All The Broken Pieces: A Waterford Novel

By Mia Hayes

Not all broken things are ruined.

Then: Ellison Brooks -  PTA President, real estate agent extraordinaire, and Head Bitch in Charge with endless friends and parties to attend.

Now: Ellison Brooks – divorced, single mother of two, financially reliant on her awful ex-husband, and utterly lacking self-confidence.

One month after her divorce is final, Ellison's ex-husband marries the woman he left her for, sending Ellison spiraling into despair. Her friends have abandoned her, her job is in the tank, and she's lonely for human connection.

The woman who once had everything now does little more than drink wine and focus on the time she has with her kids. She's a mess and has no idea how to fix herself.

But then Ellison meets Luke, an intriguing stranger who is only in town for the weekend. Determined to break out of her rut, Ellison jumps at the chance for a hot, one-night stand. When it's over, she walks away from Mr. One Night Only with no idea how to ever reach him again…

…Until the first day of school when Luke turns out to be her son's new teacher. Despite their electric connection, Luke is off-limits according to school board rules and everyone around Ellison. But she just can't stay away.

 

As the town of Waterford buzzes about her possible romance, Ellison tries to figure out how to navigate the bitchy world of frenemies, town gossips, and a petty ex-husband while piecing herself back together.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: FinnStar Publishing
• Release date: Jan 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386732631

Mia Hayes

Mia is a notorious eavesdropper who lives in Northern Virginia, outside Washington DC, with her husband, sons, two cats, and Harlow the Cavapoo. She drinks too much green tea, loves traveling, and has mastered the art of procrastination-cleaning.

Book preview

1

CRY IT OUT

One stray sock and a toothbrush.

That's all that remained of Ellison's ex-husband. The furniture, sheets, and paintings were new. The townhouse, too.

She hadn't wanted the divorce – didn’t see it coming – but it was there lurking, waiting for her to let her guard down. And when she felt comfortable in her life, with the comings and goings of her husband, with the money and the children, he declared he no longer loved her and had fallen in love with someone else.

Someone else.

Not her.

The thought still left her breathless, but she no longer curled into a sobbing ball.

The demise of her marriage wasn't a series of mini-announcements the way many of her friends' divorces had been. There was no arguing over housework or finances. There was sex, albeit a bit mundane, but she made an effort to sleep with her husband at least three nights a week. She worked out regularly and kept her weight down. Botox was a close friend. She was attentive and interested in his work. She kept a neat house and made dinner more often than not. All this, and she had been a kick-ass real estate agent in between raising her kids and caring for her husband.

No. Ellison did everything right, or so she thought.

A sock and a toothbrush.

With a swift movement, Ellison gathered the offensive objects and tossed them in the garbage. Then, she picked up her cell phone and called the first person she thought of, her best friend Andrea.

Hello?

Ellison shifted the phone to hear better. Hey, Andi, it's me.

Ellison! I was just thinking of you. What's up? Andi had a way of speaking fast and running her words together, so if you didn't listen closely, she was nearly incomprehensible.

Drinks tonight? Josh is picking up the kids, and Mom needs a night out. Since the divorce, Ellison had taken to drinking bottles of wine at home alone after the boys went to bed. But even she knew that kind of behavior was pathetic.

Sure. What time? Andi was always ready for something. Having never married nor having had kids, it made her the perfect partner in crime – that is, when she was in town.

Ellison tucked a piece of her shoulder-length, ash blond hair behind her ear. Seven-thirty?

Perfect. I say we try out the new bar. What's it called? Andi rattled.

Whiskey Blu.

Right. I'll pick you up, okay?

Ellison nodded before answering. So I can get sloshed?

So you can have fun!

Fun. What is that? Ellison thought before saying, Okay, see you at seven-thirty.

After hanging up, she glanced at the time. Five-eighteen. Josh was late picking up the boys. As usual.

Mom? Dash yelled up the stairs. At ten years old, he was already as tall as her. But he looked like a mini-Josh: tan skin, brown eyes, brown hair. When's Dad getting here?

