Read Online Resist Me (Change Me Book One - standalone): McCoy Raven Boys by A.O. Peart - Free Book Online Page B

even two-person family. He mentioned to have four brothers and several cousins, most living within a driving distance from one another. Their Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations must have been huge.  
    I wanted to talk about his relatives. I didn’t really know why I suddenly had such an urge to hear about people I’ve never even met before. Maybe it was just to keep my mind off my own sad and lonely existence. I didn’t want to think about that now. I also didn’t want to think about the FBI, the gang, and the murder because if I did, I would, most likely, have a panic attack again.  
    So I quickly asked, “Tell me about your brothers. There are five of you, right? What’s your family like?”  
    Ethan looked at me, and his face relaxed. His dark eyes seemed to lighten, and there was a ghost of a smile on his full lips. I gaped at him, which allowed me to take in his features.  
    He was a really good looking, in the predatory kind of way. His confident pose and speech defined certain dominance. Strength of character emanated from him in waves, putting me at ease and then making me uncomfortable in turns. Being around Ethan was so confusing—he came across as a man highly capable to help someone in need, like myself, but at the same time his personality seemed to loom over me, making me feel like some silly damsel in distress.  
    “We’ve grown up in Portland, and most of us still live in the area. I guess it’s because the whole family, including the cousins and all their parents seem to make one another stay,” he said. “My parents have a house in the suburbs. A beast of a house really, that can easily sleep twenty or more people.” He laughed.  
    It was the first time I’ve ever seen him laugh. And when he did, his face changed from that of a strong, unwavering male to a more approachable guy. Well, definitely not sweet or anything, but at least less intimidating guy. It was as if some dark, heavy curtain lifted, unveiling his gentler side. Or maybe I was just seeing things that didn’t exist.  
    “Are your brothers younger? Older?” I prompted.
    “Three are older and one—Colton—is younger. Brooklyn and Ryley are twins. Then there is Nash, then me, and finally, Colton. Nash is only thirteen months younger than the twins, and I am exactly fourteen months younger than Nash. Seems like our parents didn’t rush that much with Colton though.”
    “You must be close with your brothers,” I said, hearing so much longing in my voice. I felt hot scarlet slide over my face and I pressed my palms to my cheeks.  
    Thankfully, Ethan wasn’t looking at me, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. The traffic wasn’t too bad, and we were driving fast.  
    After a moment of silence, he said, “We are close. All of us: the brothers and the cousins. Sometimes it’s just too much, you know, because some of them get in trouble. So then the rest of us have to get those idiots rescued.”
    “How about what you’re getting into now? With me? Isn’t that a very possible trouble?” I asked.  
    He glanced up at me and shrugged. “The possibility is always there. But don’t worry; I’m one of the most responsible ones in the family. Besides, if I tell them I need help, they will come. Most of them owe me for one thing or another.” He chuckled.  
    It was so foreign to me to actually hear about such a close-knit family. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I started to wonder, how wonderful it would be to start fresh, completely untarnished by my past. Why did my father have to leave us before I was even born? Why did my mother have to die? Even my grandparents were gone too soon. Everyone who was supposed to love me has disappeared from my existence before I was even old enough to fully comprehend what it meant to be loved.  
    I inhaled deeply and turned my head to look at the passenger window. The sun shone brightly in the clear, blue sky. It reminded me of Florida, where I grew up and always