Read Online Safe and Sound by Lindy Zart - Free Book Online

“Pizza?”
      “ Yes. Pizza. You get all your food groups too. Cheese, meat, veggies, fruit, grain.” She shrugged. “Whatever.”
      “ That’s w eak , Lola, weak .”
      “What’s your favorite? Something manly like steak and potatoes?”
      Jack cocked his head, appearing to give the question a lot of thought. His lips twitched as he answered, “Actually, I like pizza too. But it has to be all meat. Vegetables aren’t allowed on my pizza. ”
      They shar ed a smile. Lola’s stomach flip- flopped. She leaned against the rock so her gaze wouldn’t keep going to him.
      “How come you weren’t in school today ? Because of your face? ”
      “How come you skipped out?” he tossed back. Jack jumped to the ground beside her, startling her. “Come on. Let’s go for a walk.”
      She stared at his offered long-fingered hand. Lola didn’t understand how she could breathe easier just by being near Jack.
      Maybe it was because there was no fear of judgment, of seeing pity and horror in his eyes. Maybe it was because they were going throug h the same thing; he understood Lola . He didn’t need her to talk about it. In fact, Jack seemed to want the exact opposite; to pretend there wasn’t any terrible thing to talk about.
      Lola grabbed his hand and held it tight. Did she imagine he lightly squeezed her hand before releasing it ?              
      They didn’t look at each other as they walked. Over fallen limbs and loose rocks; brittle twigs snapping under their shoes. The sun filtered through the many high branche s, a kaleidoscope of heat and light flickering over them. It was silent except for the chatter of small animals and the chirp ing of birds.
      “Favorite band?”
      Lola started at the sound of his deep voice. “Uh…Pink?”
      “Are you asking or telling?”
      “ Pink, ” she said firmly.
      “Why Pink?”
      “Because she’s strong, mentally and physically. She’s tough and she doesn’t take crap from anyone. Her music can be light or it can be deep. There’s the pop side to her and the one that makes you feel something when you listen to her music. It’s like there are two sides to her, just like everyone. She’s complicated and diverse and phenomenal. Plus s he’s a great dancer.”
      Jack was staring at her. “What?” Lola demanded.
      “Nothing. Just…that’s a really in depth description. ”
      “Sorry.” Lola felt her skin heat up.
      “No. It’s…I like it.”
      Her eyes flew to his. She caught his smile, was warmed by it. “How about you?”
      “ That’s easy. Muse.”
      “Why?”
      “They’re kick ass.”
      After her lengthy narrative , Jack’s three words made her laugh. He laughed too and her flesh tingled at the too often absent sound.
      “How’s Granger’s?”
      Lola glanced at him, surprised he knew she worked there. “It’s a job. I’m saving up to get a car.” She shrugged. “Do you work anywhere?”
      “Yeah.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a cynical smirk. “I help out on Jared Summers ’ farm . Know him?” Lola shook her head. “ He lives down the road from us. He’s a quiet guy; decent .”
      “Have you worked there long?”
      He gave a short back of laughter. “Yeah. Since I was twelve. At least, that’s when I started hanging out there, pestering him. Every day I walked over to his farm, asking for something to do , practically begging to be put to work. I did what I could, but I think I got in his way more than anything.
      “ Jared didn’t have the heart to tell me to go home. He acts tough, but he’s really not. I think he knew I needed to be there, needed somewhere to go. When I got old enough, he put me to work. ”
      “Do you like it?” Lola didn’t know anything about farming, nor did she particularly want to.
      It was Jack’s turn to shrug. “Helps buy groceries.”
      Lola’s brows furrowed. Jack made her reevaluate her situation fast. People