After All These Years (One Pass Away #2) by Mary J. Williams Read Free Book Online

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    “Can you breathe under there?”
    With a sigh, Riley lowered the blanket.
    “What?” she huffed, pushing back her dark hair. She hadn’t
    combed it today. Riley wondered what she looked like, then decided she didn’t
    care. Gaige hadn’t been invited. He would have to take her as he found her. Rat’s
    nest hair and all.
    Gaige smiled, his green eyes warm with concern.
    “In Sean’s defense, the team already knew how you felt.”
    “Are you trying to make me feel worse?”
    Gaige grabbed the blanket before she could disappear again.
    “Riley…”
    “Not you too.” She shook her head. “It isn’t a crush, Gaige.
    Not that it matters. I’m unfuckable.”
    “Jesus, Riley. What the hell did Sean say to you?”
    “He wants heat—spice.” Riley curled into a tight ball. “I’m
    boring and inexperienced. Like a cold bowl of pablum. To quote the man himself,
    he wouldn’t screw me if I were the last woman on earth.”
    “Idiot,” Gaige grumbled. “Come here.”
    It took some doing, but Gaige untangled her limbs then pulled
    her into his arms. With a weary sigh, Riley slowly relaxed. The last person to
    hold her like this had been her grandfather. Feeling close to tears, she
    realized how much she had missed being held and comforted.
    “You aren’t un— Gaige hesitated. “You know what I want to
    say.”
    “Yes.” Riley nodded. “It wasn’t the words, Gaige. It was the
    person who said them. He wanted to hurt me and I don’t know why.”
    “It’s my fault.”
    Riley shook her head. “I know you think you have control
    over every member of the team, but Sean is a big boy.”
    “I told him to speak to you.”
    “What?” Riley’s body tensed. “Why?”
    “To spare you this.” Gaige squeezed her hand. “I messed up.”
    Jumping to her feet, Riley rounded on Gaige. “It wasn’t up
    to you. My heart. My heartbreak. God!” She closed her eyes, fists clenched. “What
    is wrong with me?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Really?” Riley met his gaze. The sadness in her eyes tore
    at Gaige’s heart. “My parents have no use for me unless they are trying to
    present themselves as the perfect family. Sean thinks I’m a boring virgin. Not
    so far off, it would seem.”
    “Riley.”
    “And you.” Riley swallowed the lump in her throat. “My hero.
    That’s how I’ve always thought of you. It hurts to find out you have no
    confidence in me.”
    “Why do you say that?” Gaige frowned.
    “You don’t think I’m capable of handling my feelings for
    Sean.”
    “I made a mistake. I’m sorry.”
    “So am I.” Riley sat down, wrapping the blanket around
    herself—shutting out the world. Shutting out Gaige. “Leave.”
    Gaige slowly walked to the door. At the last moment, he
    turned back. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
    “Don’t worry about me.” Hugging her knees, Riley looked out
    at the trees. “I’m used to it.”
     
    ENTERING THE BAR, Riley looked around.
    It was two in the afternoon—the week between Christmas and
    the new year. The Extra Point wasn’t exactly hopping with activity. A
    man and woman sat at the bar, nursing beers, and lamenting the end of another
    year. On the jukebox, Nat King Cole sang of a Mona Lisa smile. In the corner, a
    lone figure knocked balls around a pool table.
    Hanging her umbrella on a row of pegs by the door, Riley
    crossed the room. She felt nervous. Uncertain. For the first time, she wasn’t
    sure of what her reception would be. When he looked up and smiled, Riley smiled
    back. Her nerves melted.
    “Want to play a game? Gaige held out his pool cue.
    “Sure.” Riley removed her jacket. Waiting while he took out
    the rack, she chalked the end of the stick. “Straight eight ball?”
    Gaige nodded. “You break.”
    Riley moved to the end of the table and took aim. “I’m
    sorry.” She struck the white ball with at clean, hard stroke.
    “You were right to be mad,” Gaige said, watching two solid
    balls fall into opposite pockets. “I had