Drift (Drift Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

grabbed the front passenger door as he leaned against it and peered at the defiant girl. He let out a sharp breath before he spoke. She never looked up, but it was clear she was listening.
    His lips moved and his head bobbed like he was unloading some sort of apology. Shade, still avoiding eye contact, crossed her arms and turned to look at everyone pretending not to watch them.
    I listened intently to catch the conversation. But after five minutes or so of Darryl pleading his case, Shade finally broke her silence . “Look at my face—you did this!” She tore off the sunglasses.
    Her shout completely silenced everyone. There was no problem now hearing the slightly embarrassed Darryl respond, “Look, I’m not asking you to get back together with me, I’m just asking if you can forgive me, and if we can be still be friends. I was drunk when that happened, and because of that, I’ve quit drinking. I know stuff like this is said all the time, but it will never happen again. What I did was wrong. I’m taking steps to become a better person. It would really mean a lot to me…and everyone else, if you would still show up at my party. I hope that will be the first step in us becoming friends again. I’m truly sorry for what I did.” He looked around and noticed everyone looking at them.
    “I don’t know . You were out of control the other day. I have to think about your offer and decide whether or not it’s a good idea for me to go to your party. If I do show, it’s understood that we are not getting back together, or are even friends yet. It doesn’t mean I forgive you, either.” She was making sure everyone around heard the conditions in case Darryl might misinterpret, or intentionally try to mislead people about her intentions.
    I thought things might weigh out for me after all. It was vital that Shade attend the party.
    “That’s fair enough, sweetheart. That’s all I ask. I hope I see you tomorrow night, but if not, that’s okay. I understand. Thanks for giving me the time to talk to you. I’ll see you later.”
    He waved to her as he squeaked out a small smile. Shade said nothing and simply nodded.
    Sandra and the others hurried to their frustrated friend as Darryl headed back to his waiting buddies. I couldn’t help but notice a certain look cross his mug when he turned. A look of rage flashed over his face. It quickly disappeared, but I knew he was struggling to maintain his positive outward appearance. He was still very angry inside.
    With the fireworks on hiatus, Scruffy waved a few friends over and we started talking. Considering how tense the evening started out, everything seemed to return to normal.
    I was laughing at Scruffy’s animated storytelling. He was doing some kind of funky dance. I kept peeking at Shade, but was a little disheartened because she didn’t look my way anymore. I was so engrossed in Scruffy and Shade, that I hadn’t noticed Darryl and his cronies hanging out at the car next to us talking with more of his friends.
    My attention was suddenly drawn with a stranglehold to their familiar voices behind me. “Darryl, I don’t know, man. I think homeboy’s ‘Stang could take your ride,” his friends teased.
    “Yeah , right. That car is just as much of a joke as the owner. I could slaughter him and that car.”
    His cocky mouth pierced through my being like an arctic wind, igniting a flame within me. Knowing what I am, and what I’m capable of, I really needed to stay silent. The last thing I needed was my own ego throwing a monkey wrench in the program I worked so hard putting into motion. I did my best to ignore him, but he kept pushing.
    “He should have painted that piece of crap fl uorescent pink to match the color of his panties. Neither him nor his car want a piece of me and mine, baby!”
    The crowd encouraged him with the sounds of sporadic laughter.
    Like I said, I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn’t help myself. No way was Darryl Kite gonna run his