Read Online Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles - Free Book Online Page B

lifting it to his lips. “Until tomorrow,” he said and then his cool, perfect lips kissed the back of my hand. I blushed as a familiar wave of energy ran through me. He smiled like he was pleased with himself, like he knew the effect he had on me. “Sleep well, Delaney.” I felt giddy. Hey, wait a minute. He just called me “Delaney” again?

    But he was gone before I could call him on it, closing the door behind him as he left.

    Kiera and I just stood there as the shock lingered.

    It took us a good few minutes to come back to ourselves, but when we did—let’s just say there were some high-pitched sounds, giggles galore, and a few hopping-up-and-down moments. It was very unlike us to act in such a way, which only added to the excitement.

    “Unfortunately, Ashton will be there,” Kiera said, as we excitedly talked about tomorrow night.

    I sighed. “He’s such a punk. I saw him tonight.”

    “Oh? How did that go?”

    “I almost slammed into the back of his car and I flipped him off.” She laughed. “In my defense, he flipped me off first.” I smiled like I was so innocent and that I had every right to act the way I had.

    “Well…it seems like he has some competition now,” Kiera teased.

    Ashton was an ass. No, he was an arrogant dumbass and we did not get along, at all. But, still, the thought that Oliver would be there made it bearable.

    We talked for a bit longer and giggled with excitement as I finished eating one of the famous cheese enchiladas. “Carter’s right. These are the best in the world.”

    Kiera blushed at Carter’s name, not the compliment. “Thanks, Laney.”

Chapter 9 - Shadows

    After getting ready for bed, I rummaged through my purse trying to find my cell phone so I could charge it. It wasn’t there. I remembered taking it out of my back pocket as I got into my car when I was leaving the grocery store. I figured I must have left it in the console.

    “Be back in a second,” I called to Kiera.

    I heard a muffled “okay” through the bathroom door.

    I slipped on a pair of flip-flops and hurried down the stairs to the parking area in my silky, star-covered, turquoise jammie pants and a black tank top. It was late and dark; I doubted I’d run into anyone.

    I unlocked my car and reached in; my phone was where I thought it was. I grabbed it and saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I jerked back out of the car and stood quickly, hitting the back of my head as I did so.

    “Frick!” I muttered through gritted teeth. That hurt.

    I locked the door and shut it, gripping my phone and key tightly in one hand and rubbing the back of my head with the other.

    I scanned the parking area. It was a long strip of parking; the side closest to the apartments was covered and had a few dim lights down the row. The other row of parking was open, with an old wooden fence behind it that was covered in climbing vines. I was parked under the covered side, right near the bottom of the stairs.

    I had an eerie feeling. Fear began to rush through me and my heart started to race. There were too many places in the shadows of the fence for someone to hide. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I started to back away towards the stairs, keeping my eyes on the shadows. My head was throbbing a tiny bit. I spun around and started to run for the stairs and smacked into someone. I screamed.

    “Hey, are you alright?” Strong arms and a familiar voice held me in place.

    I looked up into Oliver’s beautiful face in relief. “I’m fine. I just freaked myself out.” I took a step back as he let go. I crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t wearing a bra.

    “What are you doing out here?” he asked.

    “I forgot my phone in my car.” I lifted my hand a little to show him my phone.

    He scanned the shadowy fence and then his eyes met mine. “I’ll walk you back up to your place.” It didn’t sound negotiable. He placed his hand on my lower back and guided me to the