A Fresh Start for Two Read Online Free PDF Page A

me,” Lucia said, standing up. “He was thinking of all the things he wants to do with you through the whole class. Caliente, muy caliente.”
    “Stop that. Even if it is in Spanish, most people know that caliente means hot. I don’t want anyone overhearing us,” she said in a harsh whisper. “Be careful. You know I have to be.”
    “I do know it. But when are you going to realize you shouldn’t have to live your life like that?” Lucia picked up her book bag and swung it over her shoulder. “You need to find someone like that,” she pointed out the door, “and get rid of the one you have.”
    “That’s not going to happen, and you know why.”
    “Si, but your mother is wrong. Someday she’ll figure that out. Let’s hope it’s not too late for you when she does.”
    They walked into the hallway in silence, following the rest of the class to the front door.
    “Jake said something else to me that made me nervous,” Julia admitted as she stopped before heading outside.
    “What?”
    “He called Vincent a bully, and he said bullies rarely change. Do you think he’s right?” Julia fussed with her hair and kept a close watch out the door. Vincent would be picking her up shortly and she didn’t want to anger him.
    “I do.” Lucia rubbed Julia’s shoulder. “He’s not going to change. He will get worse. You need to listen to the police officer.”
    “But he never used to be like this. He was always so good to me. Why did he change?”
    “I don’t know, amiga, but I’m afraid what you see now is the real Vincent. You must be careful. Promise me.”
    They were just starting to head down the sidewalk when a car pulled up alongside of them and the window rolled down. “Get in.” Vincent’s arm was slung out the window and his fingers drummed the side of the car. He didn’t so much as glance at Lucia, let alone offer her a ride.
    Julia turned to her friend. “See you later.” She walked around to the passenger side and climbed in, feeling a gilded cage descend on her once more. Ever since that incident at the restaurant, it was becoming harder and harder to tolerate Vincent and remember how she’d once felt about him.
    “What took you so long?” Vincent bellowed. And without giving her any other greeting than that, he stepped on the gas pedal, squealing his tires.
    ***
    Jake sat at his desk before his shift started the following morning, his arms crossed in front of him. He might physically be present, but his mind was on Julia Ross. His older brother, Ryan, sat at his desk next to his. The two of them were often the first to arrive for their shift.
    “You know a Vincent Nye?” Jake asked.
    “No, why? Should I?” Ryan’s gaze stayed focused on the computer screen in front of him.
    “Naw, just a bully I met on a little domestic call the other day at a restaurant. He seemed to think his daddy was someone special.”
    Ryan actually turned to look at him. “This one got your attention like the other one?”
    “It wasn’t as bad. He backed off when we arrived, but it still hit me pretty hard.” Jake shoved his chair back and strolled over to stare out the window overlooking Main Street in Summerhill—the town he loved, the town that had been his home since he was born. He had only left Summerhill to enlist in the army. He glanced at his brother, wondering if he should mention Julia to him, ask him how he had felt when he first met Cait.
    “Did you control yourself?” Ryan asked.
    Jake glanced back at his brother. “Yeah, I’m not an idiot. I like this job.” Since they were alone, Jake decided to take a chance. “Ryan, about you and me…”
    “Never said you were stupid, just a hot head.” Ryan turned back to the screen in front of him.
    Ryan ignored him, just like always. What the hell had happened in the service that he didn’t remember? He had thought Ryan changed because of his amputation, but Cait had turned his life around. Ryan was happy whenever Cait was around, but things