Living With Regret Read Free Page A

in town talk about him like he’s a destined felon, simply because his dad went down that path when he was younger. It didn’t matter that it was almost twenty years ago when his dad had one minor theft conviction and way before they even moved here. I guess, in their minds, crime is a genetic, chronic disease but they don’t know Sam like I do. Over the last seven years, I’ve spent more time with him than I have anyone in this crowded house—Madison included.
    Before I have a chance to argue with her, I feel a hand squeeze my shoulder, and I spin around. Cory Connors stands behind me with a cocky grin spread across his handsome face. His eyes are even bluer than I’d thought, and his light brown hair is sun-kissed from spending hours outside this summer. He’s the definition of perfect.
    “Hey, it’s Rachel, right?” he says in his deep, masculine voice. It floats through my mind like sugar, coating every part of me in happiness.
    “Yeah,” I say, trying to pry my eyes from his full pink lips. They’re hard to look at without imagining what they’d feel like on mine. Not that I’d really know what that feels like since I’ve never been kissed. I think about it a lot, though. A whole lot.
    His grin widens as he follows the path of my eyes. “What are you looking at?”
    I swallow the lump in my throat, shifting my focus up. “Umm … nothing. I mean. I was—”
    He laughs. “Hey, I was only teasing.” He reaches his hand up toward my face but quickly pulls it back. “Did you just get here?”
    I nod, still shocked that Cory is actually talking to me. I’m afraid if I say too much, it’s all going to come out wrong. And this is probably the one and only time he’s ever going to talk to me. I have to make it count.
    “I was just heading outside if you want to come with me,” he says, interrupting my thoughts.
    I’m frozen in place, staring into his glassy blues. This is my chance, but I’m not sure I’m ready for it. “I don’t know.”
    Madison pushes against my back, practically sending me straight into his chest. “I’ll just wait in here, Rachel.”
    Before I have time to argue, he wraps his hand around mine and pulls me toward the back of the old farmhouse. As I follow close behind, I glance around the packed room noticing all the sets of eyes on us. Most notably is Sam, whose hooded eyes follow me. When I see him pushing back against the wall, I shake my head. He’s always been my protector, but he’s a senior and won’t be around next year. I need to learn to navigate through life on my own. He stops, his eyes narrowing in on me, but I quickly look away before he convinces me otherwise.
    “Rachel!” he yells from behind me before I can get too far.
    I turn my head, taking in his parted lips and pained eyes. For a second, I think about ditching Cory and disappearing with Sam, but I don’t. I told myself high school was going to be about me taking chances. Sam isn’t a risk … he’s always been the one to catch me.
    I pull my lower lip between my teeth and smile, burying the nervous butterflies deeper in my stomach. Sam understands what I’m trying to tell him right away. Dejected, he lowers his eyes and rubs his hand along his strong jaw.
    Unable to watch, I focus on Cory. Letting him lead me through the crowd again. The voice in my head keeps telling me Sam will ask me to stay. If he says the words, I will. He doesn’t, though.
    When Cory and I step outside, he still doesn’t let go of my hand. I don’t pull it away either because it feels too good. “Are you having fun?” he asks, so close I can feel his warm breath against my cheek.
    I open my mouth, but quickly close it again, trying my best to compose myself. The last thing I want to do is sound like a complete idiot the minute I’m alone with the god of our freshman class. “I just got here,” I finally reply, gazing up at him. He’s lit only by the moonlight, and Cory under the moonlight is something to be