Read Online Light Unshaken (Unveiled #2) by Crystal Walton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Crystal Walton
Ads: Link
blinked away from the death stare Trey had honed in on him. “I should probably stick around anyway. Clean up the court a little. Prep for next week.”
“All right, then.” Trey tucked on his leather Newsboy cap. “Time for me to hit the road before my lawyer finds another way to prey on my wallet.” Feigning a look of horror, he hummed the Jaws theme on his way out.
Always a joker.
Still smiling, I rested my arms over the papers and faced A. J. “Thanks for staying. And for coming today. Taking time out to ball with the kids meant a lot to them.”
They already adored him. I saw it as soon as I got in—a huddle of boys soaking up his pointers as if he’d been handing out twenty-dollar bills. One glimpse of their connection was enough to confirm he belonged here. My heart swelled with hope. For them. For the center.
“It was fun.” Though honest, A. J.’s short-lived smile couldn’t overthrow the detached look in his eyes. He shuffled in place, hands in his pockets, visible tension plaguing him now that we were together. Alone. Again.
He stopped over the threshold leading to the basketball court. “I’ll be out back. Holler when you’re ready to go.”
Even if we couldn’t be as close as we were before, I’d hoped working together might at least bring the camaraderie back. Lessen the heated tension.
The door shut behind him with the obvious answer.
Stillness settled across all four corners of the office. It seemed darker than it had a minute ago. I clicked on my desk lamp and restricted my vision to the 3x2 foot space on my desk. Focus on why you’re here.
A steady stream of data entry kept me busy, despite the lull of my computer’s fan drawing my eyelids shut. Sometime between finishing one stack of bills and preparing another one for tomorrow, the night had absorbed the last slivers of daylight. I stretched my neck from side to side. It had to be close to when Riley said he’d call. I checked the clock. Five after nine? Shoot. Don’t tell me I missed him.
I clicked on my cell. The screen stayed black. I clicked it again. Nothing. Are you kidding me? I scoured through my desk drawers for a charger. Of course not. Just perfect.
Purse in hand, I rose from my desk and glanced out the window toward the darkened street. Still empty.
I stopped to peek out the back door. No sight of A. J. either. “I’m running to my car for a sec,” I called anyway.
A muffled, “okay,” trailed back, probably from inside the utility closet.
I made sure the front light was on before stepping foot outside. The bulb’s static charge echoed the buzz of insect wings fluttering around it. A quick glimpse down the bricks on either side of the doorway confirmed all was clear.
I gained ground on the end of the walkway. A coarse rustling followed a shadow flickering in the streetlight. Clinching my purse strap with both hands, I forced in a breath and crept around the building into a gust of wind.
Something flew straight at me. My heart leaped far enough up my throat to block my scream from escaping. Arms flailing, I fended off the object until it fell to the ground, defeated.
I shoved my mangled hair away from my face and let out a deflated huff. A foil hamburger wrapper. Wow. Some menacing enemy. Another burst of wind swept it past my feet down the street. Good thing I hadn’t run to get A. J. He’d be laughing it up right now.
Shaking it off, I unlocked Riley’s car, climbed over the driver’s seat, and grabbed the charger from the glove box. I slipped it into my purse while hustling back. If I didn’t get to talk to Riley until tomorrow because of this, I’d—
The pavement gripped my shoes halfway across the street. Two faces emerged from the shadows, their expressions perversely intoxicated at the thrill of catching me off guard. An instant and paralyzing fear stalked up my body.
I stayed frozen, unable to utter a cry for help. No breath. No sound. Just the heat of panic throbbing through my
“All right, then.” Trey tucked on his leather Newsboy cap. “Time for me to hit the road before my lawyer finds another way to prey on my wallet.” Feigning a look of horror, he hummed the Jaws theme on his way out.
Always a joker.
Still smiling, I rested my arms over the papers and faced A. J. “Thanks for staying. And for coming today. Taking time out to ball with the kids meant a lot to them.”
They already adored him. I saw it as soon as I got in—a huddle of boys soaking up his pointers as if he’d been handing out twenty-dollar bills. One glimpse of their connection was enough to confirm he belonged here. My heart swelled with hope. For them. For the center.
“It was fun.” Though honest, A. J.’s short-lived smile couldn’t overthrow the detached look in his eyes. He shuffled in place, hands in his pockets, visible tension plaguing him now that we were together. Alone. Again.
He stopped over the threshold leading to the basketball court. “I’ll be out back. Holler when you’re ready to go.”
Even if we couldn’t be as close as we were before, I’d hoped working together might at least bring the camaraderie back. Lessen the heated tension.
The door shut behind him with the obvious answer.
Stillness settled across all four corners of the office. It seemed darker than it had a minute ago. I clicked on my desk lamp and restricted my vision to the 3x2 foot space on my desk. Focus on why you’re here.
A steady stream of data entry kept me busy, despite the lull of my computer’s fan drawing my eyelids shut. Sometime between finishing one stack of bills and preparing another one for tomorrow, the night had absorbed the last slivers of daylight. I stretched my neck from side to side. It had to be close to when Riley said he’d call. I checked the clock. Five after nine? Shoot. Don’t tell me I missed him.
I clicked on my cell. The screen stayed black. I clicked it again. Nothing. Are you kidding me? I scoured through my desk drawers for a charger. Of course not. Just perfect.
Purse in hand, I rose from my desk and glanced out the window toward the darkened street. Still empty.
I stopped to peek out the back door. No sight of A. J. either. “I’m running to my car for a sec,” I called anyway.
A muffled, “okay,” trailed back, probably from inside the utility closet.
I made sure the front light was on before stepping foot outside. The bulb’s static charge echoed the buzz of insect wings fluttering around it. A quick glimpse down the bricks on either side of the doorway confirmed all was clear.
I gained ground on the end of the walkway. A coarse rustling followed a shadow flickering in the streetlight. Clinching my purse strap with both hands, I forced in a breath and crept around the building into a gust of wind.
Something flew straight at me. My heart leaped far enough up my throat to block my scream from escaping. Arms flailing, I fended off the object until it fell to the ground, defeated.
I shoved my mangled hair away from my face and let out a deflated huff. A foil hamburger wrapper. Wow. Some menacing enemy. Another burst of wind swept it past my feet down the street. Good thing I hadn’t run to get A. J. He’d be laughing it up right now.
Shaking it off, I unlocked Riley’s car, climbed over the driver’s seat, and grabbed the charger from the glove box. I slipped it into my purse while hustling back. If I didn’t get to talk to Riley until tomorrow because of this, I’d—
The pavement gripped my shoes halfway across the street. Two faces emerged from the shadows, their expressions perversely intoxicated at the thrill of catching me off guard. An instant and paralyzing fear stalked up my body.
I stayed frozen, unable to utter a cry for help. No breath. No sound. Just the heat of panic throbbing through my
Similar Books
