Read Online Breaking the Cycle by Tricia Andersen - Free Book Online Page A

clenched in his chest. Oh, lord. She hates guys with tattoos. And I have quite a few. “Yeah, a couple,” he joked. “I guess I never asked what you thought of them.”
    “I think they’re beautiful. Sexy.”
    Max felt his cheeks warm. “Really?”
    “Uh-huh. Is there anything I can get you?”
    “A sports drink would be great, thanks.”
    “Be right back.” She dashed into the house with the slam of the door. He felt the butterflies let loose in his stomach as he waited. Chloe re-emerged from the house with a sports drink in her hand. She trotted down the stairs and didn’t stop until she reached him.
    He reached out, his fingers brushing hers as he took the bottle. He chuckled as she scampered back up the steps to watch him from a distance, her eyes transfixed on his body art. He continued mowing as her eyes followed him. Max fought back his grin, but it was no use. His smile covered nearly his entire face.
    The next morning marked another day at Hard Drive. Max winked as he held the door open for Chloe to walk through. He made a mental note to apologize to Dan for his actions the day before. He had let his temper get the better of him. Dan was good fighter, but not near the caliber of Rico. Fortunately, Rico had assessed the situation and had taken it easy on him.
    He stopped short as he heard his named called.
    “Max!” Mark shouted from the walkway overhead. The door of Jack’s office was open behind him. Max frowned. Jack wasn’t expected until after noon.
    “What?” he replied.
    “I did the research you asked about. I think I figured something out.”
    Max’s breath caught in his throat. Mark had volunteered to research whatever plagued Chloe. Could it be possible that he had found something? Max dropped his bag and sprinted up the stairs.
    Mark powered on the computer and waited for it to boot up. Max stood behind him, anxiously waiting as the desktop appeared. Both men exhaled slowly in unison as the password screen popped on.
    “Great,” Mark grumbled as he stood from the desk chair. He stalked to the railing. “Dan, get up here.”
    “Not your trained Chihuahua, dude,” Dan’s voice floated from below.
    “Nope. A Chihuahua has more talent,” Mark retorted.
    A few moments later Dan appeared in the doorway, looking rather annoyed by Mark’s comment. Mark motioned toward the screen. “Can you get us to the Internet?”
    “Of course I can. You doubt me?”
    “No, I don’t. I’m wondering how close you are to building that robot girlfriend of yours.”
    Max couldn’t help but chuckle as Mark grinned at Dan impishly. Dan scowled at him. “I’m seeing a girl right now.”
    “Really? That was fast. Are you running her on Wi-Fi or is she hard-wired? Do you run her on remote control?”
    Dan glowered at him as he spun on his toe for the staircase. Mark grabbed his arm. “Sorry, Dan,” he apologized, his jovial mood suddenly serious. “This is actually important. Can you help?”
    Dan pulled free and stomped into the office. He typed a few letters then glared at Mark.
    “That’s it?” Mark bellowed.
    “Jack’s password is Ferrari28. His car and his age.” Dan slid into the background, a frown still firmly plastered on his face.
    Mark plopped back into the chair, his large frame making it squeak. He opened the browser and typed. Then, he slid away from the computer and motioned Max toward it.
    Max studied the website header. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association. He looked at Mark, puzzled. “What is this?”
    “I asked a buddy of mine, who is a gastroenterologist at Mayo, about Chloe’s symptoms. Alone, I was coming up with squat. He dug a little further and came up with this. Are those her symptoms?”
    Max scanned the list. Nausea. Vomiting. Pale. Listless. Drool or spit. Abdominal pain. A “conscious coma.” As he read each one, his eyes grew a little wider. “Yes, as far as I know. We’d have to ask Chloe to be sure. I’ll get her.”
    He raced to the railing and looked