Shadowing the Teacher (Perfect Pairs Book 3) Read Free Page B

Jack and Scott’s new home, a total mess. “You know we shouldn’t be here, brother.”
    Kane stared at him a moment, dark flashes of pain evident in his eyes before he straightened his spine, turned towards the door, and knocked hard.
    Fuck. This is not going to be good.
    The carved wooden door that was a beautiful acknowledgement of their heritage swung open, and Jack greeted them with his characteristic devil-may-care grin.
    “So glad you guys made it!”
    He waved them both inside, and Reid hesitated before his foot could pass over the threshold. He could hear the happy noises coming from the backyard and through the house. His skin crawled like a slithering snake. The idea of having to stand again with too many people had panic rising inside him like the tide. The wedding had been bad enough.
    “It may be better if just Kane stays. I’m feeling pretty strange today.”
    He took a step back, and Jack’s smile fell. Kane twisted back around to stare at him.
    “One hour, and we’ll go.”
    Reid crossed his arms over his chest and inhaled sharply, his brother’s words circling in his head. That wouldn’t be too bad. He could probably do that. It was obvious his twin wanted to stay, and he owed Kane a lot.
    “All right.”
    Jack’s grin returned, and Reid forced his legs to move, the steps a jolting force up his legs as he moved down the long hallway and stepped into a brightly lit living room, buzzing with energy and people.
    Whoa.
    Dizzy swirls made his legs weak.
    Fuck. I could lift half my car last year. Now look at me.
    “It’s ok, mate.” Jack’s voice slid into his ear, and he realized he’d been cowering back from the room.
    Jack patted him on the back, and Reid straightened, embarrassed by his behavior. “Yeah, thanks.”
    “Drinks are that way.” Jack pointed across the room, and Reid almost smiled as his cousin pushed him towards the alcohol. He wasn’t a huge drinker, but today was definitely one of those days that his nerves could use some deadening. Kane headed off with Jack, and he made a beeline for the bar.
    “Hey, mate, can I get you something?”
    “Double whisky neat, thanks.”
    The guy behind the bar whistled and picked up one of the bottles, pouring the amber liquid into a fresh glass within a few moments. Reid nodded and accepted the drink, tossing it back and wincing as it burned through his mouth and all the way down into his belly.
    “Wow. You need another?”
    Reid opened his eyes and saw the empty glass. It shouldn’t look like that.
    He handed it back to the bartender, a young man who looked fit and healthy. He could never understand what Reid was feeling, but his compassion was noted and appreciated.
    “Absolutely. Thanks.”
    His glass was refilled, but this time Reid nodded his thanks and moved slowly towards the porch, sinking into an empty chair, his back to the house.
    He’d struggled at the wedding yesterday to be around so many vibrant people, and today was no better. Everyone was too colorful. The clothes, the laughing, the drinking and eating. All of the things he’d avoided over the past twelve months. Life.
    Reid pulled his sunglasses from his pocket, opened them and placed them over his eyes. His heart was beating too fast, and he focused on taking careful, even breaths. He could handle an hour, he could.
    His eyes were pulled to the tree by the side fence, where two women stood.
    It was her.
    Samantha’s hair was so long it reached the small of her lower back, cascading down in flowing brown waves. She wore a pair of denim shorts that clung to her ample hips, and when she turned, laughing at something that was said, her large breasts wobbled and shook in the white top holding them in.
    Lust stabbed him in the gut, and he groaned. The feeling was as foreign as the alcohol in his hand. He took another drink of his whisky, the warmth beginning to seep along his veins, relaxing him.
    He assessed his body again and couldn’t believe the ache in his groin. He