Sparrow by Sara Mack, Chris McGregor Read Free Book Online Page A

I can’t take a
decent picture to save my life.
    “Are
you two ready?”
    Kevin’s
voice forces us to turn around.  His hair is damp, he’s dressed, and he’s raring
to go.  He must have taken the world’s fastest shower.  Begrudgingly, I follow
him into the house where we gather our things, say goodbye to Gram, and promise
not to speed.
     
    ~~~~
     
    Unlocking
the front door, Addison flips the light switch, and tosses her backpack on the
floor.  “My feet hurt.”
    My
arms circle around her from behind.  “You should have worn better shoes.”  Her
red Converse don’t look like they offer much support.
    “I
guess I didn’t think we were for real hiking.  I thought we’d be
walking along a scenic overlook or something.”  She sighs under my arms and
leans back against my chest.  “I’m beat.”
    Her
head rolls to the side and I take the opportunity to push her hair off her
neck, exposing her skin to my lips.  She wiggles and laughs, then turns around
and places her hands on my shoulders.  “I take it you’re not tired?”
    “I
haven’t had you to myself all day.”  Suspicious, I glance around the room. 
“Are you sure your parents are gone?”
    “Did
you see the truck in the driveway?” she asks.  “They said they might go out for
dinner.”
    She
pushes against me and moves my body toward the kitchen, where there’s a note on
the counter.  “Out for dinner and a movie.  Make sure to bring Sam in.  Remember,
no visitors after ten.”
    “I
take it by visitors they mean me?” I ask.
    She
nods and presses her lips into a thin line.
    “What
happens after ten?  Do you turn into a pumpkin?” I tease.
    “Worse.” 
Her expression changes and she leans into me dramatically.  “A vampire.”
    I
grin.  “You don’t look very scary.”
    “It’s
not my appearance you have to worry about.”
    She
kisses my chin and then her breath is hot against my neck.  She bites me and a
jolt of electricity shoots up my spine.  That has to be the hottest thing any
girl has ever done to me.  Ever.
    When
she leans back, her eyes dance.  “Did you feel that?”
    Yeah,
in my pants.  “Are
you trying to kill me?”
    She
looks surprised.  “I didn’t hurt you did I?”  Concerned, she starts to inspect
my neck.
    “No,”
I laugh.  I’m not about to admit other parts of me ache.
    A
loud whine at the back door pulls our attention away from one another.  “I
think Sam knows we’re here,” I say.
    We
leave the kitchen and walk into the living area where a sliding door leads to a
deck.  Through the glass I can see Sam pawing at the door handle.  He jumps up
when he sees us, excited.
    Addison
opens the door to let him in and he rushes past his owner, straight to me.  I
bend down and rub my hands roughly along his sides.  “Hey, buddy.”
    He
licks my nose, and I lean away with a laugh.
    “Do
you two need some time alone?” Addison asks with a hand on her hip.
    We
both look at her.  “What?  He likes me.”
    She
kneels down to pet Sam, too.  “I know.  I’m glad he does.”
    Sam
licks Addison’s cheek, then pads off toward the kitchen in search of his food
dish.  She stands and grimaces.  “Ugh.”
    “What
is it?”
    “My
stupid foot.”
    “Which
one?”
    She
holds her right foot out toward me and, since I’m already crouched down, I grab
it and remove her shoe, then her sock.  Looking over her toes and her heel, I
find the problem.  “You’ve got a nasty blister.”  It looks like the back of her
shoe rubbed her skin away and it’s bleeding a little.
    “Great,”
she sighs.
    I
let go of her foot, and she pulls off her other shoe and sock.  “C’mon.”
    I
follow her as she hobbles down the hall.  At the first darkened doorway, she
stops and flips on a light.  “Make yourself comfortable.  I’m going to get a
band aid.”
    I
find myself staring at Addison’s room.  It’s tiny.  Beneath the window sits an
unmade twin size bed with tan sheets and a