Free Fractured ( Fractured #1) by Holleigh James Page B

down my face. I couldn’t hold them back any longer. Stop this, Mandy. This is the way she is. You know that. There’s nothing you can do, until she wants to change.
    With a deep breath, I squared my shoulders, and poured her a cup of coffee. I placed the mug filled with the black liquid in her hand and commanded her to sip it.
    Her face twisted with disappointment when she realized I hadn’t spiked it. “This coffee is weak,” she said. I knew she wished it had alcohol in it. Her gaze was sharp and impaling.
    “I’m going to the creek,” I said, as I picked up my sketchpad and art bag.
    She held the coffee mug and looked at me. “So?” Her tone cut the air. She took another sip of the strong black brew and scrunched up her nose.
    Once I was out the door, I was sure she’d tear the house apart looking for any and all of what I poured down the sink. At least she wouldn’t find any in the hiding places that I was aware of. My tears welled up again, but I took a deep breath and stood up straight. Then I flung the bag with my art supplies over my shoulder and marched down the street. Think of something positive, something not my family… Rob.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
     
    The black BMW was parked in front of the third house from the corner. At first, it appeared as if it were empty, but after looking at it more closely, I saw an arm resting out of the opened driver’s window. Brushing away my tears, hope trickled from my brain to my feet. My heart rate increase d . Trying to stall and slow my breathing, I pretended to search for something in my bag. Why is he parked here? Is he here to see me? Does he know someone else on this block? Is he just parking here before he has to go to work, like he did before? Even if he wasn’t there to see me, I was happy to see him again.
    Be coy , Mandy. Act like you don’t see him . I straightened my shoulders, made sure I wasn’t crying anymore, and held my head high as I walked up the street. My heart fluttered faster as I approached the car. Don’t look! Make believe it’s just any other car . I walked passed him and stopped at the stop sign. Looking both ways, I checked for traffic, even though I knew caterpillars traveled that street more often than any cars ever did. I crossed. Not daring to turn around to see his reaction, I was more conscious of the engine. I heard the window close. Please don’t drive away. Please don’t drive away. Please don’t drive away. I considered turning, but I kept my steps steady and focused hard to filter out the sounds of nature.
    I strained to hear the car again, but the only sounds that filled my ears were the screeches of the blue jays and the rustle of the leaves of the trees dancing with the breeze.
    I continued for another half of a block before giving in to my curiosity. Quickly, Mandy , or you’ll lose your nerve. With a deep breath, I whipped my head around so fast that the tip of my reddish-blonde ponytail poked me in the eye.
    Three feet behind me, Rob stood with his arms crossed over h is broad chest. One eyebrow was arched on his forehead. “I was wondering when you were going to turn around.” An attempt to hide his wonderful smile failed when his dimple appeared to the right of his mouth. The small stubble on his chin was gone. “Why’d it take you so long?”
    “I … I didn’t think you were here for me.” I braced myself for the truth: he was parking before going to work; he was lost; he was waiting for someone else–another girl. I strained to remember who lived on the block. Perhaps he was here to talk to my father about some part for his car, or my brother for the list of hot girls who wouldn’t be as bad at this as I was.
    More of his dimple showed. “You said you’d take me to your creek.”
    He was here to see me! Tingles raced through my body. My mind went blank. A smile stretched across my face as my spirit floated towards the clouds. I hugged my bag close to my chest to