Breathe into Me by Sara Fawkes Read Free Book Online Page B

better. If I paid, I didn’t owe him anything else. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. “How much?”
    “Ten bucks a lesson.”
    I gazed at him shrewdly. “Five bucks, and you’ve got a deal.”
    Everett gave me a lopsided grin. “The lady drives a hard bargain,” he said, but held out his hand. “Deal.”
    We shook hands, and I tried to ignore the electric zing that his touch sent coursing through my body. A small smile worked its way across my lips. “What should I bring?”
    “I’ll take care of it. You hired me; I’ll bring the supplies.”
    I felt a sudden weight lift off my shoulders. If he hadn’t been a boy, I probably would have hugged him. “I need to get back to my bike.”
    “You’ll be okay riding home in the dark?”
    I nodded. “Do it all the time.” He gave me a dubious look, and I wondered what sort of neighborhood he lived in. “Seriously, we’re not in New York. I’ll be fine.”
    The sun had already past the horizon and twilight was settling in when he dropped me off back at the grocery store. I hadn’t realized just how late it actually was, but still paused and turned back to the open window. “Thanks for the ice cream.”
    “No problem. Sorry I don’t have any air-conditioning.”
    “Well, I’m used to it on the bike.” I didn’t know what else to say, but really didn’t want to leave just yet. “When do you want to meet up for the GED stuff?”
    “How about tomorrow? We’ve got the day off since Trent’s dad is heading into Biloxi, are you working?”
    I shook my head. “It’s one of my days off.”
    “Cool, then maybe I can pick you up?”
    The idea of him seeing the ratty trailer where I lived didn’t sit well. “Can I meet you somewhere instead?”
    “Sure, maybe another ice cream?”
    Nodding, I gave him another smile. “Thanks again.”
    “Heh, wait until I start drilling you. I tend to go overboard with studying.”
    Somehow, I couldn’t see the laid-back boy before me as a nerd. “As long as I can pass.” I winked at him, then pushed away from the car, waving as he drove off.
    The lock on my bike was stuck, and it took me a minute to get it to let go. When it finally broke free, I wrapped it around the frame and turned the bike around, only to come face-to-face with Mrs. Holloway. The large woman glared at me, and my breath caught in my throat. “Didn’t you leave sick, Ms. St. James?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” I murmured, uneasy being questioned. “A friend picked me up, but I need my bike.”
    Her expression told me quite clearly that she didn’t believe me. Swallowing, I gave her a small wave that she didn’t reciprocate, then pushed off the curb and headed straight home.
    My mother was slumped on the couch watching news when I came through the door. A half-empty bottle of whiskey sat on the table before her, along with two cans of Coke. I could tell from the way she sat that she was already toasted; she didn’t even say hello to me when I came inside.
    Beside the television, my little brother was playing quietly with his toys. When he saw me a big smile crossed his face and he ran over to hug me.
    “Hey, Goober,” I said fondly, picking him up in my arms. He was getting far too big for this, but I’d carry him in my arms until I broke my back. “Ready for bed?”
    He shook his head, and then yawned. I smiled. “Mom, I’m putting him down for the night.”
    All I got in reply was a grunt and a wave. I stared at the slug that used to be my mother, and then wordlessly took my brother to his room.
    “Where’s Gamma?” he murmured as I rummaged around for clean pajamas.
    “She’s working late tonight, sugar. She’ll be in later to kiss you good night.” My throat closed up after that. It helped that he really was as angelic as she proclaimed to everyone in town. Heaven help us if he’d been a natural brat, given how much she spoiled him, but the little boy was perfect. He came from good stock, she always told