Penitence (2010) by Jennifer - Heavenly 02 Laurens Read Free Book Online

what I looked like. Mom opened the door. Chases brown eyes latched on mine and grew to the size of quarters behind his gold-rimmed glasses. He wore khakis, a pink pin-striped oxford and penny loafers. Zoe. Wow. Youre back. Hey. His face turned a soft shade of blush, like the stripes in his shirt. He stuck his hand out to Mom. Chase. Zoes Mom. They shook. Nice to meet you, Zoes mom. Mom moved back so Chase could enter. After he did, she shut the door and headed to the kitchen where I heard the drone of the TV mix with Abrias monotone ramblings. I gestured toward the living room and Chase and I went into the clean, orderly place Mom had done in antiques, soothing summer pastels and scenic paintings. You should sit down, Chase insisted. I collapsed onto the couch. Yeah, Im pretty wasted. Maybe now isnt a good time for me to be here. No, no, sit. I patted the couch. Chase slowly sat. His eyes never left me. I squirmed under his intense gaze as it slid around my slippers, up the legs of my flannel pjs, to my chesthad he heard about my breast and was checking it out for himselfwith a fast jump to my face. So, how are you? he asked. He sat like a ruler propped on the couch. I smiled, and it felt good to squelch the chuckle in my throat. Im doing better, I said, putting him at ease. Ive been wanting to talk to you. I cant believe what happened. I mean, it was so unreal. One second you were with me at Starbucks and the next... I was really... it was... it was bad. I hadnt thought about what kind of an impact the evening had had on him. He paled just recalling the events of the night. I reached out and patted his knee, drawing his gaze to my hand. Its okay. His gaze flicked from my hand, to my eyes. He swallowed. Im glad you reokay. Withdrawing my hand, I sat back, sighed. Its been weird. Chase glanced around before leaning close. What happened? Matthias was with you. He didnt know there was going to be an accident. He didnt? I shook my head. He only knew that Id need him. Then it happened. Chases eyes widened. Sounds like he had a premonition to me. My understanding is that he knows something might happen, but details arent any clearer to him than to anyone else. That cant be right, Zoe. How could guardians be there in an instant and step in like they do? Because all they have to do is think and be somewhere, remember? Well, the point is, he intervened. He saved your life. But, Id died. That left me wondering what had happened, exactly. Yeah. So, is this hard to talk about? Not at all. I felt peppier having Chase there to talk to, in fact. I like talking to you about it. His cheeks turned cherry red. He dipped his eyes before looking at me again. Thats cool. His hands fidgeted. Everyone in newspaper class asked me about you. I guess they thought Id know. And? He shrugged. That doesnt bug you? Of course not. Why should it? Then I realized what he was saying. People in newspaper thought we were an item. His cheeks kept turning pink, like a Vegas strip sign. The bashful look was cute. I didnt have the heart to remind him my heart belonged to Matthias. But then, hed been the one to tell me I was in love with Matthias. Somehow quiet, introspective, intelligent Chase had seen the truth. More shocking than seeing, hed made me face up to my feelings. He stared at me for a long moment. For some reason, the dark, unreadable quality in his gaze unnerved me. Not in a bad way. I just wasnt sure what he was thinking. You look good. His voice was hoarse. I do? I laughed. For a girl who was hit by a truck you mean? He shook his head. You look pretty. Even with bruises. A taut silence sparked between us. Well, thanks, I guess. At some point I wanted to tell him all that had happened, but I wasnt sure I had the energy for the questions I knew the tale would bring. Weston and Brady came back to school, he said. Thats what I heard. From Brittany? Is she still dating him? Are you after gossip or is this off the record? The right side of his lip lifted. Off