Because of Luke Read online

  "How did they even find you?"

  I bristle at the thought. "They probably went door to door with my freaking picture."

  Shannon crouches down in front of me, placing her hands on my lap. "We're going to fix this. I screwed up and I'm going to make it better."

  Her smile is genuine, but it doesn't silence the angry screams in my head. Or lessen the fear that my future plans are in serious jeopardy. I'll be on lockdown for the rest of the school year. They'll drag me everywhere and watch my every move. I was stupid to think I'd be able to convince them to let me go. After tonight, there's not a chance in hell.

  My gaze drops to Shannon's neck and I squint, then frown.

  "Oh, my...is that a hickey?" I reach forward to touch it, but she quickly rises to her feet. "You have a boyfriend?" My mouth drops open.

  Shannon shakes her head. "No, of course not. I burned myself with—"

  "The curling iron?" I laugh. "You expect me to fall for that?"

  "Fall for? I don't have a boyfriend. It's not...what you think."

  "So you were just rolling around in bed with some guy all night." I stand to face her. She's only a few inches taller, so I tilt my head slightly. "That's why you dropped the ball? Because you were doing worse than I was?"

  "I didn't sleep with anyone. I lost track of time."

  I shake my head. "Unbelievable. Do you have any clue the amount of lies I've had to tell for you? How many times I helped you elude them, all so that you could sneak out to one dance after another, one party to the next? I put my time in, Shannon. I spent years being the good daughter. It's supposed to be my turn. All this time you've been playing little miss goody-two-shoes, then tonight, of all nights, you take an impromptu walk on the wild side? That's what you expect me to believe?"

  "What? What are you talking about?"

  "You've been screwing around this whole time, haven't you? Only tonight you actually got caught!" I push past her and reach for the doorknob. "I'm done with this crap."

  She scurries behind me as I march into our room, crossing the expanse to my side.

  "I have been covering for you. What do you mean? How do you think you've been able to get away with everything up until now?"

  "Oh, please. Covering? More like using. That's why you didn't want me to go tonight, huh? Because you had other plans."

  Shannon steps around me, blocking the path to my dresser. "What. Are. You. Talking. About?"

  "It's obvious. You've been waiting for the right moment to sell me out and tonight was it. You went off screwing some guy, which is probably what you've been doing since day one—pretending to go to the library and be all studious, when in actuality you’re letting some asshole study you." I turn my glare on her. "You get caught red-handed and instead of take the fall, you throw me under the bus. I can hear you know. 'It was a curling iron, Mom. But Sheila's at a party in Lewiston, why don't you go check that out?'"

  Shannon gasps and it almost seems genuine. But then again, she's been playing me for who knows how long. She's got the innocent thing down to a tee.

  I step around her and throw open my top drawer, tossing every piece of ugly cotton underwear my mother has ever bought for me to the side. Digging to the back, I pull out my bag of forbidden lace and hang it on my bedpost.

  "What are you doing?"

  I ignore my sister as I empty drawer after drawer and shove my clothes into my large black suitcase. I stomp on it, then sit on it to force it closed. After I fill my tote bag with makeup, perfume and jewelry, I turn to my closet and rifle through my stack of shoes. Once I've selected the ones I can't live without, I wrestle my way out of my dress and yank on a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt.

  "Sheila, you can't." She's breathless. Panicking, probably. She's on her own now and she never expected this from me. Neither will they. "Just calm down a little bit okay. You've got two months of school left. That's it. Then we can do like we planned, find a place in Pullman and you can have all the freedom you want. But you can't do this now. They're mad, they'll calm down."

  I gather my hair into a ponytail and brush past her grabbing a few odds and ends from our joint shelves.

  "What about school? What about me?"

  That's all it takes to blow my top. "You? I'm supposed to be worried about you right now?" I snatch up my tin of quarters and throw them into my bag. "I don't care about you, Shannon. Just like you didn't give a damn about me a few hours ago. I've got a life to live and I'm not going to let anyone in this family ruin it."

