Read Online Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie - Free Book Online Page B

and had insisted on wearing a sleeveless tank.
    “Oops, wait. I need my jacket and guitar,” he said smiling.
    He kissed my nose. My heart skipped a beat as
    he reentered the club. I didn’t like being out here at night, alone. My mind began to work over time, making my skin prickle in awareness. Smal noises were making me jump. I could see how fast I was breathing by the quick blasts of mist exiting my mouth, shuddering as my teeth crashed together.
    I was staring down the black al y when there was a loud creak. It was only when I heard a shushing in my ear that I realized what the noise was.
    “Hey, Red, you okay?”
    I shivered in his arms, al owing him to wrap me up in his comfort. He had buttoned up his shirt. He tucked his jacket around me, fil ing my nostrils with the scent of worn leather and pure Jonah.
    “R-red?” I stammered. “N-not very original.”
    He shrugged. “Maybe not, but cute nonetheless. Let’s get you home. You need to warm up.”
    “You going to do that?” I tried to tease.
    His smile was huge, spreading across his face
    and making his bril iant blue eyes dance.
    “If you’re lucky.”
    I never left his side as he escorted me home.
    Jonah, my hero once more.

    The cab ride home was a whirlwind.
    We hadn’t been able to find J.J. and Eli before we left the club. Jonah didn’t even take time to introduce me to the other members of his band. Not that I cared. I’d set out to grab his attention, and as we slid into the backseat of the cab, I was pretty sure I’d done just that.
    I’d hoped it would give me some time to compose my thoughts. I wanted to calm down enough to demand more of an explanation about the night he’d walked out on me. As it turned out, al I had done was stare at his profile and smile when he grinned my way. Our hands rested on the seat between us; our pinkie fingers entwined. I turned to look at him again. He exuded
    happiness, so unlike the shy guy I’d gazed at each day at the mailboxes. Though his shy blush was missing, I liked the confident Jonah. I lost my nervousness around him when he was this excited, and without the awkward stuttering, we managed to hold a normal conversation. When the cab dropped us outside our building, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I began to twist my hair nervously, inhaling the deep musky scent of his leather jacket as it stil rested on my shoulders.
    To my surprise, Jonah took my hand and led me
    toward his apartment. I was confused as we walked passed it heading for the stairway leading to the roof.
    “Where are we going?” I asked anxiously as he
    pointed upward. “And what’s up there?”
    “The sky, Red. Let me show you.”
    His hand gave mine a short squeeze as we
    climbed the stairs. Once we reached the top, he pressed the bar across the door and opened it. He let go of my hand, walking out onto the rooftop holding his arms out in greeting. He spun around, his face turned upward to the dark clouds.
    “Look at it al from here!” He shouted.
    His voice echoed off the nearby building and
    reverberated around us. His gaze locked on mine. Though he had let go of my hand moments before, sparks flew between us. I couldn’t deny it. It was as if my body knew the only thing that could make it whole, was him. This is the thing J.J. was searching for; this complete connection. I started to chastise myself, after al , I didn’t real y know him. Yet here I was basical y deciding he was the man I was taking home to meet my mom. I needed to chil out a little, to just have fun.
    I needed to al ow whatever I had with Jonah to develop, and not force or mold it into what I wanted.
    “Hel looooo!” Jonah waved at me, making me
    realize I’d zoned out.
    He was stil giddy, his eyes twinkling brightly.
    “Jonah, are you high?”
    He snorted, shaking his head.
    “Not at al . I get a little pumped after a gig. I get excited; it makes me feel alive.”
    I hummed as if I understood. In truth, he did look a little jumpy. I swal owed,