Secret Catch by Cassie Mae, Jessica Salyer Read Free Book Online Page A

dead, because I almost threatened to beat him. But that’s not exactly the best threat to joke around with.
    “That’s right. You’ll stand there with no comebacks.” He squishes my cheeks one more time before walking past me to our kitchen. His head is in the fridge when I collect all the bills I’ve got to get in the mailbox and drag the garbage to the front door. Brad doesn’t help open it, but that’s okay. I can do it myself. Have been for six months now.
    After I get all my chores done, I lock up, toss Brad the remote to the TV, and head upstairs. I hope Brad finds something to watch because I’ve got a phone call coming that I really don’t want him to ask me about.
    I try to sneak into Josh’s room without waking him, but as soon as his door hits the creaking spot his little eyes flutter open. I should really see if there’s any WD-40 in the garage.
    “Sammy?”
    I cross the room and crouch down next to him, not bothered by the name when it comes from his mouth. “Yeah?”
    “Do you think Tyler had fun playing with us?”
    “How could he not? You’re the coolest six-year-old I know.” The corners of my lips turn up. “Scoot over.”
    He lifts up the blanket, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s wearing Tyler’s hoodie. Pretending I don’t notice, I cover the blankets over us and try to ignore the smell of the sweatshirt and the way it makes my stomach feel.
    Josh lets out a big yawn. “Do you really think he’ll be there next week?
    “He said he would. And besides, you’re holding his hoodie hostage, right?” I run my finger along the hood.
    “He’ll be back.” He nods.
    “All right kid, back to sleep with you.” I give him a kiss on the forehead. “I love you more than summer.”
    “I love you more than football.” His eyes drift shut.
    “Wow. That’s a lot.”
    His breathing deepens, but I don’t leave. I lie next to him and watch his peaceful face, so innocent.
    Not only do I worry about my heart, I worry about his too. We’ve both lost someone so important. I really hope Josh doesn’t start depending on Tyler and expecting him to come around every weekend.
    Tyler seems like a nice guy, I’m sure he’d never hurt our feelings intentionally. It’s the unintentional stuff I worry about. It’s what the other people would do if they found out. My stomach lurches as I think about Brad just downstairs. He’s always been so big into the rivalry and dating your own kind.
    The glowing red numbers on the ceiling say it’s almost 9:00. I slide from the sheets and kiss Josh one more time on the forehead before I retuck him in.
    ***
    I’m just climbing onto my bed when my phone goes off, making me jump about two feet in the air. The ringtone muffles between my hands, and I triple check my door to make sure it’s nice and closed.
    “Hello?”
    “Sam?” His voice slips through the line and sends shivers down my back.
    “Yep. Um… wassup?” I shake my head. Nice job, Sam.
    A deep chuckle vibrates in my ear. “I just got done playing Barbie Prom Date with my little sister. I went to Prom with Disco Ken.”
    “Wow. What color was your dress?”
    “Golden yellow, baby. Is there any other color?”
    “Um yeah, maroon red, baby.”
    Our laughter mixes together, a sound that sends my stomach free falling down the hill again.
    “Josh in bed?”
    “Yeah, I just checked on him. And guess what?” I sit up against my headboard and tuck my feet under me. “He’s actually wearing your hoodie to bed. Can you believe that? He went from barely touching it to sleeping in it.”
    His deep chuckle I’m starting to love slips through the receiver. “I’ll have him converted to a Trojan in no time.”
    “Not in a million years.” I shake my head even though he can’t see me.
    “We’ll see,” is his only response, but I can hear the smile in his voice. I can picture what his face looks like, gorgeous blue eyes and that sexy grin.
    “Still with me?” his voice tickles my ear,