Read Online Crash by Vanessa Waltz - Free Book Online Page B

she said in a louder voice. “I don’t care about it anymore, honestly. It’s all water under the bridge. You should give him a second chance if you have feelings for him.”
    Inwardly, I aimed a searchlight to find some remnants of the love I used to have for him. Of course, I had feelings. I was angry, betrayed—if I didn’t care about him it wouldn’t matter to me. I shrugged hopelessly.
    “I have feelings for chocolate. That doesn’t really help.”
    “Well, you don’t need to make a decision right now. Just go to Europe. Have fun and see how you feel about both of them.”
    I nodded, wondering if I should call my mom and ask for advice. Right, yeah that’ll be a fun conversation.
    “Are you going to tell your parents?”
    She could always read my mind. “I suppose that I have to.”
    Hi Mom, I screwed up my chances with a really rich guy you’d probably hate. And I’m going to Europe with him. Ok, bye!
    “Fuck,” I sighed. “I’ll probably get it over now.”
    “Okay,” Jessica said, sliding from my bed.
    I could tell that she was dying to tell her boyfriend everything I said. I picked up the phone and suddenly it vibrated in my hands. Almost dropping it, I held the phone to my ear.
    “Hello?”
    “It’s Will.”
    Oh . I bit my lip severely, wondering what the hell I should say.
    “Hi.”
    “Listen, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior.” He took a shaky breath. “I’m sorry for—everything, really. I’m on some pretty serious meds and when I don’t take them I go a bit crazy. So, I’m sorry for all that. If you take the job, I’ll be nothing but professional the whole way.”
    My heart pounded. “Will, I’m the one who should apologize—”
    “Natalie, let’s just forget about it, okay?” he said in a testy voice.
    I nodded before remembering I was on the phone. “Okay.”
    “Great. I’m going to fax the contract to your agency, and they should email the documents to you. If you could sign them as soon as possible, that would be great.”
    All of the humor was gone from his voice. He sounded clearer—more awake, but everything that made him so fun was gone. It was like talking to a stranger.
    “Okay,” I heard myself say.
    “We leave next week. I’ll talk to you soon.”
    “Bye.”
    And just like that, it was over. There was nothing but static on the other end.
    * * *
    I still hadn’t called my parents, and it was the day I was supposed to leave with Will for London. I kept unlocking my phone to stare at the bright screen, debating whether to call them while the light died. I have to call them.
    “Nervous?” Jessica asked as she stepped into the living room.
    I dropped the phone back into my pocket. “I probably feel how you did when you left.”
    She smiled as she looked back on the memory. At the time, I warned her against going, even though I was insanely jealous of her opportunity. Now, it’s my turn.
    Luke was nearby and I knew that he was bursting to give me his opinion of what I should do, but I sensed that Jessica warned him not to. I felt another rush of affection for her. We always have each other’s back, no matter what.
    I paced in the small hallway and glanced at Luke, who sat in the living room looking grim. I was aching to ask him about Will. He caught my glance and a smile flickered over his anxious face.
    “It’ll be okay, Natalie.”
    I cried out as I bit the flesh of my thumb too hard. Frankly, I was more worried about how awkward it was going to be. I whirled towards my bag. Did I pack everything?
    BAMBAMBAM.
    Jessica and I jumped about a mile high.
    “Can’t he knock like a normal person?”
    My stomach did backflips as Luke shot from the couch and opened the door before I could move a muscle. Will stood there, looking fresh in his jeans and t-shirt. Just the sight of his arms peeking from the sleeves was enough to make me sigh. It’s not fair. Someone that hot shouldn’t be such a jackass .
    His dark eyes narrowed as he focused his