Entangled Summer by Michele Barrow-Belisle Read Free Book Online Page A

filled them with coffee and headed to the main stage.

Chapter Ten

     
     
    The stage was built in a round clearing in the woods. A clam-shaped band shell covered the curved stage, and black curtains flanked each side. Outdoor theater. Great. I was seriously going to O.D. on nature this summer.
    Troy was already on set waiting when I arrived. He sat in all of his surreal gorgeousness on the edge of the stage, one leg over the side, the other on stage as he leaned against his bent knee.
    “I thought we’d go over how the summer plays unfold so you’re familiar with it.” He handed me a stack of paper, not bothering to look up from his pile.
    “Hello again to you too.” I said, and handed him a mug of coffee.
    Finally he looked up. “Thanks.” His crystal gaze traveled up the length of me and then back to his papers. “You look tired.”
    “Gee thanks. Bet you say that to all the girls.”
    “Only to the ones who look tired.”
    “Well I’m not tired. I’m fine.”
    He glanced up. “Good. Cause we’ve got a lot to do.”
    “Good.” I shrugged.
    This was going well. How could I possibly endure an entire summer of this awkward tension between us? I set down the papers and bit down on my lip. “Why am I here? Really.”
    He lifted his head slowly, his eyes eclipsed by a shadow. “Pardon?”
    I could hear Kenzie’s voice clucking in my mind, telling me I was going to blow it. But it didn’t add up. “My interview sucked. Miss Strange as much as said so herself. There were hundreds of applicants, most way more qualified than me. So why am I really here?”
    I must be losing my mind. It was risky, bringing up my lack of qualifications. But in the last year alone, I’d lost my college acceptance, my home, my dignity, and my best friend’s favorite bra. Sounds trivial I know, but I think that was the lacy-black-straw that broke the camel’s back. Makes sense that the next thing to lose was my mind.
    Troy set down his papers and folded his arms. His sleeves were rolled to the elbow, showing off his lean, deeply tanned forearms. “This school is special Nora. And so is everyone who comes to work here.”
    “That part was in the pamphlets,” I said.
    “Then you must sense that there's more to it than meets the eye. And because of that, we don't hire the people who look like the best fit on paper. We hire the ones who will be the best fit in actuality. We chose you. I, chose you.”
    I frowned at the butterflies slam-dancing in my midsection. “Then why the psych profiling? Why the counseling Miss Strange is forcing me into?”
    “She's the expert on mental health and stability. We have to make sure your mind is strong enough to handles what it could face.”
    What could my mind face, other than a psycho in a goalie mask running through the woods taking out campers? That much I expected already. Slowly, my brows tightened. “So, you knew about this?”
    He eyed me evenly. “I authorized her request.”
    A spark lit in my chest as rage and longing burned through me. I’d crossed over humiliated and embarrassed and awkward and into full on fury. The guy had three computer monitors, a tablet and a smart phone in his bedroom. He remembered the world clock time zones for every country on the planet, but not a one night stand from a year ago? God, you’d think he’d have an app for that, or something. And he thinks I need help. I stood, scooped up the pile of papers, and threw them at him.
    “Screw you. You know nothing about me. You don’t even know who I am.”
    “And you would be...?”
    “Leaving.” I shouted, flipping my blue tipped ponytail over my shoulder. I stormed away from him, from the stage, from his judgment and scrutiny. I didn't need their money. Not like this. I’d rather scrape roadkill off the highway for five bucks an hour, than spend my summer here with him.
    “Not exactly what I was asking Nora.” he called after me patiently.
    “Oh no?” How many ways can you say I don’t