Read Online Shifting (Swans Landing) by Shana Norris - Free Book Online Page B

McCutcheon snarled.
    I glared at Kyle, then turned and started walking in the opposite direction.
    The ATV’s engine roared as Kyle revved it, then he sped around me, swerving so he blocked my path. A cloud of sand billowed around us as he leaned over the handlebars, sneering at me.
    “I’m talking to you, Fish Boy,” Kyle growled. “You think that stunt you pulled at the dock was funny?”
    “It was one of my better moves,” I told him.
    Kyle revved the engine. “You’d better watch it, Waverly, or I’m going to kick your ass one of these days.”
    I held out my arms wide. “Why wait? I’m right here, McCutcheon.”
    Kyle’s jaw twitched as he studied me. He revved the engine again, as if he thought it was menacing. “You’re lucky I have something to do today.”
    But I wasn’t in the mood to back down. Adrenaline pumped through me, turning my frustration into a burning rage. I wanted to hit something, to feel the release of action, and Kyle’s face looked like as good a punching bag as any.
    I leaned over the ATV, pushing at his shoulders. “Come on. Do it.”
    “Don’t touch me, freak.” Kyle spat at the ground near my feet.
    I lunged at him, wrapping one arm around his neck and ripping him off the ATV. Caught by surprise, he slammed into the sandy asphalt, his head smacking the ground with a crack. I was on top of him immediately, swinging my fists to connect with any part of his body I could reach. It felt good, this release of energy. The sound of my knuckles smashing against Kyle’s face urged me on.
    It didn’t take Kyle long to fight back. He kicked at me, pushing me off him enough that he could get up and gain the upper hand. He threw me onto the street, knocking the air out of me for a moment. Kyle hovered over me, his right foot connecting with my stomach. I curled up, rolling onto my side and groaning as Kyle kicked me again.
    “You little bastard,” Kyle roared. “What did you think you’d do, huh? You think you can really take me, freak?”
    I uncurled myself long enough to wrap my arms around Kyle’s leg when he swung it my way again. I twisted his foot, pulling hard and knocking him off balance. Kyle tumbled to the ground next to me and I straddled his stomach, my fists once again swinging wildly at his face. I heard a crack and then a gush of blood oozed from Kyle’s nose.
    The sound of the ocean roared loud in my ears as I watched the blood drip down Kyle’s cheek. My fists were frozen in mid-air and I felt exhausted and disconnected from what was happening.
    My hesitation gave Kyle the advantage once again. He pushed me off of him and then rolled to his knees, lunging at me. I lay on the road, not even bothering to shield my face as Kyle pummeled his fist into my mouth and nose.
     
     
    * * *
     
     
    “Where have you been?” Elizabeth crossed her arms when I emerged from the trees at Pirate’s Cove. Her face was twisted into a scowl, but my gaze was on the bikini top and tiny shorts she wore, her long tanned legs planted in the golden sand.
    Elizabeth’s eyes widened when she got a good look at me. She raced across the sand, her hand over her mouth.
    “Oh my god, Dylan,” she said. “You’re bleeding. What happened?”
    Sailor was gone. Mara treated me like she never trusted me. I didn’t have anyone.
    Except Elizabeth.
    If Mara could spend her days crying over a guy who wasn’t even here, I could spend mine forgetting about her with a girl who couldn’t seem to stay away.
    I closed the distance between us, my eyes locked on hers. I crushed my swollen mouth to hers, pressing my hand into the back of her head and wrapping my other arm around her waist to pull her as close as possible. She smelled like sand and tasted like coconut lip gloss. I pulled her up on her tiptoes, my tongue twisting around hers. My body ached from Kyle’s beating, but the pain took away my ability to think about anything else.
    Elizabeth looked dazed when she finally pulled back to catch