Burnout (Jack 'Em Up Book 0) by Shauna Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

waited while the teacher questioned the class about something and a couple of kids raised their hands to answer. When she turned back to the board, he slid his answer to me.
    You know what I mean.
    Yes. I did. That was the problem. Fine. Yes, with you, too. : )
    His dimpled grin made me hold my breath. You coming to work on the car Saturday? I found a new bumper.
    I grimaced. I’m so sorry! And, yes, I’ll be there. P.S. You sure you won’t let me pay for anything? I’m sure a bumper and a . . . whatever you call it . . . are expensive.
    No.
    I studied his profile for a clue. His jaw was firm, but he didn’t turn his smiling eyes to me like I’d hoped. Alright. What time?
    Two? And it’s a quarter panel. : )
    I nodded, but stuffed our note away as Mrs. Dunbar began walking the aisles as she talked.
    When the bell rang, he jumped up, but waited for me to slowly move out of my desk and head to the door. He followed and held it open for me.
    He reached out and brushed his thumb under my eye once we were out of the classroom. “You look tired.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “You’re still gorgeous, Princess.”
    I rolled my eyes, secretly loving his praise. We walked side-by-side down the hall, earning a few curious stares. He didn’t seem to notice or care. “So, where you off to next?”
    I glanced up. “Physics.”
    He made a disgusted expression, but remained quiet, walking me down the science hall. I’d never seen him come this way, so I was curious. “What about you?”
    “English.”
    “Isn’t that clear on the other side of the school?”
    That devilish grin graced his face again, making him look like a mischievous kid. “Yeah.”
    I stopped in the middle of the hall, making a couple behind us bump into me. “Won’t you be late?”
    He shrugged as if it were of no consequence. And, maybe to someone with his reputation, it wasn’t. I could not imagine having such a devil-may-care, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants attitude. I shook my head and kept going.
    He walked me all the way to my classroom door. I lifted my eyes to his. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but he just smiled.
    “Thanks,” I said.
    “My pleasure, Princess.” He leaned down and pecked my lips. “See you later.”
    Uh . . . what the heck just happened? Had I missed the I’m-Blake-Travers’-Girl memo? It sure seemed like it, if the open stares from the other girls were any indication. Their glares ranged from envious to downright hateful, but I had no words.
    I was still in a state of confusion when I made my way to lunch that afternoon. I moved through the line, unable to think about eating anything other than a cup of soup and some crackers, and found a quiet corner table.
    A few minutes later, as I had my head buried in my folded arms, my best friend, Rachel, plopped her tray down across from me. I lifted my head and glared at my bubbly, red-headed friend.
    “Ssshhhh,” I said, feeling my headache coming back.
    “You look like horseshit.”
    Wow. I must look bad. “I know.”
    She bit her burger, grinning at me.
    “What?” I demanded.
    “Blake Travers, huh?”
    My tummy flopped at the sound of his name. Or maybe it was the food. I think it was Blake. “What about him?” I asked, trying for nonchalance.
    She laughed and grabbed a fry. “Uh huh. It’s all over school that he walked you to class and kissed you. Is it true?”
    I felt it the minute he walked into the cafeteria. Even from across the room, our gazes collided, and I thought I could almost read his mind. This was scary. He started our way just as Rachel glanced behind her and saw who’d caught my attention. “So it is true?”
    I shrugged, not sure what to say. I had no clue what was true where Blake was concerned, other than he made my blood rush hotly through my veins and he seemed to see me for who I really was.
    Rachel was openly grinning when Blake sunk into the seat next to me. “Hey.” He glanced over at Rachel, but otherwise, he was focused 100%