Soon, she yelled back, having no idea. When the judge ordered joint custody of the boys, she hadn't understood how hard it would be sharing them. That and the gossip that went with it. In a small town like Waterford, everyone knew everyone else's business. Didn't help that Josh put it up on Facebook the day he left.

---

Status update: Josh Brooks is single.

---

Followed shortly by:

---

Status update: Josh Brooks is in a relationship with Jennifer Cartwright.

---

The messages and questions began pouring in almost instantly, and her humiliation was complete. Everyone in Waterford knew she'd been cheated on and tossed away. There was nowhere she could hide, except maybe somewhere new. So that day, she started looking for a new house, in another small town not too far away. It distracted her from the reality of what was happening. That Josh had been having an affair with his work subordinate for nine months. That he really was leaving her.

How did she never pick up on it? Well, that was the easy part. His mistress traveled with him on business, and Ellison was too trusting. Her Josh would never stray. He was the ideal husband and a great dad, for the most part. They'd been together since college and had basically grown into adulthood together.

But somehow, the judge declared her cheating husband an equally-fit parent, even though throughout their marriage, all he'd done is play the role of Big Kid, while she handled all the administrative stuff like homework, dentist appointments, and discipline. The divorce had only been final for a month, and to be honest, Ellison was still spinning.

Cheating on your spouse, it seemed, didn't really matter to the courts. Or anyone else. How many girlfriends told her it was no big deal, everyone does it? How many times did she listen to her mom tell her she didn't try hard enough? That her marriage failure was her fault?

Well, here she was now. Newly-divorced, mom to two rambunctious boys, and sexless for months.

Not a good place to be. Even her vibrators remained packed away. She couldn't bring herself to use them, knowing how much Josh used to enjoy the show.

Ellison walked into the bathroom and swiped on some lipstick before running her fingers through her hair. Tousling it in a sexy bedhead way. There was no point in letting Josh see her look frumpy. In fact, she hoped he saw her and wanted her.

When will that go away?

The doorbell sounded with a tinny dong, and the boys were at the door before Ellison made it halfway down the stairs. She paused on the landing, where Josh could see her, knowing the window behind her backlit her nicely.

Hey, Ellison, her ex-husband said in his slow, drawn-out way. To think she once found his southern accent sexy. He didn't apologize for being late.

Hi.

He ruffled the boys' heads. Why don't you two run out to the truck?

Dash and Alex needed no further instruction. They left without so much as a good-bye.

Love you! Ellison called after them and finished her descent down the stairs. One foot in front of the other. Steady. Don't let Josh see you as weak.

Josh didn't move from the doorway. I need to talk to you. About the wedding.

I don't have time for this now. I need to get ready. I'm going out. Ellison stood with her hands on her hips, trying to seem firm.

C'mon, Elle. She cringed at the use of her nickname, but Josh either didn't care or notice. We're going to have to discuss it at some point.

I have plans, and you're going to make me late. She prayed it sounded like she had a date.

Josh persisted. The wedding is in two weeks.

Vomit sat in the back of Ellison's throat, wanting to spew out all over her ex-husband. Your wedding is not my concern. Your love life means nothing to me. It was lies, lies she told herself over-and-over again. Of course, she cared that her Josh, the man she'd been married to for fourteen years, chose a woman five years younger. It hurt. Strike that. It burned. At thirty-eight, she felt washed up and discarded.

I want the boys there, but it's your weekend.

I know. We can work something out. Just not now.

Josh gave her one of his looks, the kind that she'd grown to know too well over the years. He was going to devastate her again. She held up her hands as if to stop what was coming next.

It didn't work.

Jenn is pregnant.

Whoosh. Gut kick.

Breathe, Ellison, breathe.

How nice, she squeaked before turning away and closing the door on Josh.

Ellison! Josh hammered the door with his fist. We have to talk.

No, no we don't. It took all her strength to pull herself to the staircase. Tears rolled down her smooth cheeks as she balled into her defeated position. Why did Josh have to do these things? Why tell her now? Couldn't he at least let her have one night out without ruining it?

