The Survivor Chronicles (Book 2): The Divide Read Free

shot into her hairline as a burst of laughter escaped her. "Lee and I? Absolutely not! Hey Lee, John thought we were dating!"
    Lee glanced over his shoulder at them as he handed the bag out the door. "Sure, if I liked dating cactuses," he quipped as he made his way back toward them. "Cause Riley's about as prickly as one."
    "You're a riot," she muttered as her finger twitched on the trigger of her gun.
    John tried not to laugh as she continued to glare at Lee while he sweetly smiled back at her. "Besides, Xander's my best friend and I really don't feel like having my face punched in by him."
    "Hardy har har." Though she was trying to sound sarcastic, a dull blush stained her cheeks and she looked inordinately pleased by Lee's words. "Xander wouldn't hit you."
    "Wanna make a bet?"
    Riley shrugged but a half smile tugged at her lips as she turned and made her way towards Carl. Lee propped his arm on the shelf as he rested his gun on a bag of flour and studied John. "She's off limits."
    "I didn't mean anything by it," John assured him.
    "Didn't you? I see the way you've been watching her. I don't blame you, she is hot and you don't know Xander, but she is off limits and if you try anything inappropriate…" He twisted the gun in his hand as his eyes narrowed.
    John bristled at the implied threat but he held his hands up as he bit back his words. If this day had taught him anything it was that there were some battles worth fighting, and others that weren't. They were going to be together for awhile and Lee was just defending two of his friends. If someone had been inquiring about Rochelle, or any of the other girl friends he'd had, he would have had the same reaction.
    "I really didn't mean anything by it, I was just curious."
    Lee studied him before nodding. "I believe you. Beside's she really is as prickly as a cactus sometimes, I wouldn't wish her on my worst enemy."
    "Just your best friend?"
    Lee grinned at him and dropped his arm off the shelf. "He deserves it."
    John laughed as he carefully made his way around the puddle and back to the shelves. Lee stayed close behind him as they reached Riley and Carl. "I'm going outside to make sure Rochelle and Al are ok," John informed them.
    Carl barely glanced up from shoving motor oil into his bag. Riley was focused on grabbing washer fluid and anti-freeze. "Take this with you," Carl said as he twisted the top of his bag and handed it to him.
    John caught the bag awkwardly. "A please would be nice."
    Carl scowled at him as he fumbled with his cigarettes and lit another one. "Please."
    John smiled at him and headed out of the store, eager to be free of the stench that permeated the air. He blinked against the sudden influx of light and lifted his hand to try and block it out. His gaze returned to the coffee shop as a clawing sensation began to seize his chest.
    He really was an addict, and he didn't care. He glanced up and down the street, but it remained deserted as he made his way to where Rochelle and Al were packing the truck with their newfound supplies. "I'm going to get some coffee before we hit the pharmacy."
    Rochelle rested her hand on her hip as she studied him. "How do you plan on making it?"
    "The old fashioned way, boiling some water over a fire, but at this point I don't care I might just eat the beans."
    Al chortled as Rochelle grimaced. "Gross."
    John shrugged and shifted the gun in his hand. "Any requests?"
    "You shouldn't go alone, and I wouldn't mind seeing if it was time to make the donuts before all of this happened," Al told him.
    "A coffee roll," Rochelle groaned.
    "Let's go then."
    Al closed and locked the truck doors. They took another glance around the deserted street before making their way to the darkened donut store. John expected the door to be locked and was surprised when it opened beneath his hand. He glanced warily at Al and Rochelle before cautiously sticking his head inside.
    "Hello," he called, hating the choked sound of his voice. The scent of