Read Online Take My Hand by Nicola Haken - Free Book Online Page A

Why?”
    “He used your phone. Told me you were a
little worse for wear and he’d just put you to sleep on the couch. Said he
thought I might be worried about where you were so thought he’d just check in.”
I was stunned into silence for a few seconds, unsure of how I felt about that.
It sure was a thoughtful thing to do – in fact everything he did last
night was. But I just couldn’t figure out why . I was pretty confident he
didn’t even like me most of the time.
    “I mean come on… how sweet was that? He
sounded really worried about you. So I guess I figured you’d binned Jared off
for someone hotter.”
    “Um…” My lips didn’t seem to be able to move
in time with the words tumbling around my head. Maybe I was still drunk. I
definitely felt a little woozy. “Jared and I are still…” Hmm. What were me
and Jared? “He was passed out. Dex came home just as I was about to puke my
guts up. I’m so embarrassed, Rach.”
    “Don’t be,” she said, giggling down the line.
“It happens to the best of us, Ho. Besides, it’s about time I got to cross something
off this bloody list. I’m just gutted I wasn’t there to see you. Or film you!”
I rolled my eyes, thanking God that she wasn’t with me. I would’ve been
on YouTube within the hour.
    “So there’s really no juice to spill with the
hot American?” She sounded disappointed.
    “Hold on, last time you spoke about Dexter
you said he was an ignorant bastard who’d get your first kick if your legs ever
worked again.”
    “Yeah well that was before he got my girl’s
back. Plus you can’t say you’ve never noticed the pressure his shirt’s under
with those bulging man beast muscles. He’s packing some serious goods under
there, Ho. You can’t deny the guy is ripped.” Talk about turn around of the
century! “And what the fuck was Jared doing while you were barfing into his
toilet? Oh yeah, the selfish twat was sleeping! Seriously, Ho… it’s going
nowhere with him.”
    So what, now Jared was the loser and Dexter
was my hero? I can never keep up with Rachel.
    “Yeah well, I’m still undecided about that,”
I admitted honestly. “Look I’ll be home soon – we’ll talk then.”
    “You better hurry your arse up if you want to
make Uni in time.” I looked at the digital clock on Jared’s stereo. 10:45 am.
Damn. I only had an hour before I’d have to leave for afternoon lectures.
    That meant an hour and a half before I’d have
to see Dexter.
    Double damn.
    “I’m leaving right now. Won’t be long.”
    “K, Ho. In a bits.”
    After hanging up the call I downed a couple
of the painkillers next to the glass of water Dexter had laid out for me and
had a quick mooch around the apartment to find Jared. I found him still
comatose and fully dressed on top of his bed with his chin bobbing up and down
as he snored away. I considered waking him but then remembered both my lack of
time, and the fact I didn’t really want to talk to him right now. I
needed to sort this situation out soon. Jared was a nice guy and I was starting
to get frustrated spending time with him, just because I didn’t have the balls
to tell him I wanted to be friends. I was being unfair and I knew it.
    Closing the door quietly behind me I tiptoed
down the hall and set off home.

Chapter Seven

 
    Dexter

 
 
 
    Emily was gone when I got
back from my run. I briefly hoped she was okay but then stopped myself from
thinking about her. It’s not like she’s mine to care about. That’s what Jared
should be doing – taking care of his girl. Yet the asshat was still passed
out in bed by the time I’d changed into some black jeans and a cream sweater
and left for college.
    I grabbed my fourth coffee of the day from
Starbucks on my way into class. I needed caffeine and plenty of it if I was to
make it through today. I had lectures back to back until seven o’clock and then
I was working a double shift at The Blue Apple. I’ve been doing a lot of them
lately