Read Online Forever (Cruiser & Lex, Book 3) by Dee J. Stone - Free Book Online Page A

tonight because she took the day off to take me home. Turns out Dad took the day off, too.
    “You’ll settle in okay?” Mom asks.
    She asked me earlier today if I wanted to move back in with her. I’m still not sure, so I told her I was going to stay at Dad’s for now.
    “I’ll be okay,” I tell her.
    “Rey, help your brother.”
    He nods.
    Mom hugs me and Rey before walking off.
    I put my arm around Lex. “Wanna come over?”
    “Are you sure? Don’t you want to rest?”
    I press my lips on her temple. “I want to be with you.”
    “Okay. Let me just tell Rosie and my parents.”
    I go with her to say hello to them. I ruffle Rosie’s hair. She groans and pats it down. As Lex and I leave the building, I say, “Has Jamie had the procedure yet?”
    “They’re doing some more tests on him and prepping him mentally before they do the procedure. I’m not sure when, but Jamie’s mom will let us know.”
    “How’s Rosie doing?”
    “I honestly don’t know. She’s kept to herself these past few days. She video chatted with Jamie, though.”
    “That’s good.”
    My dad opens the back door for us. I extend my arm and bow. “M’lady.”
    Lex giggles and climbs in. I try to look as composed as possible as I get in, but man this sling is a bitch. It’s like I can’t balance myself right. Lex takes hold of my other arm and steadies me as I get in. Once I’m good, I peck her nose. Rey sits shotgun.
    No one strikes up a conversation as Dad drives to his apartment. Lex’s hand is locked in mine. My thumb caresses her skin. Every so often, she looks up at me, into my eyes, and gives me a loving smile. The one that makes me feel like I can conquer the world.
    When we reach the apartment, I look out. I almost don’t recognize it. I guess because I only lived there for a few days. It looks the same, but it never felt like home. Just like a temporary dwelling. I know my bike isn’t in the garage. It’s gone, thanks to Jackass Jake and his jackass crew.
    Lex gets out and helps me. “I feel like some invalid,” I mumble.
    “Don’t.” She links her hand through my good arm. “I like taking care of you.”
    Dad carries my bag to my room. There’s not much in there. Just some underwear and clothes. Mom threw out my bloody ones. As soon as I walk in, my mouth drops. What the hell did Rey do to the room? Clothes are tossed around. Books and papers are all over the place. Game cases are piled high on our dresser. The room reeks.
    “Rey! Get your ass in here.”
    Footsteps. Then he appears in the doorway. “What?”
    “What the hell did you do to the place?” He’s always been a neat freak. Even kept his Xbox in its case when not in use.
    His eyes roam around. He shrugs. “Looks fine to me.”
    I grit my teeth. “I’m not cleaning this up.”
    “Never told you to.” He walks away.
    “I’ll help clean up,” Lex says as she steps in. “I’m sure Rey wasn’t in the right frame of mind these past few days.” She sweeps some socks off the floor. “Do you have a laundry bag or something?”
    Hell if I know.
    “I’ll ask your dad.” She runs the back of her fingers across my cheek before leaving.
    I check out the place. My stuff is here, but it doesn’t feel like home. Having Lex in here makes me realize that I don’t want to live here anymore. I want to move back in with Mom. But I can’t leave Rey. Jake’s attack seems to have messed him up. Considering he was a wreck before this incident, I got no clue what’ll happen to him now. I see the guilt in his eyes when he looks at me. It’s like there’s a monster inside him, eating at his insides. I need to stay close to him to make sure he doesn’t go down an even worse path.
    I guess this is home sweet home.

Chapter Ten
    Lex
     
    It’s weird to be in this apartment. Both the twins and I have lived in the same houses since we were born, right next to one another. Seeing Cruiser’s things here feels foreign, as though someone else has taken his