The Harder You Fall by Gena Showalter Read Free Book Online Page A

“romance.”
    She was the worst sister ever. She’d destroyed Brook Lynn’s entire world. She was the worst daughter ever. She’d escorted her mother to death’s door, rung the bell and ran away. She’d insulted her father hours before he died and, and, and—
    She focused on that, the least horrendous of her crimes, hoping to stop the panic attack in its tracks. And for a moment it worked, the arena disappearing, replaced by the kitchen walls of her childhood home—the home she still lived in—morning sunlight shining through the large bay window.
    â€œGo change out of those shorts and into something appropriate,” her father demanded.
    â€œBut Daddy—”
    â€œYou’re still a child, Jessie Kay. My baby girl. You shouldn’t wear skintight pants with the word naughty scripted over your backside.”
    â€œI’m not a child! I’m—”
    â€œNo argument. Just action.”
    She stomped her foot. “Sunny has a pair just like them, and her dad thinks they’re cool.”
    â€œHe isn’t your dad. Go change.”
    â€œWell, I wish he was my dad!” she shouted. “I like him better.”
    She raced to her room, and a short while later Daddy left for work...but he’d never come home.
    A manager at Dairyland, he’d been speaking to one of his engineers about a broken machine. A machine that exploded, killing them along with half the workforce.
    He’d died thinking she wanted a different father.
    â€œHey, hey. You okay?” Soft hands cupped her cheeks.
    Jessie Kay blinked and found her sister sitting beside her, familiar features darkened with concern. “I’m fine.” She gave her sister a big ol’ bear hug, and she probably held on far too long, probably clung far too tight, but dang it, she loved the girl. “Just thinking about Daddy,” she said when she pulled away, careful to articulate her words.
    Brook Lynn was born with a severe case of hyperacusis—a condition that caused her to hear even the quietest everyday noises at a screaming volume—forcing her to wear bulky devices in both ears to muffle and even mute sounds.
    â€œWe’ve talked about this.” Brook Lynn gave her cheeks a firm pat. “Do I really need to give you another lecture?”
    Parents and children fight. That’s part of life. You and Dad exchanged heated words, get over it. You both walked away knowing you were loved .
    Brook Lynn hadn’t witnessed the fight, and Jessie Kay hadn’t wanted to spill the details, but she’d done it anyway. Panic attacks had been a way of life for her back then, and her sister deserved to know one of the many reasons why.
    â€œNo. I remember the last twenty thousand.”
    â€œGood.” Brook Lynn nodded. “Now tell me what I missed game-wise.”
    The soccer game. A life raft. “West has tried to murder everyone on the field, and Jase has guarded the goal as if it’s your virtue.
    â€œIn other words,” Brook Lynn said with a grin, “we’re winning.”
    Exactly. “So how’d the fitting go?”
    â€œYou mean the modern-day torture session I willingly signed up for? Well, if you ever decide you’d like to acquire a few body-image issues, just gain a few pounds before trying to zip your wedding gown and watch the seamstress’s horrified expression in the mirror.”
    No one insults my sis—but me. “So you’ve gained a few pounds. So what? You’ve done Jase a favor. You’ve given him more of you to love.”
    Harlow snorted. “While your logic is impeccable—”
    â€œI know, right? You’re welcome, Jase,” Jessie Kay shouted to the field.
    He didn’t hear her over the cheers and boos rising from the crowd, but somehow West did and he frowned over at her. The distraction cost him. He’d been waiting for the ball to cross the centerline, and when it