Read Online Streamline by Jennifer Lane - Free Book Online Page B

teacher here — weird, isn’t it? It’s bizarre to teach at a school where I used to be a student. Are you back in town? I haven’t seen you in forever.” Jason gazed at Cameron Walsh, flooded with flashes from their year of high school dating and filled with regret that their relationship had ended so abruptly. Suddenly he remembered what his mother had told him, and he searched for the right words. “Yeah, I’m back for a bit. Listen, Cammie — ”
    “It’s Cameron now,” she interrupted. “Or Cam. I don’t go by Cammie anymore.”
    “Oh. Well, I just heard about…your dad. I’m so sorry.”
    Her face clouded. “Thank you.” Her voice had changed. “I’m late.
    See you around.” She scampered off, abandoning Jason in the hallway.
    Jason shook his head at the turmoil all around him. He’d only been back in Florida two days, and he already wanted to leave. I need a drink , he thought. Then, he checked himself. What he really needed was to call his sponsor.

15. Tri-Care
    Unsteadily walking the perimeter of the treatment center’s courtyard, Leo slowly got his sea legs back. The comfort of Audrey’s visit — her warm body by his side — certainly helped.
    He’d entered detox on Saturday night, and it was now Monday evening. Once the vomiting had ceased and he was able to keep some food down, he’d started feeling worlds better. Perhaps he could make it through this. He still had some sweating and fatigue, but as the doctor predicted, his withdrawal hadn’t been as severe as it was for most.
    Leo’s newest concern was group therapy the following afternoon.
    He dreaded spilling his guts to strangers. But his mom and brother would pick him up after the therapy session, and he couldn’t wait to get home.
    Focusing on the present, and the presence of his girlfriend, Leo broke the silence. “Thanks for bringing me notes from class today.” Audrey nodded. “No problem. We have a chem test on Wednesday.
    Think you’ll be ready for it?”
    “Oh, probably not.” Leo sighed. “School’s the least of my worries right now.”
    “C’mon, who’ll compete with me for class rank? We’re still gunning to take over the valedictorian spot, remember?” Leo put his arm around her as they continued their easy pace.
    “I love your competitive fire, Audrey. You’re an inspiration — to the whole team, really.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m glad at least one of us is having a good senior year.”
    “Leo, your year isn’t over yet,” Audrey said, her voice filled with that fire. “You’re so freaking smart you’ll probably ace the test without studying, and it’s too early to count you out for swimming. The state meet in March is still more than a month away. Cut the pity party, already.”
    He stopped walking and looked at her. “What’s that — tough love?”
    “Yeah. I’m still mad at you for not telling me about the pills.” She punched him lightly on the arm.
    “Ouch!” He rubbed his triceps. “My muscles are really sore from withdrawal.”
    “Oh, sorry.” She grimaced. “Has it been bad?”
    “Let’s put it this way, by Sunday I was offering Mr. Shale five thousand dol ars for one pil . And I also told him the withdrawal was worse than a set of ten four-hundred IMs, which made no sense to him.”
    Audrey giggled. “Say no more! I remember that horrid practice. But Matt was in a good mood today — he let us out early.”
    “Drat, I always miss the short practices.” Leo pouted before chang-ing conversational course. “So how’s your dad doing?”
    “Not bad, actually. Things aren’t so tense between us since he’s realized I’m visiting him whether he likes it or not. Your dad helped pull some strings to get him some books and tapes, and now he’s learning Spanish in his cell. He tried to say some things to me last time I was there, and I was laughing my butt off at all his mistakes.” Audrey and Leo were both in their fifth year of Spanish, and they enjoyed