Rock My Heart (Luminescent Juliet #4) Read Free

can open the side door, he’s somehow
outside, opening it for me.
    “Thanks.” I step out and trip right into him.
    Gabe catches me by the arms.
    “Sorry,” I mumble on his chest, breathing in the
clean laundry soap scent of his shirt.
    Without responding, he sets me upright. The
strengthening of his perpetual frown deepens the cut of his cheekbones.
    I wobble into a stance. “Okay, um, thanks for the
ride.” I take a step, sway, and draw in a gulp of much needed fresh air. The
night is lusciously warm for September in Michigan.
    He grabs me by the arm, right above my elbow. “Let
me help you.”
    “No, s-okay,” I say, trying to wrench my arm from
his grip while swaying.
    “You’re on the second floor. I’ll just walk you to
your door.”
    “S-okay,” I repeat and try to take another swaying
step and almost fall against him again. “Ugh, I’m like on a boat!” I giggle at
that, recalling the famous SNL video. I used to watch that show religiously,
not only for the comedy, but also for the plethora of up and coming musicians.
Sadly, I’m not into funny or music
anymore.  
    A sigh escapes him. “Come on.”
    With a strong grip on my arm, he slowly helps me up
the stairs. I mumble and laugh about being on a boat. Though I can sense his
normal dislike, I find the boat thing too funny to care. I never laugh like
this anymore. Never let go. It’s kind of refreshing.
    Okay, it’s very refreshing.
    When we get to the second floor, I wrench my arm
from his grip, then lift my arms and sway. “I’m on a mother bleeping boat!”
    I’m laughing and falling toward the wall as Gabe
mumbles something about preppy girls not being able to hold their liquor, which
takes me from giggly to angry.
    “Hey!” I whip around, my finger pointing in his
direction. I over whip and fall on him. We crash into the wall and slide down.
He ends up sitting against the wall. I end up straddling his long body while
weaving.  
    I’m about to tell him off—preppy girl!—but I’m
suddenly caught by the light above us illuminating his lower jaw and lips. I’m
not sure if it’s because he’s always scowling or that I rarely look his way
since his dislike is almost tangible or the fact that I don’t really check out
guys, but I’m suddenly noticing his lips. Big time.
    They’re lush and full, the upper one just as full as
the lower one. Very sexy.  
    I reach out and trace that upper lip with my index
finger. “You have nice lips,” I say in a surprised tone. His skin feels nice
under my finger. Like hot, soft silk.
    The silence in the walkway is suddenly filled with a
harsh breath from him. I’m about to trace his lower lip when he grabs my wrist
and hauls me up.
    “Where’s your apartment?” he growls.
    I point two apartments down. “Over there.”
    He practically yanks me to my door.
    “ Sorr -e-e-e-e-e, I didn’t
mean anything. You just—”
    “Key?” he demands.
    I dig my key ring out of my pocket. “Look—”
    He snatches the keys from me. “Which one?”
    Swaying again, I point at the correct key. “Listen,
your lips just caught me unawares—”
    He unlocks the door, whips it open, and hands me the
keys. “Try not to hurt yourself.”
    Then he’s gone.
    I roll my eyes and stumble into my dark apartment.
    I’m on a dark boat…alone.

 
 

Chapter 2
    ~April~
     

 
 
    I’m learning how to
become more detached while in group therapy. Role reversal that is what I tell myself. That’s the mind ticket
out of this insanity. That is why I’m sitting in this circle of people. One
day, I’ll be the facilitator in a similar situation, helping people too. Now,
I’m learning what it’s like to be on the other side of things, gaining precious
knowledge.
    Jeff, our fearless leader slash counselor, drones on
about goals, his voice a monotone whine into the uncomfortable silence. He
likes to open with a long and dry commentary. No one ever listens. When I’m the
leader, I plan to keep the commentaries to