Broken Hill Hurt (Broken Hill High 3)

“I don’t know,” she cries, throwing her hands around in her desperation. “He’s distancing himself and I don’t know why. I want to forget about it and move on, but I just can’t. I love him so much, but he’s going to hurt me. I feel it.”

I throw my arms around her and hold on for dear life. “You don’t know that,” I tell her. “Maybe something is going on with him that he’s not ready to talk about.”

She shakes her head. “No, he’s never held back telling me things about his life.”

I let out a sigh. “I don’t know, Brooke. Maybe I can ask Nate if he knows what’s going on?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know. I doubt he knows anything.”

“It’s worth a shot,” I say before getting to my feet. I pull her up behind me and wipe the tears from her face. “Come on,” I tell her. “Pull it together. You don’t want the others to see you like this.”

“Did my mascara run?” she questions as she wipes carefully under her eyes.

“No,” I say, taking her hand and leading her back to the cafeteria. “Looks perfect to me.”

She catches up with me so I’m no longer dragging her and she loops her arm through mine. “Thanks,” she murmurs. “It feels better getting that off my chest.”

I grin at her. “What are best friends for if not to listening to your mindless chatter?”

“Shut up,” she laughs as we step back inside. “What are your plans for Christmas break?”

I think it over and realize I actually have no damn clue. This year is going to be different without dad so we’ll have to make some changes. “I don’t really have any,” I tell her as my excitement begins to grow. I mean, there’s only a week left of school and then we get a week to ourselves. It’s going to be incredible.

“You mean, apart from drowning in a sea of Nate?” she laughs.

“Now you’re just pointing out the obvious,” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes and leads me into the cafeteria. “Well, I demand you spend at least three of those days solely on me.”

“Ok,” I laugh. “You’ve got yourself a deal, but you have to clear it with Nate first. He’s not going to be too happy about sharing his prized possession.”

“Tough shit,” she laughs. “I might even cause a little trouble and stay the night.”

Well, this is going to be one hell of an exciting Christmas break.

Chapter 5

I get home after a long day of doing absolutely nothing and cut my engine outside my house. The first thing I notice is that mom’s car is nowhere to be seen.

I grab my bag off the passenger’s side and run in through the big double doors. “Mom?” I call out before unlocking the internal door to the garage. I throw it open and confirm that mom’s car is definitely not here.

My mood instantly picks up. “Mom?” I call again just to make sure.

I dash upstairs and throw open every single door in the house just to be certain before flying back out to my car and starting it up. With mom missing in action, that gives me just a little time to go and see Nate, though, I need to be careful about this. I pull out my phone and send her a text.

Tora – I’m at home. You’re not here?

Mom – Sorry love. I got caught up with the girls. I’ll be home for dinner. How was your suspension?

A massive grin rips across my face. I’ll have the whole afternoon to spend with Nate.

Tora – Boring!

Mom – Get your homework done!

With that, I throw my phone down on the passenger’s side and peel back out of the driveway. Within the space of seven minutes, I’m driving through the massive gates of Nate’s home.

As I drive down to the house, I spot Nate immediately, working away on his Mustang in the open garage. He looks up as he hears my tires on the drive and puts down whatever he’s holding.

He walks forward as I bring my car to a stop and opens the door for me. “Day one of your suspension and you’re already breaking mommy’s rules,” he grins as he draws me into his arms.

I tilt my chin up to him. “I’ve been a very naughty girl. Are you going to punish me?”

He studies me for a second. “I’ll bend you over the hood of your car right now if only you were serious.”

I scrunch my face up. “Can you save that for later?” I question. “I have to get my homework done or risk facing the wrath of my mother again.”

“Ok,” he laughs as he leads me into the garage. “Wait here,” he tells me.

“Where are you going?” I demand as he heads for the internal door.