Read Online (Blood and Bone, #2) Sin and Swoon by Tara Brown - Free Book Online Page B

the only season we are getting this year. Michelle reaches a ten-dollar bill across some ropes to the hot-dog guy and gets us both one. I slump into the patio furniture and take the hot dog. It’s awkward with just the two of us. “I’m sorry about the cat,” I say, not comfortable at all.
    “No, I am. I get it. Being in the city and having no friends is tough. I should have been nicer. I was pissed when they roomed us together. I had specifically asked for one of my friends.”
    I nod, taking the most delicious bite of food I have ever had. I close my eyes and moan into it. When I look at her she seems angry or annoyed, but when she speaks again I understand why. “I thought you and that girl you’re roomed with wanted to switch because you guys knew me and Leona were lesbians.”
    I desperately swallow, wishing I could get it all down faster to explain. I shake my head aggressively. “Not at—all.” I nearly die, but I manage to get it out. I take a deep breath as the huge lump painfully makes its way into my esophagus. “I didn’t know. I actually didn’t know until you two walked into the bar.”
    She doesn’t look convinced.
    “I swear, I thought you hated me because of the cat. I felt awful.”
    She rolls her eyes. “So your mom snuck a cat in the room, and you think I’m that crazy that I can’t adapt?”
    I don’t say anything. Not because I don’t think she’s adaptable, but because that’s not how I recall it at all.
    “Fine, I acted like a dick. I hate cats. I’m a dog person. But you switched, and I thought it was because you had the whole anti-lesbian thing like that girl in your room. She called Leona a dyke.”
    My jaw drops. “Angie would never.” I don’t know that I believe my statement or hers. While Angie’s prejudiced as the day is long toward all other Europeans, quite savagely too, I have never heard her mutter a word against gays. It’s possible she is also homophobic, but unlikely, as all her rants involve nationality and their inferiority to Scotland.
    Her brow furrows. “No, Steph is the one who did it.”
    “Steph?”
    Michelle shakes it off. “It doesn’t matter. I’m glad we talked about this.”
    I’m stuck on Steph, but she leans in and hugs me before I can rationalize why Angie lied about her name to them. Her name is Angie, I’ve seen her real driver’s license. She stands up abruptly and points. “I’m going back in. You coming?”
    I shake my head, feeling weird and sick, and the hot dog isn’t improving a single thing about my situation. I suspect that huge bite might try to come back up and that is how I will die. My greatest fear ever, choking on throw-up alone in the bathroom.
    I nod at the street. “I think I’m gonna jump this rope and head home. I feel like ass. Really nasty ass too.”
    Michelle chuckles, giving me another hug. “I’ll come with you to get a cab.”
    “No, it’s fine. I can walk.” I don’t know why I don’t want to be vulnerable with her, maybe because she hates my cat and all other cats. It’s suspicious to see someone not love cats. They are the greatest companions a person could ask for.
    She tries to argue but I get up and climb over the rope, waving my hand for a cab. The bouncer here in the roped-off area waves at the cabs for me. When he gets one, I climb in, waving back at Michelle as she goes inside.
    I mutter my address and sit back, hoping I don’t get sick and die in the cab.
    As the car stops in front of my school on the quiet side of town, I pay the man and climb out, working hard at not staggering. The staggering drunk coed is always the one to get raped and murdered.
    “Ashley!”
    I cringe when I hear the voice, and not because I just thought about rape. I take another step away before I turn back, giving him a scowl. He’s hurt my heart and now my pride too.
    “Ash, wait up. We need to talk.” When he gets closer I step back again, trying to get a bit of distance. He stops about three feet away