My Favorite Distraction (Distraction #1) by Stephanie Jean Read Free Book Online

“I love you, Kat, but I don’t think he’s right for you. Red also said he is a cheater. He cheated on his last girlfriend a lot.”
    She threaded her fingers through mine and it took everything in me to not pull away. “Listen, I like him. I’m not sure why, but I feel safe around him. For the first time in my life, I feel safe. I knew what you were doing at dinner, the scare thing. I’m sure he knew too. I also told him I have a gun, which I don’t. I feel really guilty about lying to him. Heather, I have known him for three months, and there is something special about him. I feel like he understands me. His eyes don’t lie. I think he’s hurt too, like me, and…lost. He won’t hurt me. I know he won’t. He’s gentle with me…patient.” I glanced at the time. “How about we talk in the morning?”
    Heather got up, turned toward me, and hugged me. “I want you to be happy, but this guy might not be it.”
    I pulled away from her and walked to the door , hinting at her to leave. Once again I was silent.
     
    * * * *
     
    In the middle of the night, I saw my phone light up the room and heard the buzz from a text I was receiving. I squinted as I looked at my phone.
     
    Jason: I am down stairs
    It was from Jason . I texted back right away.
    Katarina: R U OK
    Immediately he sent back a text .
    Jason: Will you see me? Will you come home with me?
    Katarina: I am safe nobody’s here just Heather and me
    Jason: PLEASE I can’t sleep
    Katarina: All right I am on my way
    I didn’t even give it a second thought. I heard his need for me and I gravitated toward him. I knew if I gave myself a moment to think about it I wouldn’t go, so I didn’t think I just went with it. Faith in people was something that I never had until my grandfather. I missed it now that he gone. I clung to Jason as if he was the new person to restore my trust and make me believe in faith again. I got out of bed and threw a sweat shirt on. I grabbed my things—stuff for the morning, clothes for the next day. I even grabbed my gym bag and made my way downstairs. Jason was waiting on the other side of the gate for me. When I went through it, he took my bags, and I followed him to the car. He was silent but hurried. I think he thought I was going to change my mind. He helped me into the Jeep, careful not to touch me too much. He walked around it with purpose, got in, and started the engine.
    “I have been thinking…I need to tell you more about me. I am not a st alker, although I am behaving like one right now. Your friend made up that story, and I think something you said was meant to scare me as well. I may be a lot of things, but I am not a stalker, and I would never hurt you physically.” He stopped talking and looked at me. “Ever.” He was quiet then, trying to gather his words. “I was aggressive after high school and into college. I said angry before, but I was just aggressive. I had a lot of testosterone. I turned toward my friends and alcohol, but mainly sex. Bettina was a big part of that. She liked me most when I was aggressive. I can’t explain the rush I got from controlling this uncontrollable woman. I was into all of it—bondage and voyeurism and multiple partners.”
    My eye s flew wide open at this, my adrenaline kicking in. What had I done? I had gotten in the car with a man I hardly knew based on a feeling I had for him. I put my hand on the door handle. He was freaking me out. I didn’t want to know any of this. In the back of my mind, I heard Heather's words: “He’s not the one for you.” I didn’t even think to bring my own car. I was naïve to trust him. I started talking over him; I wanted him to shut up so badly.
    “How do you know my friend was lying?” I spoke loudly and flashed him a look that told him he was freaking me out. He seemed confused, and then he saw my hand on the door handle.
    “Well , because she got shifty, and I am not stupid enough to think that a girl that is a buck ten wet could