October Breezes Read Free Page A

"It's a great story." He glanced at my texts. I smiled, knowing I'd left it in my locker.
    “Teenagers can’t read—everyone knows that!” I felt his gaze resting on me, and I shrugged. “No, not yet.” I refused to look at him, even though he expected my attention. I had better things to focus on: algebra, English, and history, to name a few.
    “When you do, let me know. I’d like to hear what you think.”
    I snorted and opened the can. Yeah, I’ll just bet you want to hear a speed-bump daughter's opinions. I shook my head before forcing myself to look at him. “Oh, sure. I’l be glad to tel you what I think. If you’re stil around.” I took a drink.

    "Skye Wiliams!" Mom snapped as she walked to me.
    "Shut your mouth," she hissed.
    "It's al right," Warren said. He smiled, his eyes softening as he tilted his head slightly. I scrutinized his face, searching for sarcasm, but couldn’t find any. “Sure, Skye. Whenever you’re ready. I’l be here.”
    I took a deep breath, grabbed my books, and scurried from the room. Damn him , I thought. Damn him to hell. I marched into the living room, and Devin folowed as I paced near the sofa.
    "That was rude!" he barked, setting his books on the sofa.
    Frowning, he watched me pace. "What's wrong with you?"
    “Him,” I replied, thumbing toward the kitchen and then snatching his English book. If I hadn’t been trembling so badly, I might not have knocked off his notebook, showering the carpet with papers. Gritting my teeth, I wiled myself to calm down.
    “Skye,” Devin said, grabbing my arm. “You can’t find fault with him for breathing.”
    "I'm sorry I knocked your stuff over." I flinched and bent over, shoving pages back into his book. My fingers were frantic, and if I stopped moving he'd see me trembling. I felt it throughout my body, wavering in my breath.
    "It's no big deal. You've been clumsy your whole life.
    Why change now?" He lowered his head, trying to make me look at him. "Warren seems okay.” His forefinger gently rubbed my arm.
    “So did my father before he left—him and al the others.
    Everybody seems okay, but looking beyond that, you find the truth.”
    As I put the graded papers back, I saw a chemistry lab paper with his name and Bethany Fields’. I showed it to Devin and smiled.
    "Got a hot date?"
    Devin flushed and grabbed it. "She's just a friend and lab partner." He took the work and finished shoving it in, but as I watched, I realized he rarely made less than A's.
    Jealous, I asked, "Have you ever made a ‘C’ in your life?"
    He smiled. "Nope. Teachers like me too much." He feigned interest in re-organizing his notebook. I opened his textbook and flipped through the pages. I shrugged. “So what are you working on again?”

    “Getting you to listen,” Devin said through clenched teeth.
    “But you’re being stubborn.”
    “I’ve got to go with what I’m good at,” I smirked.
    Devin stepped behind me and set his hands on my shoulders; his fingers kneaded my skin. “That’s not what you’re the best at, Nicole Skye Wiliams. You used to be so good at trust ing.
    You picked me as your best friend, didn’t you?” He puled the book out of my hands and set it on the couch before forcing me to face him. "And I’m stil here."
    I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes, surrendering to the security of his arms. Closing my eyes, I listened to his steady heartbeat. My shoulders roled forward slightly, and suddenly I felt like crying. “That was different.”
    “Why?” I felt his voice vibrate in his chest as he spoke.
    “Because it was always easy with you. You were never anything different than you appeared.” The heater kicked on and blew a few textbook pages.
    Devin leaned over and whispered, “Maybe he is, too.” He pressed the bridge of his nose against my forehead.
    I puled away. “Yeah, right. I’m not being stubborn, just practical. The minute I get used to him, he’l leave. Everybody does sooner or