Buried Secrets (New Adult Dark Suspense Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

morgue. She’d given Dusty the phone and an address book, telling her to go down the list of relatives. She’d also given her the number for admissions at Michigan State, so she could tell them Nick wouldn’t be coming. That last call had stopped her cold, and when the flurry of activity and phone calls halted and feelings finally flooded in, Dusty realized she’d been numb.
    She had preferred numb. This pain was unbearable.
    “When was the last time you saw him?” Suzanne asked.
    “The night before.” Dusty didn’t look at her, remembering their conversation.
    “We were in a fight, so I didn’t go out to the path that night.” Suzanne's voice tightened. “We were in a stupid fight about some stupid thing—I can't even remember what it was about it was so stupid—and I hadn't seen him in two days. Hadn't even talked to him. I called the next day, the day after it happened...” She drew a shaky breath. “And your dad told me...”
    None of Nick’s friends had been on Julia’s list.
    She obviously didn’t think they were important enough to notify.
    “That's okay. I told him I hoped he got into a car accident. How's that for guilt-trip material?” Dusty snorted. “I know what you're thinking, but it's not your fault. It's not anybody's fault.”
    Even as she said it, her mind denied it.
    It’s someone’s fault! It has to be!
    It was too hard to accept otherwise.
    “I don't understand what he was doing out in the cemetery.” Suzanne swiped at tears.
    “I don't either.” Dusty’s heart plummeted at Suzanne’s look of genuine confusion. She’d hoped maybe Suzanne could give her a clue—something, anything. “It’s just so… strange.”
    “I just wish I knew what really happened.” Suzanne chewed her lower lip.
    Nobody seemed to know. All sorts of red flags went up when Dusty had heard where he’d been, what they all assumed had happened, but no one else seemed to think it was anything but a tragic accident.
    “Well I'd better go put in an appearance.” Suzanne stood and stretched. “Then I'm going to go home to sleep for the rest of my life.”
    Dusty didn’t say anything as she watched her walk out of the kitchen.
    A knock sounded at the door and she sighed, closing her eyes. It was too much to handle, too much to deal with in one day. Exhausted, she just wanted to crawl into bed and, as Suzanne had suggested, sleep for the rest of her life.
    The knock came again, more insistent and she got up to open the door.
    “Hey.” Shane stepped into the kitchen, the heels of his black motorcycle boots loud on the linoleum. Everything he had changed into was black—boots, jeans, even the t-shirt above the gold zipper of his leather jacket. This was the Shane she was familiar with and it was far easier to slip into old patterns.
    “Well aren’t you the picture of mourning?” She peered over his shoulder. “Where are your followers?”
    “Just me.” He held both hands out, palms up in apology as she shut the door behind him. “How are you holding up?”
    His concern made her bristle. “Just fine thanks.”
    “Liar.” His gaze moved over her face, searching her eyes, and she turned toward the table, rearranging the cannolies so she could avoid him. He took a step toward her and she snapped her head toward him, glaring, seeing that concerned look again. It just made her madder.
    “You know what? You really look like him.”
    Did she remind him of Nick? Was it painful?
    Good.
    Their eyes met and she wondered if he was remembering what had happened in the closet that morning, like she was. It felt like a million years ago, but having him here in front of her brought it immediately back. She found herself wanting to take a step toward him, close the gap, but resisted that crazy little impulse. His direct scrutiny made her feel dizzy. It seemed almost as if he could see into her thoughts.
    “Well, that’s very clever.” She managed to keep her voice from shaking. “I mean, we were only