If I Fall by Anna Cruise Read Free Book Online

side of his finger. He caught my eye and grinned.
    “Hey, you.” He ran his finger along his teeth and his tongue followed the same path. “Want some?” he asked, nodding his head at the thin line of white powder that snaked across the table.
    I shook my head.
    “Suit yourself.” He re-rolled the dollar bill clutched in his hand and lowered his head once more.
    I looked away, toward the couch. Desiree watched me with narrowed eyes, her lips twitching into a smile. I settled my gaze above her, wishing I could somehow transport myself away from this place —to the movie theater, to my house—anywhere other than the place I now stood. If I'd had another wish, I'd beg for the hands of time to turn back, too. Anything to prevent me from walking up those stairs and going into that bedroom. I willed my eyes to stay dry.
    Aidan was next to me then, his arm curving around my waist. There was nothing comforting about it this time. He leaned in and kissed my neck, a heated kiss that made my stomach roll.
    “You were hot upstairs,” he whispered.
    “ I want to go home.” I said it loudly, hoping he could hear me above the din of music and laughter.
    He spoke fast, a rush of words. “What? Why do you want to go home? The party's just getting started.”
    “I want to go home,” I repeated, hoping my voice sounded firmer this time.
    He glared at me, his eyes bright, his pupils huge. “Fine. Let's go.”
    He cupped his hands around his mouth and called to Scotty, “Be back in twenty!”
    Aidan started toward the door without me and I followed him. He stopped at the bathroom in the front hall. “I need to take a leak.”
    We were silent as we walked down the sidewalk to his car. The air was thick and wet with the scent of the ocean. A dog barked as we passed and a chorus of howls erupted in the neighboring yards. Aidan opened the door for me and I eased myself into the tiny space. He got in and jammed the key in the ignition but he didn't turn it.
    “ I didn't know,” he said.
    I fixed my gaze on the streetlight out my window and watched the moths as they danced and crawled around its glowing bulb.
    “You should have told me you were on your period.”
    “ What?”
    “ There was blood...”
    I stared at the streetlight and said nothing.
    “Oh, fuck.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his head slam back against the head rest. “Are you telling me you're a virgin ?”
    “ I was.” My voice was so soft, I wasn't sure if he'd heard me.
    “ Shit.” He covered his face with his hands. “I knew that. I mean, I thought you might be...but you were so willing...and you didn't say anything...”
    He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him. “I'm sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I could have been better....I would have been gentler.” His eyes were black, only the faintest hint of blue ringing his pupils. “ Are you pissed at me?”
    I wasn't sure what I was. “I just want to go home.”
    He nodded. “I know. I'll take you home.” He turned the key and the car roared to life.

TEN

    The Re Max sign went up on Sunday, a blue and red sign with Cheri's name printed across it in big block letters. It was like a drop-kick to the stomach. She was going to be selling the house? The woman who'd stolen my dad out from under me was going to be hosting Open Houses and bringing prospective buyers through my bedroom? Through the bedroom my dad had shared with my mom?
    I watched from the window as the man, probably some assistant, pounded the stake into the front yard. I wished my dad was underneath that sign, the sharp wooden spike driving directly into his heart. I stared at it for a minute before I picked up the phone.
    “Come get me,” I told Aidan.
    At least he had said he was sorry.
    He pulled up in front of my house fifteen minutes later. I was standing outside, waiting for him. He leaned over to the passenger side and rolled the window down. Sunglasses hid his eyes.
    “Are we cool?” he asked