Famished (The Broken Series)

by Ellie Messe

  "By who? Your dad?"

  "I can't talk about it, okay?” I groan pulling my hat lower on my forehead, “He knew where Kaylan and I were, he knew Parker came to see me, he knows shit, and I don't know how he's figuring it out, but I just need you to go along with it. Please? For me?"

  I blow out a frustrated breath, "You've got to give me something, Hales."

  "I already have. You just haven't figured it out yet."

  "Why are you so cryptic?” Ugh, I forgot how secretive and frustrating this girl is, “You're not going to like off yourself or something are you?"

  "No. I'll be boarding a bus."

  I don’t want to fight with her, I just hope like hell she decides to start talking soon. Instead of demanding information, I take a book out of Maria’s book and redirect the conversation, "What's the job?"

  She shakes her head, not giving anything away. Should have known that wasn’t going to work, Maria’s never been able to get anything out of her either. Resting my head against the window, I sigh defeated.

  "You're so pretty." She smiles at me.

  "You're a pain in my ass."

  "I'm serious!" She shoves her leg over the console to push my thigh. "Even when you’re pissed and mopey you're still pretty."

  "Thought Parker was hotter."

  "He is." She smiles and dodging my hand when it snakes out to tickle her. For a moment Haley’s back then she flinches, grabbing her ribs.

  "You alright?"

  "Yeah. Just a little sore."

  "Where are you hurt?"

  "Got kneed in the ribs."

  Swallowing the frustration, I force an even tone, "Broken?"

  "No."

  "See a doctor?"

  "No."

  "Dammit, Haley!" I slap the wheel and glare at her.

  "Don't be mad, please?"

  "I am mad!" I yell, looking at her face it’s even worse in the shadows, looking back at the road, I flip her visor down, "Look at your face! How am I not supposed to be angry?"

  She doesn’t answer, just calmly closes the visor, looking out her window.

  Neither of us talk on the way to VIN's. Kicking on the blinker, Haley’s head swings in my direction.

  "Drew, what are you doing?"

  "Grabbing us food."

  "I don't want anyone knowing I'm here!"

  "I'm not gonna walk in and announce it. Just stay in the truck."

  Pulling into the parking lot, Haley folds into herself and crawls into the footwell.

  "What the hell are you doing?” I laugh.

  "I don't need someone recognizing the truck, asshole."

  "Why can't Vinny and Jules know?" I ask, parking the truck. Jules is standing on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette.

  "Did you see my face? The second they see me they're gonna call Josh and who is Josh going to call?"

  "Me?"

  "Parker. And then he'll know I'm here."

  "And remind me why that's not on your to-do list?"

  "Because it isn't. Now go inside before people notice you're talking to the floor."

  "You're a weird chick." I laugh, opening the door.

  "Hi, love." Jules smiles at me, throwing her cigarette to the ground, "Who were you talking to?"

  "Hales.”

  "Is she okay? Do you know where she's at?"

  "Yeah, she's okay. I know where she's at, but she's being a moron and doesn't want anyone to know." I know this is pissing Hales off, but in case it wasn’t obvious; I’m a pretty petty person.

  "Where is she?" She asks, eyes wide with worry.

  My eyes skirt the truck before returning to Jules, "Closer than you think."

  "What?"

  "Don't worry about it. You'll know soon enough. Here to grab food. Think Dillon's up for making a cheese steak and a turkey club, no pickles, extra tomatoes?"

  "Andrew." Her voice goes stern, "Are you messing with me? If you're messing with me-" She trails off, a strange mix of anger and hope masks her features.

  "I'm not messing around. Think he's up for it?"

  "Where is she?"

  "I told you; closer than you think and being a fucking moron," I said the last part loud enough for Hales to hear me. I’m just waiting for her to come barreling out of the cab with the intent to murder me at this point.

  "Is she here?" Jules looks back at the truck while I answer her.

  "Dunno, I'm gonna go see if Dillon's free."

  Pulling the door open, I step inside as Jules calls after me.

  “Andrew Mason, spill.”

