Read Online The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen - Free Book Online Page B

into the kitchen, that night smashes into my
    chest, the night Jackson sat at the table eating pie and Caleb
    tormented me with my secret. The night Kayden found out who
    broke me. The night where he let me cry and then slipped out of
    my life as effortlessly as if he were made of sand.

    I walk over to the cupboard and take out a bowl and a box of
    cereal. I set the bowl down on the counter and open the box as my
    mom walks in, letting the cold air and snow in. She slams the door
    and then slips off her boots beside the door and winds around the
    table, heading across the kitchen toward me.

    “I was going to make you breakfast.” She reaches for the
    drawer above the oven that holds the pans.

    I shake my head as I pour cereal into the bowl. “That’s okay.
    I’m not hungry enough to eat a big breakfast.”

    She drops her arm to her side and scans my tiny frame. “You
    look like you’re losing weight again.”

    I look down at my short legs and my petite waist hidden
    under my pajamas. “I’m just stressed out.”

    “Stressed out over what?” she asks. “About school? Or about
    what happened with your friend?”

    I can’t hold it in. It’s too much and it’s pissing me off. “Oh,
    now he’s my friend, but back when you first found out, you were
    so excited we were a couple. In fact, I think you told everyone in
    the whole damn town.”

    “Watch your language.” She reties her pink rob and gathers
    her hair out of her face. “Callie Owens, you will not talk to me that way.” She turns around and extends her arm toward the cupboard
    that holds all her prescription medication. “This is my house and
    while you’re here you will follow my rules.”

    I close the cereal box, stirring in my fury. “I’m eighteen years
    old and I can be friends with whomever I want.”

    She grabs one of the bigger bottles and slowly turns around
    to face me with her hand over the lid. “Even ones who beat up
    your brother’s best friend.”

    I dig my nails into the granite countertops as the pain of the
    last six years chokes my oxygen away. “That’s all you care about?
    Caleb?” His name tastes toxic in my mouth.

    She battles to unscrew the lid from the bottle, pressing the
    bottom against her hand as she squeezes the lid with her fingers.
    “Callie, Caleb has been part of this family since he was six years
    old. You know his parents barely talk to him. We’re the only family
    he has.”

    “I don’t give a shit about Caleb!” I shout and my lungs nearly
    combust. But it feels good. Really, really good. I press my hand to
    my chest, calmly let go of the countertop, and straighten my
    shoulders. “I’m going to go out to breakfast with Seth.”

    Her eyes are amplified and her lips start to part in protest,
    but the look on my face quiets her. She cinches her mouth shut as
    the lid slips off the bottle. “Fine, have fun.” The pills rattle as she pours a couple into the palm of her hand.

    I put the cereal back in the cupboard, set the bowl in the
    sink, and hurry out the back door. I run across the driveway and
    jog up the steps of the two-story garage. When I open the door,
    I’m surprised to find Seth sitting on the edge of the bed, awake
    and dressed in a red T-shirt and a pair of dark denim jeans.

    “You’re up,” I say as I shut the door.

    He tousles his hair into place with his fingers. “I woke when
    you ran out of here like there was a fire. What was up with that?”

    I shuck my jacket off, ball it up, and toss it onto the bed. “I
    saw my mother heading out here and I didn’t want you to have to
    deal with her.”

    He hooks his watch onto his wrist as he wanders over to his
    shoes that are at the foot of the bed. “Callie, no matter how many
    jokes we make, I can handle your mom.” He slips his foot into his
    boot. “Trust me, if I can handle my own mom, then I can definitely
    handle yours.”

    I frown as I sink down onto the edge of the bed. “But you
    haven’t talked to