Rhythm of Us: Book 2 Of The Fated Hearts Series by Aimee Nicole Walker Read Free Book Online Page A

to stay home. I remembered Gram giving me chicken noodle soup, Sprite, and crackers as a child when I didn’t feel good. I figured Ellie’s stomach wouldn’t be able to handle much, but she should surely be able to keep that down.
    I was walking toward the checkout lanes when I saw a familiar dark-haired lady scanning the paperback novels. Some kids had heroes who were larger than life, cape-wearing men who had secret powers they used to try and save the world. My hero was a tiny angel with curly dark hair and cornflower blue eyes. Her super power wasn’t laser beam eyes or the ability to climb the side of a building. No, her super power was unconditional love and the ability to give hugs that took away a kid’s pain. My hero was named Miss Annette and she was the preschool teacher who, along with Gram, saved my life.
    “Miss Annette,” I said softly behind her, not wanting to scare her.
    She spun around at the sound of my voice, a huge welcoming smile on her face. “Xavier,” she said in pure delight. Time had been very kind to Miss Annette, who I suspected was in her late forties. Her skin was as flawless as I remembered and her smile could still light up my heart. Miss Annette threw her tiny arms up around my neck and pulled me down for a hug. I had forgotten how tiny she was until she stood on her tiptoes to give me a kiss on my cheek. “I’m so excited to see you and my goodness you appeared at just the right time.”
    “I did?”
    “You did, sweet angel.” Miss Annette clasped her tiny hands to her chest and looked at me with earnest joy. “I have a student this year who reminds me so much of you at his age. He’s really confused about the way he’s feeling and his sweet mother could really use your guidance.”
    “Miss Annette, I’m not sure I’m the one this kid needs to talk to. I mean, my life hasn’t been exactly role-model material and . . .”
    “Xavier,” Miss Annette said seriously, “I’m not asking you to be Max’s life coach or father figure, but just maybe you could listen to him and maybe share the things you felt when you were his age.”
    “I don’t know, Miss Annette.” I just didn’t see how I could offer the kid or his mother any help in my current fucked-up state.
    “Here,” Miss Annette said, pulling her phone out of her purse and pushing a few buttons. “Look at his sweet face and tell me you can refuse him.” She held up the phone in front of my face and I saw a sweet little boy sitting in a circle of girls playing with dolls and a playhouse. He was wearing a tiara, a pink feather boa, and lacy gloves up to his elbows. It was like looking at a picture of me at his age, except this sweet kid had blond hair and blue eyes. “Tell me Max doesn’t look familiar to you, Xavier. That you don’t see and know how confused he is right now. Tell me you can’t offer his mom an encouraging word or maybe a hug, Xavier.”
    I caved. After all, Miss Annette was one of my real life heroes and I couldn’t let her or little Max down. “What day and what time works best?”
    “Lindsey picks him up at 4:30 so maybe you could come at that time one day this week to meet her and talk to Max.”
    “I’ll be there, Miss Annette.”
    She dropped her phone back in her purse and cupped my face with both tiny hands. “I love you, Xavier. I always have and I always will. You have the purest heart of anyone I’ve ever known and if anyone can help little Max it’s you.”
    “I love you too, Miss Annette.” I gave her a big hug, feeling at once lighter than I had in a long time. I was loved by a lot of people and it was past time I focused on them and my future, not the hateful people from my past. “I will see you sometime this week.”

    The clocked ticked 5:30 pm while I warmed up the soup on the stove. I knew Ellie would be home any minute and I wanted to surprise her. My mind was still stuck on the conversation I had with Miss Annette as I lazily stirred the soup in the