Fractured by Sarah Fine Read Free Book Online Page B

car, and his clothes were more likely to come from Walmart than J.Crew. One would think I’d feel some sympathy for him … but I didn’t. He hadn’t treated Nadia very well, and I’d come to the conclusion that he was a wannabe user who latched onto her because it made him look good.
    I refocused my attention on the conversation as Ian scooted even closer to me to make room on his other side.
    Laney flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder. “How are you liking our school?” she asked Malachi in a loud voice, enunciating every word and speaking slowly.
    Aden and Ian snickered, but Malachi gave her a polite smile. “I am enjoying the classes very much, and particularly literature. I had only read Rilke in the original German, so I am happy to have the opportunity to read it in English as well.”
    Laney’s eyes went all dreamy, and her tongue traced her bottom lip. “Wow. You speak beautiful English,” she said breathlessly. And then she made this weird, little yipping noise and glared across the table at Tegan. “It’s true,” she said, all pouty as she reached under the table to rub her shin.
    I reached for my fork, not sure whether I wanted stab Laney with it or use it to eat my salad. I was still trying to decide when Ian’s elbow collided with my arm. “Oh, jeez, sorry,” he said, giving me a surprisingly sweet, apologetic smile that revealed deep dimples. His shaggy brown hair hung over his forehead as he looked down at me. “I’m a lefty. No one should ever have to sit on that side of me.” He tucked his elbow against his body.
    “You should see him in the batter’s box,” said Greg, obviously trying to make nice. “Pitchers don’t know what to do with him. It’s one of the reasons we’re gonna take state this year.” He lifted his chin at Malachi. “You must have played some sports in school, right?” He looked like he was ready to recruit Malachi on the spot.
    Malachi shook his head. “I never had much opportunity to play sports.”
    Aden looked completely baffled, probably because he’d seen Malachi’s abs in the locker room. Tegan, who had been poking at her plateful of iceberg lettuce, set her fork down and put her arm around Aden’s waist. “What are we doing tonight?” she asked him.
    Aden leaned in to kiss her cheek. “We were actually planning a guy thing, Teg. Sorry.”
    Tegan flushed, but she smiled up at him anyway. “Maybe Saturday.”
    He raised and lowered his eyebrows a few times. “Definitely Saturday.” He turned to Malachi again. “You want to come out with us tonight? We could show you how we have fun around here.”
    Ian, Greg, and Levi smiled while the girls looked sullen.
    Malachi wiped his mouth with his napkin. Under the table, the fingers of his other hand brushed against my thigh. “Thank you for the invitation. Perhaps another time. Lela and I have plans tonight.”
    Now my cheeks were pink, for sure. It had been such a soft-spoken, casual statement, but he might as well have shouted it. Everyone’s eyes were on me, conveying everything from resentment to curiosity to admiration. Greg stared at me like he’d never before realized that I was a girl. Laney looked like she wanted to flee to the bathroom and burst into tears. And Ian … I was stunned to see the glint of interest in his green eyes. For a year now, most of these guys hadn’t even thought to glance in my direction, and I definitely hadn’t looked in theirs. Apparently, all it took was for one hot guy to like me, and the rest of them were suddenly taking notice.
    Aden shrugged. “Maybe we’ll hang out after the volunteer thing that our women are dragging us to. Ow!” He rubbed his arm, which had been on the receiving end of one of Tegan’s sharp little elbows.
    “Stick to the left side,” instructed Greg. “His throwing arm is school property.”
    Tegan smiled at him sweetly, but her dislike for Greg was one thing we had in common. “I’ll remember that,” she said icily. Then