Connected Read Online A.E. Murphy (Broken #2)

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Angst, College, Dark, Drama, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult Tags Authors: Series: Broken Series by A.E. Murphy
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
<<<<11119202122233141>143
Advertisement


Using sticky tape, I stick it to the underside of my desk. I’ll figure out what I’m going to do with it later.

The title glares at me and sticks in my mind. ‘He Knows’. Who knows? And what do they know?

After giving the house a quick clean and changing into comfier clothing, there’s finally a knock at the door. I answer it with nervous jitters and my smile instantly falls.

“Nathan?” I blink in shock. “What are you doing here? Is Dillan okay?”

He shifts on the spot and licks his lower lip. His silence doesn’t reassure me and my panic rises. He sees this and holds up his gloved hands. “He’s fine, I was just…”

“Hey!” Oh god no, this isn’t happening. “I’ve parked on the front. Don’t worry man, I didn’t block your car in.” This really can’t be happening. Gulp.

Nathan’s eyes open as he looks from me to Eric and then back again.

“Eric.” I say and Nathan’s eyes narrow on the male. “This is my brother in law, Nathan. Nathan, this is Eric.”

“Her not real date.” Eric jokes, but it’s lost on us. “It’s nice to meet you. Gwen has mentioned you.”

Nathan stares at Eric’s outstretched hand. I step forward and grab it, pulling Eric closer to me in the process. He doesn’t seem to mind. “Could you give us a minute? The movie is in the DVD player.”

“Where?”

Oh crap. “My room, umm…” Nathan tenses. “My mum’s home, so… upstairs first door on the right.”

“Sure, popcorn?”

“Already up there.” I say and shift to the side so he can pass. I turn back to Nathan, who is walking back to his car. “Hey, wait up. Where’s Dillan?” I search for any sign of him in the car, but his seat isn’t there.

“He’s with Jeanine.” Nathan states, his tone clipped with an undertone of anger. What did I do?

“So you’re here because?” I prompt and manoeuvre my way between him and the driver’s seat.

He shrugs. “I was in the area.”

A laugh escapes me. “Three hours from home?”

He winces and tries to pull me out of the way, his eyes avoiding mine. “Have a good evening Guinevere.”

Did he drive all of this way to see me? That makes no sense. Why would he do that? “Why are you here?” Oh my god. I was the person he was referring to in his texts. Grr, why does he have to be so confusing?

“I shouldn’t be.” This is hardly an answer. He looks up to my empty bedroom window, his lips a thin white line. “I should go.”

I grab the wrist that is holding my own and click my free fingers in front of his face. “You can look at me, you know.”

A muscle in his jaw ticks as he grits his teeth slightly. “No, I can’t.”

Blink. “Why?” I still try to meet his eyes, but he looks straight ahead. His stubbornness knows no bounds. “Hello?”

“Move out of the way.”

“Are we really doing this?” I scoff. “What have I done now? Is this because of Eric? We’re not dating…”

Nathan’s eyes finally come to mine. “Don’t lie Guinevere; it doesn’t suit you.”

“And finally he looks at me.” I sigh and release my hold on him. He doesn’t release me though and I’m unsure as to why. “Why are you angry with me?”

“I’m not angry with you.” He snaps quite loudly. “I’m angry with myself.”

“For?”

He takes a step back and runs his fingers through his hair. “For deluding myself.”

“Deluding yourself?”

“Into thinking…” He lets out a breath and steps into my space, his body only an inch from mine. “Into thinking you felt even a fraction of what I hoped you did.” My eyes widen of their own accord and my body goes slack, giving him the perfect opportunity to move me out of the way. He climbs into the car and shuts the door. After rolling the window down he grips the steering wheel with both hands and stares straight ahead. “That’s my mistake.”

I don’t say anything. What can I say? I’m officially baffled.

“Nathan.” I call softly as he starts the engine.

“Guys like me never win.” Guys like him? He puts the car in gear. “It’s high time I realised that.” He finally reverses away.

Why do I feel guilty? Does… does Nathan… no. He’s just… But... None of this makes sense.

I’m in denial. Everything Nathan did whilst I lived with him, everything all pointed to one conclusion. He even asked me to marry him! At first I thought it was out of some strange duty to the fiancée and child his brother left behind. He wants me. Or he did.

Does he still? His actions just now really point to the answer yes.

I head back inside, my mind no longer accepting of my date. I can lie to myself all I want, but that’s what this is. It’s a date. No longer do I even want to entertain the idea of seeing another man. What’s worse is Caleb isn’t the only reason behind my sudden change of heart. Nathan seems to be the most prominent one right now. I really don’t want to hurt him. The thought of it is abhorrent to me.


Advertisement

<<<<11119202122233141>143

Advertisement