Beautifully Broken by Amanda Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

played football since he
was six and he made it to Connecticut University on a full ride scholarship for
it. He and his mom are very close. He talks to her almost every day and he has
only ever had one serious relationship, in high school.
     
    I started to tell him the Cliffs
Notes version of my life, leaving out all the bad when I heard an all to
familiar voice announcing his presence. I slowly stood up and rounded the
corner, when he came into view. He stood with both arms up drink in one hand
like he was some kind of God at this party. I took notice of Vince standing a
little bit behind him, and then I noticed the small redhead directly underneath
Gray’s arm. His arm came down gently around her shoulder and I watched as he
kissed her on the top of her head.
     
    “Someone you know?” He had
just witnessed me staring, shit!
     
    “I thought I did but that’s
not him.” I turned and grabbed his hand so he would follow me back to the table
where the drinks sat. I downed three more shots of vodka and then made myself a
cocktail, consisting of vodka and a tiny splash of cranberry juice. I was
feeling better already.
     
    “You might want to slow down
a bit there, kiddo.” He said smugly.
     
    “I think I know what I can
handle. Oh, and don’t call me kiddo.” I spat back and turned to find Hannah.
She was still on the back patio, only now with a tanned muscular arm wrapped
around her waist as she stood still talking to Leslie.
     
    “Oh Hannah, how you?” I
could hear my words starting to slur. I inched closer to her spilling drops of
the contents of my cup along the way. “I see you found a man, hmm?” Nothing was
making sense and I could feel my body getting heavy and my lips were becoming
numb.
     
    “Oh my God Bennett, how much
have you had to drink?” She grabbed the red cup from my hands, throwing it in
the tall black garbage can in the corner. “Let’s get you a water.” She started
pulling me inside when I stopped her.
     
    “No! No! I can’t go inside.”
I turned crossing my arms over my chest.
     
    “What do you mean?” As soon
as the question came out of her mouth, I saw her gaze lock on his. “Oh shit
Bennett. What is he doing here, and with her ?” I could hear the disgust in her voice.
     
    Gray had only ever dated one
person, well besides Hannah. Bobby Jo Levingston, the red headed firecracker
who was a bitch to everyone imaginable, especially me. Gray’s friendship and
mine was their final undoing. He dated her for six months before she started
making my life a living hell, and in return Gray made hers one. Apparently, she
had forgiven him. I couldn’t help but watch as his blue eyes looked into hers
while they stood grinding together on the makeshift dance floor. As quick as I
went to turn away, his gaze caught mine. I could see the sadness and apologetic
look in his eyes, but I was pissed and I wasn’t giving in that easily.

Eight
     
    His hand was on my arm
before I could make it past the small doorway into one of the rooms. I held my
face away from him, not wanting to cry. I could feel the tears welling up
behind my eyes, but I was damn sure not going to let him see that.
     
    “Bennett, look at me. I
didn’t know you would be-” his voice cut off.
     
    I snapped my head around
quickly sending me off kilter. After regaining my sense of balance, I stared
deep into his ice blue eyes. “YOU’RE SORRY? You didn’t know I was going to be
here, right? That’s what you were going to say. You made me feel like a
complete asshole for blowing you off today and then you come here, with HER?” I
pointed in the general direction of where Bobby Jo was standing. “How dare you.
How dare you Gray. She treated me, your best friend, like absolute shit the
entire time you guys were together and now you’re just going to what? Take her
home? Get her drunk and then sleep with her?” I unleashed years of frustration
on him. I couldn’t stop myself. It was something he had to