Read Online Sojourner by Maria Rachel Hooley - Free Book Online

school.  “You just took a freezing swim last night.  You don’t really need to be standing in the cold.  I’ll come and get you.”
    “All right,” I say, heading to the school where I slip into the hallway and wait.
    “Didn’t I tell you to go home, Ms. Moon?”  Mr. Williams’ deep voice takes me by surprise, and I turn to face him.
    “Yes, you did.  But my Jeep has a flat.  Lev Walker is outside changing it.”  I point to where Lev is bent over, unscrewing the lug nuts on the ruined tire.  “Once he gets done, I’ll go.”
    The principal steps to the window and peers at Lev for just a moment before nodding.  “All right.  Do you need to call Mr. Abram?”
    “No, it’ll be okay.  Lev’ll be done in a minute.”
    Lev is switching the tires and starting to screw on the lug nuts to the spare tire.  Hearing Mr. Williams’ dress shoes snap against the linoleum, I realize he’s leaving, and I lean against the glass, watching Lev’s fluid movements, his hand so sure and graceful.  I swallow hard, enraptured by the golden beauty surrounding him like an aura.  Once again the air shimmers around him, and I tell myself it’s the snow, but I’m not sure I believe it.
    Lev sets the ruined tire in the back of the Jeep and runs his hands along the outside until he finds the damaged spot.  Frowning, he pushes it all the way in and closes the door.  He walks toward the school, and I meet him halfway. 
    “There’s good news and bad news,” he says, still frowning.
    “Okay, the good news is….”
    “The spare is solid and will last until you can get a new tire.”  We turn and head toward the Jeep.
    “And the bad?”
    “It wasn’t a nail that ruined your tire.  Somebody slashed it.”
    My feet stop as I imagine somebody jabbing a knife into the tire.  I start shaking as I think about all the things Jimmie has warned me about in this town.
    “You okay?”
    “Yeah, ” I finally say.  “Just peachy.”  It’s a lie; we both know it.  “You want a lift?”
    “Nah.”  He watches me get into the Jeep.  “You should get home and talk to Jimmie about a new tire.”
    “Are you avoiding me?”  It’s the million dollar question I’ve been waiting to ask.  My breath catches and I force myself to start the vehicle.
    “What a silly question.  I hardly know you well enough to avoid you.”  Even as his words make me feel better, there is something in his eyes buried deep.  “You, on the other hand, should definitely be avoiding Griffin Hauser.”
    “I’m trying.  He’s like ABC gum stuck to my shoe.”
    “Interesting image,” he says, laughing.  Then his expression turns somber again.  “I know he seems charming, but he’s about as safe as a cobra, and the last thing you need near you is a pet snake, if you get my drift.”
    I nod.  “Did you see him in the cemetery yesterday?”
    “No, why?”
    “He found my purse.”
    “It wouldn’t surprise me if he was following you.  He doesn’t like the word no.”  He gritted his teeth, his expression far away, probably settling on a memory about Griffin.
    “Griffin asked if we were going out.”
    Lev’s expression softened and he turned back to me, his eyes intently looking into mine.  “And what did you tell him?”
    “That we were friends.  Are we?”  My voice sounds strained, desperate when I don’t want it to.
    “Elizabeth, there’s definitely something between us, but I don’t think I’m your best bet, okay.  You don’t even know me.”  His voice suddenly turns harder, as though there are so many things he isn’t saying.  He grips the door tightly, probably just looking for something to keep his hands busy.
    “So tell me,” I whisper.
    “You’ll find out soon enough,” he promises, his voice rough from all the things he doesn’t say.  Then Lev Walker turns away, heading toward the cemetery, leaving me more confused than ever.
    I glance at my watch and realize that I’m late going over to