Read Online Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt - Free Book Online Page A

visit me proved that. They’d learned the lesson well, and now both of them practically leaped backward to give me space: Garrett into my room and Carter farther into the hall.
    â€œYou’re both being ridiculous. Just stop.”
    Carter curled one hand into a fist, but he reached past me and handed Garrett the gun.
    Garrett tucked it in the holster beneath his shirt and edged around me into the hall. He drummed his fingers on the wall before giving me a weak smile. “I’m sorry, princess.”
    A quick nod to Carter and he was leaving. Walking away.
    I ducked my head so they wouldn’t see that those words hurt more than any physical bruise.
    â€œPen?” Carter’s pity was like a thumb pressing on a sore spot. Good thing I had plenty of experience hiding pain.
    I turned around to face him, eyebrows raised, face blank. “What’s up?”
    He snorted. “You’re something else, kid.”
    â€œI’m not a kid.”
    â€œI know.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead, ruffling the front of his blond hair. “You’re this crazy mix of too-old-for-your-age and too innocent.”
    I shook my hair out of my face and glared at him. “Don’t even start with me. I
almost
kiss Garrett and you throw a fit? My nonexistent love life is
none
of your business. If anyone should be mad, it’s
me
—your timing is awful. Couldn’t that mystery thing in your trunk have kept you busy just two minutes longer?”
    I could see the arguments swirling in his eyes, in the clenching of his jaw, but he exhaled slowly. “Fine. It’s not a big deal. I guess. I don’t know. That’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”
    â€œNo? Well, if you’re not here to play some sort of purity police, what do you want? To lie to me some more?”
    â€œI get it. I’m a jerk. I’m the world’s worst brother—” He banged a hand against the wall. “But if you’ll listen for a minute, I came up here to apologize. You have a right to know what’s going on and make your own decisions.”
    â€œOh.” I’d reached for my door, planned a rageful slam in his face, but instead I leaned against the frame—it was rounded.When I’d first been diagnosed Mother had hired a team of architects to smooth out all the corners of the rooms I used most. Reduce the sharp edges, pad the hard surfaces, hide the marble stairs beneath cushioned carpet. I looked up at Carter and in a voice squeaky with surprise, I asked, “Really?”
    â€œSorry I freaked out over your bruises—and if you want to go to school, I’m on your side. I’ll help you convince Mother and Father.”
    â€œYou think it’s possible?” My whisper was a desperate plea for reassurance.
    â€œYeah, I do. You’ve got to pick your battles, Pen, but then fight to the death for the ones that matter.
This
matters.”
    â€œThat sounds like it should be my screen saver.” A bit of confidence was creeping back into my voice, back into my veins.
    â€œOh, I’m full of motivational clichés:
Go, fight, win; Ask forgiveness, not permission; If you want respect, demand it; ‘No’ is never the final answer
, and something about doors, windows, and a rocking chair.”
    â€œRemind me to get you some pom-poms for your next birthday.” I tugged on his sleeve. “You’re a good guy, Carter Landlow.”
    His smile disappeared. “I hope so.”
    â€œAlthough good guys aren’t usually the ones shooting out tires.” I’d been aiming for a joke, but his face went pale. “Carter? What really happened tonight?”
    â€œSomething I’m starting to think was a mistake.” He shut his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “Ask me something else, Pen. I’ll tell you anything else about the Business.”
    â€œOkay …” I was torn between wanting to help with whatever was