Rock My Heart (Luminescent Juliet #4) by Jean Haus Read Free Book Online

belong on the other side of the glass.
    I’m rinsing a plate when I notice Riley bending
toward Gabe and gesturing toward the house. Brows low, he nods at her.
Recalling her elbow and words earlier, I’m suddenly suspicious the girl is
playing matchmaker. Once the suspicion settles, I almost laugh. Other than a
few dates, anyone and me is a stretch. I went dead to romance a long time ago,
but Gabe and me is preposterous.
Whatever Riley has got going on her head, it’s a waste of time. He obviously
doesn’t like me, and I’m not much of a Gabe fan.
    Unsurprisingly, within minutes Gabe is in the
kitchen. “Getting a little too gushy out there,” he nonchalantly says, reaching
for a bottle of hot sauce and sour cream. Face impassive, he opens the fridge.
“Thought I’d come in and help.”
    I turn toward the sink and pick up a dirtypan along with a sponge. “No need. I’m
almost done.”
    The fridge shuts and I sense him leaning on the
island counter.
    “Listen, April,” he says in a wary tone. “I
shouldn’t have demanded you quit therapy. It was a dick move. I was just
shocked at you being there. I tend to get pissed, let off my steam, and think
later.”
    He wasn’t the only shocked one.
    “Honestly, I still don’t want you there.” He lets
out a sigh of frustration. “After this Tuesday, I get that you probably need to
be there but…”
    The pan in my hand bangs against the sink as I stare
at the loving couples outside.
    “I would think we’d both be uncomfortable,
especially after you—”
    “I didn’t hit on you.” The words come from behind
clenched teeth. “I rarely drink, and obviously drank too much. I was just being
silly.”
    “Okay, maybe I should have said because we share the
same circle of people or some shit, but come on, you have to be uncomfortable
too.”
    Now I let out a sigh and start furiously scrubbing
the pan. “You don’t seem to take it serious. I have a hard time taking that
therapy group serious. What’s the big deal?”
    Dang. Why am I so honest with him?
    “It is hard to get serious with Jeff and the clowns
in that group”—I hear him shuffle along the island behind me, then tap on the
counter in a quick roll that echoes a drum fill—“ yet this label thing is big.
Big enough that I want to get my shit together. I need to get my shit together.”
    The plea in his voice has me turning around. His
eyes are pleading too, his expressionso
desperate I want to reassure him.
    But I cannot.
    I slowly shake my head. “I can’t quit. I would if I
could, but the head of the psychology department has made group therapy an
unofficial hoop to get in the graduate program for Clinical Counseling.”
    His jaw tightens as he runs a hand through his hair
dragging it back and revealing black barbell hoops in both of his ears. “Funny,
how you can’t take it serious, but it’s what you want to do.”
    I can’t help a scowl from forming on my lips until I
finally nod. “I want to help people but it’s probably easier leading, easier
helping—you just have to have patience to help. With the other you
need…courage.”
    Gabe is studying me with what appears to be
speculation and I’m gnawing on my lip, trying to overcome a wave of guilt, as
Riley bounces into the kitchen.
    Her smile stiffens at our expressions, mine tense,
while Gabe’s is still contemplative, but she cheerfully says, “All right,
enough with the dishes. I can finish later.” She shuts the dishwasher.
    Gabe continues staring at me with that weird
speculation as Riley drags me by the elbow outside.
    His look sends a tinge of nervousness running
through me.

Chapter 7
    ~April~

 
 
 
    Jeff has done his monologue.
Misha has announced she will be helping her current boy toy become a better
lover. Chad is going to help his mother with the dishes. Jason is going to helphis neighbor with yard work. Now it’s
my turn.
    Jeff looks at me expectantly.
    I clear my throat. “I’m going to volunteer at