Shattered Rose Read Free Page B

could feel my heart racing as I imagined how ridiculous I must have looked. Maybe he would be the type to blow off embarrassing situations and make you feel like nothing happened. I slowly regained composure and cracked open my door. He was still standing there chuckling…nope, he wasn’t that type at all.
    My cheeks flushed a crimson red as I stammered, “You must be Jake…um, sorry I slammed the door on you like that…you startled me.” I was fumbling over my words, sure this guy must think I was not only a nutcase, but an idiot as well.
    “And you must be Avery, although Issy didn’t mention you were a performer.” He glanced at me, giving me an opportunity to respond. I didn’t take it. “Where is she, by the way?”
    I had never felt more grateful for a change of subject than I did in that moment.
    “She left hours ago. Said she was heading to Caesars to watch a band play.”
    “Caesars…ugh…I hate that place. Total meat market.” He walked past me and started looking around my room, stopping at the bridge picture. “Why didn’t you go?” he asked, still not taking his eyes off the picture.
    “With that glowing review? Go figure.”  I felt exposed and vulnerable, so naturally I resorted to sarcastic wit…a talent I had learned from my father. I watched him as he continued to examine the photo. He was tall; definitely over six feet, and I immediately noticed the resemblance to Issy. They both had the same intense eyes—iridescent lime with brown specks.  His hair was dark as well, almost black, but Jake didn’t seem to have the same need to add multiple colors to it.
    “Besides, I wanted to get settled in,” I continued.
    “Yeah, I can see that,” he said as he looked around my room and then back to the photo. “This print is amazing. Where did you get it?”
    “They had an art fair downtown last spring. I picked it up there. I have the photographer’s card if you want it.”
    “Sure, I’d like that.” His smile immediately brought butterflies to my stomach. It was one of those smiles so full of confidence and charisma, that it seemed to touch every part of my being.  His presence was powerful, leaving me feeling terribly insecure. I didn’t have much experience with boys and even less with ones that looked like he did. To make matters worse, he had an intoxicating smell that fully matched his self-assured demeanor. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, and felt myself fidgeting as I went over to my desk and handed him the card. 
    “I can tell her you came by?” I offered, hoping to end the awkwardness I was feeling.
    “No need, I’ll probably see her before you do anyway.”
    He finally walked of out my room and then glanced back at me, full of swagger and charm. “Nice to meet you, Avery.”
    “You too, Jake,” I replied as I watched him leave the apartment, confused by how empty it now felt without him in it.
    I had a hard time concentrating the rest of the night as thoughts of Jake consumed my mind, but I finally drifted off to sleep right before midnight.
    Some time later, I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. The room was completely dark except for light peeking under my bedroom door. What time was it? Just as I looked at the clock, which read 2:30 a.m., I heard another loud bang from the living room and realized Issy must be home. I turned on my lamp and opened the door, my eyes taking a second to adjust to the bright light.  Issy had her arm wrapped around Jake’s neck and was singing what I was sure were lyrics from the band they watched tonight. It took her only a second to notice me.
    “Roomie! We missed you tonight. Didn’t we Jake?” She was attempting to walk over to my room but stumbled over the boots she had just kicked off. Jake was luckily strong enough to keep her vertical, but she was fighting his hands off and making it pretty difficult for him to hold on. I quickly walked over to her and put her other arm around my neck to help.
    “Aren’t