Read Online Crossing the Barrier by Martine Lewis - Free Book Online

stirred in recognition before her eyes even met his.
    “Lily? Lily? Is everything all right?”
    Two deep green eyes searched hers. Peace filled her soul.
    Malakai.
    Lily leaned into his hands, sagging in relief.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked again, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.
    Panic quickly replaced her inner peace. She couldn’t tell him what was wrong. She barely knew him, and she certainly didn’t know him enough to trust him with a secret as big as hers. Besides, what would he think if he knew?
    The next thing that came to her mind was also unbelievable. She couldn’t very well say the crowd made her uncomfortable as she had played numerous times in front of a full stadium during the football halftime, and Malakai knew it.
    “Is it the heat?” Malakai asked, taking his hands away from her cheeks and putting them on her shoulders.
    While disappointed at the loss of his touch against her skin, Lily was so grateful for his offering her an out she could have kissed him.
    “I know it’s hot in here,” he continued with a smile, taking her silence as confirmation. “I reckon the AC must be out or something. How about you head to the lobby, and I’ll get you something and meet you there? I know it’s a lot cooler over there.”
    “You’d do that for me?”
    “Yeah,” he answered with a grin. “Fruit, salad, milk, and something from the fast-food menu, right?”
    “Sounds good,” she answered.
    “Okay. Now go; I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    As quickly as she could, Lily walked away from the cafeteria and its waves of emotions. As she made her way to the lobby, a new worry crept into her mind. What would she do at the game that coming Friday with all those people in the stadium, all those different emotions that would be assailing her? The thought of it choked her, and by the time she reached the lobby, she was trying to take deep breaths to calm the panic in her heart. Slowly, she slid along the wall and put her arms around her legs, holding them tightly against her chest. She had been there for a few minutes when Malakai arrived, a package in his hands and a smile on his face. His presence alone made her situation more bearable.
    “I got you a BLT with an apple and salad. It’s one of my favorites,” he said, sitting next to her and giving her the lunch bag.
    Lily smiled gratefully at him and unfolded her arms from around her legs. She loved her fast food, but a BLT sounded wonderful. She took the sandwich out of its aluminum wrapper and began to eat.
    “It’s good,” she said, between bites.
    “I’m glad you like it. Feeling any better now?”
    “Yeah. I was hungry too and—”
    “Hey, Malakai?” a voice called, approaching them.
    Lily looked up.
    Wes.
    Like Beatrice had taught her, Lily plastered a smile on her face, a smile she didn’t feel at all. In fact, she wanted to curse Wes for first interrupting her, and second, spoiling the little time she got to spend with Malakai. Then Lily wondered why Wes was alone. That was not like him. He was usually surrounded by his football buddies.
    “Not in the cafeteria?” he asked Malakai, with a raised eyebrow.
    He threw a quick glance at Lily. Lily didn’t have to be an empath to see Wes didn’t approve of her.
    “No. I wanted to spend some time with Lily.”
    To Lily’s surprise and delight, Malakai was telling the truth.
    “Hi,” Wes said, waving at Lily. “You’re in the band, right?”
    Despite his light tone and easy smile, the condescension coming from him made Lily want to gag.
    “Yes. You’re on the football team, right?”
    Malakai chuckled, amused.
    “Yes,” Wes said with a smug smile. “Malakai, you coming? I want to talk about the game.”
    Lily knew this was pure deception; Wes had no intention of talking about football.
    “Yeah, in a little while,” Malakai answered, glancing at Lily.
    Malakai was divided, and from the way he talked to her about football, Lily understood Wes had used the perfect excuse. How