Markings by S. B. Roozenboom Read Free Book Online Page B

okay?”
    I bit my lip, frustrated. “You will explain.”
    “I will,” he promised. “So. Do you think I’m cold?”
    “No. I don’t think you’re stupid, either. Arrogant? Maybe a little. I’m not sure yet.”
    He snorted. “Look, I’m sorry I creeped you out. I didn’t mean to. Will you give me another chance?”
    “Maybe. You’re on probation at the moment.”
    He laughed. “Fair enough.”
    “I’ll let you know if that changes.” I smiled as we cruised down Meyer Road towards Donovan. I wondered if I misjudged him, if maybe he was just eccentric and not a creeper. I started to think I could cut him a little slack . . . until we got to my house.

Chapter 4: Rumors
    T he driveway was empty as usual, my front porch darkened with shadows. The porch light hadn’t activated upon our arrival like it should have. The Cougar hummed to a stop in front of the garage.
    “Thanks for the ride,” I told Aaron while plucking my bags off the floor. I dug my house keys out of my purse, noticing that at least the kitchen light was on. It’d finally stopped pouring and thundering, but water still peed out of the gutters.
    Aaron squinted at the house, observing Harry’s glowing eyes in the front window. “You’re home alone a lot, huh?”
    “Yeah, but I’m getting used to it.” Oops . I wondered if I should’ve been less honest about how much I got left alone. I started to open my car door. “So I’ll see you—”
    I’d barely cracked the door, cool air rolling inside when Aaron threw himself across me, shoving me flat into the seat. He wrenched the door shut, slapping down the lock.
    My heart shot up into my ears. “Aaron, what the hell—”
    “Shh!” He held totally still, eyes wide, focused across the lawn.
    I craned my neck, but it was too dark to see. Squinting, I thought I saw a shift of shadows against the trees, a flash of eyes, but it could’ve been my imagination. A few seconds passed. Aaron sat up.
    “Okay, what is going on?” I demanded, pulling my purse close. I squeezed the pocket with my pepper spray. “I just start to think you aren’t so bad then you go and freak me out again. What the hell?”
    “I know—I just . . . sit tight.” He whipped his seatbelt off, jumping out of the car.
    I watched him as he circled around the Cougar’s hood. Okay, so he’d clearly seen something I had not. Something he felt was worth stopping me from exiting the vehicle. But how could he see anything through the darkness under the trees?
    My suspicion continued to rise as he opened my door and said, “Mind if I walk you up?”
    Standing on the porch, I took my time unlocking the door. I eyed him, waiting for him to say something. He stood quietly beside me, still watching the woods. Eventually I had to open the door. He turned his head at the sound of the lock.
    I crossed my arms. “What did you see?”
    His gaze went sideways. Maybe it was me, or the dim amount of light we had, but the gold around his eyes seemed brighter. “I’m not entirely sure. Probably nothing.” Another glance at the trees. “Stay inside tonight, will you? And keep your doors locked?”
    “Fine. But—”
    “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He jogged back down the steps, towards the Cougar without even a glance back.
    Once inside, I bolted and locked the door, shaking my head. Freaking weirdo . Just when I started to think he might be normal. I lifted Harry out of the windowsill as I watched Aaron linger by his car door, hands in his pockets. His casual act didn’t fool me; he was still on edge.
    Harry sprawled against my shoulder as I carried him upstairs. I hated the emptiness of the house tonight. Setting him on the bed, I stripped off my clothes and tried to mentally detox. Okay, today was gone. School, done. All I needed to worry about—besides the possibility of something lurking outside and Aaron acting psycho—was dinner.
    My shoulders tingled as I pulled my nightgown over my head. I’d snuck off at