Read Online Hopelessly Broken by Tawny Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

expect certain things. Those expectations, along with his lack of commitment, were what had led to their breakup last year. In a nutshell, he had wanted to have sex, and she hadn’t been ready. So, he found someone else. It seemed, by the look in his eye, he was thinking she would be ready for sex now.
    And she was. But not with him.
    “Thanks.” She crossed her arms over the objects of his admiration. “Look, I’m not going to play around here. I invited you tonight because I need to ask for a favor.”
    His gaze jerked up where it belonged. “What kind of favor?”
    “ A big one.”
    His lips curved. A brow lifted. His gaze flicked to her tits again. “Big?”
    Jenn had always known Bobby ’s brain resided in the gutter most of the time, but couldn’t he drag it out for just one minute so they could have an adult conversation? “Please, Bobby. Would you just listen?”
    “I am listening. Sheesh. You invited me here for dinner. I wasn’t expecting a lecture.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m just…upset.” She glanced at the stairs, wishing she could just run up there and hide and forget all about this. “I need someone to stay with me and my brother for a while.”
    “Stay here? Why?”
    “To keep DHS from taking my brother away and putting him in a foster home.”
    “How will I stop them from doing that?”
    “You would be his temporary guardian. Just until I turn eighteen.”
    Once again, his eyes bugged out. “You want me to be responsible for your little brother? Me?” He shook his head. “That’s crazy. You know what kind of--”
    “I know. ” She let out a huge sigh. “I wouldn’t ask but I’m desperate. I can’t think of anyone else.”
    Now it was his turn to look around them. What he was searching for? It wasn’t like she’d hidden away a cousin twice removed around the corner. “What about family? Don’t you have an aunt or grandparent or someone who can stay here?”
    “No.”
    He took a step backward. “There must be someone—“
    “There’s no one.”
    “Well sorry. I’m not the guy for the job. There’s no way--”
    “Please.” She caught his arm before he ran out the door . “I know this is no small favor I’m asking. But it wouldn’t be for long. Just a couple of weeks.”
    His gaze flicked to her hand. “Jenn, you’re hot. I came over here because I thought might…you know, we might hook up again. But...” He pushed past her, heading for the door. “I always knew you were a little crazy, but I had no idea you were this nuts.”
    “It isn’t crazy. It’s ca lled desperation,” she shouted to his back.
    “Whatever.” Shaking his head, he practically dove out the door.
    There went her last resort. Plans B, C, D, through Z.
    There was nobody else to ask.
    No one.
    Wondering how long she could hold off the caseworker, she dragged herself up to bed.
    * * * * *
    The next morning was ordinary.
    As usual she got up, woke up Logan, and downed half a pot of coffee while making sure Logan got out the door on time, fully dressed, and with everything he needed for school. Finally, after over an hour of chaos, she was able to settle down to work.
    And of course, that wa s when someone knocked on the door.
    Almost one hundred percent sure it was the case worker, she quietly dashed upstairs to check the driveway --and to hide.
    She peered between the slats of her blinds.
    No car in the driveway.
    No car parked in the street.
    A second series of knocks echoed through the house.
    Who the heck?
    She skipped back down the stairs quietly and peeked through the window in the door.
    Aeron?
    She yanked open the door.
    He smiled. “Hi.”
    “Hi.” Confused, she stood there like a nitwit, waiting for him to say something.
    He motioned with his head. “Can I come in?”
    “Sure.” Still thoroughly confused, she stepped aside to let him in then shut the door behind him. “Coffee?”
    “No thanks.”
    She led him to the living room and sat.
    He sat across from her, in the big, old