Someone Else's Life Read Free Page B

kissing him, hard. He smiles in surprise, then kisses me back hungrily, pressing his body against mine. My head bangs violently against the wall, but the pain is welcome, the kisses rough, desperate, his stubble scratching my cheeks, his tongue writhing in my mouth. His grip tightens, and I clutch fiercely at his back, my eyes screwed shut, blotting out everything else.
    Suddenly he’s ripped away, my lips burning as I gasp for air.
    “Hey! What’s your problem, Andy?” Kyle snarls.
    Andy. Shit .
    “Leave her alone, Kyle.”
    “It was her! Couldn’t keep her hands off me.”
    Andy grabs my arm. “Come on.”
    “Hey.” Kyle stops him. “She’s a big girl, Hunter, she can do what she wants.” He winks at Andy. “And she wants me.”
    “She’s had too much to drink.”
    “What are you, her mother?”
    I wince.
    “Just … Leave her alone, okay?” Andy says.
    “What’s it to you?” Kyle challenges.
    “I said”—Andy steps closer—“leave her—”
    “Yeah, Andy,” I hear myself slur. “What’s it to you?”
    Andy stops. He’s looking at me, but I can’t see his eyes.
    Kyle laughs. “Oh, dear, Hunter. Seems you’re not needed after all. Do us all a favor, eh, mate? Get a life.” Kyle drapes his arm round my shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s find somewhere we won’t be disturbed.” He pushes past Andy.
    “Wait.” Andy catches my arm.
    “Back off, Hunter!”
    “Rose,” Andy says. “Rose, look at me.”
    I stare at the floor.
    “Rosie!”
    “Whoa—hold on a minute.” Kyle’s arm drops from my shoulder. “Rosie? Wait, you’re Rosie Kenning ?” He swipes my hair from my eyes and peers down at me. “Jeezus Christ.” He smirks. “Now, what’s Crazy Kenning’s daughter doing on the loose?”
    What? My face burns.
    “Hey everyone! It’s Crrrazy Kenning’s kid!”
    “Kyle!” Andy grabs him, and Kyle holds up his hands in mock surrender.
    “Hey, she’s all yours, Hunter. My mistake, mate.” He staggers off along the corridor, drunkenly toppling from one wall to the other. “Should’ve recognized her by her walk, eh, lads? Just like her old lady—remember the prom?” They laugh and whoop appreciatively. “Whoaoaoa! And as for that fall—whoops!” Kyle falls into a chubby guy’s waiting arms. “Classic trademark.”
    “I …” I can’t think. Can’t breathe.
    “Sorry, sweetheart.” He dances over and slings his arm round my neck. “Nothing personal. You’re very cute, really. Just crrrrazy genes.”
    Hot. Too hot.
    “Yeah?” Andy growls. “Why don’t you come over here and say that?”
    “Look,” Kyle coos, “Hunter. Mate . No hard feelings, okay? She’s yours, and I respect that.” He slaps Andy on the shoulder. “In fact, I owe you one, mate—any longer and I might’ve caught something!”
    Andy swings at him, but Kyle ducks just in time, laughing. “Uh-oh, looks like we might have another one for the loony bin, eh, lads? And don’t they make a lovely couple? Him all macho honor and her—Oof!”
    My knuckles sting like mad and the room spins crazily as my back slams against the wall and I slump to the floor as Kyle crashes headfirst into the drinks table.
    Merry Christmas , I think as everything fades to black.

    I slump to the floor as Melissa locks the bathroom door behind us.
    “Okay,” she says. “Spill.”
    I chew my cookie, tasting nothing as it crumbles dryly in my mouth, buying time.
    “Sweetie, what is it?” She wraps her arm around my shoulders. “You’ve been quiet all day. This isn’t like you.”
    I close my eyes. How can I tell her?
    She sighs. “As if I don’t know.”
    My eyes fly open.
    “I know you.” She smiles sadly. “And you’re going about this all wrong—you need to pick yourself up, get back to the party, drink some punch and have some fun !”
    I stare at her.
    “You need to show my idiot brother just how lucky he is to have you!”
    I look away, exhale. She doesn’t know …
    Someone knocks