Resisting Fate (Predetermined) Read Free

pressed against the metal shelves and I curled my knees under my chin. Man how I wish my own super, secret ninja skills were up to par!
    “Hey there Emmy, are you ready?” Mr. Martin appeared stealthily at my left, his voice was as curious as it was quiet.
    I squeaked, fist to my chest. He’d done it again! Damn the man!
    “Yup, I uh…” I stuttered, twisting my hands together intermittently over my kneecaps. “I have to grab my purse in the, uh, break room first.”
    He smiled at me knowingly, a complete and utter Zachary like smile of course.
    I stood tentatively, not quite able to make eye contact with him as I slipped off towards my intended destination. My cheeks were flaming hot from embarrassment, and I was ready to crawl into a hole.
    Crap. Would I ever learn how to snoop properly?
    I didn’t bother looking towards the devil boy that hovered a few feet to my right, even though every sense on my body went on high alert as I passed him. He growled again, and it wasn’t that of a puppy dog. I held my breath as I scooted onward with my head held high. He was either going to attack me, or throw something at me. I was ready for the both.
    “Jack Hartman, that’s enough! Leave her alone!” Mr. Martin yelled at said evil boy and I fled into the tiny, nine-by-nine break room.
    What the hell happened out there? I shook my head, determined to gain control of my panic. My heart didn’t calm, but my breath eventually evened out. My trembling fingers dug around inside of my purse. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but the simple action was helping to ease my weirdly wired emotions, so I kept up my hunt, even if it was pointless.
    “You know…if you didn’t have that big suitcase thing for a purse, then maybe you could find what you’re looking for.” Holy. Balls. He was in the room with me. Why was he in the room with me?
    My body stiffened like rigor mortis had set in. His deep voice bellowed with humor from behind me. God give me the strength to make it through this alive.
    “Umm, well…” Crap Emmy, get it together ! I was speechless and  panicky? This was so not good, especially since I hadn’t even gotten a look at said crazy guy yet.
    That was about to change. It was time I put on my big girl panties and woman up. No boy was ever going to get to me again.
    “Um hel-lo? You got a hearing issue or something Strawberry, ‘cuz I’m talking to you.”
    Oh hell no. He did not pull the nickname crap on me…
    Turning around, I went all out Muhammad Ali on him, one fist raised up high in a ball, the other one ready to do the Three Stooges eye poke if need be. I had to have looked like an idiot, but I was prepared, that’s all that mattered.
    Soft chuckles insulted my inner eardrums as I finally peeked at the unwelcome intruder.
    “Well…do you?”
    Everything in the room blurred except for the black haired boy before me. My breath caught deep in my lungs, my palms began to sweat. Yeah, seeing him was nothing like hearing him.
    If anything, it was worse.
    My mouth dropped open, a gazillion pounds of drool had to have been spilling out as I gawked up at the vision in black jeans and a white tee shirt.
    My heart, it didn’t just skip a beat at the sight before me. It went all out marathon instead. There was nothing in my life that could have prepared me for what I saw there, leaning up against that door frame.
    Wowzas…
    Hot damn…Jack Hartman had turned into a babe!
    My eyes met and devoured his blue ones with an intensity that I   couldn’t even begin to describe. My stomach flipped-flopped again, and if my head hadn’t been attached to my neck, then it probably would have been spinning. Crap…why did the long-lost, scary ass cousin have to be so gorgeous?
    “What? You see something you like, Strawberry? ‘Cuz I can tell you right now, you are definitely not my type.”
    …and there went my momentary stupidity. Can you say asshole?
    “No! I uh…um…” Come on Emmy, you can totally do