Finding Me Again Read Online Free PDF

my lips together, I nod. Mortified, I stay seated until he leaves thinking that this is exactly the reason I need to stay out of Hadley’s life. I would just make everything worse.

 
    Nine
    Hadley
     
    Ainsley gets a head start on Adam, pumping her legs as fast as she can. Her body glides over the cement and then she hurtles it into the pool. When she lands, water splashes out all over the edge. Adam follows her lead, doing a flip and landing on his back with a loud smack. I cringe from where I sit on a lounge chair in my bathing suit. Through the lenses of my sunglasses I watch my stepsiblings splashing each other and squealing.
    They don’t bother me nearly as much as when my mom first married Rob. Of course they are considerably older now. At seven and nine they aren’t nearly as high maintenance as when they were toddlers. Besides, we’ve become somewhat close over the years. They enjoy my visits. In fact, Ainsley has even taken an interest in art too. Sometimes she sends me her drawings, and when I come to town I teach her little tips I’ve learned.
    Closing my eyes, I rest my head against the lounge chair and enjoy the sun on my face. I try to block out all thoughts of Tripp and my past, but it’s a losing battle. Even this backyard reminds me of him. Once the pool was put in, Tripp and I spent hours out here swimming and laying out by the pool. I’m sure we even made out on this very lounge chair a few times. With my eyes still closed, I conjure up the feel of his lips on mine, of his fingers in my hair, of his hands gripping my waist.
    Buzzing interrupts my daydream. Reaching down, I feel around my towel until I locate my cell phone. I press talk and then lift the phone to my ear.
    “Hello,” I say.
    “Hey, Hads. You coming?” Paige asks.
    “Is it that late? I’ve been laying out by the pool , and I guess I lost track of time.”
    “Ah, the life,” Paige jokes. “Must be nice.”
    “I’ll be there soon.” I click off and then sit up.
    “You leaving?” Ainsley hollers as I stand up.
    “Just for a little bit, but I’ll bring you guys some cupcakes.”
    “Chocolate for me!” Adam yells before plunging back under water.
    “I like lemon,” Ainsley says.
    “I remember.” I reach for my towel and wrap it around my waist. “Okay, see you soon.” The house is cool when I step inside and it causes goosebumps to rise on my arms. I rub them with my hands as I make my way down the hallway.
    “Hadley?” Mom steps into my path. Her hair is tucked behind her ears and she wears a pair of jean shorts and a black top. “You’re all done by the pool?”
    “Yeah. I’m just going to change and then meet Paige for cupcakes.”
    “Yum. Bring some back for us.”
    “I already promised the kids I would.”
    Mom touches my hair. “I’m glad you’re home. It just feels right.”
    I nod. “Yeah, it’s nice.” Moving around her, I head to my room. After changing into a sundress and sandals, and running the brush through my hair a couple of times, I head outside. I can still hear Ainsley and Adam playing in the pool. Their shrieks can be heard all the way into the front yard. With my purse over my shoulder, I scurry across the driveway toward my car parked along the curb. My sandals click on the pavement with each step. Lifting my head, my heart stops.
    Tripp slowly drives past my house in his mom’s Honda. For one moment, it’s like no time has passed at all. It’s as if we are in high school and he’s coming to pick me up for a date. I lift my hand and wave frantically while running toward his car. The brake lights splash red , and the car stops. The windows are open, so I lean into the passenger side. Tripp’s dark eyes crinkle as he gives me a smile.
    “Wow, it’s just like old times, huh?” I say.
    “I thought you were going to be at the cupcake shop tonight.” He furrows his brows.
    I recoil from his words as if he’s slapped me. My stomach drops. “Who told you that?”
    “Oh, um.