  “Nothing to spill,” I tell her noticing the tall redhead talking to Vin. Ignoring Jules, I walk up to her, “Patty?”

  Lacy’s older sister twists in her chair, a smile brightening her face when she sees me.

  “Hey, you.”

  I hug her, before nodding at my uncle. “Dillon available?”

  Handing me a pad and pen, I write down Haley and I’s order while talking to Patty, “You down for Christmas?”

  “Unfortunately, I wanted to go on a cruise, but daddy said no. Apparently Lacy’s fighting with her boyfriend and needs the love and support of her family.” She says the last part in a deep man voice.

  “You guys coming by the house at all?” The only reason I care is the brunette currently hiding in Josh’s truck.

  “Doubtful. You know she’ll be all over Parker, and after Thanksgiving, I think daddy wants to keep them apart.”

  “You weren’t even there.” I laugh, handing the pad to Vinny.

  “Yeah, but Lacy was ten shades of pissed that Parker moved on, not to mention apparently they were all over each other at your birthday party.”

  I don’t even try to hide my amusement, “Yeah, Hales is great.”

  “Lace seems to think you’ve got a thing for her and invited her to your party to break them up.” She raises her brow at me. Oh, Patty. Ever the gossip.

  “Hales is hot for sure, but she’s far from my type.”

  “And what is your type?”

  “Blonde, green eyes, fat ass.” I wag my brows at her, unaware I described Emma until after the fact. Patty gives me an unimpressed look, “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Were you hoping for round two?”

  She laughs, “You just always seem to be into the bustier women.” I’m almost positive she’s saying this cause she’s got a huge rack and a pancake ass, plus she avoided my question.

  “I won’t be complaining either way, but if I got to choose between the two, ass wins every time.”

  Vinny holds out a plastic bag but refuses to release it, meeting his eyes I see his eyes are unusually stern, “Odd order.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Drew.”

  “I was fucking with Jules. I was on the phone with Hales and promised to try her stupid sandwich.” He releases the bag looking between Patty and me. I know he wants to push further but Patty’s mouth is as loose as her legs, and he knows it.

  “We’ll see you at the party tomorrow.” He tells me, moving further down the bar.

  “Sure will. Alright, Pattycake, off I go. It was nice seeing you; you left so early at Thanksgiving I wasn’t able to catch up with you.”

  “We’ll make up for lost time, I’m sure.”

  HA! We will not, you just want the D. You were unimpressive at 19, I highly doubt you’ve improved, “Sorry, sweetheart, I’ve decided to close up shop.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her expression grows impressed as the realization that I’m not kidding sinks in. Hopefully, this little tidbit will be juicy enough to forget Vinny and I’s weird sandwich conversation.

  With a wave to those present, I scurry outside and back into the truck where Haley’s still balled up on the floor. She looks beyond pissed and can’t contain the laughter that breaks free.

  "You're dead to me." She tells me while I start the truck and back up. “What the fuck was that?” She growls, climbing back into the seat.

  "What? I didn't t
ell her you were here."

  "Yes, you did!

  "No. I said I didn't know."

  "After you basically pointed a neon sign to the truck! She knows, and now she's going to tell Vinny, and in about twenty minutes everyone's going to know!"

  "No, they won't." I sigh, I wish they did. "I told her I was messing with her." Well, I told Vinny who will tell Jules.

  Her glare burns holes through my head, "You're such an asshole."

  Fits of laughter overtake me on and off for the remainder of the drive to her complex. She’s so easy to piss off, and the fact she’s mad but can still laugh through it is even better. I’ve been kicked twice on the drive over for my shenanigans.

  "How are you going to explain the truck?" She asks as I back into guest parking.

  "To who?"

  "To Parker, you big dummy. He'll see the truck and know you're here."

  "Then he'll call."

  "And you'll say what? Parked the truck and decided to walk around?"

  I chuckle, she gives Parker too much credit, "He ain’t gonna notice, and if he does, I'll tell him I saw a nice piece of ass and got distracted."

