Beautiful and Broken Read Online Free Page A

better phrasing; her father was the town drunk and her mother cleaned houses for our friends. My mother would never admit to feeling they were beneath her, but I know her better than that. Even after Amy became a big shot public relations person, she never budged an inch in my mother’s estimation. She would always be the girl who lived in a two-bedroom apartment above the town’s only tattoo parlor. Plus, Amy has some dirt on my mom. I imagine that’s a little hard to get over. I know it would be for me.  
    I groan and tip my head back, closing my eyes. After a deep breath, I level my head and meet her gaze. "She's a good friend. And she's been nice enough to let me stay here since I became homeless a week ago."
    "You know perfectly well that you’d be more comfortable at home than here.”  
    “I’m not travelling in to work every day, Mom.” My parents have two residences. House number one is about an hour and half's drive away, in the suburbs. House two is a condo in the city that my father lives in during the week since his practice is local. When she says ‘more comfortable at home,’ she means the house in the suburbs, in the same bedroom I grew up in. There are a million and one reasons why that’s never going to happen.  
    “Yes, heaven forbid you quit your job at the real estate agency .”
    I make a face. Before Jason left me, my job was a constant topic of conversation. I went to college—like they wanted—and majored in art history. After school I was supposed to go to law school, but I couldn’t do it. Imagine their dismay when I settled on a career in real estate. They think it’s a phase, and maybe it is until I find whatever it is I’m meant to do, but for now, it works. And I get some small satisfaction about not needing to ask for their help or money.  
    My mother scrutinizes my face and sits on the couch beside me. She raises her hands to cup my chin. “Hmm. You look pale. And thin. Are you eating?”
    “Every day.”
    “This can’t go on. You need to go back to work and keep yourself busy. I’m sure we could find you a position at the firm. Maybe in administration?”
    “I’m not working for Dad, Mom. We’ve had this conversation too many times.” Although it might be my only option after I go back to work, considering how awful I am at real estate. I haven’t sold a house in almost seven weeks, and am dead last for sales in the office.  
    “So go back to selling houses, then.” My mother’s voice is cold as she waves her hand through the air.  
    “I took vacation for two weeks for my honeymoon." My voice trails off. What would I be doing now in Cuba? Swimming in the ocean? Lounging by the pool? Or making love to Jason on the beach under the moonlight. There it is again, that stabbing pain that continues to remind me how terrifically broken I am. "I'm not ready to face everyone at work yet."
    “I don't blame you. I'd be good and embarrassed too. But it's not forever. His mother already told me he’s devastated, and he wants you back. There’s no need to prolong the breakup when we all know you’ll end up back together anyway. You must have broken up a dozen times since high school.”
    Devastated . I almost laugh. That must be why my phone is ringing off its hook. Not. “It’s different this time, Mom. He cheated on me. With Mia! I couldn’t take him back even if I wanted to, and the more I think about it, the more I think I shouldn’t.”
    “Nonsense. When your father retires, Jason and his father will be left to run the firm. It would be nice to keep the business in the family, so I think you need to go to him, tell him you forgive him. Make him take you back.”
    I shake my head at her and scream internally. Here I thought she was here for me. Stupid, stupid me. “Then maybe Mia should marry him, Mom.”
    “Don’t pull attitude with me, Molly Noella Denton. So he cheated. It happens all the time. You think your father hasn’t had