Read Online Brush of Shade by Jan Harman - Free Book Online Page A

sugary grape drink Trent had bought me on the way
out of town. “So that was your idea of hanging out with friends?”
    “I just wanted
you to see . . . Forget it.”
    “See what?” I
asked snippily. The fright had left me exhausted and nagged by questions. This
one didn’t seem to be all that hard.
    “It depends.”
    “On?”
    “On what date
your father set down to release some or all of your trust.”
    “Not that, you’ve
got money thing again.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Have you seen
the state of our house? The list of repairs grows daily.”
    “I’ve got to say
your aunt puts on a good show. I’m not talking just about money. Spring Valley
is full of surprises. Your aunt is probably afraid of shocking you after what
you’ve been through.”
    “At least
someone is,” I replied, staring out into the dark with my arms folded across my
chest.
    “I get that
you’re upset. So it was a bone-head move taking you out there. But honestly, it
never occurred to me that you’d freak out. Out there it’s all about the car and
the driver. It helps even the playing field in this skewed place.”
    “I’ve no idea
what you’re talking about. You’ve got a muscle car. You’re not deprived.”
    “Come on, don’t
be mad. I won’t do it again.” He covered my hand with his and moved them onto
his right thigh. “At least say you’ll come to tomorrow’s game and cheer me on.”
    He chatted as
though it was a done deal, going on at length about the team’s chances of
winning tomorrow until we pulled into my drive. He pressed a button. Ambient
lighting bathed the floor and cup holders, giving off just enough light so I
could see anxious, hazel-brown eyes searching my face.
    “You’re still so
pale. Sorry. Please don’t tell your aunt.” He stared past me towards the dark
yard. “About Shade, according to my older cousin, who went through high school
with him, he was quite the player. Talk about laying on the whole romantic
mystique. The girls, hell the women of this valley, salivate if he so much as
looks at them.”
    “Sounds like a
great piece of gossip for the town, based on what proportion of fact?”
    “Don’t be naïve.
Be careful around him. Better yet, keep your distance.”
    “We work in the
same shop.”
    He tugged his
jacket zipper down and turned to face me. “I wish you’d believe me when I say
you don’t need to work, ever. Don’t glare,” he said, his hands raised in
surrender. “Not another word about money. Just play it cool with Shade. A guy
like him will get bored and find another girl.”
    “Shade’s not
into me. I’m still in high school. You’re just sore because he’s coming by here
to make sure I got home in one piece.”
    Trent shook his
head and scowled. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you get your heart stomped
on.”
    “Are you
listening to yourself?”
    “You’ve lost
your parents and been uprooted to a town that clings to tradition. Right now
you’re feeling lost and lonely. See, I do get it. You’re vulnerable. I can’t
compete with the brooding Prince Charming.”
    That description
hit close to the mark. I forced a light tone to go with my weak smile. “Now
that’s a line, Mr. Football Jock, I’ve got half the girls in school mooning
after me.”
    “More than half.” He grinned and slid a hand behind my head.
“I’ve got charisma, and I feel a powerful need to practice some of my charms
right now.”
    His lips pressed
against mine, molding ours together. A hand drifted down my back, stopping to
tease the sensitive skin at the curve of my back where my top had ridden up.
The tip of his tongue traced my bottom lip as he eased me back against my seat,
leaning over me, deepening the kiss. My head whirled. It was too much too soon.
I wasn’t even sure how much I liked him. He’d been attentive, but he’d also
been a show off and inconsiderate of my feelings. Alright, so he was a typical
high school guy, an incredibly good-looking