Unbreakable by C. C. Hunter Read Free Book Online

supposed to do. Did he ask her to go out with him? Ask her to go to the movies with him? A thought hit that he didn’t like. His parents had been so strict about Mindy not dating until sixteen, would they feel the same way about him?
    Shit! He didn’t like that. And for once he could really relate to his sister’s feelings.
    A few minutes passed. His hand throbbed a bit along with the concern about his parents. Remembering Eric could still be around and might be stupid enough to try something, he stood up and walked toward the bathrooms, wanting to be there when they walked out.
    Two girls came out of the facility but it wasn’t Tami and his sister.
    He stood in the same spot, scuffing his shoe on the pavement, watching the exit to the girls’ restroom, trying not to worry. Chicks always took forever in the bathroom.
    When another five minutes passed, he started pacing. If they didn’t come out soon, he was going in. His face heated thinking about walking into a girls’ restroom, but …
    â€œHey,” Tami called out.
    He spun around and saw them walking toward him.
    â€œI thought you were in the bathroom?” he said, sounding a little annoyed. He instantly regretted his tone, but figured he had a right. He’d been worried.
    â€œI saw something I wanted to buy,” Tami said, and moved in close to him. “I saw it when I went to get the ice earlier.”
    He almost said they should have told him, but bit back the words. He didn’t want Tami to think he was too controlling.
    â€œDo you want it now or later?”
    He paused a second. “It’s for me?”
    â€œYeah,” she said as if he should have figured it out.
    He suddenly felt bad. He hadn’t bought her anything. Not that he’d really had a chance, but …
    â€œI say you open it now.” Tami beamed and handed him a plastic bag.
    â€œYeah, open it now,” Mindy said, putting her two cents in. “You’ll like it.”
    Chase looked from Mindy to Tami. “But I didn’t get you—”
    â€œDon’t be silly, open it. It’s just a little thing. It’s not even really for you, but … well, sort of.”
    Chase pulled a leather dog collar from the bag.
    â€œIt’s for Baxter,” Tami said. “But read what it says. I saw it when I was waiting for them to get ice for your hand. They had them hanging from a display case.”
    Chase turned the dog collar around and read the inscription: N EVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A CHALLENGE.
    â€œCrazy, isn’t it?” Tami said. “It’s the same thing the fortune-teller said.”
    â€œYeah,” Chase agreed, rubbing his finger on the soft leather.
    Tami made a face. “I’ll bet the crazy lady saw it earlier and just used it. But … it’s not a bad saying. And I know how much Baxter means to you.”
    â€œHe does. And … I like the collar. Thank you. And Baxter will thank you.”
    She lifted up on her tiptoes. Her lips came so close to his that he could feel her soft breath. He also felt her soft breasts against his chest. And that felt really, really good.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” she said. Then she kissed him.
    Mindy chuckled. “I hate to rain on your parade, but you two don’t have time to play kissy-kissy. We need to meet Dad.”
    Chase frowned at his sister and tucked the collar in his coat pocket. Then, not turning his back on a challenge, he reached over and slipped his hand into Tami’s. It fit perfectly against his.
    ***
    His dad drove like a bat out of hell to get to the cabin. Supposedly, he’d heard about the incoming storm while skiing and had driven Chase’s mom home to start packing. “Five minutes,” he said as they walked into the cabin. “There’s some talk that the storm could come in earlier and I have to get home. I can’t be delayed here.”
    His dad tossed his coat on the sofa. “Amy?