No, of course not. He was selfish, as evident from the affair to his wedding requests.

And right now, it seemed like he existed only to make her life hell.

She cried it all out, marveling at how many tears she could still cry over Josh. While drying her eyes on the bottom of her fitted orange t-shirt, Ellison walked to the kitchen. The green glare of the clock stopped her. Six-thirty. She had exactly an hour to pull herself together. Not that she was ever together anymore. The slightest things sent her into either a rage or a quivering mess.

What is my life? she thought as she willed herself back upstairs to her bedroom and stripped off her clothes.

She cranked up the shower, allowing it to get steamy before entering. Her tense muscles relaxed as she massaged her neck and shoulders. Once upon a time Josh would have done this for her, but he--

Stop it, Ellison. Stop giving Josh so much power over you.

Maybe what she needed was a one-night stand. Andi had mentioned it before, but Ellison dismissed it. Partly because she was a mom, and partly because who would want to be with a hot mess like her?

Still, she made sure to shave all the possibly important parts and lotioned her legs. She left the towel wrapped around her head as she stood in her closet naked, not knowing what to wear.

Ellison ran her fingers on the row of dresses before her. She felt like wearing purple. Josh always said it brought out the green in her hazel eyes, and that made her feel pretty.

To think she’ll never hear him say it again almost drove Ellison to tears, but she blinked them away. Fuck Josh, she said reciting her new favorite motto while grabbing skinny jeans and a loose, olive green blouse.

Andi arrived exactly on time, just like she always did. She was never one minute early or late. Always exactly punctual, which to be honest, drove Ellison nuts sometimes.

Whoa. Have you been crying? Andi asked when Ellison opened the door.

Damn it. I thought I’d de-puffed. Ellison had chopped up a cucumber and rested two circles against her eyes before applying her make-up. She’d gone for a dark, smoky eye, hoping to hide some of the redness. And Visine. Lots and lots of Visine.

Andi flung her purse down on the kitchen island. What did dumb ass do this time?

This is why Andi was her best friend. She got Ellison and didn't judge her. Didn't tell her the affair and divorce were her fault, but she also didn't badmouth Josh unless there was a reason. And clearly there was a reason.

He knocked her up.

Andi let out a low whistle before laughing. Guess who's going to be all bloated and pukey during her wedding?

That was exactly what Ellison needed to hear, and she grinned. And how will she make it through all those nights without alcohol when he's traveling? Ellison had heard Jenn had quit her job. Presumably because of the work conflict, but most likely because she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Ellison had also heard – from her other friend Eve – that Jenn liked her wine.

May hellish morning sickness rain down on Jennifer Cartwright, Andi said, taking the cap off a bottle of vodka and swigging from it before passing it to Ellison. Ellison declined. What, no pre-game?

I thought you were my driver tonight?

Andi put the cap back on. Right. I get to be reliable Andrea tonight. How boring.

Ellison wrapped her arm around her best friend. Tell me I look hot.

You look hot. I love the boots, Andi said. Ellison lifted a leg in the air ,so her friend could get a better look at her olive green, suede boots. Andi whistled. Definitely hot.

C'mon, Ellison answered. Let's go before we end up here all night having a love fest with my vodka bottle.

2

TEQUILA, I FEEL YA

The line outside Whiskey Blu wrapped around the corner, just past the entrance to the W Hotel. It was a short block, but still, to have to wait to get in was a serious pain-in-the-ass. Luckily, the line of amped up twenty-somethings moved fast.

ID?

Andi looked at the bouncer and flashed her prettiest, don't fuck with me smile. Do I look underage? Do either of us look underage? She pointed to Ellison. Only Andi would get upset over being carded.

Ellison rustled around in her bag, before producing her wallet. Here you go, she said, handing over her driver’s license.

Go on. He waved both ladies through without Andi showing her ID.

I fought the law, and the law did not win, Andi said with a smile.

Last time I checked, you are the law, Ellison countered.

