Because of You by Maria E. Monteiro Read Free Book Online Page A

remember?” I hate tearing her away from her crush, but I can’t stay here a minute longer.
    “Hey, it’s cool. I’ll take you home, and Farrah can drive Josh home. If that’s okay with you?” Austin asks Farrah as if I don’t have a say in this.
    “Yeah, that’s perfect,” Farrah quickly answers.
    “Wait a minute, isn’t there someone else who can take her home?” Leah questions. “Sweetie, isn’t there someone you could call so you don’t ruin our fun?”
    “It’s cool. I have to get home too,” Austin says picking up both our towels.
    Farrah gets up and gives me a quick hug goodbye. “Thanks for doing this.”
    I try to come up with something to say, but all I manage to do is part my lips without a sound coming out. Everything is happening so fast and before I know it I’m walking towards Austin’s car with him.
    “You don’t have to give me a ride. It’s not a far walk,” I finally manage to say.
    “No. It’s cool, besides I owe you.”
    “For what?”
    “For giving me a reason to leave.”
    “What? You don’t like being goggled at by one of your groupies?”
    He let’s out a small laugh. “Only if I’m being goggled at by the right girl.” He gazes up at me. I try to ignore the tingling feeling going on in my body. I will not fall for his charm.
    “I just hope I don’t get threatened again.”
    “Who threatened you?” Austin asks opening the car door for me. Wow, I didn’t think he was this type of guy.
    “Forget it.” I place my towel on the black leather seat so I don’t get it all wet.
    He grabs my arm making my heart race again. “Who threatened you?” His eyebrows furrow in concern.
    I know I have to tell him before he thinks it’s something more serious. “Holly, Leah’s younger sister. She warned me to stay away from you. You know if you’re dating Leah, you’re not behaving like a good boyfriend.”
    “Ha! She’s not my girlfriend. We’re just friends.” He walks around to the other side of his white Honda Civic and gets in. “I’m sorry she threatened you.”
    “No big deal.” I hate that I’m actually feeling comfortable with him.
    Austin turns on his car as I lean back and close my eyes. I sit right back up when I hear The Allman Brothers Band’s, Whipping Post come blaring out of his speakers. “You’re listening to The Allman Brothers?”
    “Hell yeah. I listen to all those classic rock bands. What is it that your father used to say, ‘There’s no music like the music that came out in the late sixties and early seventies. It was all groovy man’,’” Austin says laughing.
    I can’t believe he still listens to it. My dad used to take us to the basement and teach us all about the music from that time period. He said it was important we appreciate all kinds of music and not only what was playing on the radio stations.
    He puts the music up louder making me happy I don’t have to talk to him anymore and have my heart begin to forgive him. I have to remember the real Austin. The one who ran off when I was younger never to talk to me again. The Austin, who left me standing on the street last night like I didn’t even matter. Not the one who keeps showing me he remembers our past together.
    A few seconds later, he lowers the music. Please don’t let him start talking to me again. “I’m really sorry about last night,” he utters.
    “It’s not a big deal.” I stare out the windshield refusing to look his way.
    “I got out of Derek’s car and went looking for you, but you were already inside your house.”
    “Like I said it’s not a big deal,” I lean forward and put the music up again. I don’t want to hear his excuse for being a dick last night. I don’t want to forgive him.
    He presses the volume on his steering wheel and lowers the music again. “You wanna go get something to eat?”
    “No. I just need to get home.”
    “What time do you have to be at work?”
    “In an hour.”
    “What time do you get