  I wag my brows at her, and she socks me in the arm. "I’m not a piece of ass."

  I laugh harder, rubbing my arm, "You hit hard for a chick."

  "Keep up with your shenanigans, and I'll hit you like I mean it."

  She’s a feisty little midget. Still, I humor her by surrendering my hands, "Okay, okay!"

  Exiting the truck, Haley drags me around the back of the apartment building. She looks like a freaking idiot peeking over the corner of the building like the damn hamburglar.

  Leaning little by little I use my sweet ninja skills to get closer to her before jamming my fingers into her back, "BOO."

  She jumps out of her skin before wincing in pain. Shit, I momentarily forgot about her ribs, she gets me back by punching me in the arm, "Ow! Fuck!" Jesus, she hits hard.

  "Warned you."

  "What are you worried about?"

  "I'm worried he'll come out to smoke and see us going into my apartment."

  "He's not gonna see.” I roll my eyes at her theatrics, “Come on, 007."

  "I'm not kidding, Drew."

  Seeing the seriousness on her face, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. After pressing random buttons, I hold my phone up to my ear.

  "Hey, brother. Is my lucky shirt at your place?” I ask the dead line. You know what would suck? If someone called or texted me right now. “You sure? I think I left it in your hall bathroom." I nod her forward pretending like the coast is clear. It’s comical watching her rush down the sidewalk, digging in her pockets for her house key, my eyes drift to Parker’s apartment, willing him to come outside. "Damn. Alright. Hey, what are you doing tonight?" I offer a few mhm’s as she unlocks the door and ushers me inside. "Care if I come by later?... Cool. Hey, have you heard from Haley?... Damn, well I'll probably see you in a bit… Alright, later."

  I give her a triumphant smile, tucking my phone in. "Damn dude, I was scared I'd never see you in here again."

  "Me too. I missed it."

  I set her bag on the table before moving to sit on the couch with our food. "I bet. So tell me what you've been up to." Maybe we start by what happened to your face?

  She sits down and closes her eyes, "Give me a minute. I've missed my couch so much."

  I laugh, pulling out our food and hand her hers. She unwraps it in record time shoving half the sandwich down her throat; good for Parker. She groans out some word that I can’t even begin to try and understand.

  "Was that English?"

  She laughs, covering her mouth to keep that big ass chunk of sandwich from falling out, "I said, oh my God! This is like my favorite thing of all time."

  "Apart from my brother's dick."

  She chokes, throwing herself into a coughing fit. It’s fucking hilarious, and I’m okay with being that asshole who laughs.

  As she hacks the last of it out of her lungs, she kicks me in the leg, "Why are you such a dick?"

  "Part of my charm, sunshine. So really, what have you been doing?"

  “Not a whole lot to be honest. We flew to Savannah and stayed with a buddy of Kaylan’s, don’t give me that look; Hoyt took care of me, and I trust him. Anyway, I mostly just walked around and slept.”

  “Why did Kaylan bail?”

  “He didn’t bail,” She says around a mouthful of food, “He had shit to take care of and needed to split, he said goodbye this time.”

  “So why did he go dark? Why didn’t he let Parker or I know that you were safe and he was leaving rather than just cut us off the same day you did?”

  “You were talking to Kaylan?”

  “Not me, but Parker was. Kaylan would give him updates, so we didn’t completely lose our minds, but once Parker left Georgia, he went dark.”

  “He’s such an idiot, I swear. That’s probably how my dad found me; using Kaylan’s phone.”

  “How would he be able to do that? We tried like hell to track you and weren’t able to. Josh even hired a P.I. to track your ass down.”

  A small smile tugs at her lips before sadness clouds over, “Y’all shouldn’t be doing shit like that either.”

  “Too bad, sunshine.”

  “You gonna tell Parker you’re here yet?”

  She gives me a glare, “No.”

  “Come on, why not Hales?”

  “Because it breaks the deal.”

  “Fuck the deal! He’s in love with you dude, and you can deny that shit all day long but I know you love him too. He’s going to find out one way or another.”

