Read Online The Force of Gravity by Kelly Stevenson - Free Book Online

Slate, who grades papers and disciplines students my age. Mr. Slate, who dresses professionally, coaches the baseball team, and has adult responsibilities. I could be wrong, but I doubt he’s participating in a keg stand right now. In fact, he’s probably sipping wine with The Blonde while sitting fireside as they speak passionately about politics.
    The cheering crowd drags me from my thoughts as Tommy finishes his record-breaking keg stand. My classmates seem impressed with his “accomplishment” as they all high-five each other.
    Jeff’s eyes cut to me, and he takes in my appearance. He smirks, giving Tommy a nod. “Your girl’s here.”
    Tommy faces me and I smile, holding my breath. I expect a joyous grin at my arrival, but instead, I’m greeted with an unwelcomed stare.
    My body stiffens.
    “What are you doing here?” he says, his nostrils flaring.
    The girls standing adjacent to me snicker, and my temper flickers—I hate being humiliated, so I fire back.
    “You begged me to come, remember?”
    He sways a bit as his eyes darken. “I thought you chose a study session over me. Why the change of heart?”
    Here’s my opportunity to soften him—to tell him how sorry I am. This is my chance to fix the whole mess—to bring his attention to my dress and flirt with him. To kiss and hug him in front of everyone. I know how to defuse him—he loves flattery and public displays of affection. He’s so easy. But as the girls sneer, and his friends begin to form an alliance behind him, I decide against all of these, and instead, fold my arms across my chest.
    “It was cancelled.”
    The boys say “Oooh” in unison, and Tommy’s attitude transcends into anger.
    He hates humiliation as much as I do.
    His jaw clenches, and his voice deepens. “It was cancelled, huh?”
    “Yep.”
    “Otherwise you wouldn’t have come?” He slurs his words a little, and I know I should back down.
    But I don’t. “Probably not.”
    He steps closer to me as the crowd watches intently.
    “You’re such a bitch,” he spits out.
    A few gasps echo through the crowd, and I swallow over the growing tightness in my throat. He would never call me a bitch if he was sober—I know I’m not talking to the real Tommy and should give him a pass, but we have an audience and my pride takes over.
    I turn to Jeff. “How much has he had to drink?”
    Tommy narrows his eyes at me. “Don’t do that shit.” He leans his body against the counter for support.
    “You just called me a bitch!”
    “Because you’re acting like a bitch! You’ve been a bitch all week, Kaley, and you won’t tell me what’s going on with you. It’s bullshit!”
    My hands ball into fists at my sides. “Shut up!” I shout. The crowd has at least doubled in size and I hesitate, then lower my voice. “You know it’s been a tough week.”
    “Oh, boo-fucking-hoo,” he taunts. “You can’t go to USC. Big fucking deal. You didn’t even know you wanted to go until Emily talked you into it.”
    His words cut through me, but instead of cowering, I square my shoulders. “Well, it’s a good thing I can’t go then, isn’t it? I mean, if you’re this jealous over a study session, how would you act once I moved to LA?”
    “Please,” he says, his rancorous eyes burning through me. “You know you’d never leave me.”
    My throat burns as his words strike me, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let myself cry in front of this crowd.
    I glare back at him. “You know what, asshole? Watch me.”
    Spinning on my heel, I storm back through the crowd as Tommy yells something that’s drowned out by the music. I hesitate at the front door and glance behind me, scanning the crowd for Emily. I see Jace through the sliding glass door talking to a crowd of people near the outdoor fireplace, but Derek is nowhere to be found. Tommy is still in the kitchen, but no longer looking my way. Avery hops up on the counter between Jeff and Tommy and tosses her hair back, flashing