Burnout (Jack 'Em Up Book 0) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her boys. And she’d done everything with us. Everything that a dad usually does. She’d taught us to ride bikes and swim, took us to play baseball, to every activity we wanted, all while Dad worked like a dog.
    Those had been happy times. The best.
    As I set the picture back down, I wondered what she’d think of what we’d become. Dad drinking himself into oblivion because he couldn’t stand to be without her. My brother eaten up with anger, feeling abandoned by both parents. And me . . . I didn’t know what I was. Hopeless, I guess. Burned out, for sure.
    My phone buzzed with a text.
    Thanks for dinner : )
    I smiled automatically as Delilah’s face danced in my mind. Wonder what Mom would think about her? She’d probably think she was sweet and wonderful, because it was true. She’d also probably say I should go for it . . . that I should be happy. That I deserved her.
    But as I glanced around my sparse room, to my bent up mini-blinds and rumpled, old bedding, I realized that simply wasn’t true. Not anymore.

    I ducked through the sleety drizzle into school on Monday morning. I refused to think I was in any hurry to see a particular blue-eyed beauty.
    “Hey, Blake.”
    I spun from my open locker, dopey smile on my face. It slid off. “Oh. Hey, Alexa.”
    Her assessing eyes slid up and down my body. “How are you?”
    “Good.” I watched Jesse’s little sister, Leta, weave through the crowded hallway until she joined us with a shoulder bump for her best friend, Alexa.
    “Hi, Blake.”
    I tipped my head in greeting, my gaze suddenly glued to Delilah as she strolled our way, her eyes glued to the ground. God, I wish I’d kissed her.
    She looked up and caught me staring. A soft smile whispered across her lips and I would’ve sworn I smelled sunshine as she passed.
    “Well?” Leta’s voice carried with a touch of irritation.
    “What?” I turned my attention back to her.
    She rolled her eyes and glanced at Alexa. “I asked if you’re coming to our Christmas party?”
    “I dunno. Am I invited, short stuff?” I grinned at the girl I’d teased since she was in pigtails.
    “Yes. Though I don’t know why, troublemaker.” Her hazel eyes brightened.
    I nodded as the first warning bell of the day rang. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
    Both girls grinned, and as they walked off, I heard Alexa murmur something about mistletoe and they giggled.
    I grabbed my books and slammed my locker. Hustling into Government class, I studied Delilah with open scrutiny as I made my way to my seat. Her long, chestnut hair was braided today. A snug purple sweater hugged her curves. Bright, open blue eyes watched me in turn, making me stupidly wish I had shaved and put on something besides an old hoodie.
    I sat and made a show of pulling out some paper and a pen. “Hey,” I said when I finally looked over at her.
    She glanced up from her desk. “Hey.”
    I opened my mouth to deliver some witty, flirty remark, but Mrs. Dunbar lowered the lights and moved to the TV in the front of the room, saying something about a film on foreign policy. Groan.
    About five minutes in, I was bored to tears. I glanced over at Delilah, her profile outlined by shadows in the dark room. I saw her bite her lip, but she refused to look at me.
    Grinning, I picked up my pen and wrote her a note.
    Hit any more cars lately?
    I waited until Mrs. Dunbar was engrossed in something at her desk, then I folded up the note and passed it across the aisle, letting it flutter onto Delilah’s desk. Her eyes peeked down at the paper then over to me.
    I grinned.
    She shook her head and opened the note, a broad smile blossoming as she read. She grabbed her own pen, wrote something and passed it back. I made sure our hands brushed and her eyes pinged up to mine.
    I unfolded the paper. Nope. I’m a one car kinda girl.
    Really? Any particular kind of car you’re looking for?
    I imagined the soft blush rising on her cheeks by the expression on her face. She thought a