  Rolling my suitcase behind me, I balance my purse and tote bag on either shoulder.

  Shannon scurries down the hall after me. "I've been saving up. In a few months, we'll be good to go. Don't do this. Just give me a little more time. I promise I'll make this up to you."

  "Too late," I throw the comment over my shoulder and storm down the stairs.

  She trails behind me as I march through the hallway, toward the front door. Mom and Dad join us, gazes flitting about as I shove my feet into my shoes and shrug into my jacket.

  "Where do you think you're going, young lady?" Dad doesn't sound nearly as convincing as I'm sure he wants to. His voice is shaky, his tone uneven.

  "I'm leaving." I stick out my chin. "I got a job with a band." I look directly at Shannon now. "As a tour manager. So I don't need any of you. I'll be making my own money. Living my own life. And there's nothing you can do to stop me." I yank open the front door. "I'll be at a friend's," I say. "So there's no need to go searching door-to-door. But know this." I narrow my eyes. "If you come for me, I'm not leaving. I'm tired of living like this. I know what I want and I'm not going to let any of you stop me from getting it."

  The door slams hard behind me and, for a moment, every bit of anger melts away, replaced with a triumphant glow that makes my head vibrate. But as the cool April breeze hits my bare neck, panic starts to creep its way in. I zip my jacket to my chin and force the tears back. I've just walked out on my family. As much as I hate them right now, I know it will fade.

  This is...freaking huge.

  But there's no turning back now. If I do, they'll most certainly send me away and I can't have that. I've got plans for my life and I'm not about to let them fall through. The first thing I need to do is find a pay phone and call my best friend. The rest of it will work itself out.

  Luke

  I almost turn back three times before I finally get the nerve to linger at the back of the line. From where I stand, I can see her. And now I remember her, clearly. How I hadn't noticed her the other day, is beyond me. Even in that uncomfortable looking turtleneck she looks good. It's form fitting and stretches tight across her chest. Her hair is down today and falls in waves around her shoulders, like slick, black oil. Even from back here, her stark blue eyes practically glow and I'm immediately reminded of the other night, my body reacting appropriately to the memories of our spontaneous play date.

  I want another. I want to take her out of this building right now, and into the back seat of my car. And even though I'm dying to touch her again, feel her all over me, smell her sweet natural scent, I also just want to stare at her. Because she's that nice to look at.

  She's smoking hot, and not in the same way as the sexy little vixen from the night before. With her it's more subtle and for some reason, that makes it even harder to resist. The way she talked my ear off, instead of shamelessly flirting with me felt insane. Like she cared what was in my head. It doesn't happen very often. Most girls, when I give them the time of day, just offer up their pussies on a silver platter. While that might be a dream for most guys, it gets tired. Like Dad used to say: “It's the chase that makes it worth it.”

  I squeeze my eyes closed and let out a ragged sigh. Since when do I care about his opinion? The chase landed his stupid ass behind bars.

  She looks up from the counter and her expression falls. Then she looks at me and her eyes widen. I can't help but smile at that reaction. She offers a slight one in return and the line moves forward. As it
does, I keep staring at her, until she looks away to greet the next person in line.

  We continue with this game for the next ten people ahead of me, and when I finally stand in front of her, with all her attention on me, she bites her lip and drops her gaze.

  "How are you?" I ask.

  She clears her throat. "Fine."

  "So you got home okay."

  She nods. "Um, is there something I can help you with?" Her voice gets a little louder and she glances around.

  I chuckle. "Actually there is." I keep my tone even, loud enough so that she can hear, but low enough to ensure privacy. "You can hand me that clipboard over there and I'll make this quick so you don't get in trouble."

  She raises an eyebrow, but obeys.

  "Here's the thing," I say as I pick up a pen and pretend to write. "I can't stop thinking about the other night. You were..." I let out a long slow breath, my eyes meeting hers again.

  Her face is bright red.

