Burning Down the House Read Free

that phase.”
    “Good to know.” At least I wouldn’t have to hide my eyeliner. Ha, ha.
    “It won’t be nearly as bad as you think, ladybug. You know I wouldn’t put you in a difficult situation.”
    “I know you wouldn’t.” Not intentionally , I wanted to add.
    “I think having you around could be good for him.”
    “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll be nice.”
    “ Just don’t be surprised if he isn’t very social. He doesn’t talk a lot. I convinced him to see a therapist once a week but you need to keep in mind that this has been a very traumatic experience for him. Even so, I think it would be a good idea if you just treated him as you would anyone else. Be nice, but what I’m saying is don’t go overboard with the pity. What he needs right now is a sense of normality. You understand?”
    Right about that time I was really starting to second-guess my decision to switch schools. “Okay. I got it.”
    “I’m hoping your presence will help bring him out of his shell.”
    “I’ll do what I can,” I promised weakly. But in all honesty I had to wonder how much good I could do considering Rob Kensington has never liked me.

    Cumberland serves as the entry point to the Appalachian portion of Maryland, so the town is nestled at the base of the Allegheny Mountains and as you can imagine, it’s a very picturesque place. Dad lives in a spacious brick house on a maple-lined street in the suburbs. It’s not the house I grew up in - it’s one he bought after the divorce - but I have my own room decorated with furnishings I selected myself and it’s been kind of a second home to me. I love it here. If I hadn’t been so afraid of upsetting Mom, I’d have moved back a long time ago. But until now I’d always been hesitant to bring it up, fearful of hurting her feelings.
    We left the Prius in the driveway and I grabbed one heavy suitcase while Dad carried the other bags in through the front door. The place still looked and smelled exactly the same, and I took comfort in the cozy familiarity. No modern art or pristine contemporary furniture anywhere in sight. This living room was more of a medley of pieces chosen for comfort rather than showcasing, typical of a bachelor’s taste. Usually it was a little on the messy side, but Dad must have straightened up in anticipation of my arrival. At that moment, I was suddenly glad I’d made the decision to return. I couldn’t imagine anyplace else I’d rather be.
    That was when I saw Rob. The first glimpse I caught of him was of his back. He was dressed in Levis and a gray t-shirt, facing away from us while he talked quietly to someone on a cell phone. His hair was still dark as a stormy night and in need of a haircut, but he’d grown taller and was conspicuously more muscular. Then again, it had been going on three years so what did I expect? Of course he was going to look different.
    T hen he turned around. And I couldn’t believe this was the same guy I’d known since childhood.
    His hazel-green eyes met mine right away and all I could do was stand there frozen like a mental defective. Because he was hot…and by hot I mean abso-freakin-lutely droolworthy jaw-on-the-floor gorgeous . That lean boyish face had developed into a picture of rugged masculinity and those eyes - oh, those sexy eyes! The suitcase slipped out of my hand and fell over on the hardwood floor with a conspicuous whump . Sexy Eyes gave me a strange look.
    “I gotta go - I’ll call you back later,” he sa id into the phone in a voice that was deeper and more sultry than I remembered. Oh, God help me - I needed to turn around and hitchhike to the airport and fly back to Illinois now .
    “Here, let me help you with that.” Dad reache d for the tipped suitcase. “Rob, you remember Sara, don’t you?”
    “Sure. Hi.” He was polite if not exactly enthusiastic.
    I force d myself to snap out of the dopey stupor. “Um…hey, Rob. It’s been a while.”
    He only nod ded, sizing me up with those