Breakaway (Pro-U #1) by Ali Parker Read Free Book Online Page A

a little and gave me a tight smile as I sat down across from her. I wanted to know with a passion why she was crying earlier, but I wasn't asking. If she wanted to tell me, then she would. Plain and simple.
    "All right. So we have the supplies for the car wash, and I'll be working with some of the Ice Queens to make signs next week. I figure having everyone half naked will help." She leaned over and pulled the papers from her bag that I'd given her at the dance studio. "We should have music too. I can make a playlist."
    "You need to learn to delegate." I didn't mean for my words to sound like a command, but by the way her expression hardened, obviously they did.
    "It's easier said than done. The other girls are far more concerned with getting their next high in whatever form it comes in." She lowered her eyes to study the paper below her. A long strand of dark hair slipped from the messy bun she had her hair in, and I didn't hesitate.
    "And how do you get your highs?" I pinched the hair softly and tucked it behind her ear as she looked back up at me. The need in her eyes was enough to force me to let my guard down.
    Three more months. Three more months of school and I was off to the pros. Tread lightly.
    "I dance." She sat up as her shoulders stiffened. "It's enough of a release."
    "I get that. That's hockey to me, I guess, though it's not my sport of choice." Was I really going to open this can of worms?
    "No? I'm surprised to hear that." She picked up a pen from the table and lifted the list in front of her face. "So the hotel has the rooms booked, and you guys are good with staying six to a room?"
    Back to business. It seemed to be a safe place for her. The need to destroy her calm raced through me like a wildfire. It had been a few years since I'd wanted to do anything more than mutter a response or just get through another day.
    "I'm not staying with anyone. Put us in a room together." I turned and took the food from the server as he walked up. I could feel her eyes on me, but it was all part of the game. The question was whether I was going to allow myself to play it.
    My brother's voice brushed across my thoughts. "Avoid them at all costs. Bitches are manipulative as hell. You think you know someone, but you don't."
    The sad part was that he was right. I'd yet to meet a girl that wanted what was best for me or honestly gave a rat’s ass what that might even be. Maybe it was because all I'd dated was girls. Looking for an older woman seemed the key. Or not having one at all. Funny enough, the only woman I could see myself with was younger.
    "Can I get you guys anything else?" The server smiled and shifted his gaze to Aubrey.
    "No, we're good." She smiled back and turned to face me. "We're not sharing a room. I'm pretty sure I snore."
    "And? I snore too." I picked up my sandwich and took a deep bite of it as I watched her.
    "Yeah, well, I'm not like Lizzy. I'm not sleeping with you because you need a release." She gave me a stern look and picked up her sandwich. The girl was blistering hot and had balls as big as mine where confidence was concerned.
    I laughed and licked at my lips to get the mustard off of them. "Is that what you think? That I want to share a room with you so you'll spread your legs for me?"
    The long column of her neck turned a muted pink, and the color rose up to paint her cheeks. I wanted to lean across the table and kiss her hard, letting her know quickly that if I wanted her beneath me, she would be. However, she wouldn't appreciate the forwardness simply because she was fighting a battle in her head. Something had happened earlier that day. I wanted to know what, more than I should have.
    "I don't know. Let’s change the subject." She brushed her napkin over her mouth and glanced back down to the list. "Do you guys have enough-"
    "Aubrey. I don't want to talk about the team or the trip. I want to have lunch with you. We can be friends, right?" I tugged the paper away and dropped it on the floor