A Kind of Truth by Lane Hayes Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t stare into another guy’s eyes or mess with their hats, unless they were stuffing them full of snow or tossing them halfway across the park for kicks. The rush of heat to my face was clawing. I plucked at my scarf and tried a smile I hoped looked somewhat confident.
    “So tell me… what’s your dream?”
    “I want to be a musician.” Will’s voice was so quiet. I was moved by an undercurrent of emotion in those simple words, as though he was telling me something important and it was up to me to read between the lines. The barren trees, cloudy skies, and sparsely populated park somehow lent an aura of significance to the moment.
    “You are a musician.”
    “I want to be the best. I want to make a difference through music. That’s my dream. Nothing else matters.”
    I nodded. Yes, I understood all too well. “You’re going to do it. I can tell. Just remember, this is your life, Will. Don’t let anyone put limitations on you. Be happy.”
    “I am happy,” he whispered.
    “Good.” I touched the end of his nose lightly and smiled. I made a small production of pulling my beanie from my pocket and putting it on my head. “By the way, I’m gonna guess you weren’t on the track team back in… where are you from?”
    “Indiana. And no, I’m not a runner. I’m not into sports at all.”
    “No shit.” I chuckled, then gasped in mock surprise when he punched my arm playfully. “Ow.”
    “Hmph.”
    “I’m teasing. Sports weren’t my thing, either. I ran track ’cause I was fast and I needed all the credit I could get, but I wasn’t into it. If I wasn’t listening to music or trying to learn how to play guitar, I was parked in front of the television watching Battlestar Galactica .”
    “You like sci-fi?” His tone indicated he was more interested than his carefully casual glance at his watch suggested.
    “Yep! I’m a sci-fi geek. I love anything that takes you to another world. It could be wizards and dragons or starships on secret intergalactic missions. It’s my escape from reality. What’s yours?”
    Will snickered beside me as we waited at the crosswalk. “I like sci-fi too. I don’t go for the space stuff so much. I’m more of a Harry Potter , Lord of the Rings kind of guy.”
    “Magical powers, huh?”
    “Exactly!” His grin was bright and beautiful. “Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a magic wand and just… make things right?”
    “Yeah. It would.”
    The light turned green. People bustled around us when we didn’t move quickly enough, and an unfamiliar panicky sensation came over me. Once we made it to the other side, this impromptu twist in my morning would be over. I felt a strange compulsion to keep him talking. To make this moment last as long as possible.
    “I heard there’s a place in the Village where they show random movies like Harry Potter . We should go sometime. I mean, I don’t know many people here and—” I didn’t recognize my voice. I was trying to play it cool and failing miserably. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from piling on any additional lameness.
    “I’d like that.” Will smiled and glanced toward the entrance of his building, then back at me. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you next week.”
    “Yeah. Hey… come to the show tomorrow night. I’ll text you the info.” God, I couldn’t shut up. Leave the guy alone already, Rand.
    Will stepped away from the revolving door with a confused look on his face. “I’m not sure if I can but—”
    “Try.”
    He nodded and gave me one last smile before disappearing into his building. I stepped aside to avoid being jostled by harried-looking students. I was nowhere near where I needed to be, and I felt strangely out of sorts. I’d basically walked a boy to class for the first time ever. And I kinda liked it.

Chapter 3
     
     
    KARMA WAS an extremely hip converted garage turned nightclub. Other than the cement floor, every surface was shiny chrome and steel or black. Single,