Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel Read Online Free PDF

correct that.
    First I would have kicked him, then stomped my foot and walked away.
    Faith was watching us, fascinated, like someone viewing a tennis match, her head moving back and forth as we verbally sparred.
    Keller continued staring, unaffected by my anger. "Calm down, babe. I knew what you meant. I promise we'll work on what I can or can't call you later. Maybe we can have a neighborly chat at some point when we're alone and without quite so many other people around or quite so many clothes on."
    He flashed me another quick grin. My breath caught in my throat despite my anger. I really didn't like him, and the truth was I really didn't want to think about him enough to not like him because if I thought about him, I couldn't help but notice other things about him that weren't so annoying. The intended image his words had created in my mind wasn't helping me think straight either.
    I didn't want to notice how good he looked when he smiled, or for that matter, how good he looked even when he didn't. I didn't want to notice how his dark, wavy hair just touched the collar of his white button-up shirt or how the blue jacket he wore was just a shade darker than his pants.
    My eyes were drawn back to his, and I saw how his lashes were much too long for any guy to possess. Every girl who met him had to be annoyed by that, but those lashes did frame two beautiful, deep brown eyes.
    The sigh that escaped me was part frustration and part annoyance at myself for noticing way too much about Keller Jones.
    But I did notice.
    That annoying grin was still on his face and I wasn't sure how it was possible, but I was certain he had an idea of everything I was thinking. Mercifully, instead of continuing the discussion, he gave me the explanation I'd wanted. Keller's voice was more serious this time when he spoke.
    "It makes sense that you thought I was older than you since I live by myself at Mr. Mac's rental house, and of course, your Gran introduced me as working for both farms which would give the impression I work full time. But you see, sweetheart, I'm what the courts call an emancipated minor, which means I was given permission to live on my own at the ripe, old age of seventeen since I was responsible, had a job, and a place to live. No reason to put a burden on the foster care system when it's not needed, or at least that's what the judge said considering I was all alone."
    Keller was no longer smiling, but he didn't look angry either. He was absently twisting the silver ring he wore, but he kept his eyes focused on me.
    His explanation stunned me. I was more than a little curious. I wondered what had happened to his parents and why he was alone with no other relatives to help him, but I didn't ask. After being shuffled around from school to school, I knew what it was like to have people wanting to know everything about your past. The strange and curious looks at the new girl never stopped - everyone wondering why I never had any visitors or why I rarely went home.
    No matter my initial feelings towards Keller, I wouldn't put him through the questions running through my mind, regardless of how curious I was about him and his past. Heat rushed to my cheeks as his gaze stayed focused on me. He chose not to comment on my sudden silence, and I was more than thankful for the small reprieve. I needed a moment to get my thoughts under control.
    So far I was having a stellar day.
    I had been unbearably rude to the only two people who had even considered talking to me at this school. I knew my Gran would be ashamed of me if she'd heard how I had spoken to Keller, and here he was obviously with no family at all, while I at least had Gran. Surely, even though he got under my skin, he deserved a little more courtesy from me than I'd given him so far.
    "I'm sorry," I managed to say at last, and I was glad to hear that to my own ears my voice sounded sincere. "I didn't realize, about your family, I mean. I thought you had just moved away from