Seasons by Katrina Alba Read Free Book Online

up.”
    “You’ll have to take me some time. I grew up fishing,” I add excitedly.
    “What about you, Brynn? Tell me, do you have any hobbies? Likes, dislikes, dreams, aspirations?” he says in a smart-ass tone.
    “Hm…well, I spend my weekend’s mainly doing underwater basket weaving,” I say with a straight face.
    He snorts and spits out a little of his coke. “You what?”
    “See, I can be a smart ass, too.” I giggle. “Seriously, though, I read a lot. Mostly romance, but really, I’ll read anything. I run most days. I think it helps clear my head. I like to spend time outside whenever I can, and I like relaxing and watching the stream at this hidden rock cliff I found as a kid.” Why did I just tell him that? I’ve never told anyone other than Devin about my place.
    “You’ll have to show me this cliff. We should go there,” he says, and I feel a slight panic rise up in me.
    “I’ve never taken anyone there other than my childhood best friend. It’s sort of a secret.”
    “How secret can it be if Melanie knows about it?” He laughs.
    “Not Mel. When I was younger, my neighbor was my best friend. His name was Devin.” His smile drops.
    “ Was ?” His voice is unsteady.
    “Yeah. Leukemia. When we were eight.”
    “Brynn, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Look, you don’t have to show me. I totally understand it’s a place with a lot of meaning behind it.” He’s so understanding and never pressuring. He always says just the right thing.
    “You know what, let’s go. I’d like to show you.” I smile.
    We finish our burgers and fries and he grabs the check. I try to fight him for it, at the very least to pay my half, but he gives me this fierce look and I back down letting him take care of it.
    We get to my street, and I show him where to pull over to park. He follows me, and when we get to the group of trees, I reach back, grab his hand with my right, and feel the warmth that is Charlie.
    “Duck.” I smile and duck in-between the pine trees, shielding my eyes with my left arm as I go through. A second after me, Charlie appears through the trees. I let go of his hand and go to perch on top of my rock. He comes to sit down next to me. We are sitting close enough to feel each other’s warmth, but not quite touching. We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes. An hour? I’m not sure. I get lost in thought watching the stream.
    “Thank you.” He breaks into my thoughts.
    “For what?” I look over confused.
    “Bringing me here. I know it’s a big deal. I love it here. You were right. It’s relaxing. I could stare at the view for hours. I can see why it’s your place,” he offers.
    All I can offer back is a smile. It’s surreal sitting here with Charlie. This has been my safe place ever since I was a kid. I’m not sure what made me bring him here, but it’s nice to share this place with someone else. We sit for a while longer, and then we get up and walk hand in hand back to the truck.
    Charlie drops me off at home and walks me up to the door. “Just want to make sure you get in all right,” he says.
    “Thanks for lunch and today, Charlie. It was nice.”
    “Thank you for trusting me enough to take me to your place. I was thinking tomorrow, maybe we could do something? After you finish your exams? We could hang out or I could help you study?” He seems hopeful.
    “I do have to study. I’m a bore, I know.” I look down. “I’d love a study buddy though, but only if you have absolutely nothing better to do. Otherwise, I’m off Wednesday, because I have study hall and gym those exam periods, so no tests for me that day.”
    “How about I pick you up tomorrow after your finals? I’ll let you bore me, I mean study, and then we can do something fun Wednesday?” he asks.
    “Charlie, you’re going to get sick of me quick,” I tease.
    He makes a disgusted face. “You’re right. I already am pretty sick of looking at you, actually. Better cancel our plans tomorrow,”