Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut by Harley Brooks Read Free Book Online Page B

animal issue. She reamed Jordan for not saying anything and embarrassing her when you caught her off guard."
    "How do you know all this?"
    "I had a thirty minute delay before take-off, so I called Jordan. I wanted to make sure he got the bathing suit shot." Jesse's snicker bordered evil. "He did."
    Air raced into my lungs so fast it hurt. "No one was supposed to know! Tell me you didn't say anything about the kiss."
    "No! I'm not tired of living," he replied around a smile. "Jordan knows we went snorkeling, which he hated, but that's all. You can see other boys, Mars. Don't worry, our secret is safe."
    Until discovered .
    Jesse's co-pilot returned, ending our conversation with a generic "good-night," warding off any suspicion he flirted with his brother's prospective mate . Unlike Jesse, I couldn't believe what happened this afternoon qualified as "acceptable" by The Program.
    The Program. Organized about ten years before my birth, the government matchmaking service culled girls and boys with exceptional genetic markers for candidates, aligning them into pre-arranged life relationships. Rick claimed it was set up to create some superior society—"genetic wonders" that supposedly would be smarter, healthier, and stronger than our international counterparts. I couldn't shake the feeling there might be something more…something darker.
    I touched the tiny lump behind my right ear where a microchip had been implanted at birth to track my development for some government mega database. Everyone born after the year 2040 had them, but unlike the bands that would eventually be removed, the chip remained attached to your skull for life— property of the U.S. government.
    Sam's instant message beeped me from my dark thoughts. Hey babe, come outside.
    Afraid he'd wake Rick, I wrapped myself inside the lap quilt off my rocking chair and padded quietly down the stairs. Sam waited in the shadows in the corner of the yard, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
    "Good, you brought a blanket." He gathered me into his arms and his lips sampled my neck. "I missed you, babe. Why didn't you call? "
    "It's so late I thought I'd wait until morning."
    Sam didn't care about my reasons. His lips pressed hard, his tongue pushing through my reluctant lips, smearing Jesse's kisses away. His hand moved behind my head, holding me tight to his mouth a second time, mashing my nose against his cheek. I shoved against his shoulders.
    "Sam, I can't breathe!"
    He threw his arms in the air. "What? I thought maybe you missed me."
    "Shhh! Keep your voice down. And I've only been gone a day."
    Sam fisted his hair. "I can't stand this damn Program. You act like they own you—dropping everything to fly off to some stranger's house. For what? A stupid interview?"
    My teeth ground together. "You know it's more than an interview and in a sense, yes , The Program owns me."
    "Drop out!"
    "I can't!" I hissed back. Sam didn't know the truth behind my illegal enrollment, nor could I tell him to help explain my reasons for staying. Gingerly, I took his hands, dropping my voice. "It's complicated...especially now."
    He yanked his hands free. "Oh, I get it. Why settle for the small town boy when you can have the rich brat. Tell me—is he better looking, too?"
    "Sam, it's not like that. I told you, The Program paired me with Jordan."
    " Jordan. First names now, huh? No more numbers." When I wouldn't answer, Sam pulled me close. I turned my head to avoid his kiss.
    "I need to get back inside before Rick discovers I snuck out."
    After a careful kiss at the front door, Sam said "I love you." I couldn't return the sentiment because it no longer felt right. He walked away defeated and pangs of guilt punched my gut. Dad was right. I couldn't do this without hurting Sam.
    I tiptoed back to my room and burrowed beneath my quilt. Memories I kept buried deep stirred, bringing a clear recall of the day I entered The Program.
    … A woman with a wide-brimmed red hat perched on her head,