  "I'm not just talking about what we did on top of your car. Although, with lips like yours you could kiss me all night, rub those fingers along the top of my head for hours and I'd be the happiest man in the world."

  Her mouth parts and she twists her hair around her finger, pulling it across her face to cover her smile.

  I lean closer. "Don't hide that pretty mouth of yours," I say quietly. "Please."

  Shannon's eyes flit behind me, her face still flushed. "Can we talk about this later?" she whispers.

  "Sure," I respond with a wink. "How about I take you somewhere?"

  "You're asking me out?"

  "Is that a problem?"

  "No." She shakes her head. "It's just..."

  "What?" I've completely forgotten about the clipboard now, and I've pressed both hands to the counter, leaning forward so that I'm towering over her. "I'm going out on a limb, hoping that guy wasn't your boyfriend. I'm thinking you wouldn't have kissed me like you did if he was."

  "He's not," she says quickly.

  I smile. "Awesome. You busy later?"

  "Tonight?" She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear.

  I nod, then shake my head. "No, sorry. I've got something tonight. But tomorrow. Are you free tomorrow?"

  "Aren't you going on a family trip or something?"

  "Not for a few weeks," I reply.

  "Oh." She picks up the clipboard and rips off the top sheet.

  "But that doesn't mean...I mean, I know I'm leaving but I didn't want to without getting a chance to go out with you. I really enjoyed getting to know you the other night."

  "Okay," she says. "Tomorrow." She hands me the paper she's folded up. "Meet me in the parking lot at eight."

  I nod and open my mouth to respond, but she cranes her neck, and gestures for the next person in line.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Shannon

  I shouldn't be here. Especially considering what's going on in my life. My little sister has run off, I've totally betrayed her and I'm sitting here in a parking lot waiting for a guy I barely know. I should drive off. Just get on with my life. There's a good chance that after today I won't see him again. Finals are done. I graduate next month. If I just drop this stupid obsession now, it'll probably change my life for the better.

  But I can't. I need to be anywhere else but in that house right now. And there is a part of me—that part that craves freedom and adventure—that wants to see him again. For all I know he won't even show up. I wasn't exactly kind to him earlier. I just didn't want to seem like I was trying to pick up a guy at work. Why the hell would he ask me out there? Of all places? He couldn’t wait until I got off? Or took a break? I was so embarrassed and flustered he probably changed his mind.

  When I saw him standing at the end of the line, his intense gray eyes seeing right through me, I almost lost it. I could have excused myself, gone on break. But I get the feeling he would have only followed me. At first, I was positive he'd showed up to drop off his withdrawal papers from the other day. And I thought, one more encounter won't hurt. One more chance to melt beneath his gaze is harmless.

  How was I to know he was there because of me?

  There's a tap on my window and I suck in a breath sitting up straight. Lucas hovers over the car and I gesture for him to join me on the passenger’s side. As he rounds the vehicle, I straighten my shirt, blot my lips and smooth my hair.

  I've made some deliberate style choices today. The sweater I got from Sheila for my birthday is a deep royal blue. It brings out my eyes and has magical powers. For some reason, it makes my boobs look bigger. I don't know how, but I miraculously transform from an A-cup to a C-cup. This is the first time I've planned to see this guy as opposed to running into him, so I need to rock something other than stupid turtlenecks and ratty old sweatshirts. I've decided to let my hair down today too. Mostly because I'm still bruised from his rough kisses and I don't want him to catch sight of the marks he's left on my neck and get any ideas. Finally, I've opted for a dark plum lipstick. I hate lipstick. And this one in particular. It smudges and stains and completely annoys me every time I've tried to wear it. I can barely talk when I have this stuff on, so kissing is absolutely out of the question.

  As much as I want to kiss him again, I know I shouldn’t. I’m going to try so hard not to.

  He opens the door and immediately I start to panic. Why did I agree to this? Why didn't I just drive away?

  "Hi," he says, with a wink. He closes the door behind him and leans over to kiss me on the cheek.

