Read Online Second Chances by Brenda Chapman - Free Book Online

coming back from my jog. I remember we used to hang out on this rock and it was your favourite place. Took a chance.”
    â€œSince the time we were little and used to pretend we were explorers in a new world.” I immediately regretted getting nostalgic. It wasn’t a great way to get him thinking of me as having aged past twelve.
    Tyler laughed. “You were always the one dreaming up the games. I just played along. I always wished I had half your imagination.”
    He was looking at me with his head tucked, stealing a glance to see if I’d gotten over whatever had made me mad the summer before. I hadn’t spoken to him for most of July and the whole month of August, and wasn’t sure he’d cared all that much since he’d spent the entire time with his new friends: Jane Ratherford and the in-crowd.
    â€œHow do you like working construction?” I asked.
    â€œSucks, to tell you the truth, but the money’s okay.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’re out jogging before work.”
    â€œHockey team tryouts come early. I want to make first line.”
    We sat silent for a bit, looking at the lake. I thought about the number of times I would relive this moment after he was gone. Tyler shifted forward and leaned on his elbows on his knees. “Your cousin …”
    â€œElizabeth.”
    â€œYeah, Elizabeth. Are you close?”
    â€œNot really. I guess we’ll be closer by the time the summer is over.”
    â€œYou don’t look alike.”
    â€œYeah, Elizabeth gives thanks every day.”
    Tyler turned toward me. “I don’t know. I always liked your red hair. Suits you.”
    â€œThanks … I think.”
    Tyler gave me a little push on my arm. “You gotta learn how to take a compliment, Dar. No wisecracks.”
    â€œYeah, well, easy for you to say. Are you going to the beach party this weekend?”
    Tyler stared at me like he wasn’t going to let me off that easily. He stopped what he was about to say and looked out at the lake. “Probably. If I’m not too tired. I’m not used to working all day shovelling gravel. Uses a whole new set of muscles. Say, I saw the man that’s living in the Davidson cottage for the summer. He was talking to your mom outside the store the other morning.”
    â€œReally? His name’s Johnny Lewis. Mom probably was helping him out with something.”
    â€œThey were still talking when I jogged by on my way back. I was surprised anyone else was up that early.”
    I shrugged as if I wasn’t concerned. “Mom’s an early riser.”
    Tyler started pushing himself into a standing position. “Well, my ride should be here in a few minutes, so I better get back to the road.” He hesitated and looked over at me. “Do you come here every morning?”
    â€œUsually.”
    â€œSee you around sometime then.”
    â€œYeah, see you around.”
    I watched him scramble down the rocks and bend to pick up his lunch pail before he started jogging down the beach. The shape of him and the way he moved were as familiar to me as breathing. I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. He only wanted me as a friend. He’d made that clear when he started up with Jane. It was even clearer now that he was checking out my beautiful cousin Elizabeth. I didn’t know if I could bear Tyler being with Elizabeth, even if I never stood a chance of being his girlfriend. Compared to Tyler dating Jane Ratherford, him going out with Elizabeth would be like going from a paper cut to a leg amputation.
    Mom met me at the front steps to the store. She looked harried, like she was late for something. “At last, there you are. Madelaine Brassard called and wants you to look after her baby around eleven. I’m going to town for a bit but will make sure I’m back in time to take over, if you watch the store for me while I’m