Read Online Hush, Hush #1 by Becca Fitzpatrick - Free Book Online Page B

said, “Why are you asking me anyway?”
    Up until this very moment, I’d been telling myself I didn’t care what Patch thought of me. But right now, I knew it was a lie. Even though it would probably come back to haunt me, I was curious enough about Patch to go almost anywhere with him.

    76
    “I want to get you alone,” Patch said. Just like that, my defenses shot back up.
    “Listen, Patch, I don’t want to be rude, but—”
    “Sure you do.”
    “Well, you started it!” Lovely. Very mature. “I can’t go to the party. End of story.”
    “Because you can’t go out on a school night, or because you’re scared of being alone with me?”
    “Both.” The confession just slipped out.
    “Are you scared of all guys … or just me?”
    I rolled my eyes as if to say I am not answering such an inane question.
    “I make you uneasy?” His mouth held a neutral line, but I detected a speculative smile trapped behind it.
    Yes, actually, he had that effect on me. He also had the tendency to wipe all logical thought from my mind.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. “What were we talking about?”
    “You.”
    “Me?”
    “Your personal life.”

    77
    I laughed, unsure what other response to give. “If this is about me …
    and the opposite sex … Vee already gave me this speech. I don’t need to hear it twice.”
    “And what did wise old Vee say?”
    I was playing with my hands, and slid them out of sight. “I can’t imagine why you’re so interested.”
    He softly shook his head. “Interested? We’re talking about you. I’m fascinated.” He smiled, and it was a fantastic smile. The effect was a ratcheted pulse— my ratcheted pulse.
    “I think you should get back to work,” I said.
    “For what it’s worth, I like the idea that there’s not a guy at school who matches up to your expectations.”
    “I forgot you’re the authority on my so-called expectations,” I scoffed.
    He studied me in a way that had me feeling transparent. “You’re not cagey, Nora. Not shy, either. You just need a very good reason to go out of your way to get to know someone.”
    “I don’t want to talk about me anymore.”
    “You think you’ve got everyone all figured out.”
    “Not true,” I said. “For example, well, for instance, I don’t know much about … you.”
    “You aren’t ready to know me.”
    There was nothing light about the way he said it. In fact, his expression 78
    was razor sharp.
    “I looked in your student file.”
    My words hung in the air a moment before Patch’s eyes aligned with mine. “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal,” he said calmly.
    “Your file was empty. Nothing. Not even an immunization record.”
    He didn’t even pretend to look surprised. He eased back in his seat, eyes gleaming obsidian. “And you’re telling me this because you’re afraid I might cause an outbreak? Measles or mumps?”
    “I’m telling you this because I want you to know that I know something about you isn’t right. You haven’t fooled everybody. I’m going to find out what you’re up to. I’m going to expose you.”
    “Looking forward to it.”
    I flushed, catching the innuendo too late. Over the top of Patch’s head, I could see Vee weaving her way through the tables.
    I said, “Vee’s coming. You have to go.”
    He stayed put, eyeing me, considering.
    “Why are you looking at me like that?” I challenged.
    He tipped forward, preparing to stand. “Because you’re nothing like what I expected.”
    “Neither are you,” I countered. “You’re worse.”

    79

CHAPTER 6
    THE FOLLOWING MORNING I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE Elliot walk into first-hour PE just as the tardy bell sounded. He was dressed in knee-length basketball shorts and a white Nike sweatshirt. His high-tops looked new and expensive. After handing a slip of paper to Miss Sully, he caught my eye. He gave a low wave and joined me in the bleachers.
    “I was wondering when we’d bump into each other again,” he said. “The front office