Distraction by Angela McPherson Read Free Book Online Page B

reminds me of you. She ' s sweet, but
infuriatingly stubborn at times." He peered down at me with a crooked
grin. The gesture usually melted my heart, but not now. Instead, all I felt was
heartache. "She has a great personality and she ' s hot, but that ' s not why I love
her." He searched my face, his brows furrowed. "Hey, Spud. What ' s wrong?"
    The concern in his deep voice nearly did me in. He used the
pad of his thumb and wiped the escaped tear falling down my cheek. I forced my
lips into a deceiving smile, hoping my heart wouldn ' t break into a
million pieces with what I intended to say.
    "I ' m just so happy for you, and I ' m glad you ' ve met someone
so special. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Tristan. She ' s a lucky girl."
    Tristan devoured me in his arms, squeezing me tight. I
allowed his embrace, wanting to hold on to the moment before it was gone...lost
to someone else.
    "You know, I was more nervous telling you than my
parents. At first they were pissed, or actually, my mom was. After a while
though, she gave up arguing with me. Plus, Kellie ' s enrolled here
at Tech. She's the reason why I decided to move here."
    His words sunk in and suddenly his strong arms felt
suffocating. I pushed myself away from his hold, needing to create as much
distance as I could.
    "Hey, I ' m kind of tired. Do you mind if we call it a night?"
    Tristan agreed, completely unaware of the wound he ' d cut in my
chest.
     
    * * *
     
    Tristan left early Sunday morning, wanting to help Kellie
move the rest of her furniture. He said she ' d started
classes already, but hadn ' t finished moving her stuff in. He also asked if we could
hook up later in the week so I could meet the girl who stole him away from me.
I added that part, obviously, but it was more or less true.
    What a great start to a new semester. Maybe if I had
confessed how I felt then I could have what this Kellie chick had, but I lacked
bravery. I was just as weak as my mother, which I swore I would never be.
Obviously, the apple didn ' t fall far from the tree.
    Speaking of family, I emailed my sister. I usually emailed
her once or twice a week, hoping she ' d come back home. I missed her so
much, and after Tristan left, more than anything I missed the way she and I
used to talk to each other. Her silly faces always made me laugh and then we ' d eat a bowl of
ice cream watching girly movies together until we fell asleep. Now, I just
wished to see her face, with or without the silly faces.

 
    Chapter
5
     
    Tristan
     
    By Sunday morning, the way Elle smelled, seeing her innocent,
beautiful face...well, I couldn't take being around her anymore. Last night,
seconds before I confessed, a warm breeze blew pieces of hair in her face,
hiding her bright eyes. Without thinking, I brushed my fingers across her
cheek, warm and soft, as I tucked the loose strands behind her ear. I ' d planned to
rush the words out, but after I said I was in love, I hesitated.
    There was a moment–though brief–when I thought she wanted me
to say I was in love with her. A ridiculous conclusion, and immediately I
squashed the pathetic thought. When I finished, and stared into the pool of
green forming in Elle ' s eyes, I swear to God my throat felt like my air supply had
been clamped off. Never in my life had I wanted to take my words back.
    Afterward, I thought I ' d feel free, but freedom didn ' t come close to
how I felt. Fucking miserable described me perfectly. I needed to get my shit
together, and every minute I spent alone with Elle reminded me of what I wanted
but would never have. So I left early, using Kellie as an excuse. I ' d be early, but
figured the hour or so long drive to her parents’ place would help clear my
head.
    Kellie and her parents were just finishing loading their
truck when I got there. They'd be following behind on the way to Kellie's dorm.
    Before we took off, I tried calling and texting Elle, but
without success. I went against my better judgment–I