Personal Demons 2 - Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers Read Free Book Online

in a tank top and jeans when I come back to my room.
    Matt is sprawled across my bed on his stomach with my earbuds in, scanning through the menu on my iPod. He lifts his head and grins at me, then starts thrashing his head up and down, sandy curls flying, to the beat of the music only he can hear. “In my next life, I’m going to be a rock star!” he yells.
    I rush over and yank the earphones out of his ears. “Shhh! You want the whole world to hear you?”
    His lips purse and his eyes widen. “Oops.”
    I crack a smile as I realize what he said. “In your next life?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œYou get another life?” I say, sitting next to him on the bed.
    â€œNo. Not in the real sense, anyway. But when I’m done with my gig as guardian, maybe I’ll start a rock band.”
    â€œThere are rock bands in Heaven?” I say, trying to picture it. “That doesn’t sound like the ‘choirs of angels’ that they talk about at church.”
    He snorts. “No choirs.”
    â€œSo the Heavenly refrain is more along the lines of ‘Highway to Hell’?” I laugh, thinking about how Father O’Donnell would take that news. When I look back at Matt, he’s grinning at me. “What?”
    â€œDo you remember when we tried to sell Maggie to the neighbors?” he says.
    I laugh at the memory. “’Cause we wanted a puppy, and Mom said to start saving our money.”
    â€œAnd Mom made us go talk to Father Mahoney about it—”
    â€œAnd he told us we weren’t asking enough for her,” I finish for him, cracking up.
    He rolls onto his back, laughing. Then he props up onto his elbows. His laughter fades, but his smile is bright. “Father Mahoney had the right idea. Heaven isn’t nearly as stuff y as people are led to believe.”
    I flop onto my back next to him and stare at the ceiling, wondering how things would have been now if Matt were still alive. Up till Mary moved out last month, I was the only sister without a roommate, because mine died. Even though I’m sure Matt and I wouldn’t be sharing a room anymore, I know he’d still be my best friend.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about this Sway thing….” I trail off, not sure how to continue.
    â€œYeah, I saw that fight in the park last week. Nice job, sis.” He grins, and I want to punch him.
    â€œYou know what? Just forget it.”
    â€œSorry,” he says, but he’s still grinning. “So what about it?”
    I take a deep breath. “If I turned Luc mortal—”
    He rolls on his side and shoves my shoulder. “Everyone makes mistakes.”
    I hear the laugh in his voice, and suddenly I’m furious. I sit up on the bed and glare at him. “Jesus, Matt! I’m trying to be serious here.”
    His eyes go wide and he draws back from me. “Sorry…”
    â€œI want you to be mortal too,” I blurt. “I want you back.”
    His eyes go wider and he sits up. He just stares at me for a long minute and neither of us says anything. Finally, he starts to shake his head. “No, Frannie. It’s too late for that. I have a job now.” He scoots closer. “An important one. And I couldn’t go back to being your brother anyway. If I were mortal, I’d have to start over again somewhere else. This way, at least I get to be with you.” Then a smile blooms on his face. “And being an angel has its perks.”
    My heart sinks, but I know he’s right. “So, this is as close to having you back as I’m gonna get.”
    â€œIt’s not so bad. I can still give you wet willies,” he says, then licks his finger and sticks it in my ear.
    I jump off the bed and grab a tissue from the box on the nightstand. “Aww! That’s disgusting,” I say, wiping the spit off my ear.
    â€œAngel spit has magical properties. You should keep that.” He