Fated by Nicole Tetterton Read Free Book Online Page B

around his room for hours just listening to music, not saying a word, but explaining everything through music, going from one genre to another. He is like my musical soul mate; he is the only other person that I have ever met who had such a wide variety of music as I do. Joe never understood my love with music.
    “Next,” I say smiling to him, “A Day to Remember, A Plot to Bomb the Panhandle.”
    “That’s a great one.” He says clicking on it form his I-tunes account. I’m singing along with the word when, I think, Austin realizes that the song has more meaning to me than just that I like it. He looks to me turning it down.
    “Are you alright?” I nod my head to him, “I can’t help but notice that…” he points to the computer screen and then reaches over and wipes a tear that I haven’t realized I let loose off of my face.
    “Yeah, it’s just rough.” I admit, and I’m thankful I don’t have to explain what is.
    “Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.
    “Not really.” He nods still looking at me.
    “Well if you want to I’m here, you know that right?”
    I sigh heavily, looking at him, “I’m pretty sure I was m ore in love with the idea of Joe than actually Joe.”
    “Then why did you almost marry him?” He questions.
    “Because I didn’t know the different I’ve always wanted that happily ever after, I guess. I one day want someone to be able to call my husb and. I want that storybook ending; as much as I pretend that I’m a hard ass.”
    “I think everyone wants that, secretly.” He shrugs.
    “Even you, mister playboy?” He laughs, shaking his head as if he is almost embarrassed.
    “Especially me,” he admits.
    “Then why not try and have a relationship with anyone of the number of girls that you bring home?”
    “I told you, because they don’t really care about me; only long enough to get me back to my place, maybe steal something, or smash in my windshield, but I have seen many of them later and they don’t even remember me.” And it’s the first time that I realize that sleeping around is his defense mechanism that he really is, just like me, a wounded soul.
    “I would remember you.” I say before I can stop myself. I just want to take the hurt out of his eyes. I look up to see his eyes staring into me. He breaks our gaze and he smiles. It’s a smile that tells me thank you.
    “Want to hear me play?” and I nod my head.
     
    Austin walks me home from his house well after the sun has gone down and he is looking over to the ocean. We approach the door and he suddenly turns to me.
    “It can’t be good for you to sit around all by yourself all the time.”
    “Yeah, well I have to find a job.”
    “I need an assistant. If you want to you could come work for me.” He offers.
    “Why would you do that?” I ask.
    “What I’m going to tell my dad, because my assistant quit-,” I stop him.
    “Did you sleep with her?” I ask
    “Sophie, as much as we pretend I’m going to be honest right now. You don’t want to know the answer to that.” And for the first time he lets on that he is as attracted to me and he knows that I am just as attracted to him.
    “Ugh,” he laughs as I watch his hand go to brush the back of his neck.
    “The real reason why is because I always hate who my dad hires and really everyone that works in his office, and I like you. You’re not fake or sugar coated. You’re raw, dirty, and gritty; and you’re not afraid to put in my place.”
    “Are you admitting that you need to be put in your place?” I ask, just slightly flirting with him.
    “Yes, ” He says and I watch as he begins to walk away. “You want the job?” he says as he turns around, looking to me.
    “S-Sure,” I stutter not being able to say no, and he smiles at me.
    “Good, be there at eight tomorrow. Good night, Sophie. I’ll see you in the morning.” For whatever reason that sentence coming out of his mouth makes all the hairs on my arm stand on ends.
    I force my