Torn (Torn Heart) Read Free Page A

off, she lives two streets down from me. We’ve been best friends since we were babies, practically. Skylar was always the trusting kind, the one I could count on in every way. I didn’t confide in Amber because she’s so judgmental and insensitive. But since I don’t know much about her life, maybe she has a reason. Still, if she feels she can’t trust me enough to talk to me, then obviously she’s not the one I should be with. However, on that note, I’m not ready to confront my emotions. I’m afraid to let Skylar in and hurting her, or vise versa.
    However, in the physical sense, Amber is everything a guy could want in a girl, besides being a cheerleader. She’s hot and good at everything she does. And I mean everything. But again, so is Skylar. Okay, so I don’t know that she’s good at everything . I imagine she’d be good at that too, though . But where it counts the most, she’s pretty amazing. How do you fall in love with your best friend?
    S he gets all of her amazing qualities from her mother. Rose dated my dad in high school and once in college. Then something happened there and he met and married my mom, but she left him, my brother and me for one of her young college professors. Skylar’s dad passed away and my dad and Rose became closer. We were both left parentless. I guess that’s why Amber freaks out when Skylar’s around. We were inseparable most of our life. And in many ways, I wish we still were. I need someone I can trust to talk to.
    It’s better this way, though. I have to believe that. What if I let her in and she ends up leaving me, the same way my mom left my dad? I couldn’t handle the pain of abandonment, again. I know Skylar’s not like that, but that doubt is still there in the back of my mind like a fucking parasite and I can’t get rid of it. With Amber, it’s not that serious. I don’t see a future with her. It’s easier for me to let myself be with someone when I know it won’t really go anywhere. Then I can’t get hurt if I don’t expect too much.
    When I get out of the car, I see Skylar and Jared on the porch. I contemplate joining them. But something in her eyes tells me I should leave. So I do.
    I hear Jared’s voice call to me as I open the door. “Hey bro how was school today?”
    I turn to him and say, “Fine.” A quick glance in her direction, I say, “Hi Skylar.” She tries to smile and gives me a small wave.
    I head upstairs and walk into my room, shutting the door. I plop down onto my bed and flip the TV on. A knock on the door startles me. Before I can answer it, it slowly opens and a head pops in.
    Brunette h air flowing over a petite girl I’d know anywhere has me staring like an idiot. “Hey Jackson. I’m sorry for running into you today. I’m such a klutz and wasn’t paying attention.” I just stare at her, uncertain what to say. Her hair is such a distraction, long and beautiful and silky and...I look away.
    I lean my head against the headboard, my attention on the screen, my mind somewhere else. “It wasn’t your fault. I had a rough day during practice. I was a little irritable.” I look at her, out of one corner of my eye, I say, “I’m sorry for Amber’s attitude.”
    She leans against my desk, looking so fragile. “Well, it shouldn’t surprise me. She’s never liked me.”
    I nod, “So true. It’s more that she feels threatened by you.”
    Her eyes widen in shock, “Me? Why?”
    Well shit, I shouldn’t have opened that door. I casually flip through the channels, my palm sweating, though having nothing to do with the temperature in the room. “She just knows of our history and she’s jealous of us living so close.” And the fact that I’d rather be with you than her because she’s doesn’t make me happy anymore, I don’t say, which of course Amber doesn’t know that part either. I think she uses me too, for popularity.
    “Well, tell her she’s got nothing to worry about. You’re secure and happy in your