Read Online Shattered Grace (Fallen from Grace) by K Anne Raines - Free Book Online

little, but at least her heart wasn’t trying to pound out of her chest from mad adrenalin.
     
    Grace: Yes.
    It only took three seconds for her cell to ring.
    “ Hello.”
    “ Hi there.”
    “ Were you sleeping?”
    “ Yeah,” he said. “But sleep is overrated.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “You want to talk about it?”
    Did she? She wasn’t sure. Talk? Yes, but about it? She didn’t think so. “That’s not a today conversation.” Grace smiled, wondering if he’d remember his own words.
    The lighthearted chuckle in her ear made her smile. “Very good, grasshoppa. You’ve been paying attention.” His retort made her giggle.
    “ Seriously,” she said, her laughter calming. “Were you really sleeping?”
    “ Yes, but it’s not a big deal. Do you want to talk about why you and your mom were fighting?”
    Grace settled back into her pillow and pulled her covers up under her arms. “Maybe another time. Not tonight. I just want to think about something else so I can sleep.” Absentmindedly, she slid her fingers along the silky edge of her blanket.
    “ I understand,” he said, and didn’t bring her mom back up again. Instead, he chatted with her about everything and nothing at all, until they were both unable to complete a sentence without yawning.
    “ You sound tired.” Quentin breathed another yawn. “You should try to sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow.”
    She continued tapping each finger on her right hand with her thumb, hoping it would help her stay awake. “Okay, I can probably sleep now.”
    “ My cell will be next to me if you need to talk again.”
    “ Thanks, Quentin. Wish me luck.”
    “ Luck.”
    “ G’night.”
    “ Sweet dreams, Grace.”
    She set her phone aside, wondering if it was habit for him to sleep with his phone. He probably said that because he was just a nice guy, she decided. As she thought back on the last few days, Grace realized she didn’t know what she would have done without him. And how much she was going to need him in the days and weeks to come.
    With a big smile on her face, Grace settled beneath her covers. She slipped her phone under her pillow, prayed her dream would continue, and drifted slowly back to sleep.
     

     
    As soon as her alarm clock blared, Grace knew two things. One, she was definitely suffering from a “sorry” hangover. And two, before the day’s end she would regret returning to school.
    Later as she stood outside her third period class, Grace was pretty sure about the latter with clarity. So far, she’d been late to first, second, and now third period.
    She should have stayed home.
    The sound of tapping keystrokes greeted her as she walked into the classroom. As she made her way to her seat, she was ignored by everyone. That is, by everyone but Zeke. He was sitting in her chair. Comfortably, by the look of it. With his arms folded over his chest, and his feet crossed and resting on the table next to her keyboard.
    In any other class, she would worry they’d both get into trouble for socializing. Not this one. They had a teacher, technically, but he didn’t actually teach. Instead, the class was taught by this dandy thing some computer-programming genius designed. Their teacher, Mr. Turner, spent class time reading Sports Illustrated , keeping up with his sports stats on his iPhone, or stepping out to “use the restroom.” Yeah, right.
    Zeke grinned. “You’re late, Miss Morgan.”
    Grace heaved the backpack over her shoulder, letting it thump loudly to the floor. Her muscles were strained with exhaustion. “I know,” Grace said. Zeke scurried to get out of her seat, while Grace simultaneously flopped tiredly into it.
    The playful light in Zeke’s eyes disappeared as concern crept over his face. “Is something wrong?”
    Grace’s head swayed from left to right. “I’m fine, just tired.” She blew air from her lips hard enough to dislodge the chunk of hair that annoyingly fell into her eyes. “I see you