Fractured by Erin Hayes Read Free Book Online Page B

Seth,” she told him. “I just want to get my sister back.”
    He didn’t say anything else, and just held her for a few moments in their own little bubble.
    “We’re ready to go,” Darius called to them. “What about you guys?”
    “Lily’s not here yet,” Bash said, getting to her feet. She took out her cellphone and fumbled with it for a moment. Seth knew that she had every number on her contact list memorized so she could just dial the number and get a hold of anyone.
    After a few attempts, Bash put the phone away in frustration. “Dammit, she’s not answering.”
    Just then, a dingy-looking car pulled up the curb. Seth immediately recognized the person in the passenger seat.
    He gently put a hand on Bash’s shoulder. “She’s here.”
    Lily got out of the passenger door, and Seth had to fight the urge to glare at her. She didn’t meet anyone’s eyes, just stumbled over to the trunk of the car to pull out a single duffle bag—nowhere near enough for a weekend in colder climates, let alone a week of skiing. She seemed as if she was still drunk. She tapped the side of the car twice and it drove lazily away, leaving a plume of dark smoke polluting the air.
    Seth wondered just who it was that dropped her off. Perhaps just another one of her awkward one-night stands. Her defiant yet embarrassed stance confirmed it. He’d seen her like this enough to know that look.
    It was moments like this where Seth saw the biggest differences between the two sisters. They were both about 5’6”, with Lily being slightly taller. Lily was curvier than Bash, who was skinnier and still healthy. Bash had her dark mahogany hair cut short around her face, perfectly framing her cheekbones. Lily had longer, darker hair that she always kept in a wild ponytail. It was their eyes that were the most striking difference. Bash’s eyes were such a light blue, they were nearly the color of white. Lily’s eyes were dark green.
    In the traditional sense, Lily would be considered the prettier sister, but her air of self-doubt and broodiness that created a swirl of darkness around her. Bash exuded a sense of self-awareness. To some, she came across as reflective and quiet. To others, she was a nice, sweet person. It was what first brought Seth to her.
    “Hey, Lily,” Bash called out, her voice uneasy. “You nearly missed the bus.” She tried to laugh, the note falling flat.
    Lily stumbled by her, so close that the air flow must’ve alerted Bash to her sister’s proximity. Her hand lashed out and gripped Lily, forcing her to stop and look at Bash.
    “I overslept, okay?” Lily grumbled.
    “Overslept? Hon, you knew we were going to leave at 7am sharp,” Bash told her. Her cheeks flushed with sudden anger as she faced her. “Who was it that dropped you off?”
    “A friend,” Lily growled, her cheeks reddening. Seth knew that she was closing herself off to any further questions. He was about to intervene when Rick and Maria did it for him.
    “Hi, I’m Maria. And this flaco is my boyfriend, Rick.” Maria punched him in the arm and he held out his hand to shake Lily’s hand. She warily took it.
    “Lily,” she answered quickly. The ghost of a smile flickered across her face.
    “Nice to meet you,” Rick said. He seemed to be oblivious to the standoff that happened just a few seconds before. His hand lingered on Lily’s hand, just long enough for Seth to notice.
    “And you remember Darius,” Seth offered, gesturing to his friend. At 6’4” and built of solid muscle, Darius made an imposing figure. Lily just glared up at him and nodded at him curtly. Seth remembered that their first meeting hadn’t gone very well. Lily had tried to pick up Darius, who constantly refused her advances. She must have still been holding a grudge against him.
    Seth couldn’t blame him for turning down such a train wreck.
    “I’m Scott,” Seth’s little brother said, popping out from behind Darius. He held out his hand to Lily, who actually