Lunatic Revenge by Sharon Sala Read Free Book Online Page B

was in the air, but the thought of food in her stomach made her sick. She closed her eyes, willing her thoughts to Flynn, wishing he was able to hear her as easily as she connected with him. The tears in her eyes were welling faster and faster until they spilled over. Just as she broke out into an all-out sob, her phone signaled a text.
    Shakily, she swiped at the tears on her face before she pulled up the text.
    Me too.
    Tara answered instantly.
    Don’t be mad. I can’t stand it.
    She hit Send. The answer came back just as fast.
    I scared you. I understand.
    Tara started smiling through tears.
    I saw you. I saw all of it.
    Flynn’s answer said it all.
    Wow. I get it.
    Tara sighed as she typed and hit Send.
    Watch your Mom. Watch your back.
    There was a pause before he answered.
    Really?
    Her eyes narrowed. Please, Flynn, get this.
    Really.
    The answer was swift.
    I hear and I heart you.
    Tara gasped. Heart? Love? Did he just say he loved her? She typed her answer, but her finger hovered over Send. Was he saying this because everything was so dramatic and tense, or did he really mean it? She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then sent the text.
    I heart you, too.
    It wasn’t like they’d actually said the real word face to face. Plus, this was a serious time. They needed to have each other’s back.
    Satisfied that the monkey of guilt was off her back, she left her phone on the end table and went to finish supper. If her uncle Pat didn’t come home soon, she was eating without him. Suddenly she was starving.
    If she’d happened to glance out the front window instead of going to the kitchen, she might have spotted a tall guy slipping between an empty house and a stand of unkempt shrubs across the street. But she didn’t, and had no idea the man stayed in place, even as it began to rain, until Pat pulled into the driveway and went inside the house. By then it was dark as he hunched his shoulders against the cold downpour and disappeared into the night.
    It was pouring by the time Pat pulled his car into the drive.
    “Hey Tara, I’m home and something sure smells good,” he yelled, as he dashed inside.
    “I’m in the kitchen. Wash up. I’m starving.”
    She could hear her uncle’s footsteps as he hurried down the hall to the bathroom. She glanced at the raindrops peppering the kitchen windows and then began making their drinks and setting the table. By the time Pat came into the kitchen, the macaroni and cheese casserole was on the table and Tara was tossing dressing on the salad.
    “This looks so good,” Pat said. “Anything I can do?”
    “Just sit and eat,” Tara said. “You look exhausted.”
    “I’m just glad I don’t normally do that kind of work. I think I’m either too old or not in good enough shape. I am certainly glad we finished ahead of this thunderstorm, though.”
    Then he pretended to flex his muscles, which made Tara laugh. The end of this day was turning out to be way better than the morning had been.
    “Hey, Uncle Pat, Nikki is having a slumber party at her house Saturday night. She invited me and two other girlfriends. Her Mom and Dad will be there and it’s a no-boys party. Can I go?”
    “Sure you can go. I like Nikki.”
    “Oh thanks, Uncle Pat. I’ve never been to a slumber party before. I’m so excited.”
    Pat paused, then leaned back and stared. “Never?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because no one ever asked me,” she said, and then realized he was looking at her. “What? Is there cheese on my shirt?”
    “I can’t help but wonder what else you’ve missed because of our way of life. I can’t decide if I feel guilty or sad or a little of both.”
    Tara frowned. “You don’t apologize ever for how we’ve lived, okay? You are my world, Uncle Pat. You are the only person who’s ever had my back.”
    The salt shaker lifted off the table and then salted Tara’s lap.
    “Oh! Hey! Okay, Millicent! Okay! I didn’t mean to leave you and Henry out, but obviously