  “No, he won’t cause you’re going to keep this to yourself.”

  “What about Maria and Josh? Or Vinny and Jules? You just going to skip town without seeing them?”

  “I told you I would go over to HEAT, and yeah, most likely VIN’s too.”

  “And you expect them to keep it from Parker?”

  “No, but by that point I’ll be on a bus headed out of town.”

  “You’re not leaving and you need to make good with Parker because he’s a fucking wreck without you.”

  She rolls her eyes, taking another enormous bite out of her sub, “He is not.”

  “Whatever dude, you’re not the one who’s been around to witness it.”

  “I don’t want to argue with you.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you either, but this needs to happen, Hales. Maybe not tonight, but tomorrow at some point. You’re home for Christmas right? Well, your family will be there Christmas Day. Maybe you think about reconsidering.”

  “Fine. I’ll think about it but I’m not telling anyone tonight and neither are you.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.” She mumbles with a smile, “Oh! I helped bartend one night, and there was this wicked hot busty blonde that immediately made me think of you.”

  Not the smoothest transition but I’ll take it. Opening the collar of my shirt, I look down my shirt, “I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m ‘busty,’ but I appreciate the compliment.”

  She laughs, “You’re such an idiot.”

  “That’s why you love me.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “So what was this blonde like?”

  “Ordered chasers.”

  I laugh loudly, “That’s already a strike against her. I like a woman who can swallow.”

  “Ew! Drew! Why are you such a pig?!” She howls beside me

  “Part of my charm. Obviously. Hey, kick the T.V. on or turn on a light, it’s getting dark in here.”

  Her chuckles slow as she turns on the flat screen Parker and I got her.

  We enjoy our subs, conversation, and good T.V. until close to one in the morning when the greatest idea on the planet strikes me.

  “You know what we need?” She twists to look at me but remains silent, “Chocolate milk and gas station donuts.”

  Her face scrunches up, “Why gas station?”

  “Cause ga
s stations have the best donuts.”

  “You mean the most touched by a stranger donuts?”

  “That’s nasty.” I deadpan, “It’s too late to go to Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme, and I might die. I haven’t had any junk food in like a month. I’ll get the ones with the least amount of fingerprints on the frosting, deal?”

  She shakes her head and laughs, “When you get sick later, remember I said this was a bad idea. Oh, and you can also use the hall bathroom. No way you’re blowing up mine.”

  Smiling at her, I press a peck against her cheek before patting my pockets to make sure I have my keys and wallet before heading out to the truck.

  Driving down to the gas station on the corner, I’m sure you can imagine my disappointment when they had neither donuts nor chocolate milk. After getting Hales a pack of cigarettes, I drive ten minutes to an open grocery store and find the goldmine of donuts, selecting more than either of us will ever eat, I get a gallon of chocolate milk and make my way back to the apartment complex.

  Remember when I have my best friend back? A huge smile is plastered on my face while I wait for the light. She may be busted up but at least she’s here, and that’s all I care about. Parker is sure to lose his shit when he sees her, but again, they’ll be getting nasty within the first five seconds, so I mean waiting one night won’t be too bad.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Drew

  Pulling into Haley’s complex, I park the truck, pulling out my phone I send a text to Emma;

  ME: Sweet dreams.

  I stare at the screen before erasing that bullshit boyfriend text and go with something a little classier;

  ME: Enjoy your night off, I plan on fucking you blind tomorrow.

  There that’s better. I smirk at the phone, before pocketing it and grabbing the bag and milk.

  Heading back to Haley’s apartment, I’m annoyed to find the damn door is unlocked. She’s on the run, yet leaves her door unlocked.

  Pushing through the threshold, I kick the door shut while yelling down the hall, "Haley, Baley! I'm back! Why the fuck is the door unlocked?" Opening the fridge, I throw the milk into her bare door, "If I didn't make it obvious earlier, you're a moron."

  Voices trail down the hall as my heart rate picks up, “Hales?”

  Rushing down the hall, I come face to face with a severely pissed off Parker.

  "What the fuck, brother?"