The Appeal of Evil (The Road to Salvation) Read Free Page B

interested, he was still going to take her home, and that was all that mattered.
    ***
    Katie fumbled with her backpack strap, trying to procrastinate getting out of the car, but not trying to look like that’s what she was doing. This was the first time she’d been in a car with a boy, and she didn’t know the protocol. Still, she couldn’t sit there forever. With each passing second, she grew more and more uncomfortable and her fake fumbling turned into real fumbling.
    “Well, thanks for the ride.”
    Josh placed his elbow on the middle console and leaned to the side. He was inches from her. Oh, God! Was he going to try to kiss her? Katie’s stomach knotted. She wasn’t ready for that. It was too soon. She hardly knew him. She hadn’t brushed her teeth all day. Yet, there was something intriguing about his lips. They looked soft and inviting. What would they feel like against hers?
    Josh chuckled. “Not a problem. I’m glad I can be of service. Hand me your cell phone.” 
    It wasn’t what Katie expected him to say, and it took her a moment to find her voice.  “My phone? Why?”
    “So I can give you my number and you can call me if Wes bothers you again.”
    “Oh. Okay.” She opened her bag and dug through her books. It took a while, but she found her phone and handed it to Josh.
    “Here’s mine. Put your number in there.”
    Katie did as he asked, then handed the phone back. As she did, his fingers brushed against her hand, sending chills up her arm, causing her breath to catch.
    “You want me to pick you up tomorrow?” His voice was low, sensual.
    Katie’s heart skipped a beat. “Yeah. That would be great.” She cleared her throat and shrugged her shoulder. Did she really sound that desperate? “I mean, if you want.” Was that enough to sound nonchalant?
    Josh chuckled again. “I’ll be here at seven-thirty.”
    “Okay.” Katie breathed.
    She stared into his eyes for a few seconds, then fumbled for the door handle. Getting out, she tripped over the curb, but caught herself before falling on her face. She turned back to the car and peered into the window.
    “Thanks again for the ride. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Josh smiled his wonderful smile. “See you tomorrow.”
    Katie took a step back and watched him drive down the street before turning to go into the house. She wanted to skip and kick her heels in the air, but she was afraid if she did, she would drift away into the clouds.
     
     

CHAPTER 2
    KATIE HALF-EXPECTED Wes to show up at her house later that night. He seemed so desperate to talk to her after the gym incident, but as usual, he didn’t. Katie didn’t know if that relieved or saddened her. She was proud of herself for sticking to her word and not letting Wes draw her back in, but part of her also felt guilty. Whether she liked it or not, Wes knew a lot about her. When he wanted to be around, he was a great listener. He’d been there on many occasions when she needed a shoulder to cry on or advice. It would have been nice to be able to talk to him about Josh. He probably would have some great ideas on how to handle the situation, and as a boy, he could tell her what to expect or maybe what Josh was thinking. Wes could be a jerk, but he was also one of Katie’s best friends. Being in his presence made her feel safe. She couldn’t explain why, but when Wes was close, it made her believe nothing could hurt her. Except him. But, she reminded herself, for every moment he’d been there for her, there were twice as many when he let her down.
    Still, she couldn’t stop her gaze from drifting away from the TV and out the front window toward his house. She frowned. All the lights were out; the windows were dark. He wasn’t home. As usual. But where did he go? Katie knew it was only him and his dad that lived in the house. She didn’t have details about what happened to his mom, only that it was something really bad. Wes had told her that; then his eyes filled with tears,