Strangely Normal by Tess Oliver Read Free Book Online

pool area.”
    “Sure.” I was slightly taken aback by her abrupt mood change, but something told me I was going to have to get used to it.
    “Wait here and I’ll run up and change shoes.” She opened a cupboard and threw a box of cookies on the counter. “These are delish.” She walked out of the room, and Some Pig trotted behind her.
    I sat munching on a cookie looking around at the unbelievable décor when both dogs lifted their heads again. The side door to the kitchen opened, and a guy walked in wearing a motocross shirt and pants that were completely splattered in hardened mud. Dirt crusted goggles hung around his neck. The skin around his hazel eyes was the only area not covered with mud.
    He looked at me and nodded. “How’s it going?” One of his hands was covered in a motorcycle glove. He fished in a drawer, pulled out some long scissors, and began sawing at the leather glove. It was a futile attempt. “Yeah, I didn’t think that was going to work.” He looked up at me again. “Do you think you could help me? I just need you to pull off the glove.”
    I stood from the stool. “Sure.” It definitely seemed like a task I could manage. I took hold of several fingers.
    “Wait a second,” he said. He grasped the edge of the counter with his ungloved hand. “Go.” He sucked in a deep breath and I pulled. The glove came free but not as easily as I would have expected.
    His face had paled some as he lifted the uncovered hand. “Shit. Why’d you have to pull so hard?”
    Now I was the one holding the counter. His wrist was twisted into a grotesque, unnatural curve. “I’m— I’m so sorry,” I stuttered, swallowing back the grilled cheese I’d just eaten.
    His face broke into a smile, a smile that was oddly familiar. “I’m just kidding you. I dislocated it on the track. Sorry about that. I didn’t know it would freak you out so badly.”
    I pressed my hand to my chest. “That’s all right. I think my heartbeat will eventually return to normal.”
    He reached out with his untwisted hand. “I’m Cole. Are you here for Jude?”
    The question seemed strange, and it took me a moment to answer. “No, I’m here visiting Finley.”
    To my relief, Finley walked in right then. “What the hell, Cole? It looks like your hand isn’t even attached to your arm anymore.”
    Cole held it up and admired his contorted wrist a moment. “I kind of like it.”
    Jude walked past all of us, opened the fridge, and pulled out a plate of chicken. He glanced at Cole’s arms. “Shit, Cole, put that deformed thing away. I’m trying to eat.”
    Cole looked at Jude and then Finley. “You know what’d be cool— if both of my siblings weren’t house bound. Then one of them could drive me to the emergency room so a doctor could pop it back into place.”
    “I could try but we’d probably have to participate in a police chase on the way there.” Jude grabbed up a drumstick and took a medieval style bite before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
    Finley twisted her face at him. “Use a napkin, Neanderthal.”
    Cole had nice hazel eyes to go with typical, California boy good looks. “Maybe Finley’s hot, new friend could drive me.”
    “Drive yourself,” Jude said angrily before I had a chance to respond.
    I took the opportunity to shoot a quick scowl at Jude before answering for myself. “I’m afraid it would be safer having me pop your wrist back in place. I don’t have a license.”
    Cole stepped closer to me and even with a completely tweaked wrist managed to flash me a flirtatious grin. “No? Well, maybe I could teach you.”
    Jude rudely pushed between us, reached for a shaker of salt on the counter, and sprinkled some on his chicken.
    “Oh my gosh, could you two be any more obvious?” Finley took hold of my hand and pulled me away from both of them. “Let’s go, Eden. I could really use a walk.”
    I gladly followed.
    “Sorry about that,” Finley said as we stepped out onto a long