Redemption and Regrets (Chastity Falls, #4) by L A Cotton Read Free Book Online Page B

cellblocks.
    After leaving the stadium earlier, I’d found a store and stocked up on a few things. I had no idea how long I wanted to stick around, but Luke had given me more than enough money to survive for a few weeks. But for now, I just bought the essentials. I wasn’t putting down roots. This was just a stopgap, somewhere to sort out my head and lay low.
    “You again?” a voice called from the darkness cloaking the track.
    A voice I recognized.
    I squinted, just making out her shape, and the blonde from earlier pushed back her hood revealing her face. She shook out her hair and made her way up the bleachers, dropping on the bench along side of me.
    “I don’t usually have company out here,” she said keeping her focus on the track.
    “I can go.” I wasn’t looking to get friendly with anyone; let alone her, of all people.
    “Don’t leave on my account. Free country and all that.” There was something in her voice. Whether bitterness or regret, I couldn’t quite decipher. “So what are you escaping from?”
    “Escaping? I’m just enjoying the view.” I leaned back and folded my arms behind my head unsure whether the blood coursing through me was excitement or annoyance.
    “Whatever,” she replied.
    From the corner of my eye, I watched as she blew a big bubble and then snapped it with her teeth.
    “That’s fucking disgusting.”
    “Do I look like I care what you think?”
    My head whipped around, and my eyes locked on hers. She talked the talked, but I saw the immediate fear there. Her eyes widened slightly, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Oh yeah, I had her by the balls now.
    “I’m a guy. Figure it out.”
    “And what the fuck does that mean? Who the hell are you, anyway? I’ve never seen you here before.”
    I ignored her. Little miss attitude was barking up the wrong tree if she was looking for a fight. I came here for peace and quiet, not to argue with some college chick. I’d eat her alive and then spit out the leftovers.
    “Fine, you want to ignore me. Go right ahead. It’s not like I give a shit.”
    A sly smirk spread across my face. Oh, she gave a shit all right; I had her well and truly worked up. The old me would have capitalized on the moment—let her know exactly who was running the show, but I didn’t have it in me. Sure, my dick was ever so slightly standing to attention at blondie’s attempt to get a rise out of me, but I wasn’t looking to play games.
    I wanted to get my shit straightened out. She was a complication I didn’t need.
    Or want.
    Liar. I shut the voice down. I wasn’t going there. Not tonight. Not ever.
    The silence between us stretched on. I should have just got up and walked away, but she intrigued me. Ignited something in me I hadn’t felt in a long time. At CFA, I ate girls like her for breakfast and then kicked them out on their ass the next morning. That wasn’t who I was anymore, but maybe that was just because I was out of touch.
    “Nice scar. How’d you get it?” She broke the silence, and I felt her eyes burning into me, breaking down my walls.
    “None of your fucking business,” I barked letting my hold on things slip.
    “Ooh, touchy.”
    “Fuck off.”
    “You fuck off. This is my spot,” she hissed, and my dick twitched. Blondie had bite too.
    “Free country and all that,” I shot back.
    “You win. I’m out of here. See you around, Blue.”
    Blue?
    I didn’t have time to ask. Blondie jogged down the bleachers and disappeared out of sight.

Chapter 7

    “S o what are you doing out there?”
    “Briony, it’s Forest Grove, not the desert, and it’s only been three days. But I’m keeping busy.” Obsessing over some college chick like a lost fucking puppy.
    “Have you made any friends?”
    “Friends? It’s not a fucking vacation, B. I’m not here to get friendly with the locals; I’m here to get my shit together.”
    “Geez, sorry. It was only a question. I don’t like the idea of you being out there all alone, not after