Bonded (The Raegan Mason Trilogy) by Cheryl Courtney Read Free Book Online Page B

alright?”
    Alright?  Of course I was alright.  I was just lost in a delusional daydream.  “Yep, just fine. Thanks.”  I smiled and took a long drink from my cup.
    “So what about you?  Are you going anywhere for school?”  Jaxon asked drawing my attention away from Kyler.
    “Oh, not yet.  I kind of missed all of the deadlines while I was -- out.”  I smirked trying to avoid the subject.  “Maybe in the spring.” I interjected.
    “Maybe Kyler can get you in at the University since his mom has some pull and you won’t have to wait a whole semester to get started.”  His infectious smile was hard to avoid.  “How about it, Kyler?  Think you can pull some strings?”  We both turned to Kyler.
    “Not sure, I can definitely look into it.”  His eyes focused on mine and the world went hazy again.  I saw glimpses of Kyler and I together on campus working together in a lab, holding hands, his lips on mine.  He shot up from his chair and my day dream quickly ended.  “I’ll see you around.”  He shouted as he walked quickly away.  My eyes followed him until the bouncing bodies swallowed him.
    “He’s a weird guy.” Jaxon commented.  “But he’s tough.  The guys on the football team dreaded when they had to go up against him in practice.  He mowed people over during playoffs.  I forgot where he transferred from, but man, they lost a good player when he did.  He’s one of the reasons we won state this year.  But he’s weird.  This is the most I’ve ever talked to him.  He never talked in class and he was always by himself during lunch.  He took me by surprise when he asked you to dance.  I’ll have to admit, I was a little jealous.  You looked so fragile in his arms.   I was afraid he’d break you.”  Jaxon smiled and reached for my hand again.  I pulled away slightly.
    “Look Jaxon, thank you again for the attention, but I don’t want to mislead you in any way.  I really care for you as I always have, but this isn’t what I want right now.”  I tried to be as honest with him as possible, but there wasn’t any way to make this easy.  “You’re a great guy, and I’m sure someone will make you very happy, but it’s not me.  I can’t pretend to like you in that way.  It would be wrong.”  His face broke my heart.  He eyes were full of regret.  “Please understand that I’m flattered, really flattered.  If we hadn’t grown up making sand castles together, this would be a lot easier to find comfort in.  But it’s too weird for me.  You’re like my brother.  I tried to let that go, I really did, but I just don’t feel that way about you.”  He nodded his head as if he understood, but his eyes were not convincing.
    “It was worth every minute to tell you how I feel.  I knew you probably wouldn’t feel the same, but there was always that hope you would.”  He reached for my hands and pulled them to his lips.  “I will always care for you Raegan.  If you ever need anything or want to write me at basic training, I’ll be there for you.”  He kissed both of my hands and turned his crystal blue eyes on me before releasing them.  “You are the best girl friend I’ve ever had.  I hope this doesn’t ruin things between us.” His smile lit my heart like sunshine.
    “Never.” I whispered trying to avoid crying.  He was saying goodbye and I had to break his heart.  I was a horrible person.  A tear slid down my cheek.  He reached for my cheek with his fingertips to brush it away.
    “Why the waterworks?” He chuckled and reached for a napkin to hand to me.  “I hope I didn’t make you cry.”  His smile turned serious.  “Did I make you cry?”  He was appalled at himself.
    I shook my head trying to deny it, but the tears kept falling.  “I’m sorry.  It’s just been a long day, and my emotions are on overload.”  I forced an apologetic smile and wiped the tears away.
    “Would you like me to drive you home?”  He asked