Reading Online Novel

Perfect Lie(55)



“I have to see you tonight,” Brock said.

I ran my hand through my hair, knowing I should say no, but I couldn’t. “OK.”

“Where?”

“How far are you from the Piggly Wiggly?” I glanced over my shoulder again, but I was in no danger of my mother coming back out tonight. She was probably out cold.

He laughed. “That grocery store?”

“Don’t make fun of the pig, city boy.”

“I can be there in ten minutes. My parents went to bed an hour ago.”

“I’ll ride my bike over. Meet me where they keep the extra buggies off to the side.”

“Bird, you’re killing me. What the hell is a buggy?”

“The shopping carts.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s like you’re speaking a whole different language down here.” He laughed into the phone, and I pictured him shaking his head.

“You can pick on me once we’re together,” I told him. “I’m gonna leave now.”

“See you there.”

I hung up the phone and hurried into my bedroom to grab my sneakers. Then I slid out the door, putting them on at the top of the steps before making my way out of the apartment building. My bike was leaning against a wall, and I pushed up the kickstand, hopping on as I pushed the bike forward, anxious to get to Brock.

My feet couldn’t pedal fast enough, and even though the store was right down the road, it felt like a million miles stood between us. The parking lot was empty; I was glad I wouldn’t have to worry about running into anyone from school.

I leaned my bike against the building and looked around for Brock. Only a couple of minutes passed before I saw him walk across the parking lot in his anarchy shirt and dark jeans. I couldn’t help laugh out of sheer happiness when he picked up his pace, and soon his arms were wrapped around me as he squeezed me painfully tight. Gone was the nasty soap smell from the shelter. I inhaled deeply, breathing in Curve Chill cologne and a wintergreen scent.

“Jesus, Bird. I’ve missed you so much. These last few weeks were hell.” He pulled back to look at me. Suddenly his smile faded, and his eyebrows pulled together.

“What?” I asked, as his hands went to my cheeks.

“What happened? Why were you crying?”

“I wasn’t. I’m fine.” I was in such a hurry to meet him that I didn’t even glance in a mirror. My eyes were probably puffy, and no doubt my skin was pink from all the tears I’d cried. I tried to look away, but he held me still.

“Don’t do that. You can tell me what’s wrong.” His thumbs slid over my cheeks softly as his eyes searched mine.

“Things at school have gotten worse. It’s fine. I’m fine now. It was just a bad day.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“I will…I promise. But can’t we just be happy that we’re finally together?”

Smiling, he pulled my face to his. When his lips pressed against mine, I felt all the tension from the day leave my body. His tongue ran over my upper lip, and I let my mouth open slightly to deepen our kiss.

“Is there somewhere we can go around here?” he asked, his forehead against mine.

“There’s a place by the creek where I go when I want to be alone.”

Brock nodded, and I reluctantly stepped away from him to grab my bike. We walked quietly across the parking lot in the direction of my apartment building, as I thought about spending time alone with him for the first time. I was nervous, but I’d never felt safer with anyone in my life.

“Bird, there’s something we need to talk about.”

“What?” I looked at him, but he stared at the road as we continued to walk.

“I might not be able to take you to Boston.”

“What? Why not?” My heart lodged in my throat, and I prayed he wasn’t going to break up with me.

“It would take weeks to come up with some money, and my parents want to send me to this boot‐camp thing.”

“What? They can’t do that. You’re going to be eighteen soon. They can’t make you go there.” I was panicking.

“Not for another five months, and they want me gone by next week. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t run away with you and risk us getting stranded, and until my birthday, they can do whatever the fuck they want.” Brock shook his head as we slipped behind a row of houses into the trees. I propped my bike against one, and we continued toward the creek.

“I can’t make it another five months, Brock. I can’t. This place is killing me.”

He grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. We approached the edge of the water, where the grass grew thick and lush. He stopped and turned me toward him. “Tonight it’s just us.” His hand slid into my hair. “We’ll worry about the rest tomorrow, but please…I just need tonight.”