Safe Passage by Kate Owen Read Free Book Online Page A

recommend you get started."
    Courtney nodded. "Yes, coach." She ran to the bleachers and started running up.
    Mike took Jules aside. "Really JD, you have to stop being eye candy for all these girls."
    "Yeah, and I'm the only one who has that problem, Mike. Need I remind you of the basketball players who miss shots because they're looking at you."
    Mike shook his head. "Don't you wish they'd quit?"
    "God, yes."
    "Maybe we should just agree to get disgustingly fat so they don't want us anymore."
    Jules arched an eyebrow at Mike. "Um, have you seen Gen? I'm not going to risk her not wanting me anymore."
    "Good point. So that is something, now? 'Cause earlier you weren't sure."
    "I think so, I mean, I think it's developing."
    "Wow, you are lucky you look like you look. You have zero game."
    "You really should meet my friend Beth, you two have a lot in common."
    "Like?"
    "Sapping my confidence, you're both really good at it."
    Mike shrugged. "She straight?"
    "Yeah."
    "And she's cute?"
    Jules shrugged. "I was into her all through college."
    "That means she's hot. You have great taste. Sure, introduce us." Mike grinned at Jules as she laughed at him. "So, you want to go for a beer?"
    "Actually, I have plans."
    "Oh, two nights in a row ... wow, you lesbians are so predictable."
    "Shut up, we're trying to figure out the story behind all the stuff from Auntie's safe."
    "Only you would use a mystery as a way to land a girl."
    "Yeah, well, I guess it's working. She's not spending the evening with you, Mike, is she?"
    *~*~*
    Jules drove home after practice. Before she got in the shower she checked her phone and saw a text from Gen.
    Okay if I bring Belle?
    Jules replied that it was fine, and Samson would love the company. She took a quick shower, and changed into jeans and a tight white v-neck T-shirt with gray chucks. She went downstairs at 5:55, put her iPod in the dock in the living room for some background noise, and sat on the couch drinking a beer and waiting for Gen to show up. She sang along to the Dollyrots and realized she should change the music. She got up, shut off the iPod and went to the cabinet, taking out her auntie's Nancy Sinatra on vinyl. "Better," she muttered to herself as she went to the turntable and started the record. "Old school is a good way to go. Old school, but not too obvious. Deano is for another day."
    She sat back down on the couch and hummed along to "Hard Hearted Hannah" as she tossed the frisbee again. She glanced at the clock. It was only 6: 06, not time to worry yet.
    She kept tossing the frisbee and a few minutes later the doorbell rang.
    Jules opened the door and saw Gen loaded down with paper bags and trying to manage the leash that was yanking her wrist around. Jules grinned and took all the bags. "Hi, let me get those."
    "Thanks, I didn't really think this through."
    "No problem."
    "I just didn't want her to feel neglected two nights in a row. I hope she doesn't have an accident."
    "Gen, this house is more than a hundred and fifty years old. Even if she had an accident, you think it would really be the first time it ever happened?"
    Gen laughed as she let Belle off her leash. "I suppose not. Are you really this laid back about everything?"
    "Yes."
    "How does that happen?"
    "I don't know." Jules glanced toward the kitchen. "Samson, come."
    Samson lumbered into the living room and saw the puppy. He immediately started jumping around trying to get her to play. She took one look at Samson and hid behind Gen's legs.
    "Samson, sit."
    Samson sat immediately and Jules set the food on the sofa table so she could get down on the floor with her dog. She reached her hand out to Belle, keeping a hand on Samson's collar to hold him in position, and Belle, smelling the remnants of the Thai food on Jules' hand, came forward and started licking Jules' fingers. Jules brought her hand close to Samson, and Belle followed. She started investigating the comically larger dog, and went into a play bow. Jules let go of