Read Online Blood Moon by T. Lynne Tolles - Free Book Online Page B

sat and talked for a while and Devon offered his room next door, which Dean much appreciated.   Then Devon asked about Blake and Dean told him he had gone next door.
    After a few minutes, Devon excused himself and headed next door to greet his brother whom he found slumped against the front door, bag in hand, looking like he had just been slugged in the stomach.   Devon went to him, offering him a hand. Blake took his hand and stood up, dropping his bag at his feet. Devon patted him on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort. Blake tried unsuccessfully to smile at his brother’s gesture, and went to the couch and collapsed into it, not saying a word. Something had happened outside, but Devon didn’t know what it was and looking at his brother’s face, he was sure he didn’t want to talk about it.
    A few minutes later, Darby walked in. To her, Blake looked just awful.   She walked over to the couch and flung her arms around him, holding him close to her, comforting him with all her might. She looked at Devon for answers but he just shook his head.
    “What is it, Sweetie? What happened?”
    He didn’t speak at first and she just held him tight.   When he started talking, she pulled away from him and she stroked his face, brushing his hair out of his eyes while holding one of his hands.
    He said, “She never even looked at me. She came running out the door and jumped into Dean’s arms.”
    “Aw, Sweetie.   I’m so sorry! That was pretty insensitive of her. If she knew it would hurt you like this I’m sure she wouldn’t have done that.”
    “How could she not know? I love her. I’ve been away to give her space and. . . I’ve tried to do everything she’s asked of me.”
    She hugged him again, not knowing what to say. Devon had one hand on Darby’s back and one on Blake’s shoulder.  
    “Dean had just finished telling me, ‘you should walk up to her, sweep her off her feet, and lay one on her’.   He said maybe she thought that I went to Colorado because I was running away from her. She can’t really think that, can she?”
    “I don’t know, Blake. She has been pretty tight-lipped about it all to me.”
    “But now it’s apparent why she invited Dean.   I had foolishly hoped they were just friends, but it’s obvious she wants to...”
    “Not necessarily, Blake, but you two need to talk before too much more time goes by,” Devon chimed in as he sat down.
    “But she didn’t want to talk.   I thought it would be easier if I left and she wouldn’t have to see me all the time, but I’ve just made it worse, haven’t I?”
    Darby held him. She looked at Devon in hopes he had some great words of wisdom, but he was at a loss. They sat there in silence, the three of them, for a while.
     

     
    Later that night the boys decided to go out to Paddy’s and have a drink or two.   Blake was quieter than usual, but Dean and Devon both knew why and left it alone.   Devon got an earful of all the things Dean made Blake do while in Colorado. They had some great laughs and for a while Blake forgot about his troubles.  
    Soon, the boys had enjoyed a couple of pitchers and were good and relaxed when Allison and a friend walked in. Like a Mac truck had hit him, Dean froze as Allison stood next to him and ordered two beers to take to the loveseat by the fireplace. He was absolutely mesmerized by her pretty red hair and green eyes.   He wasn’t quite bold enough to introduce himself to her, but he nodded at her when she looked at him. Dean jabbed Devon in the ribs hard, hoping he’d help out.   Devon rubbed his ribs; he remembered Allison from the other day at the bookstore when Darby’s car had gotten crunched.  
    “It’s Allison, right? We weren’t really introduced the other day at the bookstore, but Darby’s told me all about you,” Devon said.
    She said, “Oh right, you’re Devon, Darby’s boyfriend.   Thanks again for coming and getting her.   She didn’t look too good. Thank God Rowan was