Read Online Free Pass (Free Will Book 1) by Allie Kincheloe - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Allie Kincheloe
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they completely opened. I spied a little garden to the side with a bench. I sat, put my head between my knees, and tried not to be sick. You'd think with how much I had cried, I'd have purged all the tears. But no. I sucked in a deep breath and struggled to stop this emotional outpour. I would not cry again. Not here. This week was just too much.
It took a few minutes, but I composed myself enough to go back in the hospital. A detour to the gift shop got me some reading material for the day, and the change to grab a drink along the way. My mom smiled when I came back in. I thought I'd pulled off hiding my mini-breakdown until I met my dad's eyes. He didn't call me on it, but patted the seat next to him and pulled me in for a hug.
I settled in for a long wait with my newly acquired novel. I tried to tune everything out. But squeaky shoes on the tiles, hushed whispers, and the discomfort of the chairs made it hard. Several times I found myself reading the same page twice, unable to focus.
We took turns going back to visit Granny. The doctor said she's lucky. It could have been so much worse. She'd need a minor procedure in a few days, but that should take care of it. We didn't want her spirit to break at the monotony and despair within these walls so we sat with her. Even while she slept, so that she didn't have to be alone in the bleak hospital atmosphere.
When Mom made motions of leaving to go to the boutique, I offered to go in her place. It would be better than sitting at the hospital for the rest of the day.
Jake called while I was taking my mom's shift. Selling wedding gowns wasn't high on my priority list for the day, but someone had to be there. I'd had my phone on silent and missed his call. He left a message saying he'd head toward Free Will about seven thirty. Which meant it would be close to eleven before he got into town. I sent him a text and asked him to come stay with me. Regardless of what my parents thought, I needed Jake tonight.
I visited Granny once more before heading home for the evening. And she felt better after sleeping most of the day. I walked in and the first thing she asked was about Jake. This time she wasn't taking no for an answer and turned that unrelenting glare on me. Sick or not, what else could I do? I spilled my guts, of course.
All my insecurities poured out. Granny listened, her age-spotted hand patting my thigh as I told her my fears of not being enough to hold a man's interest. I couldn't hold Austin's, what's to say I was not just defective. The girl Austin cheated with was nothing like me either. I barely had boobs, and hers were so big. Why wouldn't he want someone like that?
"And what about this brother of his? Tell me about him. If you are defective, then why's he interested?"
Tears filled my eyes and I shrugged. I didn't know why he was interested in me. I couldn't answer. I should have known Granny would get the whole story. If not from me, from someone. No one was ever able to keep a secret from her. Ever.
"If he doesn't think you are wonderful, then you don't need him. And as for that damn Austin, well, he and I will have words when I lay eyes on him again." She shifted and winced uncomfortably.
I lay my head against her hand and thought about what she said. She's right about Austin—I don't need him. Jake though, I really didn't know why he liked me. But he sure seemed to.
Granny looked tired. Guilt poured over me. I shouldn't have burdened her with my troubles. I kissed her cheek and promised to come back first thing in the morning. She smiled softly and just closed her eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
I tapped on the door to Laney's room just shy of eleven. She let me in and I kicked my shoes off at the door. Tears filled her eyes and she flung herself at me.
"So, uh...what's the update?" I was nervous to ask, but the last news I'd been given was last night.
She filled me in on her granny's condition and I let out a relieved breath when she said things were
It took a few minutes, but I composed myself enough to go back in the hospital. A detour to the gift shop got me some reading material for the day, and the change to grab a drink along the way. My mom smiled when I came back in. I thought I'd pulled off hiding my mini-breakdown until I met my dad's eyes. He didn't call me on it, but patted the seat next to him and pulled me in for a hug.
I settled in for a long wait with my newly acquired novel. I tried to tune everything out. But squeaky shoes on the tiles, hushed whispers, and the discomfort of the chairs made it hard. Several times I found myself reading the same page twice, unable to focus.
We took turns going back to visit Granny. The doctor said she's lucky. It could have been so much worse. She'd need a minor procedure in a few days, but that should take care of it. We didn't want her spirit to break at the monotony and despair within these walls so we sat with her. Even while she slept, so that she didn't have to be alone in the bleak hospital atmosphere.
When Mom made motions of leaving to go to the boutique, I offered to go in her place. It would be better than sitting at the hospital for the rest of the day.
Jake called while I was taking my mom's shift. Selling wedding gowns wasn't high on my priority list for the day, but someone had to be there. I'd had my phone on silent and missed his call. He left a message saying he'd head toward Free Will about seven thirty. Which meant it would be close to eleven before he got into town. I sent him a text and asked him to come stay with me. Regardless of what my parents thought, I needed Jake tonight.
I visited Granny once more before heading home for the evening. And she felt better after sleeping most of the day. I walked in and the first thing she asked was about Jake. This time she wasn't taking no for an answer and turned that unrelenting glare on me. Sick or not, what else could I do? I spilled my guts, of course.
All my insecurities poured out. Granny listened, her age-spotted hand patting my thigh as I told her my fears of not being enough to hold a man's interest. I couldn't hold Austin's, what's to say I was not just defective. The girl Austin cheated with was nothing like me either. I barely had boobs, and hers were so big. Why wouldn't he want someone like that?
"And what about this brother of his? Tell me about him. If you are defective, then why's he interested?"
Tears filled my eyes and I shrugged. I didn't know why he was interested in me. I couldn't answer. I should have known Granny would get the whole story. If not from me, from someone. No one was ever able to keep a secret from her. Ever.
"If he doesn't think you are wonderful, then you don't need him. And as for that damn Austin, well, he and I will have words when I lay eyes on him again." She shifted and winced uncomfortably.
I lay my head against her hand and thought about what she said. She's right about Austin—I don't need him. Jake though, I really didn't know why he liked me. But he sure seemed to.
Granny looked tired. Guilt poured over me. I shouldn't have burdened her with my troubles. I kissed her cheek and promised to come back first thing in the morning. She smiled softly and just closed her eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
I tapped on the door to Laney's room just shy of eleven. She let me in and I kicked my shoes off at the door. Tears filled her eyes and she flung herself at me.
"So, uh...what's the update?" I was nervous to ask, but the last news I'd been given was last night.
She filled me in on her granny's condition and I let out a relieved breath when she said things were
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