Rising by Holly Kelly Read Free Book Online

The music pulsed loud, beautiful, and she wished she could actually see the band. Tall bodies surrounded her, bringing her eye level with several gyrating butts—not what she was hoping to see tonight.
    She lasted a full hour before she lowered herself to beg Ron to pick her up so she could see the stage. He smiled as he lifted her out of her seat, his eyes full of mischief. “Sure, but this is going to cost you more, sweetheart.” He obviously didn’t think she’d heard him. But she did hear the jerk. And if he thought he was going to get anything more than a thank you out of her, he was sorely mistaken.
    Sara had decided to tell him to put her back on her seat when she glanced down to the stage and her breath caught. The sight astonished her. Fog covered the stage, lights flashed, and the band looked like beautiful creatures from another world. She loved the song they played. She sang softly, mesmerized by the music. Her body rocked to the beat. Usually, she didn’t sing where others might hear, but with the loud music, it seemed pretty safe to sing quietly.
    She felt Ron’s arms tighten around her and looked up. She immediately stiffened as a jolt of shock-driven adrenaline spiked her blood. Ron was no longer the clueless, fun-loving ignoramus she’d come to know and loathe. His eyes bore down on her and he looked hungry—not like wanting a pizza from the concessions hungry. More like a predator finding a fat juicy meal hungry.
    “Ron? Is something wrong?” she asked, never more grateful to be surrounded by thousands of concertgoers.
    “You’re so beautiful ,” he said.
    “Ron? What is wrong with you? Could you please put me down?” She squirmed as she begged.
    He closed his eyes and shook his head like he was trying to shake off a bad dream. “Yes, right. Sorry, this music is giving me a headache.”
    She sighed as he sat her back down in the grove of pulsating bodies. Still, his eyes kept darting back to her.
    When the last song ended, the lights turned up, cueing the concert’s end. They sat and waited for the crowd to thin before attempting to leave themselves. Ron fidgeted in his seat.
    When he picked her up to leave, he flew down the stairs. In the car, he showed the same energy, driving very fast. His eyes continued to dart toward her. Every time their eyes met, he licked his lips.
    “Um, ” Sara said. “Thanks for taking me to the concert. I had a good time.”
    “It wasn’t so bad,” he said. “But I enjoyed the part you sang best of all.”
    “Oh. You heard that?” Her heart began to pound, the pulsing blood squeezing her chest.
    “Oh yes, ” he answered. “I sure did. Listen, I’m not ready to call it a night yet. Are you hungry?” Ron took a corner fast and Sara slid against the door.
    “No, I’m good,” she said. She doubted she could eat a bite—not with her stomach attempting to tie itself into a knot. “I’m just tired. I’d like to go home.”
    “Sure. Okay. But could we stop for a drink first?”
    “I don’t think so. I’m only twenty. I can’t drink yet.”
    “Don’t worry about it. I know a great place and they have fantastic virgin drinks.” A wide smile spread across his face.
    “I appreciate the offer, Ron , but I’m not feeling very well. I’d just like to go home and straight to bed.”
    “Ooh me too . But let me buy you just one drink.”
    “Ron…”
    “Just one drink and we’re out. I promise.” He held his hand up in a pledge.
    Sara scowled as she turned her head and looked behind them—the direction of her apartment. “Okay. Just one drink and then you take me home.”
    Ron pulled into a nightclub parking lot. The name “Shockwave” flashed in blue neon lights. He parked, opened his door, and stepped out. Sara chewed her bottom lip and twirled her hair around her finger as she waited for him to get her wheelchair from the trunk. She jumped, startled when he opened her door so soon.
    “No use getting your wheelchair when we’re going