweet lady, excited to hear from me.
    "Have you talked to Louisa?" she finally asks, and I seize on it.
    "No, ma'am. I was actually hoping to get in touch with her."
    "Sure. She's at class right now, but if you wanted to swing by the campus, she'll be at the Doctor's office in about thirty minutes."
    I hesitate, and then: "Sure. That sounds great. I'll do that."
    It doesn't sound great. It sounds like a nightmare. But I can't bear to disappoint Stella, and I want to see Louisa. I tighten my ponytail and fix my lipstick—Dane smudged it, and I'm really going to not think about that right now because just no.
    Taking a deep breath, I head toward UB.
     
    Being on campus is terrifying. There are clusters of students everywhere, and I stride through the Green without meeting their eyes, trying to be invisible. It doesn't work—I can feel them whispering, the kids I graduated from high school with, juniors now, and other students, who have never seen me before.
    In a crowd of people wearing jeans and sweatshirts, my sweater dress and tights stand out. Screw that, though—I look amazing. If I didn't, Dane would never have kissed me.
    I head to the History hall, almost running down the stairs.
    I hate stairwells.
    Louisa is talking to a guy, her hands dancing through the air as she makes some point that he's grinning about, as she walks toward her father's office.
    "Hey, Lou!" I call.
    She glances up, her eyes wide. There's a long second, uncomfortable and tense, where I'm not sure what she'll do. Then she shrieks, breaks away from the guy, and throws herself at me.
    I laugh as she wraps me in a ridiculously tight hug. For a second, it's like the years haven't happened—it's only me and my best friend, no drugs, no secrets, nothing It's amazing.
    Then she pulls away, a self-conscious smile turning her lips, and she stares at me. "What are you doing here?"
    "I called your mom—she said it'd be a good place to find you."
    "But when did you get back to