Crushing by Elena Dillon Read Free Book Online Page B

dad. This is one of the huge problems with him and me. Not attractive behavior. Whose side was he on? My head was spinning with everything happening. I didn’t want to get into this now. I was so worried about Lindsay.
    “Dom, stay out of it,” I snapped at him.
    He shook his head.
    “He is just trying to keep you safe, Rory. Don’t be difficult,” my dad argued.
    Difficult? They hadn’t even seen difficult yet.
    “I understand staying in a group for shopping or wherever. I don’t understand being on lockdown like I’ve done something wrong! I want to drive to school.”
    “They got her on the highway, Rory.” Jeremiah finally stepped in but on the wrong side. I was surrounded by cavemen.
    “Mom!” I yelled. She had been upstairs changing. I needed her on my side.
    “I have already spoken to your mother about it. She agrees with me,” my dad said. “I’m sure it will only be for a little while.”
    I was upset about Lindsay and mad that they were using it to go all crazy paranoid. I felt sick, and I didn’t want to even think about what it all meant, but this kind of reaction was uncalled for.
    However, since I didn’t have even one person on my side, I decided I wouldn’t argue. Not yet. I was too angry and upset to deal with a bunch of Neanderthals.
    I shoved back from the table.
    “I don’t feel like kayaking today. I’m going upstairs to my jail cell. Do I need an escort or may I go alone?”
    They all just stared.
    “Whatever.” I stomped out of the room. Was I the only sane person in the house?
    “Rory, hold up a second.” Dominic followed me out of the room.
    Just what I needed. I knew we had to have a conversation, but I didn’t want to do it now. He pulled me into the living room, where we wouldn’t be overheard.
    “I wanted to talk to you about last night.” He looked at his feet.
    “What is it, Dom?” I sighed.
    “I’m sorry about getting into a fight like that. I don’t know why he punched me, but it was just instinct to fight back. I know you could have gotten hurt. I’m really sorry.” He looked up into my eyes.
    How did I not just love this boy? He was so sweet, and I knew he cared for me. Not to mention he was adorable. This would be so easy.
    “It’s okay, Dom. It wasn’t your fault. I think it was a big misunderstanding.”
    He nodded.
    “Do you like him?” Subtlety and Dom didn’t really mesh.
    “He was my friend years ago. I don’t even know him now.”
    “I think he’s after you. I heard he asked about you when he came to school to register.”
    Gotta love small towns. Gossip moved faster than wildfire.
    “Dominic, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think he thought you guys were hassling me. That’s all.” I put my hand on his arm. “It’s really okay.”
    “I know you don’t want a ride to school, but if I take you it will keep your parents off your back, and it won’t be as embarrassing. It’s the reason I said I’d do it. I know you think I’m siding with your dad, but”—he looked away from me—“I was just trying to make it easier. I’m sorry if I made you mad.”
    How could I argue with him? I knew he loved my family and wanted to make me happy too. It couldn’t be easy to always be in the middle like that.
    “Okay, Dom. You can take me. It’ll be fun.” I smiled at him.
    “Come kayaking. Please, Ror?” he begged.
    I rubbed his arm. “I’m gonna nap. You have a good time with Jeremiah.”
    “It’s not going to be as much fun,” he grouched.
    “You’ll survive, I’m sure.” I headed upstairs. I flopped on my bed. This was not going to be a good week.
    #
    I can hear noises. I think it’s someone else breathing. I don’t open my eyes because I’m afraid. I’m afraid to know what’s really happening. If I go back to sleep maybe I’ll wake up and this will all be a dream. There is a scurrying sound near my feet. I roll myself into a ball and wish it’s all a dream. It can’t be real.

Chapter 7
     
    The