Ungifted by Kelly Oram Read Free Book Online

there’s out of your league, then there’s don’t-even-bother-to-dream-about-it, and then there’s Caleb.
    The Layton brothers, even the thirteen-year-old, are all good-looking, athletically gifted guys who despite their intimidation factor could have basically any girl they wanted. I wouldn’t say any of them are quite up to Ethan Dunn’s god-like status, but they’re a very close second. They shouldn’t be paying any attention to me. In fact, they should probably be insulted that their sister stoops so low as to be my friend.
    I don’t know what happened to turn everyone’s attitudes so suddenly, but something had happened. Something not natural. My inner warning bells were going off again. I needed to get out of there.
    “Um, Caleb? That’s very sweet and all, but I really need to go now,” I said, cursing the way my voice was shaking.
    He ignored me. “What’s the deal with you and Dunn?”
    I forgot about needing to leave. “Ethan?” I asked, startled.
    “Yeah, are you spoken for or what?”
    I couldn’t believe he was asking me this. My cheeks were burning up and I couldn’t manage to find any words to explain, but as I shook my head Cynthia stalked up to the table. “Damn right she’s spoken for!” she demanded. “She’s mine !”
    “Oh, come on,” Peter said. “Let the guy make his move.”
    “Absolutely not! Caleb, give me my best friend back right now!”
    Cynthia seriously looked like she was going to start a brawl with all of her brothers if Caleb didn’t let me go. She also looked enraged enough that she probably could have taken them.
    “Lighten up, Cyn.” Preston’s voice brought a tense silence over the group. It was casual and yet a warning at the same time. “ She came to see us . And she’s enjoying herself. Aren’t you, Gracie?” He turned his sharp gaze on me and gave me a smile that made me scared to deny it.
    I blushed because I actually had been enjoying myself, but nobody noticed my embarrassment. They were all watching Cynthia. I swear to you, that girl was so angry her body trembled and she growled at Preston.
    The brothers all exchanged startled looks and Caleb finally released his grip on me. He couldn’t have been that scared of Cynthia, though, because as he pushed me to my one good foot and handed me my crutches he still said, “You and me, Grace. At least give it some thought.”

“What the hell were you doing with my brothers?” Cynthia hissed after we were safely on the opposite side of the cafeteria. “Haven’t I warned you about them like a bazillion times?”
    “I—I was just trying to find you. I didn’t know they’d hold me hostage. Where were you?”
    Cynthia dropped her anger immediately and shrugged. “Just talking with a friend.”
    I frowned. That wasn’t like her at all. I thought for sure she’d have a tantrum and warn me off her brothers through the rest of the week. “What friend?” I asked, unable to hide the suspicion in my voice.
    “Just a friend. I didn’t think you’d be back before lunch was over. Anyway, sorry to subject you to the torture that is my family. Did Caleb seriously just ask you out?”
    I let the topic change slide for the moment. “Yes. What was that about, anyway? Was he actually serious?”
    “I don’t know, but can we please, please, please not talk about it? The thought of you and Caleb cuddling and sticking your tongues in each other’s mouths is just…” Cynthia shivered in disgust.
    “All right. Not another word,” I promised, even though that visual didn’t exactly horrify me the way it did her. Terrify me, yes, but repulse me? Not even a little.
    “So what did Dr. Carroll have to say?”
    “You mean besides asking me to get him a job with my father? Apparently I’m lashing out because I’m stressed about the election, and I’ve been suppressing my feelings.”
    Cynthia snorted. “Gee, you think?”
    “Oh, and I’m also depressed. He wrote me a prescription. My dad will just