Dark Sacrifice Read Online Free PDF Page B

remote as fast as I can to drown out his voice.
    A large, white-smocked body inserts itself between me and the television. Kevin holds out his hand, and I drop the remote onto his meaty palm. Within seconds, the sound has been lowered, and I have to listen to George breathing—may he choke on his own spit!
    â€œHow long do you plan on pretending like I don’t exist?” George asks.
    â€œUntil you take the hint and go poof.” I flick my fingers out in his direction as if shaking off a smooshed bug. “I don’t want to talk to you.” I uncross my legs and crawl off the sofa. He grabs my arm and pulls me down onto his lap. My arms instinctively wrap around his neck— to catch my balance and not for any other reason.
    I attempt to stand again. His grip around my waist tightens. He places his fingertips beneath my chin and lifts my head, but I refuse to make eye contact. No way will I lose myself in the shifting shades of his moss-green gaze. “Let go, George.”
    â€œYou’re not storming off in a huff without listening to my side.”
    â€œSide? You’ve got a side? ’Cause last night it sounded like Izzy pretty much owned you.”
    He flinches. “There you go jumping to conclusions without hearing the truth.”
    â€œHow is stating the truth jumping to conclusions? It was obvious you were in bed. What’s she doing at your place if not exactly what I think you were doing?”
    â€œ Our apartment. Isabel and I live together.”
    I lunge forward. He follows.
    I push his hands from my arm. “Stop touching me or I’ll ask Kevin to kick you out.”
    He holds his hands in the air. “I swear we’re not together anymore.”
    â€œHow long?” My nostrils flare.
    â€œWe moved in together four months ago.” He runs his fingers through his red-gold hair until it stands up in spikes. It makes him look like a lost little boy.
    Don’t soften, Mala. He did wrong.
    I shake my arm free. “Months…” I whisper, staring at the ground. “You’ve had a live-in girlfriend for months? She’s the nurse from the hospital, isn’t she? Oh, God. I’m such an idiot. No wonder she got such a kick out of keeping me drugged out of my mind.”
    â€œMala—”
    â€œStop, no more lies.”
    â€œI’m telling you the truth. I’ve never lied to you.”
    â€œNo, you just avoid telling the whole truth.”
    â€œWhat do you want me to say, Mala?” He stares at the ground. “I told Isabel I have feelings for you, and she broke up with me. We’re not together, but I can’t kick her out of her own apartment. I owe it to her to stick around until she finds a new roommate.”
    He didn’t break up with her. She dumped him . Huge difference. God, my head hurts. It’s too much. First, Landry dies right in front of me…now this. I can barely process it, but I have to. I have to make some sense of it all or I’ll go crazy.
    â€œWhy didn’t you mention all of this before?” I meet his gaze and hold it. No avoidance. “I was fine with us just being friends, but you kissed me first. You’re the one who said you wanted to explore us having a relationship. God, George. I trusted you. When I asked for time to work out my feelings for you and Landry, you should’ve told me about Isabel. Instead, I find out like this.” I brush a tear from my eye.
    â€œMala, please. Don’t cry.”
    Traitorous tear ducts. “Don’t mistake my tears for weakness. I’m not crying over you. I’m crying for me.” I shake my head. “I can’t do this right now. I’m too confused.”
    â€œI told you the truth. Why can’t you just believe in me?”
    I stare at George’s open face as every thought and emotion flickers in his rapidly changing expression. I’ve known him forever. I can read each crease, frown, and