Read Online The Breakers Code by Conner Kressley - Free Book Online Page B

in my car.”
         He grabbed it so quickly that I flinched back. “I tried to give it back to you at the library, but there was a black car, and you-“
         “Why is it unlocked?” He asked, scanning the screen. “It’s supposed to be encrypted. How did you access it?”
         “Encrypted?” His words were accusations, and they felt like slaps in the face.
         “With a code, I mean,” he clarified. “I mean, it’s not a big deal. Did you go through it? What did you see?”
         He tapped on the screen with one hand. The other made nervous swipes through his hair. What did I see?
         Is that what this was about; the pictures?
         I walked closer. This isn’t exactly how I wanted to do this. I wanted to wait until he was stuffed with chicken and laughter to tell him how I felt, but the tone of his voice, as well as the charcoal smell still wafting from the kitchen, told me that was no longer a possibility.
         “I saw the pictures,” I said, sure to make eye contact.
         “I can explain that,” he said frantically, his hand clutching a clump of mud black hair.
         “You don’t have to. I get it.” I freed his hand from his hair and held it in my own. This was it, and hopefully things would go well. Maybe God was feeling generous. “And you don’t have to hide it either.” I took a deep breath and started rubbing the inside of his palm with my thumb. Which, when done in real life, was apparently really cheesy.
         “The truth is Owen, I’ve liked you forever. Since the first time I saw you, since the first day you set foot in this backward little town, I knew there was something special about you.”
     
         I couldn’t read his face. It was blank; like a sheet of paper, a blinking cursor waiting for a story to be written down. I squeezed his hand and pressed on.
         “You’re just-You’re awesome. That’s all. You’re sweet and kind, and cute as hell. I know this is probably a shock to you, because I didn’t say anything. It’s just, with the whole Merrin thing, I wasn’t sure how you felt. But then I saw the pictures and I know I shouldn’t have gone through your phone. I know that. But now I know how you feel, and you know how I feel. So, it’s sort of a good thing, you know?”
         His eyes tightened and, even if I couldn’t read the furrow of his brow or the way he bit his lip, I would still be clear from his hand. It still sat in mind, but it was limp and lifeless; not the hand of a person who was touching a girl he loved.
         “Cresta, I-“ He cleared his throat. “I don’t know what to-. The pictures, that’s not why I took the pictures.”
         Oh. Oh God.
     
         I tried to pull away, but he clutched my hand tighter.
         “Cresta, don’t. Please. You’re an amazing girl. You’re my best friend. I just.”
         “I get it!” I said, much louder than I intended to. “Just let me go, okay.”
         He didn’t. Now it was me that was backing away from him, still holding hands.
         “Oh, this stupid moon!” He yelled. “It’s not what you think. My life’s not my own. Even if I wanted to-. Cresta, you’re my best friend.” He looked down; defeated. He flipped my hand over and ran his thumb across my palm. Somehow, when he did it, it didn’t seem so clunky.
         “You’ll still be my-“ His eyes got large. He pulled my hand closer, hurriedly scanning my palm. “How…”
         Finally, he let go. He looked like he was going to sick all over my mother’s oriental rug.
         “I have to go,” he choked out. “Tell your mom I’m sorry.”
         He walked; almost stumbled to the doorway. His face had gone from white to red when he pulled the door open and looked back at me.
         “I-I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay, Cresta? I will see you tomorrow, won’t I”
         I didn’t answer. I wanted to. I wanted to tell him that