Miles From Kara by Melissa West Read Free Book Online Page B

girl.”
    Colt took a long pull from his beer and then rested it on his knee, his long fingers gently wrapped around the silver can. I found myself transfixed by them, how smooth they looked. I wondered if they would feel that smooth against my skin or if—
    â€œKara?”
    My gaze jerked over to him. “Uh, sorry, what did you say?”
    â€œI asked if you love him.”
    I pulled back. “Of course.”
    â€œBut, are you
in love
with him?”
    I glanced away, unable to look at him as he watched for my reaction. Somehow it felt like Colt could see into my soul. Like lying could never be a possibility with him. “Can we talk about something else? I just . . . I can’t talk about him with you.”
    Colt nodded slowly, understanding what I was saying without making me say the words out loud. I couldn’t say them out loud, because then suddenly my feelings would become real and alive and I would be forced to deal with them. He leaned back against the armrest of the sofa and faced me. “My dad cheated on my mum. It was years ago, when I was just eight, but somehow I’ve never forgiven him. Now that he’s the one who’s alive, even though she’s the better person, I find it impossible to be around him. I’ve never hated anyone in my life more than I hate him.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said, though I knew it wasn’t even close to enough. Simple words didn’t erase the pain of losing someone, and saying them felt so very shallow, but I had to say something. Sometimes words were all we had. “Life’s so shitty sometimes, isn’t it?”
    â€œThe shittiest.”
    We fell into silence for a moment, sadness swirling all around us, and then he said, “Now it’s your turn.”
    â€œSorry, what?”
    â€œConfess something. Something you don’t like to talk about. Something only a few people know.”
    My eyes locked on his, fear ripping through me. I couldn’t confess about the abortion, not now when Colt had been so kind to me, when he thought I was worthy of someone better than Ethan. If he knew . . . he’d know that I didn’t deserve anything at all. Goose bumps rose across my skin as he watched me, and again, I felt the sensation that he already knew my secrets. I cocked my head, glancing from eye to eye as he watched me, and then I straightened, realization and anger coming alive inside me.
    Ethan.
    â€œYou know, don’t you?”
    â€œI only know what you’ve told me, Kara, which isn’t much,” he said, but I saw the flash in his eyes. The quick switch, like he was intentionally trying to control his reaction. My stomach dropped.
    I studied his expression again, waiting to find some hint that Ethan had told him all my darkest secrets, but nothing came. I relaxed back against the sofa, still uneasy, but I was sure that if he knew, really knew, he wouldn’t be able to hold back his judgment.
    â€œI once dated Preston. It was high school and a long time ago. But we kept it from Olivia. She was devastated when she found out. Nearly ruined our friendship forever.”
    â€œWhy did you keep it from her?”
    I glanced back over at him, again searching for that telltale look that he knew. Again, nothing. “It was a long time ago. She was a little broken then, and we didn’t want to give her a reason to run away from him. She and Preston are so perfect together. I don’t think she would have allowed herself to like him if she knew we were once together.”
    â€œSo, you’re saying you’d do it again. Keep it from her.”
    I focused on him. “Don’t you think a lie is worth it if the truth would hurt someone?”
    â€œNo. I don’t think a lie is ever okay.”
    â€œOh really? So, let’s say a little girl comes up to you on Christmas Eve and asks you if Santa Claus is real. She’s all big, hopeful eyes and