Andi laughed. Only when I’m working, and right now, the CIA is the farthest thing from my mind.

The two women pushed back the heavy velvet curtain, revealing a two-story room with a large bar running down one side of the room and wrapping along the back. Blue underlights gave the whole room a coolish vibe.

What is this place? Ellison yelled over the thumping bass. She felt old and out-of-place. Not hip enough to be there.

Andi flashed a giant smile. A good time! She pushed a hesitant Ellison into the room. When have I steered you wrong?

Paintball, Ellison said. My bruises have finally gone away. Two weeks earlier, Andi had bullied Ellison into trying paintball. It would be fun, she had said. They’d met guys, she had promised. It wasn’t fun, and all the guys were under the age of eighteen.

Okay, so paintball wasn’t a winner, but what about when we did the Renaissance Faire? That was fun, right?

Guys eating mutton legs while wearing tights is hardly fun, Ellison answered. Since the divorce, Andi had become Ellison’s personal fun concierge. She was always getting Groupons and making Ellison join in whatever the kooky idea du jour was. Ellison both appreciated and hated it. Still, it got her out of the house and that was something she struggled with on her own.

They bellied up to the bar. Music pulsed around them, and Andi jumped up and down. I love this song! C’mon dance!

Ellison scanned the crowded bar. Apparently, someone sent out a memo to every person between twenty-one and thirty in DC, and the joke was on Ellison. She and Andi were by far, well maybe by just a few years, the oldest people in the room. This was quickly going down as another fun fail.

Andi, I can’t dance in these boots.

Hmmm. Andi leaned closer to Ellison and shouted over the music. Take them off.

Somebody could steal them. Ellison scrunched up her nose. Plus, nightclub floors are disgusting.

Quit bitching and have some fun. Andi waved at the bartender who beelined for them. I know you’re depressed. I would be too, but seriously, you need to try.

The bartender slapped the countertop. What can I get you ladies?

Andi tossed her riot of curls over her shoulder. What’s the bitchiest bitch drink you can make?

Ellison raised her eyebrows and gave a little smile. Andi was a firecracker, and this bartender didn’t know what he was in for.

A Cosmo or a vodka cranberry. He winked at them. That’s what most ladies like.

Tequila shots it is! Andi said with a laugh. I was just kidding about the bitch drink. I want to grow hair on my chest.

This time, Ellison did roll her eyes. Andi, she shouted over the music. I don’t want to do shots, and if you’re the designated driver, you shouldn’t either.

Andi stuck out her tongue. Buzz kill. She pushed her credit card toward the bartender. If we drink too much, we’ll get a room. No big deal.

Maybe for you, but I can’t afford a room. Ellison watched the bartender fill shot glasses with tequila. There was no way she was getting out of this.

We’ll share, Andi said. Besides, I want to have fun.

There was an understanding, one Ellison didn’t like, that Andi paid for everything. She paid for their Groupon adventures, their dinners, and usually their drinks, and whenever Ellison protested, Andi would act offended. But they both knew, if Andi didn’t pay, Ellison probably couldn’t afford it. She was living off alimony and child support, and it barely covered the bills.

The bartender placed the glasses in front of the two women. Bottoms up, ladies.

All around her, people ogled each other, sizing one another up and posturing to catch the most attention. She’d never been into the bar scene, and she definitely wasn’t now. Still, she took her glass, clinked it against Andi’s and swallowed the burning drink in one gulp. The fire spread from her throat to her gut. She was so going to regret this.

Good, right? Andi yelled. She motioned to the bartender who came right over. How about two of those bitchy vodka cranberries?

He nodded, turned his back, and grabbed two glasses from the shelf behind the bar.

Andi pulled Ellison’s head down so that her ears met Andi’s lips. He’s cute! You should flirt with him.

Are you serious? Ellison said. I don’t know how to flirt anymore. And she didn’t. A sexy night, pre-divorce, was watching Netflix in bed and wearing a shorter nightgown then normal. Hmmm…maybe that’s why she was divorced.

