Read Online Torrential by Eva Morgan - Free Book Online Page B

Just watch.” Tanner mock-slicks back his hair and waltzes into Strawberry Hat. Feeling increasingly alarmed, I follow him.
    Tanner slides in next to Sebastian. The two of them couldn’t look more different—Tanner, with his sunny smile and even sunnier hair, his sunglasses and button-down shirt over broad shoulders. Sebastian, dark-haired, a thin black jacket fitted well to his slim waist and muscled chest. I realize that several girls in the restaurant are staring at the two of them.
    “Congratu lations.” Tanner slings an arm over Sebastian’s shoulder, who looks like he was just doused with cold water. “I’ve decided to tolerate you.”
    “ Let’s go order,” I say hastily, because Sebastian’s expression shows me he’s three seconds away from decapitating Tanner with the butter knife on the table. I mouth I’m sorry at him. “Sebastian, I’ll treat you. What do you want?”
    He slouches back. “Silence. And solitude.”
    “Right then, I’ll surprise you,” I say cheerily, fighting the urge to run and hide in the bathroom.
    Tanner looks proud of himself as we get in line, and I resist the temptation to as k him to never say a word to Sebastian, for the safety of both of them. He orders something ice cream-related and asks me to watch for it while he goes to the bathroom. I shudder at the image of him taking a dump in what is surely a frilly and pink men’s room.
    I’m wondering again why Sebastian’s so dead-set on avoiding his stepmom when someone taps me on the shoulder. “Excuse me? Do you come here a lot? It’s my first time and I wasn’t sure to go for the Berry Explosion Smoothie or the Strawberrilicious Ice Cream Sundae.”
    At first I think she’s a student, but then I realize she’s too old—early thirties is my guess, or late twenties, though she could pass as a student if she dressed differently. She’s wearing one of those smart suit-skirt outfits that probably have an actual name that I’ve never figured out. Her auburn hair is carefully coiffed, and her makeup looks professional. She stands out like a beacon among all the early-twenties, flipflop-wearing people lounging around. “Oh, I’ve actually never been here before either—I’m sorry!”
    She laughs girlishly and mock-slaps her forehead. “No, it’s my mistake. I figured you were a Rothschild girl.”
    “No no, I am,” I hasten to say. “I only just transferred here, though, so I’m still feeling out the area. Including adorable strawberry-themed cafes.”
    She nods. “It seems like a lovely school. I’m actually here on behalf of my little sister—she’s dead-set on coming here, so I thought I’d swing by and explore the area. I thought this might be a good place to find a student and ask them what it’s like around here—you know, the real deal, not the perfect picture they feed you during the tour.”
    The server slides Tanner’s ice cream onto the counter. It’s hideously big. “I think it’s nice that you’re looking out for your sister. As a matter of fact, I’m here with a friend who’s been here for ages. He just—uh—went to the bathroom, but I’m sure you can ask him anything when he gets out.”
    “Oh, thank you so much!” she says, brightening. Then she notices that I’m practically toppling under the weight of this ice cream. She laughs. “Maybe I can come sit at your table until then? Before that ice cream falls?”
    I doubt Sebastian would be thrilled by a stranger joining us, but this lady seems nice enough that I’d feel bad if I said no. Besides, I’m starting to get the idea that Sebastian needs to learn how to deal with other people. Maybe little things like this will help. I smile and lead her to our table, where Sebastian is sitting with his head propped on the elbow he has leaning against the plastic. He’s staring out the window. He doesn’t even turn when I sit down.
    And then the woman flings her arms around his neck.
    “Sebastian! You brat, I’ve been hunting