December (The Page Sisters Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the door. Breathing heavily, I sag against the wooden door and drop to my butt on the floor.
    I think back on what he said.
    “Just know I’ll do what I have to do to make it up to you, to make you mine. Whatever I have to prove, I’ll do it.”
    Damn Danny Oliver.

CHAPTER THREE
    T HE P AST
     
     
     
     
     
    Danny age twenty-four
    December age fourteen
     
     
     
     
    I frown at Danny when he pulls up to the curb of my school. He waves me over, but I can’t seem to move. I’m spellbound. The other girls stop and stare as well, especially Jessica. She’s been starting nasty rumors about me. Jessica doesn’t like me and I have no idea why. I’m not competing for her popularity. She can have that title. I don’t want her boyfriend. I’m not interested in the catty gossip or becoming one of plastic dolls in her clique. I don’t want anything she has, but maybe that’s the problem. 
    My attention turns back to Danny. He’s totally picking me up from practice right now. I don’t know how long I stare at him, but it’s long enough for him to laugh and smile at me.
    Taking a step forward, I finally begin to make my way to his truck. My belly is full of nerves as I climb into the cab.
    “You’re picking me up today?”
    “Looks like it.”
    I place my tennis bag over my lap, suddenly insecure and self-conscious in my tennis uniform. The white tennis skirt feels way too small now. My body has the appeal of a string bean. Gray tells me so every chance he gets. And I don’t want Danny to notice all the womanly curves I lack in my small tennis skirt. Damn it. I would have packed a change of clothes if I knew he was coming.
    Slowing my breathing, I remind myself how glad I am to see him. I haven’t been alone with Danny since I was locked out on football night. He makes me nervous when I’m around him. And it doesn’t help that he has this certain type of intense look on his face, like he’s waiting for something to happen every time we’re together.
    I sense the heat of his gaze on the side of my face, direct and annoying. I turn to him, wrinkling my nose when I meet his eyes.
    “What?”I snap.
    “Strap up.”
    “Oh,” I mumble, pulling the seatbelt over my chest. I laugh inwardly at my teammates’ shocked faces, especially when Jessica’s mouth falls open. Like I said she’s been starting rumors about me. Ridiculous rumors that aren’t true. Jessica’s been apologetic lately. She isn’t sincere, but I play nice anyway. I wave to my fellow classmates, a big grin spread across my face. That’s right, girls.
    How’s this for an older guy?
    Eat your fucking hearts out.
    “Why do you do that?” I ask as we drive away.
    “Do what?”
    “You’re always staring at me like I’m crazy or like you’re waiting for something to happen, waiting for me to do something. What are you waiting for?”
    He’s silent for a long moment. I shift my gaze to him. He’s focused on the street and driving. I don’t think he’s going to answer, but he eventually does. “I am waiting for you to do something, December.” 
    My heart leaps in my chest, my eyes widening. “What are you waiting for me to do?”
    We stop at a red light and he turns to face me. His butter toffee-colored eyes are serious. My heart goes into overdrive. “I’m waiting for you to grow up.”
    “Why?”
    He gives me a small smile like he has a secret he’s not willing to share, then he shakes his head. “You can ask me that again when you have grown up.”
    “But that’ll be years from now.”
    “That’s perfect.”
    “It’s not perfect,” I groan. “It sucks. That’s forever from now.”
    He flashes me another smile, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “Why are you in such a rush?”
    “I don’t know. A lack of patience maybe? You make it seem like I get a prize when I come into adulthood.”
    His brown eyes gleam with something dark and foreign to me. It makes me little lightheaded. “Maybe we both get a prize