Broken Series by Dawn Pendleton Read Free Book Online Page A

it.
    “I think he’s about to catch hell,” Gabby added.
    They both sipped their drinks as if we hadn’t just ruined a relationship. The conversation migrated to other topics eventually and my guilt eased with my growing inebriation. Luke didn’t deserve to stay in a relationship if he was going to cheat, or almost cheat on Carrie. Especially with me. I was his past. No woman would want to be a part of his and my crazy mixed-up history.
    By midnight, neither Luke nor Carrie had reentered the bar and we were all full-blown drunk. I figured I was going to have to call a cab. In Boston, that was easier, of course. When Baker stepped forward to offer the three of us a ride, I was grateful.
    “You ladies shouldn’t be driving,” he said authoritatively.
    “I didn’t drive. My apartment is only one street over,” Gabby told him, grabbing her purse. “I’ll walk.”
    Baker didn’t look impressed but he allowed it. “Guess it’s just you two and me,” he said with a grin. “A threesome.”
    I laughed. “Baker, eww! You’re such a perv.”
    “I can call my mom,” Rainey said.
    “It’s not a problem, Rainey. After what happened when you arrived, I figure I owed it to you,” he replied.
    I was suddenly in the dark. Rainey hadn’t mentioned a run-in with Baker. I glared at her and she mouthed later. The two of us followed Baker out of the bar.
    We got halfway across the parking lot when I saw him. Luke was standing alone on the sidewalk, hands tucked into his pockets and appearing tortured. We had to pass by him to get to Baker’s car.
    “ Mallory. I’ll give you a ride home,” he said through clenched teeth.
    “That’s not necessary, Luke. Baker’s giving me a ride.”
    I didn’t want to be anywhere near him at the moment. His temper was unmatched except maybe by my own.
    “I insist,” he said, wrapping his fingers around my arm.
    I glanced at Baker but he was smiling like a lunatic. Useless oaf.
    Rainey wasn’t any happier about riding home alone with Baker than I was about riding home with Luke. Of course, we were both more than just a little drunk, which made everything just a little funny. I giggled.
    “Something amusing?” Luke asked as he steered me toward his truck. His tone suggested I refrain from answering.
    I didn’t take the hint. “Not really. I just realized I haven’t been this drunk in a long time,” I replied honestly.
    He raised a brow at me but didn’t say a word. I found his silence hilarious. He opened the passenger door of his truck and pushed me inside. “Get in, you loon,” he muttered.
    His irritation only spurred my hilarity. “I might be a loon, but I’m a damn fine one,” I said after I was seated on the bench seat. I rubbed my hands down my legs.
    Luke had been about to slam the door but froze. His eyes followed the movement of my hands and he took in a slow, trembling breath. “You are that,” he murmured and slammed the door.
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
    Luke
     
    The fact that she’d shown up at the bar I frequented on a regular basis was nothing short of bad karma. I figured I deserved it for what I’d revealed to her today. But she and her drunk friends insisting on chatting with my girlfriend? That was more than just bad luck. I should have been smart enough to see what was coming and high-tailed it out of there.
    I’d made a mistake today, several, in fact, and I should have stayed home. I’d left Mallory’s house feeling lower than low and I needed a drink. I remembered Carrie had wanted to hang out, so I called her and made plans to meet her at the bar after her shift.
    When I saw Mallory, Rainey, and Gabby sitting at a table in the back of the bar, I wanted to tuck tail and run. I hadn’t believed Mallory would end up saying something to Carrie, but she surprised me. After spending no more than twenty minutes at that table of death, Carrie had marched over to where I was talking to Baker and demanded I take her home.
    After a long discussion