Home Is Where the Heart Break Is Read Free

the pallor of her skin looked like snow. I was glad he’d told her. That night, we brought Nico home with us, and Mom had called Nico’s dad to yell at him.
    “Did Lexi have anything else interesting to talk about?”
    “She only had fifteen minutes. She’s picking me up here at eight. We’re going to the coffee house to watch Chase’s band.”
    Mom glanced up at me. “Your Chase? I didn’t know he played an instrument.”
    “Apparently he sings. Oh, and Susie Pruitt’s father is very rich now, and she and Chase are an item.” I bit into my sandwich only to realize that my appetite had disappeared.
    I was nervous about seeing Chase tonight. What if we had nothing to say to each other? What if we were like strangers with nothing to talk about but the weather and the bothersome tourists? That would suck royally.

Chapter 3
    Since we had no modern conveniences, like a television or computer, I’d lazed on the sofa for awhile counting the wood beams on the ceiling. My phone was now my sole connection to the world. Lexi came to the door just after I’d showered, pulled on my favorite jeans and pink tank top, and brushed my hair up into a ponytail.
    She pushed past me into the cabin. “So I get home after working all day, and my mom is screaming at me because I left my room in a mess. Then I look in the mirror and this ginormous zit is popping out of my forehead. I put on my shortest mini skirt hoping guys will be too busy staring at my legs to notice the second alien head growing on my face.” She stopped her rant long enough to look over my outfit. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
    I glanced down at my jeans. “Yeah, why?”
    Lexi shrugged. “I just thought since you hadn’t seen Chase in awhile you might dress up more.”
    “You sound like my mother. I’m not really the dress up type, and Chase knows that.”
    “You look great anyway. I just noticed how flawless your skin is. You should be in a cosmetic commercial. Did you ever have zits?” Lexi glanced around the cabin. “Is there a mirror in here?” She pointed to her forehead. “I need to check on my little friend.”
    I smiled and motioned to the bathroom. Suddenly I remembered why I could only take Lexi in small doses.
    Lexi’s old car sputtered and clanked the entire way to town, and I was sure we’d be pushing it back home later. She babbled on about a ton of people, most of whom I no longer remembered, and most of whom I could have cared less about. I was so nervous about seeing Chase I wasn’t really listening, and she talked so much she didn’t seem to notice my lack of attention.
    We parked several blocks away. The night air in Pinecliff was brisk, and I hugged myself against the chill. “I wish I would have brought my sweatshirt.”
    “Don’t worry, you won’t need it. It gets hot and crowded inside.”
    Lexi was right. The atmosphere inside was steamy with bodies and hot coffees. Most of the seats were already filled, but we found a couple of stools at a counter high table in the back. The other girls at the table smiled weakly at us as we sat down. One slightly familiar girl kept staring at me.
    Lexi finally spoke. “Ashley, remember Jessa. She’s moved back to town.”
    As soon as Lexi said the girl’s name I recognized her. I’d always felt sorry for her in elementary school because her mom was one of those busy bodies who was the head of every parent club. The lady was always at school, and by fifth grade it was obvious that Ashley wished her mom would just stay home. She’d had grown up pretty.
    “Hey, Jessa, when did you move back? I guess you came to hear Chase sing. That guy is one big hunk of hotness, isn’t he?”
    I smiled thinking about Chase being described as a hunk. “I actually haven’t seen him yet. I just got back today.”
    “Nico doesn’t even know she’s back yet,” Lexi inserted unnecessarily.
    Ashley grimaced at the sound of his name. “Don’t even bring him up.” She leaned over and put her