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

off?”
    “Nine.”
    “Do you want me to pick you up? Maybe we can get something to eat then,” Austin says pulling up across the street from my house.
    I can’t take this anymore. I don’t understand why he’s trying to become someone in my life. “What do you want?” I ask.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Why do you keep acting like we’re friends? We haven’t been friends in years.”
    “I know. I guess I was hoping we could get to know each other again.” He stares at me without blinking.
    “Well I don’t want to. I like not knowing you. Lets just keep it that way,” I snap and jump out of his car. I can’t allow myself to get close to someone I don’t trust. I don’t need him breaking my heart again.

7
    Had Enough
    I walk into Delights exhausted. Logan is behind the counter helping out the long line of customers. I knew I shouldn’t have gone to beach today. How am I going to survive for the next four hours?
    “Hey, how was the beach?” he asks when he spots me.
    “Okay. Why didn’t you come?” He could’ve saved me from Austin.
    “I had to see my dad. It was our monthly visit.”
    “Did Summer go this time?”
    “Nope.” Summer hates her father as much as I hate mine. She’s lucky though she’s not forced to see him like I am.
    I put on my pink apron and begin to take the next order. “How was it?” I ask Logan.
    “I guess okay. He brought the new girlfriend.”
    “Can I help you?” I ask the next customer in line.
    “Yes, mint chocolate chip on a waffle cone please,” the older man says.
    “What’s she like?” I ask Logan as I get a waffle cone.
    “Let’s just say she makes your dad’s girlfriend look like her babysitter.”
    “Are you serious? What is it with our fathers and much younger women? It’s like they need to prove they still have it by dating these stupid women.”
    “I know. I hope I never turn out like them,” Logan says with a far distant look in his eyes.
    “You won’t.” I hand the man his cone. A huge smile appears on his face. I think it’s funny how ice cream can make people so happy.
    I walk over to Logan and give him a tight hug.
    “Thanks, I needed that.”
    We both continue to take orders. The lines do not slow down and when the movie theater clears out it gets even worse. I wish this running around would keep my mind from wandering, but it doesn’t. Every spare chance I have I find myself thinking of Austin.
    I keep picturing the way his dark eyes looked at me last night, and how his arms grabbed me in the water. I also find myself watching the door expecting him to come in. He’s been popping up everywhere I am lately that I totally expect him to show up here.
    By the time my shift is over I begin to feel disappointment enter my body. I hate how badly I want to see him and that I allow myself to feel let down once again. I can’t let this happen. I have to stay away from him.
    “You better go lock the door before anyone else comes in,” Logan says grabbing the broom.
    I walk to the door and just as I’m about to lock it Farrah appears with a huge grin on her face. I’m going to guess things with Josh went good this afternoon. “Hi, I’m so happy you’re still here,” she says walking in. I make sure to lock the door right behind her.
    “Get out! We’re closed,” Logan teases.
    “Nice to see you too.” She turns to me and says, “Thank you so much for allowing me to give Josh a ride home. He ended up inviting me inside his house, where we spend the next hour making out!” She jumps up and down like she’s just been shown her prize is a new car on The Price is Right.
    “Ohmigod!” I give her a tight hug.
    “I’m not really sure what’s going on between us, but he said he would call me later. I still can’t believe it. I’ve only been waiting for this day since the ninth grade.”
    “I hope he really does call you, but I doubt he will,” Logan says shaking his head while he sweeps.
    “Logan?! How could you say something