Ellison, you have to try. Just a little. Andi pushed her back toward the counter. Try.

That was the problem. Ellison didn’t want to try. She didn’t want to meet random guys or party with twenty-one-year-olds. She wanted a relationship with someone she could grow old with. And you didn’t find that type of man in a hotel bar.

Thundering bass filled Ellison’s ears. She was going to have a headache if nothing else after this adventure. The bartender had returned with their drinks, and Ellison took a sip of hers. The vodka clashed with the residual tequila taste in her mouth, and she puckered her lips.

You’re not going to attract anyone making that face, Andi teased.

Ellison sighed, but she felt relaxed now that the alcohol had entered her bloodstream. Maybe the tequila had been a good idea after all.

Well, if you’re not going to flirt, let’s dance! Andi declared, grabbing Ellison’s arm. Get your drink, and let’s show these kids how to party!

Andi led Ellison into the middle of the crowed floor. Despite her initial hesitation, Ellison tossed back her drink and let herself meld with the wild, pulsating music. It was nothing she’d ever heard before, but that didn’t matter, she wanted to dance for the first time in ages. Maybe it was the alcohol, but maybe, it was also her loosening up a little. She could be fun Ellison. All she had to do was try.

Sweaty bodies swayed around her, and Ellison kept dancing. Her buzz was in full effect now, and she didn’t care who saw her flailing around like a crazy woman. She swung her hips side to side and shimmied her shoulders. Andi was right, she needed this.

You have an admirer, Andi yelled. They were both going to be hoarse after tonight.

He’s probably looking at you. Ellison wiped away the beads of sweat dotting the back of her neck. Every guy always looks at you. You’re all cute curls and wide eyes.

Andi shook her head. Nope. I smiled at him, but he pointed at you.

What? Ellison didn’t know if she should be flattered or creeped out. Why would he do that?

Andi laughed. Look at him. The tall guy next to the bar. He’s hot.

Ellison turned her head slightly to the left and pretended to be looking elsewhere, but it wasn’t her smoothest move. A man at the bar lifted a glass of amber liquid toward her, and chills ran down Ellison's spine. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and without a doubt, the best-looking guy in the place. He was near forty, making him probably the oldest, too.

Could this guy really be reaching out to her?

Some girls next to them screamed and grabbed at each other. Their drinks sloshed, and Ellison was positive they were going to spill on her.

Oh. My. God. He’s like, totally your dad’s age!

Ellison blushed. How could she be so stupid? Of course he was looking at the younger, fitter models. She was a middle-aged mom of two. Men wanted young and supple, not saggy and old.

He isn’t looking at me, Andi. Ellison turned so that she faced him directly. He smiled, and Ellison looked over her shoulder to see if the girls where gone. They were.

Yes, he is.

Are you sure? Ellison didn’t want to make an ass of herself. He’d already watched her dance, no need to embarrass herself more.

Go, Andi ordered, pushing her toward the bar and the guy. Ellison was keenly aware that she seemed neither confident nor sexy as she stood there uncertain about what to do.

Just do it, she thought. Just walk over to him and say hi. It isn't that hard.

The alcohol gave her a boost of confidence, but her legs shook a little even though all she had to do was make it over to the bar and order a drink. If she did everything right, the guy would pay for it, and they’d start a conversation. It was easy.

Or so Andi had told her a thousand times on the car ride over.

He smiled at her again, and Ellison’s heart pounded wildly.

Oh, Ellison, what are you waiting for? You don’t need Mister Right. You need Mister Right Now. Go.

She lifted her free hand and gave a wave. The guy waved back, and Ellison impulsively wiggled her shoulders at him. He laughed.

And that, plus the tequila, was all she needed to cross the dancefloor.

3

LIKE RIDING A BIKE

H i, he yelled over the music in a deep baritone. I'm Luke.

He offered his hand, and Ellison stared at it for a moment before taking it. His handshake was firm and solid, and she tried to match it. No limp, sissy handshakes for her.

