Atonement by J. H. Cardwell Read Free Book Online Page A

shirt. “We can’t…the truth is Ineed to find out what’s going on with Tate and me before I do anything I might regret.”
    I could tell that hurt him, the fact that anything we could do would be a regret later had to cut him down.
    I looked deeper into his eyes, “You have to know by now, that you mean so much to me.” I said. “I’m sad that you’re waiting for me, the thought of your loneliness hurts.” Stepping a little closer I grabbed his shirt in my hands, “but I would be lying if I said it didn’t excite me to know how much you care, John. I care too, more than I should have for the last few months. In a way it wasn’t fair, my heart is a bit divided.” I looked away for a second. I suddenly felt like I was betraying Tate. Then like an electrical shock I remembered how he recently betrayed me. “I…”
    John quickly cut me off “Don’t say anything Reese.” Then hugging me tightly he whispered in my ear. “I’ll give you time to sort this out. When you’re ready to see me again, text or call me…PLEASE. I promise if I don’t hear from you soon though, I’ll come back to see you, ready or not.”
    Of course, I knew what he spoke to be true. If he hadn’t given up in the last few months, he wasn’t about to give up now that Tate and I were in trouble. I squeezed him tighter, then I pushed back, looking again in his eyes. I nodded, with tears flowing. I wasn’t sure why, the thought of him leaving, the thought of Tate and I ending, or just because my emotions were running so…crazy! He wiped a tear away, and hugging me once more he said “I love you Reese”. Then he turned and left without looking back.
    I sank to the floor unable to say a word.
    Within a few minutes Elle returned. The sight of her snapped me back to my earlier emotion…anger. I was boiling over with it instantly. I felt betrayed by everyone closest to me, except my parents of course. But Tate and Elle, both lying and keeping me in the dark…I was suddenly not only angry, but devastated. I wasn’t sure what to do…I had never had an argument that lasted longer than a few moments with Elle, but I wasn’t about to give in to this one.
    “Reese, is John already gone?” asked Elle.
    “Why ask? I’m sure you already know Elle,” I spit those words out like venom. “Surely you’ve already received your daily text from him telling you he left.”
    How dare she even ask? I’m SO over her controlling my love life and not letting me know what she and John were saying about me. More than anything, I was devastated at the loss of loyalty from Elle.
    “Reese, I’m sorry. I thought after last summer you were okay with me texting John. I wouldn’t have if I thought you didn’t want me too.”
    “That’s a load of crap Elle! How could you possibly think you keeping John up to date on me daily for over SIX MONTHS would be okay? That is…ridiculous, absurd, callous, uncaring…just…how could you!?!”
    “I’m sorry. I really am. Please don’t be mad.” She was all of a sudden pleading with me.
    “I feel…so used…and…and…betrayed. Even if you didn’t actually lie, you abused my trust.” I was now sobbing. “You were supposed to be my best friend Elle. Now…now I have no best friend, and no boyfriend I can trust. I’m lost. How could you?”
    I left. I didn’t wait for her response. She ran after me, but I was so upset, I didn’t listen to her, or respond to her when she called my name. Getting to the parking lot, I realized again it was after 2 am and my jeep was still at the restaurant, so I ran toward the next commons area. I ran hard, and ran smack dab into Tate!

eese! Where have you been? I saw your jeep at the Sushi Hut, but you were nowhere inside. What the hell? Why haven’t you answered my calls or texts? I’ve been going crazy!” His clothes were disheveled, his face and neck red. He looked a hot mess.
    I just stared at him. No response necessary. What did he
think
I would have