Freeing by E.K. Blair Read Free Book Online Page A

some bands. You know, the usual visit home.” I don’t tell her what really happened because I want to talk to her about it in private, away from Kimber. Not that I won’t tell her, but I just want to talk with Candace first.
    “Well, we’re glad you’re back,” Candace says with a smile and then takes a sip of her wine.
    “You have no idea how happy I am to be back,” I say in all seriousness.
    “Man, was it that bad, Jase?” Kimber asks.
    “It’s just not home to me anymore. Plus, I missed you bitches.” I laugh in an attempt to shift my mood from its current somber one. “So, what have I missed?” I ask and then down my wine faster than I should, but I’m desperate to take the edge off.
    “Well, Candace is dating a douche from Mommy and Daddy’s country club,” Kimber says as she winks at Candace.
    “I am not!” she practically squeals, and I really do wonder what the hell I’ve missed in the past few days. Candace looks at me and explains, “We went out for drinks. That’s all.”
    “Are you seeing him again?” Kimber questions, teasing Candace, and I can tell she’s getting under her skin.
    “You’re seeing him again?” I ask in utter shock. Who is she giving a second date to? “Wait, who’s him ? Who are you seeing?”
    “No. I mean, yes. God, really, it’s no big deal.”
    “Must be if he’s getting a second date,” I say as I take another drink. “Is that where you were earlier? On your date?”
    “Uh huh,” she nods.
    “Where did you guys go? You never told me,” Kimber asks as she folds her legs underneath her.
    “We went to Prescriptions.”
    “I love that place,” Kimber says. “Anyway. New subject. What the hell are we doing this week before classes start back up?”
    “I have some serious studio time I need to put in. I also have to work.”
    “You always keep yourself so busy,” I say. I wish that she wouldn’t. I feel like Candace hides too much behind her school and work.
    We kick back for a while, and I enjoy this much-needed distraction from what happened earlier today. We talk about school and what our schedules are going to be like this next quarter. I can tell that Candace is tired, so when Kimber and I decide to turn on the TV, I tell Candace, “Come here, sweetie,” as I motion for her to sit next to me.
    Kimber turns on some trash show and Candace lies down with her head on my lap. I comb her hair with my fingers as I sit back and only half pay attention to the TV. After a while, I look down, and Candace is passed out.
    “Is she asleep?” Kimber whispers in my direction, and I nod my head yes.
    I let her sleep for a little bit longer before I decide to go lay her down.
    “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna try and get her to her room without waking her,” I tell Kimber.
    “Okay. I’ll go grab the other bottle of wine.”
    I nod my head and scoop Candace up in my arms. This chick is tiny and barely weighs anything, so getting her into her bed is no problem. She’s already in her pajamas, so I lie her down and pull the covers over her before heading back out to the living room.
    Kimber and I drink the second bottle of wine, and wind up hanging for a couple more hours. When she passes out on the couch, I head to Candace’s room and strip out of my clothes. Sliding into bed behind her, I wrap my arms around her and draw her in close to me. She presses into me, tucking herself tighter against my chest.
    “Did I wake you?” I whisper.
    “Yeah, but it’s okay,” she says softly. “What time is it?”
    “Around two. You passed out, so I carried you in here and hung out with Kimber for a while longer.”
    “Is she asleep?”
    “Yeah, and snoring like a beast.” Candace laughs, and the sound makes me crack up as well.
    She rolls over and lays her head on my chest, and I band my arms tightly around her. I feel like I’m clinging to the only person I have left to depend on.
    “So, why did your trip really suck? I know something’s bothering