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

you,” she questions, and I love that she can read me so well.
    I let out a deep breath and say, “I told them.”
    Her grip on me tightens. “What did they say?”
    “They threw me out.” When I tell her, my chest begins to ache, and each breath I take almost feels like painful stabs.
    I know she is crying when I feel her tears roll onto my chest. I hate that she’s hurting for me, but in a way, it comforts me to know she cares so much.
    “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you call me?”
    “I don’t know. I was embarrassed, I guess. I haven’t told anyone what happened. I don’t want the pity.”
    “You know I don’t pity you, right?”
    “Yeah,” I whisper and kiss the top of her head, feeling a little more free now that I’ve told her. I know I have a lot more to tell her, but I won’t tonight. I don’t want to make her more upset, and honestly, I just don’t think I have it in me right now. I’m tired and have had way too much to drink.
    “I’m sad because I love you. When your heart hurts, so does mine. Your pain is my pain.”
    Each of her words lifts more and more weight off my chest. We lie there and I just hold her.
    “You know this is your home, don’t you? Right here with me. Kimber and I are your home. And we don’t give a shit that you like guys.”
    I kiss the top of her head again, and she grips me even tighter. I allow her words to comfort me, the words I wish my parents would’ve said. The heat of my tears roll down my temples, and I try to keep my emotions under control so she can’t see how upset I really am.
    “Jase?” she finally whispers.
    “Yeah, sweetie?”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you, too.” More than anything in this world.

 
     
    I haven’t spent much time with Candace this past week. She’s been picking up a lot of extra shifts at work and spending more time in the dance studio before classes start back up next week. I’ve been dreading having to face Mark since we have a couple of classes together this quarter. I think about him a lot and feel terrible for what I did. I’ve thought about texting him, but have no clue what I could possibly say at this point.
    Since I came back home, I haven’t spoken to my parents, so I can only assume they meant what they said. It hurts. It hurts to know that I might never see or speak to them again. I just don’t understand how you can turn your back so easily on your child. It makes me think that everything with them, all of the good, was nothing but a lie. Maybe that’s where I learned it from. Maybe pretending comes so easily to me because it’s all my parents ever did.
    I don’t really know what I gained from telling them. It didn’t give me what I was hoping for. I’m not sure what it’ll take or what I have to do to be more at peace with myself. I’ve been trying to keep busy so my mind doesn’t wander too much. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym and running.
    I was shocked when Candace said that she was coming out with Kimber and me tonight. She never goes out with us, but lately, she’s been coming out of her shell a little more. I think all the fighting with her parents has finally taken a toll on her and she’s looking for some sort of release. She even said that the guy she went out with the other day is coming along. I’m not sure if she even likes him, but I’m happy she’s giving it chance.
    I decide to head out a little early, needing the distraction. When I arrive at Remedy, I spot some of my friends that are already here. We sit around and talk for a while before my eyes catch Mark as he’s walking in. Shit! It feels like a brick falls in the pit of my stomach. God, he looks good, and a part of me, a really big part, wants to go over and talk to him, but I’m sure I’m the last person he wants to see.
    Right behind Mark, Kimber and Candace walk in, and Candace can’t get to me fast enough. I walk toward her and quickly grip her arm, rushing her over to the bar at the back of the