False Regret: Pikorua - Book 1 by Angela Reid Read Free Book Online Page A

so I wasn’t sure what warranted the assault. I fell back on the
couch, tasting blood and gun metal on my damaged lips.
    “Don’t
sass, girl. Don’t speak unless I tell you to.” He was off the sofa, dragging me
to my feet once again. “I think you had enough comfort for one day.” He yanked
me along behind him, and I was sure he was taking me to the outbuilding to ease
any lingering sexual angst brought on by my award winning performance. But
instead, I found myself alone, locked in the cold, dark shed once again. Cade never
said a word during the event, nor did he make any attempt to stop Gordon’s
degradation of me. A hurricane of fury built inside of me.  How could he claim
to have loved me and then watch some creep force me to do something so
disgusting? Obviously, it might have been worse. Gordon could have forced
me give him a blow job, instead of the gray steel of his weapon, but that was
no excuse to let Cade slide on his actions.  Bile seeped into my throat, and
the need to vomit was consuming. I crawled to the door and retched directly in
front of it, where I hoped one of them would step in it. Served them both
right.  With an empty gullet and a deadened spirit, I lay down on the blanket,
thankful for the jeans and warm sweatshirt. My eyes stared into the darkness as
my mind thought about Cade again.
    ***   
    When
Cade Cantrell handed me the book I’d dropped, all I said was thank-you before
hurrying on to my next class with a hammering heart. He was a damn good looking
kid, despite the display of tats and jewelry. His eyes were the most intriguing
color I’d ever seen. To my surprise, and secret delight, he was in all of my
classes except the last one, and in my lunch. He had to be smart to be carrying
the same course load. It was all college prep work. The enormous amount of homework
left little time for much else, and only a dedicated student would put
themselves through the stress.
    During
lunch, he stepped into the hot food line behind me. I felt those captivating eyes
on me and was instantly self-conscious. I hoped my butt looked good in the
Hollister jeans Will’s last paycheck had purchased. Guilt hit me for such
thoughts. Will was my boyfriend, and I should only care about his opinion of my
ass.
    After
we got our trays, filled with undefinable items the school passed off as food,
we entered the commons area. Kids crowded onto fold-up, picnic-style tables, and
Cade stopped at the entrance. I recognized that deer-in-the-headlights look as
he scanned the room to decide where to park himself. Understanding his uncertainties,
I approached him, my tray tilting, threatening to spill all over the asbestos
floor. The new boy reached out with deft precision and righted it.  I blushed,
feeling like a complete klutz for the second time. 
    “Oh,
thanks. It’s Cade, right?” I asked, and he nodded. “You can sit with my friends
and me. My name is Ellia Meyers.”
    “Okay,
thank you, that’d be great. Nice to meet you, Ellia.”
    He
followed me to the lunch table where two girls and a boy watched us approach. I
smirked like I had a secret as their inquisitive faces stared.  
    “Hey,
guys, meet Cade Cantrell, he is new here. I told him he was welcome sit at our
table.” I pretended to be cool and nonchalant as I sat down next to my
boyfriend.  Cade took a seat on the other side of me, our elbows touching,
giving me goose-bumps.
    “Cade,
this is Maria,” I said pointing to the girl across from him. Maria had long
black hair and a permanent tan thanks to her Latino heritage. “This is Ashley.”
I gestured to the heavy-set blonde next to Maria who sat stiffly smiling at
Cade like she’d just shit her pants. “And this is Will.” I put my hand on
Will’s arm. He tossed the dark brown curls off his forehead and addressed the
new kid.
    “Hey.
How’s it goin’? I’m Ellia’s boyfriend. Are you in her third hour class or
something?”
    Will
was always jealous of any attention other boys