Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
The truth? I don’t even know what that is.
How do I explain that I had a weird ass dream while being wide awake?
With a slight shake of his head, he looks away and sighs. “You can trust me, A…Jane.” He clears his throat before looking at me again. “I know I’m new in your life, but I want you to know you can talk to me about anything. No matter how crazy it might sound.”
For a reason I’ll never be able to explain, the words leave my mouth before I can stop them. “I had a weird dream of a disaster and people I don’t know dying.” Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. “It felt real, though, and I can remember every little detail clearly.”
I turn my head away from him, regret pouring into my chest the instant I’m done talking.
“How often do you have dreams like that?”
“Just twice. Last night and in class.” I turn my head back to him. “I had a dream while wide awake. Who does that?”
Instead of looking at me like I’m weird, his face is filled with understanding. “Try not to worry about it too much.”
When Ryan reaches for my hand, my heart skips a beat before setting off at a crazy pace.
He links his fingers with mine, then whispers, “Your hand is half the size of mine.”
Relieved that he doesn’t think I’m crazy and is changing the subject, I relax.
“Are friends supposed to hold hands?” I ask, keeping my tone playful.
A grin tugs at his lips. “Yes. Friends can definitely hold hands.”
“People are going to think we’re dating,” I warn him.
Shaking his head, he locks eyes with me. “I’ve told you before. I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
Right.
Maybe I should start doing the same.
Chapter 5
Jane / Alchera
While I grab my bag and hurry out of the house, it hits me that Ryan and I’ve been friends for a week already.
It’s still hard to believe, but with every passing day things become more and more comfortable between us.
The rumors at school haven’t died down one bit, and even though I try not to let them get to me, I can’t help but feel annoyed. I wish everyone would focus more on their own lives than mine.
When I rush out of the front door, Molly yells from the top of the stairs, “Remember to tell Ryan about the party!”
“Okay.” Reaching the truck, I open the passenger door and climb in. “Morning.”
“Morning. How was your night?” Ryan asks as he pulls away from the curb.
“Same old. Yours?”
“Nothing exciting.”
For some reason, I’ll never understand, Ryan’s latched onto me, and he doesn’t care about befriending anyone else.
I’m not going to lie. It makes me feel real damn special.
Before I forget again, I say, “Molly is having a party this Friday. You’re invited.”
His eyes flick to my face. “Will you be there?”
“Unfortunately, yes, seeing as we live in the same house,” I grumble.
“Then I’ll be there.”
A smile starts to form on my face. “Yeah?”
“Sure. We can hang out and watch a movie or something,” he says as he slows the truck down to turn into the parking area of the school.
“Now that sounds more like my kind of party,” I chuckle.
He brings the truck to a stop in his regular spot, and leaning toward me, he grabs his bag that’s lying by my feet. I get a whiff of his delicious cologne and try to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.
I’ve somehow managed to keep my growing feelings for Ryan a secret so he doesn’t notice, and I plan on keeping it that way.
You can feel the change in the atmosphere when we get to school on Friday morning. Everyone’s excited about the party later today.
Even I’m looking forward to it because I’ll get to spend more time with Ryan.
Yep, I’m crushing hard on my friend, but just being around him is enough for me.
The day takes its sweet time, and when the final bell rings, everyone rushes out of the building to get to their cars.
“We need to hurry,” I tell Ryan. “I forgot to lock my bedroom door.”
I grab his hand and practically drag him toward the parking area.
“Why are we rushing?” he asks as I climb into the truck.
“I don’t want some horny couple making out on my bed,” I mutter.
He shuts my door, then jogs around the front of the vehicle. As always, my eyes follow him, and I drink in the sight of every hot inch of his body.
He slides behind the steering wheel and soon we’re heading home.
I glance at his strong hands gripping the steering wheel and let out a dreamy sigh.
I love the way he drives.
Scratch that. I love everything he does.
Ugh, I’m so screwed.
Within minutes, he parks the truck in front of the house because the driveway is already packed with cars.