Broken by Tanille Edwards Read Free Book Online Page A

Bye.” I pulled Merek’s arm down. “No more video.”
    â€œIt is okay. I have lived many places. I put these on my page as an update—where I am, what I am doing, who I have met. You are big news. Dance with me one time. Then we can leave,” he said.
    He gently took hold of my hand and led me to the dance floor. I couldn’t help myself. I glanced over to the scene of the crime. My Dad was gone. I was going to try my best toerase that memory. Or just ignore it. Merek started to bounce his body around and rock back and forth. I moved my feet from side to side. “Come on!” he said and spun me around. I shook my head a little and threw my hands up. I had no idea what I was doing. Whenever I saw someone doing this at a party, it looked like they were having fun. Fake it until you make it!
    He smiled to reassure me that I didn’t look like an idiot. He took my hand and moved my arms back and forth. I counted in my head. 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. I was catching the rhythm. All of a sudden, he let go of my hands and started jumping up and down. Then he stood there, stomping his foot. This boy was wild. So I did what he was doing. I started stomping my foot. “Yeah!” he said. I laughed. He gave me a head nod. I gave him one back. “No.” He pointed. I turned around, and Lisa was standing there.
    â€œHi, chipmunk.”
    â€œHey.” Hmm. This was a first. I didn’t like “chipmunk” very much.
    â€œYou look beautiful,” she said.
    â€œThank you. Who did you come here with?” I asked.
    â€œMy friend, Bill. He’s over there by the piano, yapping it up,” Lisa said.
    â€œCool.”
    â€œWhy don’t you come to the house for lunch on Sunday? Stew will be out tomorrow. You guys can meet,” she said.
    â€œOkay. What time? Just don’t bring up the conversation from earlier,” I said.
    â€œThree … ish. Just text, sweetie. And I won’t talk about the office stuff.”
    â€œOkay.” I gave Lisa a hug and kiss. “Oh, this is Merek, my friend. Merek, this is Lisa.”
    â€œNice to meet you,” Merek said and shook Lisa’s hand.
    â€œVery handsome. Where are you from?” she asked.
    â€œAll over. I have lived in more than 20 cities.”
    â€œWow! Are your parents in the military?”
    â€œNo, my father is a diplomat. My mother is from Florida,” he said.
    â€œInteresting. Do you model?”
    â€œNo. I have a band,” he replied.
    â€œWe have a talent division.” Lisa gave Merek her card.
    I was on a date—not a business meeting. “Maybe we’ll call you,” he said.
    â€œMaybe.” Lisa grinned. “I’ll see you on Sunday.”
    I grabbed Merek by the hand and marched to the door. He had one song.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” I said.
    â€œThis is your party. Ready when you are.”
    â€œOutie,” I texted Sierra and Frenchy.
    â€œNo, don’t leave me with Fr,” Sierra texted.
    â€œI’m sorry. I have to bail. Merek’s my ride. You two came together.”
    Merek and I were in the car on the way home. We pulled over on the side of the road just a few houses up from the house. He didn’t say much. I kind of knew what was coming. I think I was pretending not to know. He leaned over the armrest and tried to kiss me. I turned my face. It was only a matter of seconds before he turned my face to his.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked.
    â€œI’m just thinking,” I sighed.
    â€œWhat are you thinking about?”
    â€œI usually don’t kiss on the first date.” I didn’t have any established rules yet. Sierra did, though. So I borrowed one of hers.
    â€œYes. I do hope we get a second date. I’m working on the worship you part of things. I could … show you my music.” He plugged in his iPod. I put my hand on his.
    â€œOnly if you write the lyrics to me