Read Online Ember X by Jessica Sorensen - Free Book Online Page A

talking about death, but I was upset because this really hot guy totally wasn’t that into me, so I wandered off with Laden because he was interested.”

    “I’ve never seen you that upset, except for once.” Right after she found her mom. “Guys are disposable to you. How could you be so upset because one blew you off?”

    “Okay, first off, he didn’t blow me off.” She tosses her hands into the air and bobs her head with attitude. “He was just distracted. And besides, that’s not the only reason I was upset. Laden left me on the side of the road like a total douchebag.”

    I gape at her. “How did you get home?”

    “I walked,” she explains nonchalantly. “We were just on the bridge, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

    “It seemed like a big deal last night,” I point out.

    She sighs and sits down on the curb. I sink down beside her and we stretch our legs out into the road as the warm sunlight shines down on us. “Remember when we used to sit here and wait for my dad to come home?”

    I give her a small smile and lean back on my hands. “He always used to bring something for us, like a candy or Play-Doh.”

    She laughs at the memory and her eyes crinkle at the corners. “God, he always seemed like such a great dad, but he turned out to be a total jerk, bailing on his kids like that.”

    “It wasn’t your fault he left.” I stare at the jack-o’-lanterns on the porch of the house across the street, remembering when Raven’s dad helped us make one that looked like a cat. It was one of our rare perfect moments, full of weightless laughter, pumpkin seeds, and the gentle autumn air.

    “I know. It was my mom and her stupid drug habit.” She pauses, her jaw taut. “How did we end up with such crappy parents?” Her eyes widen. “Oh crap, I didn’t mean that. Your dad was a good guy. He just had some bad habits.”

    “Like stealing cars,” I mutter, gazing up at the clear sky.

    “I said I was sorry… Look, I’m still pissed off about that guy last night and I don’t even know why I’m saying this stuff.”

    “It’s fine.” I flick a gnat off my knee. “But I have to know something.”

    She rubs some lip gloss over her lips. “What’s up?”

    I know what she wants me to say—what will make her feel better. “How hot was the guy?”

    Her eyes light up and she squeals, kicking her feet up and down. “Oh my God, he was so fucking hot. Seriously, Em, like hotter than any of the losers in town.”

    “And how old is he?” I wonder. “He wasn’t old, like that one guy you dated a few months ago… and he wasn’t married, right?” With her, I have to check. Raven’s list of guys is endless and there are no limits with her. She will date anyone who she deems hot worthy, which has gotten her into a lot of trouble. I keep waiting for her to change, mature, but she never does.

    “I think he’s the same age as us... He actually just moved here from New York.”

    A lump rises in my throat. “Oh yeah? New York, huh? That’s pretty awesome.”

    “It’s not pretty awesome. It’s amazing.” Her smile is bright. “And he’s got these really beautiful dark eyes and his sexy eyebrow ring.”

    “Sounds like your type.” Jealousy burns under my skin as I realize who she’s talking about. Asher . My Asher. No, not really, but I wish. “But I mean, you said he wasn’t into you, right?”

    She narrows her eyes at me. “Not yet, but he will be. And you’re going to help me.” She pulls me up by the arm, her nails digging into my skin, and I wince. “His first day of school is tomorrow so I have to look fabulous.” Her eyebrows furrow as she stares at the empty driveway of my house. “You never told me where your car was.”

    “I wrecked it last night,” I say with no desire to explain it to her. “On my way home.”

    “Oh no, Emmy, I’m so sorry.” She gives me a big hug and kisses me on the cheek.

    I hold my breath, balling my hands into fists.