Meant For Me by Erin McCarthy Read Free Book Online Page A

long enough. Maybe a five minute conversation with Caitlyn would cure me of my emotional unavailability. Not.
    I stood up, planning to get a beer in the kitchen. I stopped short, realizing what I was doing. Stress at meeting up with Caitlyn had automatically made me want to reach for a beer. Not to mention it was about the time most nights I started drinking. That kind of scared the shit out of me. I sat my ass back down so fast Aubrey gave me a weird look.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. I just remembered something.”
    “Okay, freak,” she said skeptically, in a voice only a sister could get away with. “I’m going to bed. I’ll get you a blanket and some towels. I’m sorry you have to sleep on the couch, but Emma took over the spare room. Which was never a guest bedroom anyway, so I don’t know what I’m talking about.” She gave a laugh as she stood up. “God, baby brain. People say that and it’s no joke, I’m telling you.”
    “They also say girls steal their mother’s beauty and that’s clearly not true.” I gave Aubrey a charming smile.
    She laughed. “There’s the old lady charmer douchebag I remember from most of my life. Good to have your politician in the making personality back for a brief second.”
    At one time if not specifically political aspirations I had definitely envisioned myself running for judge in the future. But not now. If I did, a parade of coeds would be trotted out to commentate on my drunken behavior. I hadn’t done anything illegal. I hadn’t cheated on a woman or been caught with a hooker, but I still didn’t think it would go over well if half of UMaine came forward and said they’d hooked up with me. As Aubrey headed to bed, I wondered how many girls I had banged. I had never stopped to think about it or count. I didn’t want to.
    My phone buzzed. It was Chloe, finally answering me. She must have finished playing.
    It was Pachabel. I’m playing at a wedding in a few weeks.
    Right. The song used for the bride’s coming down the aisle. I thought it had sounded familiar. Before I could respond she texted again.
    So you heard me?
    Yes. I heard you.
    Suddenly that seemed very important.

Chapter Five
    Who is getting married?
    It was a stupid question to ask because I didn’t know anyone in Vinalhaven but I didn’t know how else to extend the conversation. I was willing to admit talking to the mute girl seemed more interesting than watching a crap show on TV.
    A local couple .
    I sat there, wondering what the hell I should say to that. I wanted the conversation to keep rolling. But before I could respond she texted again.
    It’s an easy piece. I don’t need to practice really but I like it.
    On someone else that might have sounded arrogant but it didn’t from Chloe.
    How long have you been playing?
    Since I was five. My parents wanted me to be good at something.
    You obviously are.
    I’m not bad. They tried piano and soccer and I was terrible at sports, so piano won.
    I played soccer. I bet you weren’t that bad.
    Really, really terrible. I’m not competitive. In the orphanage I was always last for everything.
    Shifting on the couch, I stared at my phone screen. The orphanage? So Chloe was adopted. Maybe that explained a whole lot more about the mutism.
    You’re adopted?
    Yes. When I was three. From Russia. I forget not everyone knows that. It seems like everyone does.
    Do you remember being adopted?
    Yes. I remember everything.
    Somehow I didn’t doubt that. I pictured Chloe’s mind like a fishing net- the tide washed everything in as a steady stream but nothing could leave again. It was all trapped inside.
    Do you miss Russia?
    No. It was cold in the orphanage and no one gave a shit about us. But there is one thing I miss.
    For some reason I hadn’t expected Chloe to swear, which was stupid. Of course she swore. Everyone swore. I pictured her as a tiny toddler, malnourished, shivering, her hair dark, skin fair. Huge pale eyes.
    What is that?
    It doesn’t