Run Like Hell by Elena Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

Aren’t you cold?” Really, a tank top? Cover up.
     
    “About ten minutes ago. Tiger wasn’t barking inside. I figured you were walking him. I would’ve left soon if you hadn’t come back. Your mother never gave me a key, despite the fact that I’m supposed to stay with you all week.”
     
    Rory lights another cigarette but then crushes it out. Mom doesn’t allow smoking in the house. “And no, I’m not cold.” She holds up her jacket in her other hand with a snarky look on her face.
     
    We enter the house but Jack stands awkwardly in the foyer. Rory produces several movies from her leather bag.
     
    “George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or Ryan Reynolds. Your choice.” She waves the movies around enticingly.
     
    “Actually, I have to get going. I have to study tonight. I’ll call you later, Morgan.”
     
    Rory raises an eyebrow at me but I ignore her and follow Jack to his car.
     
    “I’m sorry, Jack,” I apologize. His arms circle around me and he pulls me close. I bite my lip to keep from wincing in pain because he’s pressing against my bruised stomach.
     
    “Hey, the timing wasn’t right tonight but I still love you.” He kisses me long and sweet and his arms thankfully loosen around me. “I’ll call to you later and will see you at school tomorrow. I have an early basketball practice in the morning. I can pick you up and take you to school.”
     
    I shake my head no. I’d rather get an extra hour of sleep, even at the expense of taking the school bus. School starts early enough as it is. “Thanks, but no thanks.” Kissing him one last time, I say good-bye and return to the house to find my aunt rummaging in the refrigerator.
     
    “Wow, what’s with all the organic food? My sister’s obsessed with her health.” She pulls out organic chicken breasts and broccoli, and then selects a box of organic whole grain pasta from the cupboard. “I’m cooking tonight,” she beams.
     
    I’m starving and Rory is a great cook. I pull up a kitchen stool while she prepares dinner.
     
    “What’d I interrupt? Boyfriend planned on spending the night?” She gives me a wicked smile and I shrug.
     
    “Something like that,” I admit.
     
    Rory’s fifteen years younger than my mother, and a complete opposite of her. Although I don’t see Rory often, whenever I’m around her I always enjoy talking to her, unlike my own mother. Rory’s actually Mom’s half-sister; their mother remarried and her second husband is Rory’s dad.
     
    “Okay, I’m the adult here so I have to ask. Are you two having sex?”
     
    If anyone other than Rory asked me that question, I’d roll my eyes and gag. But Rory is twenty-five and much cooler than other adults in my life.
     
    I shake my head no and I swear Rory sighs with relief. She probably doesn’t want to harbor any secrets about me from my mother. Then the realization of her visit kicks in and she looks up at me, her eyes big.
     
    “Wow, I was the third wheel tonight, wasn’t I? That’s why Boyfriend disappeared so quickly. I killed his game plan.” She laughs as she chops the chicken breasts into strips.
     
    “He’ll live.” I’m not resentful. In fact, part of me is relieved she arrived when she did. I’m tired, bandaged and bruised. Not exactly the look I was hoping for to impress Jack with considering it will be our first time together.
     
    Over a delicious dinner, Rory and I discuss school and her job. I can’t imagine her wearing a business suit for work each day but she assures me she does. She loves her salary and the power she has over her boss’s schedule.
     
    The evening is enjoyable and dinner is delicious. Sitting across from me at the kitchen table, Rory narrows her eyes and I anticipate her question before she asks it.
     
    “So, when are you planning on telling me about the cuts all over your face and arms? What happened last night that I need to know about?”
     
    Fate is on my side when it comes to answering questions tonight.