A Life Unexpected: Holly Nather Book One (Holly Nather Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

window and scrunch my eyes when I see a group of men walking down the road, all dressed the same and staring at Luke’s car. I sit up straighter. I turn my head to stare at them as we drive past. After we pass them, I look out the back window and they are gone. No trace of them.
    “Luke.”
    “What?”
    “Did you see that group of men back there?”
    He looks in the rear view mirror. “No. Why?”
    “Well, I saw them, and then they disappeared. It was strange.” I look out the back window one more time, feeling like I’m being watched. No one is behind us.
    “I think they gave you too much medicine.” Luke takes my hand in his.
    We get to my dorm and he helps me in and crawls into my bed with me.
    “You don’t have to stay,” I say quietly, staring at his lips.
    “I know but I want to. I know they said you were fine but I’ll feel better if I stay to make sure.” He kisses my forehead as my eyes close.
    “That feels nice.”
    I feel his lips touch mine; he parts my lips with his and kisses me. Every inch of me feels tingly as I kiss him back. We stop when the door opens.
    “Don’t stop on account of me,” Blayne teases. We laugh.
    He kisses my nose. “Get some sleep.”
    I nod and lay my head on his chest. Within minutes I fall asleep to the sound of his heart beat and with a huge smile on my face. I don’t know where our relationship will end up, but I am willing to take the risk. Good or bad.

 

     
     
    I JUST FINISHED a late night of studying at the library and am about to call Luke to tell him I’m ready for him to pick me up when I see his car swerve into the parking lot.
    He jumps out of the car and runs toward me.
    He’s staring at me like he wants me to say something. Problem—I don’t know what to say. What do you say to someone who is acting like a mental patient? I go with the first and most obvious question that comes to my mind. “Are you okay?!”
    “Yes, now that I’ve laid my eyes on you,” he says in an exasperated tone. He hugs me. “You’re alright, right?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine.” I look up at him and touch the side of his face. “But you’re not. What’s wrong?”
    He tucks my hair behind my ears and kisses my cheek. “I wish I could tell you, but it’s complicated.”
    “Just tell me. Remember that night at the formal? We promised each other no secrets.”
    “Yeah, but this is really complicated.”
    “Look, like I said that night, secrets are definite deal breakers.” I wiggle myself from his grip.
    “I want to tell you, but I can’t,” he says with a pained expression.
    I shake my head and back away from him. “Not a good enough answer, Luke.” He moves closer to me, puts his hands in my jacket pockets, and slowly pulls me close. I freeze.
    In a whisper, he says, “You have no idea how much I want to tell you, but I can’t.” Suddenly fear fills his eyes. “We have to go!” Putting his arm around me, he makes me keep up with his fast pace.
    Should I dial 911 now? What’s going on here?! I don’t ask. I just keep running with him which is probably the shittiest decision I’ve ever made. We get to his car quickly.
    “GET IN!” He yells as he hops in on the driver’s side. I get in with no questions. This is a bad movie waiting to happen. I’m getting into a car with a guy I’ve only known for a little over a month. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m too scared to speak or run away. I quickly put on my seat belt.
    “What’s going on, Luke? I deserve to know!”
    “They are coming. . .” He keeps his eyes fixed on the road and his hands gripped tightly on the steering wheel.
    “Who is coming?! Is this a joke?!” I’m nervously biting my nails and hoping that it is just that—a joke.
    “The Poyen.” He begins to drive faster taking us to who-knows-where.
    “Is that a name? A last name? Some sort of gang? I’ve never heard that before! And why would they be coming? You’ve got to start explaining! I’m freaking out over here!”