Ride Free by Debra Kayn Read Free Book Online Page B

step. She struggled with her keys in the lock, and they fell to the floor.
    “Ugh…can’t anything work?” She bent over.
    “Sarah…”
    She grabbed the keys and whirled around. Her lips pressed together, and she crossed her arms.
    “Oh, oh, who’s following whom now, Mister I’m-too-good-to-talk-with-anyone-named-Sarah.” She flung her arm in the air. “Go away.”
    She turned her back to Reefer, and with a steady hand opened the door. She meant to slam it in his face, but his hand came out to stop it. Fine, he could close the door himself, because she wasn’t inviting him into her home.
    She kicked off her shoes, tossed the bags on the kitchen table, and strolled down the hall to her bedroom. Because she didn’t get the satisfaction of slamming the front door, she used all her strength to swing her bedroom door shut. Take that, Reefer!
    She hurried and undressed. She wanted to strip off everything she wore to impress Reefer and slip into a pair of comfortable old sweats. Upset and embarrassed, once dressed she sat on the edge of the bed and strained to hear past the door.
    Unsure if he’d left or not, she peeked out of her room to the living room. After seeing the coast was clear, she walked down the hall to the living room. She stopped. Reefer stood on the other side of the threshold where she’d left him.
    “Did you stay to make me suffer?” She stepped over and put her hand on the door to close it.
    “Wait, Sarah,” he asked. “Just give me a few minutes.”
    “Fine, if you want to stand out there and watch me have my dinner, who am I to stop you?” She moved to the table. “Although you might want to rethink your opinion on who is following whom.”
    Even though the food had grown cold, she plopped the burger down on a plate. She put the turkey sandwich in the fridge and sat at the table. She picked up a cold, greasy fry and chewed. If she were alone, she’d spit the disgusting thing out, but she didn’t want to give Reefer the satisfaction of knowing he unsettled her.
    “I’m an asshole.” Reefer leaned against the doorframe. He gazed outside the apartment, not even looking in her direction.
    Sarah set her hamburger down. She closed her eyes, and her shoulders drooped. She didn’t fool anyone with her aloofness, especially herself. She longed to explain how she felt about Reefer and convince him to stay.
    She opened her eyes. He remained in the same position, deep in his own thoughts. She walked over to the open door, slipped her hand into his, and pulled him inside.
    He followed her without resistance. His hand clung to hers. She led him to the couch, nudged him to sit, and without any protest from him, she crawled into his lap. His arms came around her, and he tucked her head beneath his chin.
    Reefer stroked her hair, and Sarah understood the turmoil he suffered by the way his hand trembled. She closed her eyes. If only he’d realize that she would love him forever…
    “I’m sorry, Sarah.” His chest rose and fell. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here. I sure didn’t mean to snap at you earlier. I don’t even know why I reacted that way.”
    “You’re scared.” She trailed her finger along his arm, fascinated with the amount of hair on him. “I’m scared too.”
    “What are we supposed to do?” His voice grew husky. “Any moment my family could get on their bikes and leave town, and you have to know I’d go with them.”
    “I know.” She tilted her head. “I’ve known that all along.”
    “I can’t start something with you and then leave.” He shook his head. “Hell if I know why. I’ve done it to women lots of times.”
    He kissed her. His lips lingered on her forehead. “You’re different, though.”
    “What if I told you it doesn’t matter?” Sarah gazed into his eyes. “I know this is hard to believe, but I love you, Reefer.”
    He scoffed. “Don’t say that. You don’t even know me.”
    “I do. You are everything I have ever wanted in a