Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining Read Free Book Online Page A

pretending to be a bartender?” Josie asked.
    “No. I read a lot,” he answered, realizing that statement explained nothing. “I happen
     to remember everything I read. I have a really good memory.”
    “Huh,” she said, shrugging. “We’re like opposites.”
    He nodded, saddened by the defeated nature of her statement. Tristan had a feeling
     that the amnesia was her mind’s way of dealing with something terrible, some kind
     of horrific event that refused to be processed. She had no memories from their shared
     childhood. She couldn’t recall the happiest time of her life, her family, her friends,
     not even him. Meanwhile, he remembered everything, with agonizing clarity.
    “‘August 25,’” Tristan began. Josie’s eyes snapped up to his when he spoke the words
     as if they were right in front of him. “‘A body found in the Hudson River near Weehawken,
     New Jersey, has been identified as Earl Delaune, 41, a recent transplant from New
     Orleans to Brooklyn. Delaune was reported missing three days ago by his landlord.
     State Police say a fisherman found the body in the river, but the location of Delaune’s
     death has yet to be determined. The victim’s daughter, McKenzi Delaune, 14, remains
     missing.
    “‘August 31, New York City Police identified the body of a fourteen-year-old girl
     found dead in Central Park yesterday morning. Authorities are withholding the identity
     of the Brooklyn girl, but it is suspected to be McKenzi Delaune, a teen reported missing
     nine days ago. NYPD said they were having difficulty locating any of the girl’s remaining
     family. There were no obvious signs of trauma and, for now, police aren’t commenting
     on suspects or motive.’”
    Josie blinked rapidly, suddenly realizing that she’d been holding her breath, her
     attention seized by Tristan’s words.
    “The local paper reported both of you had been murdered but didn’t give any details.
     You didn’t have family there, so the school held a memorial service. We took turns
     telling stories about you and had your picture hung in the hall,” Tristan finished.
    Josie spied the waitress coming and was relieved by the distraction. Unfolding her
     napkin, she scrubbed at the black on her stained fingers, silently cursing the charcoal
     and lead. No matter how hard she tried, the dark dust clung to the beds and underneath
     each nail, making her look like she’d been playing in dirt. Never mind the slash of
     green paint across her forearm that would have to be removed later. The plates slid
     in front of them before the waitress disappeared again, promptly returning with Josie’s
     milk shake.
    “I hated that fucking picture,” Tristan said.
    “Why?”
    “They used your freshman yearbook photo.”
    “And?” she asked, frustrated.
    “We got into a fight right before photos that day. You weren’t even smiling. It was
     like having this sad ghost haunting me every time I walked past the office.”
    Josie bit into the bacon and moaned in delight. She may have been a little overenthusiastic
     as a result of their earlier conversation.
    “What were we fighting about?” she asked.
    Tristan smiled at her, a smile so genuine she wanted to return it. He set his fork
     back down and sipped his coffee.
    “I was mad because I found a drawing in your room of another guy.”
    “So, you were jealous?”
    Tristan nodded.
    “I ripped it up,” he said.
    “Oh, I bet I got pissed.”
    “Yeah. That’s an understatement. You didn’t talk to me for three days, a record for
     us.”
    “Damn, guess I cut you off too?” she asked.
    “We weren’t having sex at fourteen, Josie.”
    “Nothing?” she asked.
    “Nothing past second base.”
    Josie shook her head and wondered if she had been a prude or if he had been the one
     trying to protect their virtue. Tristan, with all his memories, made her nervous.
     He looked at her as if trying to crack a code, break her down and understand her.
     She’d never wanted