Underneath It All by Ysa Arcangel Read Free Book Online

looking at me from afar. I took a deep breath. “I love you, Dean!” I took another deep breath. “I love you, Dean!” And another shameful deep breath. “I love you, De—”
    “Agata!” a familiar voice cut me off from behind. “What the hell are you doing? ”
    “Dean.” I bit my lip and then mumbled, “Sorry but I have to do this.” I turned my back on him and again shouted across the football field, “I love you, Dean,” until I reached ten.
    Reeve grabbed my arm and turned me around to face him. “What the hell is this?”
    “I just wanted to say I love you…to Dean…Dean Richie.”
    “Dean Richie? The quarterback.”
    “Y-yes,” I slurred.
    He looked at me with a flash of anger on his face. “I want to see you in my office.”
    The Actives went on their way and did everything necessary in order to distract Reeve and occupy his entire day.
    The final task was during a really bad thunderstorm.
    We were told to stay out in the rain for thirty minutes near the school grounds, where thunder had already struck a couple of times.
    My stomach was already upset. I had a slight, but completely irrational, fear of thunderstorms.
    “Agata, what are you doing out there?” Tatiana shouted from the waiting shed.
    Lightning flashed and lit up the sky, bright and striking. I closed my eyes shut against the brightness and waited for the after image to fade into nothingness, swallowing my nausea again.
    “Gats, what the hell are you thinking? Are you trying to kill yourself?” Apple shouted in panic.
    Thunder crashed and four of the Pledges ran for cover.
    Ten minutes into the storm, my stomach became so upset that I was swallowing bile every other lightning flash.
    Two other Pledges left.
    “Agata, get the fuck out of there!” Raven yelled.
    I tried to retain a normal breathing pattern, shivered it out, and got through the storm.
    It was easier said than done since I was starting to faint and slumped on the ground.
    “Agata, you okay?” I thought I heard Reeve’s voice. Either his voice was fading or I was the one fading. I shivered tremendously when another thunder cracked.
    “I am—” I winced when lightning flashed, “—fine.”
    “You don’t sound fine. I’m gonna get you out of here.”
    Darkness began to cloud the corners of my vision, my consciousness slipping as the magnitude of the situation began to dawn on me.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter VIII
     
     
    This Kiss
     
    Where the hell am I?
    Confusion chased away my lingering sleep; my mind was struggling to clear as I continued to stare at the unfamiliar room while sitting up in the huge, unfamiliar bed.
    I glanced around the room quickly. It was very luxurious with glamorous furnishings and rustic details that blended seamlessly. It had crisp white walls, bedding, and curtains. The vaulted ceilings exposed wooden beams and a large doorway led to a spacious veranda overlooking a lush garden. I shoved the sheets off and froze, staring down at myself.
    Why the hell am I wearing an oversized t-shirt?
    I slowly sat up and hauled myself out of bed, the pain in my head quickly returning. I crept timidly out of the room and down the corridor, unsure of where to go.
    I heard music coming from somewhere and followed the sound. It led me to the kitchen and I paused at the entrance when I saw Reeve in only his boxers. He had a full back tattoo of St. Michael’s The Archangel , nice ass, bronzed olive complexion, and unruly, tousled hair.
    He was singing and dancing as he cooked. Reeve’s hips swayed back and forth as he sang along with the music.
    The beat paused, and so did Reeve before belting out, “I’m sexy and I know it!”
    I giggled to myself. I didn’t want him to notice me yet. I was still enjoying myself watching him. The bass bumped back up and my smile grew into a grin. By the time the last line rolled, he spun around and saw me standing at the kitchen door.
    “Agata!” Reeve was startled, his face nearly purple from