Red Rocks by Rachael King Read Free Book Online Page A

she’d had on him in Ted’s shack, but this time the wind and sea stayed where they belonged.
    ‘Jake,’ said his dad. ‘I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. What’s the time?’
    ‘It’s about four,’ said Jake.
    ‘Four?’ Dad’s eyes widened. ‘I can’t believe it! Where’s the day gone?’ He laughed, nervously Jake thought, and looked at Cara, whose gaze was still fixed on Jake. ‘Lots to talk about I suppose.’
    Jake looked at the ground, unable to stand the intensity of Cara’s stare, and she finally turned back. ‘Perhaps I should leave,’ she said.
    ‘Yes, I suppose.’ Dad looked forlorn. They both stood, Cara unfolding her long body. She was nearly as tall as Dad was. Jake looked at her feet, which were filthy. Why didn’t she put some shoes on? What was wrong with her? As they passed by him on the way to the front door, Cara brushed past him and his arm tingled. He snatched it away from her and rubbed it as if he’d been burnt. She turned her black eyes to him when she got to the door.
    ‘Goodbye, Jake,’ she said in a whisper, andstepped outside. Jake’s dad followed her, and pulled the front door almost shut behind him as he murmured something to her. Jake could see his fingers pressed into the door. He wanted to walk forward, to hear what they were saying to each other, but the sight of his father’s hand on the door, the solid hunk of wood between them, made him feel unwanted, and he went into his room instead and shut the door.
    Later, his father knocked softly.
    ‘Jake? Dinner’s ready.’
    ‘I’m not hungry,’ said Jake, although his stomach growled as he said it.
    The door opened. ‘What is it, mate?’
    ‘Nothing.’ Jake sat on his bed with his arms folded, his book dog-eared but unread beside him. He’d tried to read but he couldn’t absorb the words.
    Dad sat down next to him. He was quiet for a minute, staring at the floor, as if trying to decide what to say. Then he gave Jake a sideways shunt with his shoulder.
    ‘Are you angry with me? About Cara?’
    ‘No,’ Jake said, but he didn’t sound convinced. How could he explain how he was feeling when he didn’t even know himself? He didn’t like the fact that Dad had been alone with Cara. It couldn’t be because he was jealous, could it? She was a grown-up; he was just a little kid. And yet he felt something , as if he had known her all his life and wanted to go on knowing her forever. It was insane, but Dad somehow felt like an impediment to knowing her. And yet. She scared him. She had the same dark, moody eyes as Jessie. He had seen what Jessie could do in a temper. Cara was older, and Jake just knew that the force inside her would be even stronger if provoked.
    He said nothing of this to his father. He decided to shrug away his feelings, to pretend nothing was wrong for the sake of peace.
    ‘I’m okay,’ he said. He forced a smile. ‘Maybe I’m hungry after all.’
    ‘Great.’ Jake heard the relief in his father’svoice. ‘Because, Jake …’ He stopped and sighed. ‘You know since your mum and I broke up, there hasn’t been anyone. And … you know, she has Greg, and now the baby, and maybe I’d like to find someone, too. You know? It can be a bit lonely by myself. When you’re not here, of course,’ he added quickly.
    Jake didn’t want to be having this conversation . He resisted the urge to stick his fingers in his ears.
    ‘Yeah,’ he said, and stood up. ‘Whatever.’
    He ate his dinner quickly, scared his dad would want to talk about Cara again. It was crazy. He’d only just met her, for goodness’ sake. And he was talking about her like he wanted to settle down with her or something. Jake couldn’t help wonder if this was why his dad had been so eager to get him out of the house in the mornings this week; if Cara had been visiting him every day. Maybe they were in love.
    Oh, puke, thought Jake. He put his dinnerplate in the sink and, pleading a headache, went to bed