Hoax Read Free Page B

disappointment. “Dang.”
                  We laughed and then I said I needed to get back to work.
                  “Can I help?” She looked like she was serious.
                  “Really,” I asked.
                  “Yeah, it’s really boring and there’s nothing on TV and I haven’t gotten to the library yet.”  When I didn’t answer immediately she backtracked. “It’s ok.  I’ll find something to do. No big deal.” She turned and I finally found my voice again.
                  “Hey, no, you just shocked me.  Yeah, come help.  You’ll regret it, but come on.”
                  “You sure,” She asked.
                  “Yeah, come on.  There’s tons of sanding to do.”

Corinne
                  I am the lamest at flirting ever.  I’m so incredibly lame at it that he probably thought I was insane. 
                  Screw it.  I quit.  I’m just gonna be me.  If he doesn’t like it, well, it’s just gonna suck. 
     
                  I took out my frustrations on the white crackling paint which coated the window frames of the storage building.  Abel had already prepped the barn.  I finished the window frames and moved to the door frame.  I could feel the back of my neck getting sunburned but I didn’t want to wuss out.
                  “Hey,” Abel came around the right side and looked at my work. “I’m getting thirsty.  Wanna take a break?”
                  “Yeah, I think I’m getting sunburned too.” He went behind me and hissed through his teeth. “You already are.  I’m sorry.  I should’ve warned you.”
                  “It’s fine.  It’s the summer, right?  Bound to happen.”
                  We went inside and I groaned at the seventy degree air hitting my face.  Abel groaned behind me at the same feeling. 
                  “Water, sweet tea, lemonade…” I rattled off our drink choices.
                  “Lemonade, please. Glasses?” He moved to open cabinets, trying to find cups.
                  “Top right.” I pointed them out to him. 
                  He got two out and we cooled off with ice cold lemonade.  When he emptied his glass into the sink, I thought we were going out to work again. 
                  “It’s four o’clock, so I’m going to head home.  Thanks for the help today. And take care of that.” He swiped the pads of his fingers across the apples of my cheeks.  What I wouldn’t give for him to swipe his fingers over my lips, down my neck, lace them through my hair.
                  “Yeah, okay.  Do you work every day?”  Desperate much?
                  “During the week I do.  So I’ll see you tomorrow?” He said.
                  “Sure.” I watched him walk out the back door.  Alone again.
     
                  Later that night I sat on the couch with nothing better to do.  There was nothing on TV and the only movies they had were kids’ movies and the only books they had were about kids and parenting.  I had cleaned the entire house again after Abel left even though it didn’t need it.  I finally gave into my boredom and went to bed. 
                  By the end of the week we had everything clean and prepped for painting.  I went inside to take my weekly phone call from Angela.  I was supposed to wait for her call around noon every Friday.  We had a short conversation.  There was just so much I could say. Yes, the house is clean and I read the rules.  No, the house hasn’t burned down.  Yes, Abel is getting the painting done.   No, he hasn’t even attempted to kiss me, not even close. No, I didn’t think about his face or overanalyze every single thing he said.   I silently added those last ones to the