Hungry Heart: Part Two Read Online Free Page A

over? ”
    “He wants me to come over. Says he may or may not be drinking.”
    “That means he’s probably drunk.”
    “Strange reaction for a man who told me he stopped being hurt by Miranda a long time ago.”
    “Caro, don’t be an idiot.” When my mouth drops open at that, he uses two fingers to shut it and gives me a disapproving look. “He might’ve known her breaking up with him was inevitable, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less no matter what he tells himself. I mean, they’re getting married and having a baby. That would hurt anyone who loved someone who didn’t want to be together anymore after eight years together.”
    “Yeah, you’re right, I guess. I know I’d be pretty upset. If I go, will you drive me over?”
    “When you go, you mean? Yes I will take you.”
    I text Benedict back with a sigh. “ Yes, I’ll be there in a little while .”
    His reply is instant. “ Good. I need a hug. ”
    And just like that, my heart melts. I would need a hug too, but not sure my biggest reaction would involve drowning my pain in alcohol. However, I’m not him and I barely see him drink, so I’ll let him do it his way as long as it doesn’t get out of hand and comfort him the best I can.
    “Sooooo.” Ethan raises a brow at me, unable to speak since he’s chewing. “When you going to your family’s for dinner? Are ya taking Destiny?”
    “Usual time and no. I guess Len and Miranda are planning to tell his parents all their bullshit so it’s absolutely necessary she’s there.” He says the last few words with immense sarcasm and rolls his eyes. “Merry Christmas to me. I told her she’ll meet everybody at New Year’s though, so she’s pretty excited.”
    “You two are pretty serious.”
    “Says the girl with two boyfriends?”
    “I would say touché, but I’ve yet to meet either of their families, and I like it that way.”
    His head rears back, eyes going wide. “What? You’ve been with Nathan for how many years and you haven’t met the fam? That’s not cool, Caro.”
    “It’s no big deal, especially since I don’t want to meet them, and I told him so.”
    “Why? After all this time they probably think you hate them, or you’re a snob.”
    “Guess I’m a snob then.”
    “Caro…”
    I don’t need to explain it to him because he already knows, but every so often he thinks he has to try and make me admit I hate my parents for not being around. I refuse to say it because there’s so much more to it than that and I’m not engaging with him today, so I shake my head. Then, with a huff of irritation, I grab my stuff off the table and throw it away, turning to head toward the steps one that’s done. “Just drop it. I’ll go get ready and we’ll leave in like…ten minutes?”
    “Yeah,” he says in a strained voice. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”
    I don’t even turn back to look at him before heading upstairs and barely a minute passes before the door slams behind him as he exits.

5
    I send Benedict a text minutes before we arrive at his house, and Ethan waits while I walk up to the front door and ring the bell.
    The second the door opens, I’m staring at a half-dressed drunk and grinning like a fool Benedict, and it’s not much longer before Ethan speeds away. But I’m not paying attention to that; all my focus is on the gorgeous bare chest in front of my eyes.
    Oh, and the overwhelming scent of liquor.
    He steps back, extending his arm in invitation with a flourish, which causes some of whatever he’s drinking to slosh over the rim and onto the floor. Shutting the door behind me and locking it, I step toward him with my hand out and he frowns at me.
    “You don’t need that now that I’m here.”
    He hasn’t said a word to me yet, and I start to wonder how much he’s had to drink, even though he isn’t showing any signs of intoxication. The downturn of his mouth becomes more pronounced as it equals the pain in his gaze, but he places the glass in my hand with