Ellison, she said, keeping her voice light and bubbly. Unlike Andi, Ellison couldn’t be the cute, impulsive, wild girl, but she could play a sassy cheerleader-type.

Allison?

No, Ellison. With an 'e'. She drew a looping, cursive e in the air with her finger.

Well, Ellison with an 'e,' can I get you a drink? Luke had a faint stubble on his jaw, short-but-not-too-short dark hair, and maybe it was the strobing lights, but Ellison swore his dark eyes twinkled.

Sure, she said, trying to make her eyes large the way she’d seen Andi do. Guys seemed to love that. She ran her thumb over the bare spot on her ring finger, a reminder that she was not married; that she was untethered, and strange men could buy her drinks. I'll have a vodka cranberry.

He cocked his eyebrows in amusement. Really. I thought you’d be a martini drinker.

Since she didn't know if that was an insult or compliment, Ellison let it slide. I’ve already had a tequila shot and a drink.

Luke laughed. Okay, then. We’ll stick to the simpler things.

Ellison liked the way he said that. Simpler things. Not messy. She could be simple and unmessy for the night.

Luke bellied up to the bar. Nice ass, Ellison thought before turning her head to see where Andi was. As expected, she was in the middle of a group of guys - mostly about ten years younger than her.

Ellison? Luke called and jerked his head toward the wall lined with booths. Want to sit?

She nodded and followed him toward a semi-circle booth. The leather was a deep navy color, and the table had gold accents around the edge. It was elegant in an understated way.

It's quieter over here, Luke said as he slid into the center of the booth. His biceps bulged through his simple, white t-shirt, and Ellison had a hard time pulling her gaze away from them. Are you going to sit?

Oh! Right! Ellison blushed. She scooted around the booth the best she could while trying to not look too awkward. She stopped when she was nearly side by side with Luke.

So Ellison, tell me about yourself, he said as he pushed her drink toward her.

What was something fun to say? Definitely not that she was a depressed divorcée who was still pining for her ex-husband. That would make Luke run for the door.

I’m a real estate agent, she said and immediately regretted it. There was nothing sexy about her job.

That’s interesting. Do you like it? He leaned closer to her, and the corner of his mouth ticked up. He smelled like an earthy aftershave, and Ellison fought the urge to inhale deeply.

I’m very, very good at what I do, she said. There was no need to brag that she cleared ten million dollars in transactions last year. That is, before Josh devastated her life, and she took a leave of absence.

Luke swigged from his scotch. I like your confidence.

Confidence? That wasn’t something anyone accused Ellison of having anymore. Maybe it was his line – the one he used to flatter lonely women.

She felt she needed to return his compliment, but didn’t think telling him about her obsession with his biceps was a good idea. I like your aftershave, she blurted. You smell like a forest after a rainstorm.

Luke laughed. A forest, huh? That’s a new one.

Ellison nodded and sipped her drink. It barely tasted of vodka, but vodka cranberries were sneaky. Not a pine forest, just a normal forest.

You’ve spent a lot of time in forests?

She giggled. No, but if you’re not a lumberjack, what do you do?

I work in education. Luke leaned back against the booth, and his broad chest puffed out as he stretched.

So you're a teacher? A damn, hot sexy teacher. Ellison shook her head in disbelief. What was she doing here with this gorgeous man?

Luke grinned, showing off all his dazzling, white teeth. Good God, how did he make his smile so brilliant? Yes.

Ellison set her empty glass down. In her nervousness, she chugged the whole thing, and now her head was a little foggy.

Another? Luke asked, pointing to the glass.

What am I doing? I'm already buzzed.

Are you buying? Ellison laid her arm on the table, and Luke gently rested his hand on it. Heat rushed down Ellison’s spine as her heart sped up. And when she locked eyes with him, she could barely breathe. Don’t act weird.

Of course. Luke lifted his hand and motioned the waitress over. Another scotch and a vodka cranberry, please.

He could be Mister Right Now, Ellison thought. I could be like Andi and have a

Reviews for All The Broken Pieces

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The book that loads is not this one. They story you get with this is her other book!