Last Breath by Brandilyn Collins, Amberly Collins Read Free Book Online Page B

hummed with conversation. In front of me, Gary sat unmoving, long legs stretched out, head tilted. From what I could tell, he was staring at the floor.
    What on earth does he think about so much?
    â€œHey, Rayne,” Cindy called from two rows over.
    I looked around. She was already forming a circle of desks with Crystal and Nikki. Normally I’d have been right there with them. But for over three months now, good-looking, quiet Gary Donovon had remained a puzzle to me. Here was my chance to figure him out.
    I tapped him on the shoulder.
    He turned around and looked at me, eyebrows raised. His face looked strained.
    All the words that usually flowed off my tongue dried up. I gave him a tentative smile. “Hi, Gary.”
    â€œHi.” He smiled back.
    â€œYou look tired.”
    He pulled in a deep breath. “Didn’t sleep much last night. My grandma was sick.”
    â€œYour grandma?”
    â€œYeah. I live with her.”
    â€œOh.” Usually it was the other way around. “You mean she moved into your parents’ house?”
    Gary gave me a long look. His expression whisked me back to that morning in October, when I’d sensed something behind his gray eyes. “No. I live with her . My parents are dead.”
    My eyes widened. “Oh, wow. I’m so sorry.”
    He looked away, his lips pressed. “It’s okay. They were in a car accident when I was six. Grandma Helen raised me.”
    I rubbed a finger across the bottom of my binder. What would that be like, being raised by someone so much older? And losing both your parents?
    â€œI live with my mom,” I told him. “My parents divorced when I was three.”
    His chin raised in a slight nod. “You ever see your father?”
    I focused on a smudge in the upper corner of my notebook. Rubbed at it with my thumb. “Not anymore. I don’t even try to.” My voice tinged with a bitterness I’d typically hold back. Only a few close friends knew my feelings about my father. “He only lives about an hour away. When I was a kid he used to call and say, ‘I’ll come see you, and we’ll do this or that’—all sorts of fun stuff. I’d count the days, all excited, and that morning be bouncing around, waiting for him. And then he wouldn’t show.”
    Gary’s eyes held mine. I felt something connect between us.
    He curled his left hand around the back of his desk. “That’s hard.”
    â€œYeah.”
    We fell silent for a moment. Gary’s gaze dropped to the floor. I could hear Nikki jabbering away, telling some story. Crystal was laughing in that high-pitched giggle of hers.
    I reached out and laid my fingers on the back of Gary’s hand. His eyes snapped back to mine, surprised.
    I eased away, resting my hand on my desk, not far from his. “What’s wrong with your grandmother?”
    â€œShe’s had heart trouble for a long time. Now she has the flu, and it just wears her out. Twice in the night she needed water and couldn’t get out of bed, so she called for me. I worry about her, you know? I’m all she’s got to take care of her.”
    I could picture it. Gary, bringing water to his grandmother, hanging around to make sure she was okay. No wonder I never saw him out partying or at football games. He had responsibilities at home.
    All the guys I’d dated were so into their friends and having a good time. Come to think of it, so was I. Suddenly all that seemed shallow.
    â€œRayne!” Crystal called.
    I turned and gave my three friends a grin.
    Nikki gestured emphatically. “Come over here!”
    â€œGo ahead,” Gary said. “It’s okay.”
    Later , I mouthed to my friends. I rotated toward Gary. “I can see them anytime. I’d rather talk to you.”
    His jaw worked back and forth as he looked at me. A tiny smile curved one side of his mouth. “That so.”
    It was more of a