Read Online Fall from Love by Heather London - Free Book Online Page A

arms. Before that night, I had never met Carter and, even though he told me the worst news I had ever received, in that moment he gave me the most comfort. He was there for me. He held me tight. He let me cry. He let me punch him until my fists ached. He was warm. He was safe. I didn’t want to let him go.
    A hand grabs my shoulder and gives me a soft shake. My hearts jumps, but when I open my eyes and see it’s just Jenna, my heart begins to return to a regular rhythm.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” she says, her big, blue eyes are staring right at me. “You didn’t answer when I called your name the first few times.” Her eyebrows draw downward and I can see the pity in her face. “Have you been in here the whole time?” Her tangled expression makes me realize that tears are rolling down my cheeks. “You want to talk about it?”
    I shake my head and wipe the tears from my face. “No, I’m good.”
    She mashes her lips together, causing her mouth to form into a straight line. I know she’s trying to hold back asking me any more questions and it’s killing her to do so.
    “Where’s the bathroom?” I ask, wanting to clean myself up and gather my thoughts.
    “C’mon,” she wraps her arm around my shoulder, “I’ll show you.”
     
    ❧
     
    Jenna and I decide to take Josh up on his offer and stay at the house since we both had a few beers. I’ve been staring at the T.V. for the last few hours, but I don’t even know what has been on and I can feel Jenna’s stare burning holes into the side of my head.
    “What?” I turn and finally ask her, unable to take it anymore. She tries to turn her head away from me, but she doesn’t do it fast enough and I catch her. “C’mon, I’m not stupid.” I keep my eyes focused on her. “Go ahead; I know you’re dying to ask me.”
    She swallows hard and faces me. “I’m just wondering if you’re doing okay. You didn’t even ask why Josh and Carter had to leave so suddenly… but you know, though, don’t you?”
    I nod my head.
    She pauses for a moment, looking down at her hands. “And how do you know?”
    I sigh, knowing she’ll never lay off me now, so I may as well tell her everything. “I was talking to Carter in the garage when Josh came in and told him about... the rescue.”
    She nods her head and her mouth forms a perfect ‘O.’ “So the two of you were talking?”
    I nod again.
    “And was it him or the talking that upset you?”
    I shake my head. “No, it wasn’t him. I’ve just got a lot of stuff to sort out still. Maybe you should lay off him a bit; he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.”
    “I have been a little harsh on him the past few months.” She sighs. “So what did you guys talk about?”
    I should’ve known that she wasn’t going to give up that easy. I shrug and take a deep breath in. “Nothing really.”
    She leans forward, clearly wanting more information than I’m giving her. “That’s all you’re gonna give me?” she asks. “Details, Holly. I need details.”
    I can’t help laughing. “Really, we didn’t talk very long before Josh came in.” I shrug again, trying to think of something I can give her so she’ll be satisfied. “He thinks you hate him, though.”
    She rolls her eyes and falls back on the couch. “I don’t hate him. He just got on my nerves the past few months when he wouldn’t quit asking about you. I told him to just leave you alone, that you needed some time, but he wouldn’t let up. It took me threatening his life before he got it through his thick skull.”
    I laugh again. “Yeah, he told me about that.”
    “Listen, I know he means well and he’s just trying to be a nice guy, but the boy just can’t take a hint.”
    There’s a long silence between us until she asks, “So you’re okay then… I mean, being around him wasn’t too much for you?”
    Truthfully, I have no idea if I’m okay or not. The one thing I know for sure is that Carter brings up old memories and