Mark of the Seer Read Free Page B

breathed, her body relaxing.
    Brenton looked at her thoughtfully, almost childlike. “Just be careful with his massive muscles—he'll need them this year when we play Central.” Brenton laughed. I tried keeping a straight face but lost it in the end; I laughed with Brenton. Kora did not find it as amusing, blatantly flustered.
    “You guys suck,” she muttered, walking away.
    “Kora, I'm sorry!” I called after her.
    “Yeah, just messin' with ya!” Brenton added. “Don't be so sensitive.”
    She stopped, turning to face us with a quirky grin. “Don't worry about my sensitivity—a few beers will take care of that. Just go do whatever you two...do.” On that note she walked through the doors of the barn.
    “Don't drink too much!” I yelled. “I don't feel like cleaning up anymore puke today.”
    Brenton looked confused. “Any more puke?”
    “Long story.”
    “Okay.” Brenton stared down at me, his hands in his pockets. “So, little Kora likes Kevin. I take it she and Nick are broken up?” I nodded, keeping him updated. “Hmm, she would be a terrific first girlfriend for him, unless she scared him too much.” He was being sarcastic, of course. He stared after her who, strangely enough, was talking to a blushing Kevin.
    I stared at Brenton staring toward the barn. Then I noticed how hawt he was looking. The black shirt he was wearing hung perfectly over his broad shoulders, and his jeans fit terrifically in all the right places. His light brown hair was styled just the way I liked, all tousled and messy. He was handsome, gorgeous, sweet, and manly all rolled in to one. And he was all mine.
    Brenton caught me staring. “Yoo-hoo, Clarity! Whatcha thinkin' about?” Waving a hand in front of my face, he broke me free from my lovesick trance. I shook my head.
    “Yeah. Sorry. Been a long day. Casey and Janey called in sick and I was left doing double at work. It was a crazy day.”
    He sneered. “Sounds like them. They can't help it, though. Slacker genes run deeply in their families.”
    “Yeah, I guess.” Casey had been our friend since grade school, Janey since our freshman year. He was like a brother to me, Janey like a sister. But being their coworker sucked because they were always calling in, leaving me to do their work. Also, they took breaks together, making out in the stockroom for thirty minutes at a time (they'd been an item for two years). All in all, though, I liked them both.
    I squeezed Brenton's hand. “I'm glad I'm here with you.”
    He squeezed my hand back. Looking at the barn and all the chaos, he forced a smile. He didn't know that I knew, but he hated parties. He was more of a dinner and movie type of guy, or a picnic and a swim.
    “And we find ourselves yet again at another meaningless party. Who'd a thunk it?” Sighing, he started pulling me to the door. We went a couple of steps before I stopped and tugged his hand.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    “You really hate parties, don't ya?”
    He grimaced slightly, then quickly recovered, eyes on the ground. “Does it show or something?”
    I shrugged. “Sorta.” He looked at me with eyes that read “sorry”. “How 'bout this? Before we go inside, let's go for a walk. You know, fresh air, no people or music. Just us.” Also so I can be with you alone without drunk people hanging out with us—so I can tell you something important. Of course I didn't say that. I'm too big a wuss.
    Like a curtain falling after a show, relief cascaded down his face.
    “That would be awesome!”
    Walking hand-in-hand we walked passed the barn, passed the bonfire, and into an open field with bales of hay spread as far as the eye could see. I was looking for a place that was private, somewhere we could talk and hide from drunken idiots. I saw couples making out right behind the barn, letting me know that we would have to get farther away.
    Making a fast decision I told him, “Catch me if ya can!” I dropped his hand and started running, leaving him