  My entire body is in conflict. My head says to sit perfectly still resisting his charms, my heart tells me to give a little and further down I'm aching to throw my arms around him and jump on top.

  "Hi," I squeak. I swallow hard, willing my voice to sound more like my own.

  "I didn't think you'd come."

  All I can do is smile in return.

  "Wow." He raises both eyebrows. "You look...great." His gaze skitters across my face and falls to my chest.

  I hope it's not heaving up and down as hard as I think it is.

  "How are you?" I manage to get the question out, while simultaneously letting go of the steering wheel and clasping my hands in my lap.

  "I'm great." Lucas props his arm on the head rest behind me.

  "So," I ask. "Where to?"

  Lewiston. Of all the places he could have taken me, this is where we end up. And I'm instantly on edge. Every corner we turn, every person we see, I'm looking for my sister. We've only been here an hour and I can't calm down to save my life. In the realm of first dates, this one is sure to be one of the very worst.

  Lucas must sense my discomfort, because he grabs my hand and squeezes, lightly. As guilty as I am for enjoying it, my stomach catapults in appreciation.

  I should let go.

  Instead I ignore my head and focus on how warm my hand is in his. For some reason, it feels like it's just where it's supposed to be.

  "So," he says, entwining his fingers with mine. "We've got, Jolly Ranchers, Slim Jims, and Twinkies. Any other preferences?"

  I laugh. "Oh, I don't know, some actual food? If I knew you were going to starve me, I'd have eaten first."

  Lucas stops mid-step and faces me. "Shit, sorry. I...didn't know it was that kind of date. I mean, it's late, I figured you'd eaten already."

  I shake my head. "It's okay. Maybe we can grab some burgers to go. Where do Lewiston folk get their greasy grub?" I swivel around and gesture across the street. "What about that place? Poppa's," I read from the sign. "They must have cheeseburgers there. Come on." I tug on his hand and lead him back in the direction we came.

  "Oh, uh...yeah, but they're not very good."

  "How do you mess up fast food?"

  Lucas shrugs.

  "Well, I'm not looking for anything gourmet." I chuckle. "Just something to keep me from fainting." And something to satisfy my intense desire to stress-eat.

  Lucas opens the door to the little restaurant for me and I step through. The smell coming from inside makes m
y mouth water and now I know he must be crazy.

  "How can a place that smells like this make bad food?" I whisper, turning back to face him. He's lingering in the doorway. "What are you a vampire or something?"

  He snickers, but based on his expression he either is, or he's afraid of something or someone inside.

  "You okay?" I ask.

  Lucas nods. His gaze scanning the space around us. "Let's just hurry up and order." He smiles. "I want to show you something."

  After a girl named Tandy takes our order of two double cheeseburgers, an extra-large carton of fries and two chocolate milkshakes to go, Lucas and I sit at one of only two tables in the restaurant.

  "It's nice here," I say, gazing out the window. "Busy. Have you lived here all your life?"

  He nods. "Born and raised."

  "Must be nice."

  "Sometimes. It can get a little hectic. Sometimes I wish I could just move to the country and shut out the rest of the world."

  I laugh. "Oh, no you don't."

  "No, seriously. It'd be a nice change of pace. The city's not all it's cracked up to be."

  "And only city folk ever say that."

  The bell on the entrance door jingles and Lucas's smile instantly fades. He looks down at the table and starts tapping out a nervous rhythm. I turn around and my eyes lock with a man. He towers in the doorway, dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt and a black cowboy hat. He removes the hat, revealing thick curly brown hair. As his gaze settles on Lucas again, the muscles in his jaw tighten. His brown eyes are smoldering and just when I think he's about to say something, he heads toward the counter and continues to the back of the restaurant.

  "Who was that?" I ask.

  Lucas doesn't say anything, he just glances up at the clock. He doesn't speak for the next ten minutes and when Tandy finally brings our order over, he practically bolts out of the chair.

  "Um, Luke?" Tandy bites her lip, her eyebrows drawn together. "Randy wanted me to—"