Poison by Leanne Davis Read Free Book Online Page B

then arranged pick-up of their rented beds and TV.
    After she’d made up their bedrooms, she sank down onto her freshly made bed as the reality of her life made tears fill her eyes. She wasn’t home. She didn’t have a home anymore. She didn’t have much of a job now. Tim couldn’t even go to school. She lived with a man who detested her. And now she had nothing to do all day and nowhere to be. All while she waited around for signs of a violent ex-con to find her.
    “Mommy? What’s wrong?”
    Cassie turned toward the doorway where Tim stood clutching the brown teddy bear he’d named Ted when he was one years old. Ted hadn’t been carried around for over a year. Now Tim carried him everywhere. To bed. To the car. To do errands. To play. She wiped her eyes with her shirt and stood up, smiling at Tim. Her heart clenched.
    That, right there, in her doorway was what she had to do. Tim. Her darling, wonderful son was what she had to live for. Who cared about the rest? As long as he was safe, the rest didn’t warrant tears. And as of now, Tim was safe and in fact, quite happy, so she should be smiling.
    She held out her hand to her son. “Want to sneak down and grab a bowl of ice cream? I saw some in the freezer.”
    Tim grinned and grabbed her hand. “What kind?”

Chapter Five
    John stayed at Sarah’s apartment until almost midnight. He’d intended to spend the night; but the thing that ruined what otherwise should have been a pleasant evening was a nagging feeling that he should get home. Luke was at home so Cassie was fine, and he certainly didn’t relish spending more time than necessary with Cassie so why was he rushing home tonight?
    Still he kissed his girlfriend goodbye and went home.
    The house was bright with lights when John pulled in. It was suddenly alive and lived in; usually it was dark and empty. It often looked as desolate as his brother’s face. John shook off the feeling that he had finally come home. He walked down the hall and into the living room. He stopped. Cassie was curled up, fast asleep, with a book dropped in her lap.
    John stood over her. He picked up the book. He then nudged her leg.
    She startled awake. Her eyes flashed open. She smiled up at him; he almost smiled back. He caught himself; they did not have an open friendly relationship that was based on their adolescent friendship. What they had was his idea of a worst-case scenario, come true.
    “What time is it?”
    “Midnight.”
    She yawned and stretched. “I fell asleep reading.”
    He tossed the book onto her lap. She scrambled to turn it over. He’d already seen the pirate embracing the scantily clad woman. He knew what she read. She knew he knew. So why was she acting like it was a surprise to find a novel like that in her lap?
    She straightened and swung her feet to the floor. “I didn’t expect you back. Luke said you were staying the night with your girlfriend. Did everything go okay with her? I hope she wasn’t upset that I’m staying here.”
    “Sarah’s fine.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes really. Why wouldn’t she be?”
    “I wouldn’t be okay if I were her.”
    “Well Sarah’s not like you.”
    “No I suppose she’s not.” Cassie sighed. “You didn’t tell her about us did you?”
    “There is no us and nothing to tell Sarah about. Other than you’re an old friend of Luke’s in need of a place to stay.”
    “There was something between us.”
    He leveled a look at her. “There is nothing to tell her.”
    “Do you ever think about telling me exactly what’s on your mind? Instead of all your not so subtle innuendoes?”
    “Haven’t I done enough for you? You’re living in my house and yet you’re still criticizing how I’m handling all this?”
    She opened her mouth, then shut it. She lifted her eyes. “You’re right. I don’t have a right to criticize how you handle this. I’m sorry, I’m just tired.”
    “I am too and it’s only been a day.”
    She flinched. “I’ll try better not to