All In (Cedar Mountain University #2) by Ann Garner Read Free Book Online Page B

puddle of goo at
his feet.  
    “Regardless, he broke up with me and now I’m a freaking mess.”
    “I wouldn’t say a mess.”
    “Jacob, do you not remember my near melt down not even an hour ago?
I went from totally pissed off to barely functioning within the blink of an
eye. How does that not make me a mess?”
    “You loved him, right?”
    I nod my head. “Still do, which just adds weight to my side. I’d
have to be a total idiot to still be in love with him.”
    “Not an idiot. Hopeful.”
    Crossing my arms over my chest I lean back against the booth with a
huff. “Being hopeful sucks.”
    “It does indeed.”
    He’s got that faraway look in his eyes again. The same one he had
earlier when I asked about him having a sister. And I want to ask about his
sister, but can’t quite form the words, because I don’t want to hear the hurt
in his voice when he answers. The shrill sound of my cell phone goes off just
as the waitress comes back with our food. I fumble in my pocket, bringing it
out to see Holden’s face spread across the screen. I click the ignore button,
set the phone to vibrate then drop it down on the Formica tabletop in front of
me. I know it won’t be long before it rings again.
    “Your brother?”
    “Hmm. Can I have some of your French toast?”
    “You gonna share the pancakes?”
    “Yeah, no.” I say with a smirk. “I don’t share my food.”
    “Then no French toast for you.”
    My phone starts vibrating, bouncing all over the table. A quick
glance down shows that it’s Holden again. I let it run its course as I stuff
another bite of blueberry pancake in my mouth. It’ll be Cole in a few moments,
or Ally. Maybe even Robby. One of them will call next, not because they’re
worried about me, but because they want to shut Holden up. I take another
drink, watching the phone in interest.
    It takes barely a minute before it starts dancing across the table
again and Delaney’s face lights up the screen. I snatch it up quickly. “Did he
seriously get you to call me?”
    “Who?” Delaney’s puzzled voice comes across the line.
    “Never mind. What’s up?” I stab another piece of pancake, stuffing
into my mouth. Across the table from me Jacob smirks before taking a bite of
French toast.
    “I’m going to stay with Cole tonight. Is that okay?”
    “Why wouldn’t it be okay?” Jacob has started playing with his
phone, tapping out something on the screen. I reach across the table, stabbing
a piece of French toast and shoving it in my mouth quickly.
    “You’ll be alone in the apartment.”
    I swallow the toast, eyeing another piece on his place. “I think I
can handle it.” I reach across the table, ready to stab another piece, but
suddenly his hand circles my wrist stopping my forward motion. “Dammit.” I
mutter, yanking my hand away and stabbing another pancake instead. I stick my
tongue out in response to the grin on his face as he takes another bite.
    “What’s the matter?” Del’s voice chirps in my ear.
    “Nothing. Go have fun with Cole. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”
    I drop the phone back down on the table, smirking at the little
text message icon on the screen. Poor Holden, taken to yelling at me through
text. Not nearly as effective.
    “You have a serious appetite for someone who looks like an elf.”
    “An elf?” I shove another bite in my mouth. “Elf’s are ugly.”
    Jacob laughs, “All right then a fairy or a pixie, or whatever the
hell the cute little things are. What’s the Disney thing in the green dress?”
    “Tinkerbell.” I say dryly. “And I’m sure Walt is rolling in his
grave. Disney thing in the green dress,” I grumble, “Sheesh.”
    “Who’s Walt?”
    I eye him suspiciously. “What kind of childhood did you have,
Jacob? Walt as in Walt Disney. The man behind the mouse?” I shake my head.
“Never mind. And I look nothing like Tinkerbell, she’s a blonde.”
    “Whatever. You look like a pixie, and you’re about as big as