Broken Survivor Read Online Free PDF Page B

the hell are you doing here?” Her mother’s old friend and the neighborhood screw-up grabbed Holly by the arm and shook her.
    “Oh, don’t be a hypocrite, Lydia. I’m here for the same reason you are.”
    “Oh and you want to turn out like me, is that it?”
    Oh hell no!
    “Hey, man, back off.” Adam forced Lydia to let go and didn’t look very impressed. “How much do you want this time?”
    Holly didn’t bother to stick around long enough to hear any more. Their party moved yet again, and they ended up back at Ron’s to eat pizza and pass out. Seeing her mother’s so-called friend was something Holly would worry about later. In the meantime, she tried to enjoy the rest of her night being carefree. All her problems would still be there in the morning.
     
    ***
     
    On her way home, the sun was way too strong for Holly’s liking. She was groggy and had a bit of a headache. Her mouth felt pasty, and she could probably have used a couple hours of more sleep. In fact, that was her plan for the day as soon as she made it home—a snooze and a couple of aspirin. The morning air was cool as she waited for her bus, and she hoped like hell she didn’t look half as bad as she felt.
    Just chalk it up to a night without sleep and tell everyone you’re not feeling well so they’ll all leave you alone , she thought on the way home. Easy peasy!
    Or not…
    The door popped open before she could turn the knob, and Karen ushered her in. “Oh there you are. Brace yourself, honey, we’ve got company.”
    “Huh?”
    Chrystal stood from the table when Holly walked through the threshold into the dining room and nodded to the person standing behind her.
    “Dad?” Holly asked.
    “Hey, baby, come here and give your old man a hug.”
    “If you’ll excuse me.” Her aunt gave her hand a squeeze and left the room. Holly knew she wasn’t comfortable around Christian, and who could blame her? Not many people were.
    Here goes nothing. Holly took a deep breath and didn’t let it go until he squeezed his arms around her. It felt awkward, but at the same time she was a little relieved, as weird as that sounds. He was her only parent left, and she had mixed emotions about that. How could you want to love someone you hated, the same man who made you hurt time and time again? Could she forgive him enough to push the past behind her and give him a second chance?
    “You don’t look so hot,” he said.
    Damn it! “Gee thanks, Dad, it’s nice to see you too.” She stepped back, shut her eyes, and rubbed her temples. “I was at a friend’s place last night and didn’t sleep very well. I’ve got a massive headache, and I’m not feeling so great. But thanks for noticing how awful I look.”
    Her sister laughed and nudged her in the side. Daddy Dearest actually blushed when he apologized, and they sat down.
    “You guys have grown up so much since the last time I saw you.”
    Well, no shit, Sherlock. She took a deep breath. Be nice, Holly. You can do it. The sperm donor is actually trying to be a father right now. Give him a shot.
    “And how have you been?” She did wonder.
    “I’ve been better since your call, or I’m trying to be. Look, girls, I need to talk to you about where you’re going to stay. I’m moving back, and although I’d love for you to be with me, I need to clean myself up first. So I think its best you stay with your aunt in the meantime. Mom probably would’ve wanted it that way, anyway. I’ll be around, though, and if I’m not, I’ll always be a phone call away, and it won’t take me long to get to you. Are you both okay with this?”
    Okay, so that basically means you’re still the screwed-up, crazy, drug-addicted jerk you always were. Why couldn’t it have been you instead? I want my mom! She looked to her sister, and they both nodded in agreement.
    “I guess so,” Holly said. Living with Karen’s family was definitely a better option than being with Christian anyway. It wasn’t as though her