Blitz (Emerald City/Black Family Saga Book 1) by Felicia X. Scully Read Free Book Online Page B

what Reese ever saw in it. Maybe she’ll come to her senses too and realize how thankless of a job this really is.
    “Fuck you,” I mutter under my breath as I squeeze past him. “Fuck all of you.”

    I don’t know how I ended up here, but I am sitting on a bench over looking Lake Washington. I have released my hair from the ridiculous bun and removed the stifling blazer. In the tank top and trousers rolled up to my knees, I allow the afternoon sun to work its way across my bare skin. On the outside I am warm, but underneath it all, everything is stone cold.  
    I tried. It’s what I keep repeating in my head. I could have given up from the very beginning. But I didn’t. I tried and that is what is important. That’s what I can take with me.  
    I glance at my watch. I should go to the hospital to relieve Uncle Bobby. I should tell Reese the truth. I don’t know if she can hear me, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t lie to her. She’s been too good to me. When Dad died, when Mom got remarried, it was Reese who held me together. Now I have to do it on my own. Still, she should know the state of things. She should know I tried.
    “Aren’t you cold?”
    I jump at the sound of a voice behind me. Ray Carlson slides onto the bench, his frame easily swallowing mine, and he looks down at me, a warm smile on his face.  
    I shake my head. “It’s spring. I love this time of year. Not too hot, not too cold. Nothing like Texas. I’m a sweater, so this is perfect.”
    Oh, God. Why did I just say that? Like he needs to know I sweat buckets at the drop of a hat. Cute, Sydney. Real nice. This guy really brings out the class in you.
    Ray laughs. “Texas? You don’t strike me as a Texan.”
    “Reformed,” I say. Then immediately regret my words. “There’s nothing wrong with it or anything. I guess I’ve just always imagined myself somewhere else.”
    “Me too.”  
    My mind flashes on the belt buckle and boots from the day before. “Yeah, you’re nothing like I expected. I guess when I think football player I imagine a guy in the uniform. I knew you were a cowboy, so I was expecting…well, a cowboy.”
    He laughs again, louder and harder this time. “A cowboy? Is that my reputation?”
    “Well…I guess more of a farm boy. If you want to get technical.”
    “Ah…that’s right, the bible-thumping farm boy from Idaho. I’ve heard that before. So what were you expecting then?”
    “I don’t know. Someone a little more rough around the edges I guess.”
    “Like you?”
    “Excuse me?” I angle to face him.  
    “Forgive me, but I don’t think you’re all that reformed, so to speak.   You’re outspoken, brave. You remind me of…” He sighs. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize for yesterday. My mom she’s…”
    “Kind of high strung.”
    Ray chuckles. “You could say that. She means well. But her methods lack finesse.”
    I scoff. “You could say that.”
    “And I’m sorry about last night.” He squints. “You look different in a dress.”
    I smirk and turn my head to look back out over the water. “I guess I do.” I clear my throat. “I’m sorry too. I was drunk, which never happens. I swear. But I’d had kind of a bad day.”
    We share a laugh as he stretches his legs out in front of him and an arm across the back of the bench. “You don’t have to be sorry. Master Chef Dude told me I dodged a bullet.”
    “Apparently so. Dina Prince is piece of work. My friend Ronnie—she’s Reese’s best friend actually—grew up with Justice and Dina. Known them all her life. She always says the two of them are like the Eminem and Kim of this generation. You should be happy I swooped in when I did and rescued you from Justice’s fists. Not that I don’t think you could handle yourself.”
    “Look,” Ray says. “I know things were pretty awkward for you at the restaurant. My mom was tough on you. And I’ll be honest, you looked completely out of your comfort zone, but…I don’t know…I liked