Read Online Broken Sound by Karolyn James - Free Book Online Page A

a beer in her hand, Davey had finished his glass.  Two small ice cubes remained in the glass slowly melting. 
    “Come here,” Davey said, waving for Anna.
    She walked to him but kept a distance.  She hated herself for doing so, but something about Davey was just... intense .
    “You know, sometimes I wonder if my father listens to the band,” Davey said.
    His head was back, resting on the couch, his eyes locked on Anna.  She just stood there, blinking, trying to be casual.
    “You know what I mean?” he asked.
    “Actually, I don’t.”
    Davey smiled.  “Of course you don’t.  That’s the thing about you, Anna.  I feel like I’ve known you all my life.  But I haven’t.  You had to deal with that mess at dinner.  Thank you for that.”
    “It was my job,” Anna said.  She debated on what to do.  Davey was obviously feeling the effects of the whiskey.
    “But I think about that though,” Davey said.  “You know?  I sometimes wonder if he’s driving around in a pickup truck... or with a new family... or working out... listening to Chasing Cross.”
    “Wouldn’t that be a good thing?” Anna asked.  “If your father...”
    Davey put up a finger.  “It would seem so.  Then again, he’d have to know who I am.”
    Anna’s mouth made a small o and her heart skipped a beat.  “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be,” Davey said.  “It was his choice to leave, right?”
    Anna nodded.  She knew what that felt like too.  She felt her left hand twitching.  She started to reach for Davey but found the arm of the couch instead.
    “It shouldn’t get to me,” Davey said.  “And you know what?  It normally doesn’t.  Then today had to happen.  Right?  I mean, come on, it just happened.  Moments come and change your life like... BOOM...”  Davey snapped his fingers. 
    “That’s what makes it exciting though,” Anna said.  “How things can change in a second.”
    “That’s right,” Davey said.
    And with that, Davey changed everything, in a second.
    His hands were at Anna’s hips and before she could make a sound, she found herself on the couch, on top of Davey.  She was on her knees, hovering over him, her hands clutching the top of the couch.  She looked down into Davey’s eyes and saw her hair dangling near his face. 
    “I love your eyes,” Davey said.  “And your hair.”
    “Davey...”
    Davey’s hands slipped around to her lower back.  His hands were strong, kneading at the tender muscles of her back.  Her body welcomed the releasing touch.  After a long work shift and the daily stress of life, Anna needed it. 
    She moved her right hand from the back of the couch to Davey’s dark hair.  Her fingers trembled as she touched him, her mind and heart in a battle of what should happen and what could happen.
    “I never wanted to be him,” Davey said.  “Just so you know.”
    “Why are you telling me this?” Anna asked.
    “Because I trust you.  Because your eyes won’t stop pulling me in.”
    Anna felt herself lowering to Davey.  She licked her lips and looked at his, wondering what they tasted like. 
    “I can’t hurt anyone,” Davey said.  “I just can’t do it.”
    “Then don’t,” Anna said.  “Davey, I trust you too.”
    “Tell me something then.  About you.”
    Anna glanced back to his eyes.  They were dark but kind.  Dark but bright.  Dark but very alive.
    “I have to work two jobs right now,” Anna admitted.  “Actually, it’s more than right now ... it’s probably forever.”
    “Why?  What happened?”
    “I love my job.  I love teaching.  And I don’t complain about what it pays, I never would.  I’m not that kind of person.  But there’s just not enough...”
    “Why?” Davey asked again.
    Anna watched him start to tense up.  She sighed and closed her eyes.  She hated telling the story.  It always brought her down, like someone chopping her at her knees.
    “Because my ex maxed out my credit cards.  And I let