Breathe With Me (The Breathe Series Book 3) Read Free Page A

that one…she’s already tainted!” Mitch sneaks a sly grin in my direction, knowing he just touched down on a sore subject.
    “Shut up, you asshole!” I spit out about ready to lunge over Dad and knock my brother to the ground.
    Dad opens his mouth to intercede, but Mitch nudges his arm to stop him. “Don’t mind him. Besides I think he already plowed that field.” He laughs harder and I can no longer hold it together.
    My eyes widen in rage and I shove Dad out of the way, slamming him into the banister as I lunge at Mitch. Swinging my arm, I knock his beer bottle to the ground with a loud shatter and his ass soon follows, landing right in front of my grandma’s rocker.
    But I’m not finished.
    He screwed things up for me then and although I wasn’t big enough or tough enough to do anything about it, I sure as hell am now.
    I slam down on the porch, a slice of pain shooting through my knee as I feel the spilled beer soak through my jeans. Gathering a handful of my brother’s shirt, he shoves at my chest forcefully as I raise my fist to make him pay for his comment. My brother swings first, grazing my nose with a burst of air right as a pair of strong arms wrap under my armpits and clasp behind my head so that I can’t move. My chest heaves up and down as I am pulled to my feet.
    Kicking my leg at Mitch, who is still on the ground, I grind my jaw and yell with more venom than I’ve ever felt in my life, “Don’t ever talk about that again! Ever!”
    The screen door slams and my grandfather’s stern tone jolts us out of the heat of the moment, “Knock it off, boys. I will not tolerate this under my roof.” His keys rattle as he makes his way past us and ventures to the drive behind the cabin. He knows none of us will disobey him. When Grandpa puts down his foot, we listen.
    Mitch slowly stands up and casts a shitty grin, not the least bit concerned with my anger. Placing his hand on his jaw and wobbling it back and forth with his mouth open, I see a bruise forming. I didn’t even realize I hit him. A bit of satisfaction rises within me and I look him straight in the eye, challenging him.
    “This is done, boys! Your grandfather is right and I will not tolerate this, either…you hear?!” Dad shouts.
    I nod my head and Mitch holds his hands up in retreat. Dad lets go of me and I smooth my shirt back down. Gazing out past Mitch, my eyes make contact with Piper as she looks up in my direction. S he saw the whole scene unfold.
    As Dad and Mitch head inside, my brother laughs under his breath and I step down off the porch. Gritting my teeth as another slice of pain splinters over my knee, I quickly bend to inspect the damage, finding a tear in my jeans with a few droplets of blood. Great…just great! I’ll have to take a look later; right now, I need to go apologize to her for the chaos. She already thinks I’m despicable, now she’s probably afraid of me, too. Great.
    She keeps her eyes on me as I walk towards her with cautious footsteps, fearful that she may bolt if I move too fast. Dammit! I just want to talk to her! That’s all I’ve wanted to do for the last three years, just to talk without all this animosity and hate between us. She watches me the whole way; studies me until I reach the edge of the beach, then folds her arms over her chest, turning in a defiant stance with her back to me. I blow out a sigh, ruffling the hair hanging down on my forehead.
    Right then my saving grace comes as Judd’s truck pulls into the gravel lot between our cabins and distracts me from getting completely shot down. I turn to wave at them, but when I glance back to the bonfire, Piper has already walked away and joined the guy that she apparently came with. Better damn luck next time, I guess!! I shake my head to get her off my mind and head over to help Alyssa and Judd with their stuff.
    “Hey, man!” Judd hops out grinning from ear to ear. “What happened to you?” he asks, looking me over.
    Glancing down, I