Read Online Under the Dusty Sky (Holloway Farms) by Allie Brennan - Free Book Online Page A

I’m not famous. I just play guitar.” It’s a total lie. I mean I’m not in a band. That’s ridiculous. But I’m not exactly unknown. I’m just unknown in Nebraska.
    “ Well either way it was really nice what you did for Les. They’ll talk about it for years. Trust me. You’ll be a legend by Monday.” She laughs.
    Looking back at her, I can see every eyelash, long and thick. My eyes run along her cheekbones and down her jaw line before settling on her lips. If I just give her what she wants, this torment could end.
    But I can’t. Like an invisible force is holding me back and I can't figure out why.
    Gracie reaches across me and grabs the edge of my blazer. She spins me so I’m standing right in front of her. Toe to toe. My forearms press flat against the wall on either side of her head. My head tilts down and hers up, and our eyes lock. She pulls on my coat until my body is flush with hers. I can’t help but notice we line up in all the right places.
    Wow, she is good.
    “ Graceland.” I try to sound stern, but I’m not sure how it comes out. I can feel her breathing. It’s fast. Her hands slide into my blazer and clasp around my back.
    “ Bentley.” She mocks. She isn’t going for a kiss. She wants me to make the first move. I remember what Archer said about her having a plan for me. A plan that doesn’t involve knowing anything about me but my body pressed against hers.
    I shut down.
    “ I can’t.” The words are hard to choke out, but I pull away from her. As I walk from the stable, I take a huge breath and run my hands roughly through my hair. I can’t look back. It’ll be a disaster if I do.

CHAPTER 12
    Graceland
    I’m not mad. I’m shocked. Not because he left me standing here heated from head to toe, vibrating with a need for him that goes beyond what I had planned, or the utter confusion about why he just shut down like that. He was clearly into it five minutes ago.
    What shocks me are the tears that float around in my eyes, refusing to spill out. I’ve never cried over a guy. Never. I’ve never let a guy get under my skin like this.
    So why do I feel like, when he walked away from me, he took some of my heart with him?
    Taking a couple deep breaths before I push off the wall, I head back to the arena. Bentley’s gone. Hunter and Emma are gone. Asher and Lacy are gone, and I regret giving them the go ahead. I mean they could have waited a day. Kelsey and Brandon are gone, and I do not want to be alone with Dermott right now. Normally, I’d be all over D, but as I pass him and he smiles, I can only think of Ben.
    I find my dad, who’s still talking to the librarian.
    “ Can we go, Dad?” I don’t even try to mask my tone. He frowns.
    “ You okay, Bug?”
    I nod. “Just tired. All the dancing.”
    “ Hi Graceland. It’s so nice to see you outside of school like this,” Ms. Trimble says, and I force a smile. I see her every year at this. But whatever. I’m too frustrated to be a smart ass.
    “ You too.” It comes out short, and Dad’s frown deepens. “I’ll be waiting in the truck.”
    I lay across the bench seat and watch the stars out the window until I fade into a dreamless sleep, barely noticing when Dad pulls me out and puts me in the back with Asher, I think, who brushes my hair off my face and lets me use his lap and jacket for a pillow.
    I hate how fast Asher is taking over Hunter’s role as responsible big brother. I hate how fast things are changing. But right now, everything is just too fuzzy. Another jacket is thrown over my body, and I curl into Asher as the truck begins to move.
    ***
    When I wake up, it’s still dark but I’m in my room. Under my covers with my dress still on. I pull it over my head and throw it across the room. Little good it did me.
    ***
    The boys let me sleep in Sunday morning, and when I wake up to the sun blazing through my window, my heart almost crawls out of my mouth. I sit straight up with that feeling that I’ve missed the bus