Snared (Jaded Regret #1) Read Online Free Page A

seen, so I’d just shut down. At first, my mom cared about taking me to see therapists and talking to me, trying to get through to me. But after a few years of my silence and refusal to let her in, she’d given up.
    Once I started exhibiting signs of mental illness like my dad, she’d turned to verbally abusing me. She’d lash out when she was tired of dealing with my issues and saying I was going to end up just like my father, a worthless moron who couldn’t do anything. She constantly reminded me he’d killed himself so he wouldn’t have to be around us.
    Natalie would wrap herself around me at night and talk to me, talk until I fell asleep having not said a word to her. She’d tell me she loved me, that Mommy was just sad about losing Daddy, how Mommy didn’t mean to be mean to me, and that no matter what, I’d always have my big sister there to protect me. But I’d always thought her logic was fucked up—I was a boy, the man of the house. I should be there for her. Anytime I’d say that to her as a child or teenager, she would roll her eyes at me and tell me to shut up, tell me how she was the big sister and it was her job. Hell, she’d probably say that now.
    I remembered my first mental breakdown like it was yesterday. I’d been eight years old and at school when a feeling I still couldn’t explain came over me. It was like my brain had just revolted against me and took over, causing me to pick up and throw chairs, scream, cry, and fight with anyone who came into contact with me. My mom had taken me to the hospital that day. The doctors put me on meds and encouraged her to admit me to an inpatient center. She’d refused to admit me, but took the drugs, saying I just needed to stop acting like a “spoiled fucking brat.” She’d then locked me in my room for the week I was suspended from school, opening the door only to give me the pills that quieted my head and give me food.
    I sat up, forcing the thoughts away. I hated thinking about that shit. There was nothing I could do about it, so why continue to think about it? I grabbed my pill bottle and water, and downed my three morning pills. Natalie didn’t like it when I called them my Crazy Pills, but it was just to make light of it. Though there was nothing light about it, and we both knew it. It was just my way of coping with the shit that encompassed me.

    “You know I fucking hate wearing a shirt and tie,” I grumbled as my sister adjusted said tie. “This wasn’t part of the deal.”
    “Stop whining, Beau. You’re handsome as hell. Plus, we have to meet Dr. Knight and his family tonight to kick off the fundraising event. They sold tickets to this meet and greet for over a thousand dollars a head!”
    “We’re rockers, Nat.” I fought the urge to take the tie and throw it across the room. “We don’t fucking wear suits.”
    “Tonight you do.” Natalie stepped back and smiled at me. “You look like a hot executive, Beau. I could get used to seeing my handsome brother all fancy every day.”
    I furrowed my brow. “Over my dead body,” I said. “Nat, you are breathtaking tonight, though.” And she was. She was wearing a gold, sparkly form-fitting dress with heels I couldn’t fathom ever having to take one step in. Her blond hair was curled around her shoulders, and her makeup was heavier than usual. I thought the girl was fucking beautiful with no makeup and a ratty T-shirt, but she would turn heads tonight. I wasn’t sure I wanted her to turn as many heads as she would.
    “Thank you, Beau. That means a lot to me.” She kissed me quickly on the cheek. “Ready?” Natalie grabbed a small purse and tucked it under her arm. The dinner to kick off the fundraiser was being held in the ballroom of the hotel. It was just down the street from the hospital, where we’d put on the concert tomorrow.
    “Let’s get this over with,” I said, holding my arm out for her. We made our way to the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close,