Read Online Heart Murmurs by R. R. Smythe - Free Book Online

usual perpetually peeved demeanor is gone. He looks ill.
    â€œAre you unwell? Should I call someone?” His eyes dart to his horse, standing behind him, then to the house. “I don’t have a cell phone.”
    â€œYes, why don’t you have a cell phone?”
    I mean , what self-respecting 18-year-old doesn’t have a phone for crying-out-loud ?
    He sees mine, flipped open, a few feet away and picks it up. His eyes narrow, like it’s something dangerous. “Should I call?”
    My eyes leak without permission. I laugh out loud. Fear and relief and amusement at his ridiculous expression muddle up my thoughts.
    â€œNo, don’t call. Can you help me up, though?”
    The war images linger right outside my door of consciousness, scratching to come in. With a haunting déjà vu. Like I’ve seen them before — but where?
    â€œOf course.”
    He slides his hands under me lifting me off the wet grass, onto his lap.
    Headlights flash across the driveway. Oh, no.
    Morgan’s grip on my torso tightens a fraction.
    â€œAre you expecting someone?”
    His chest and arms harden under my body. His eyes widen and spark with wildness; like an animal. He looks poised to strike.
    â€œUnfortunately, yes. I forgot all about him.”
    â€œHim, who?”
    He stands slowly, easing me off his lap, back to the grass. He takes a protective step in front of me. A warm flush covers my chest. His eyes drift to the gun, still holstered to his saddle.
    Is that a reenactment replica… or a real one? And why is he just randomly riding around with it? Does he think this is the Wild West or something?
    I lick my lips and try to swallow the lump of dread lodged in my throat.
    A car door slams. I see Steve’s massive frame stop and turn — staring into the dark.
    â€œMia?”
    He bolts for us, chugging across the yard like an ungainly freight train.
    He arrives, his eyes electrified. With what? Jealousy?
    â€œWhat are you doing here, Kelly? Mia, are you okay?”
    â€œYes, I’m fine.”
    I feel utterly ridiculous sprawled on the grass and try to force my legs under me. I manage to get to my knees, and Morgan grasps me under my arms, helping haul me to a stand.
    â€œDude, don’t you know she’s my girlfriend?”
    Steve takes just one menacing step forward. Usually that’s enough.
    I see Morgan’s hands ball into fists. His eyes shoot to me, but they’re eerily calm. “Is that so, Mia?”
    I laugh. “I was… another life ago. Look, whatever you have to say to me, it’s fine to say in front of Morgan.”
    Steve looks unsure. “Well, I — I wanted to tell you…”
    Rage fills my nose with a sharp pang, and my eyes well. With anger — not sadness. “That you were with Apple while I was… almost dead? Is that it?”
    â€œMia, baby—”
    â€œI am not your baby!” I shriek. “Take your cliché-spouting, unoriginal, white-bread behind off my land.”
    â€œYou know how much you meant to me.”
    Morgan laughs, startling me.
    I look up; his face is bitter and twisted. “You and your imbecilic head wouldn’t have a clue what to do with real love. A real girl.”
    â€œStay out of this, freak.”
    Morgan smiles… a scary smile. An eager smile. “Bring it.”
    He steps forward, leaving me swaying. He’s a full head shorter, but as their eyes meet, Steve winces. He takes a step back.
    â€œSteve, isn’t Apple waiting? I’m surprised she isn’t in your car.” That you were brave enough to break-up without backup . I clear my throat. “It’s fine, honestly. Just get out of my sight. Consider yourself officially free.”
    Steve’s eyes flicker through surprise and anger but finally decide upon sheepish. “Yeah, she’s waiting all right.”
    â€œGreat, go. Please.”
    Morgan’s arms slide around my waist