HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

enough to volunteer breakfast duty the first week. 
    “Good morning,” Nicole chimed as she slid a plateful of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me.  My mouth watered at the aroma. 
    “Morning.  Thanks for this.”  I nodded down at my plate as I dug in with my fork. 
    “You’re welcome.”  She smiled as Steve walked into the room.  Steve wrapped Nicole in a hug before they shared a brief kiss and smiled at each other.  He stepped away and sat down beside me. 
    “Good morning Kendra.”
    “Morning.”  I replied around a mouthful of food. 
    “Excited for today?”  He asked and I shrugged.  Last first day of high school.  I was excited about that, but I didn’t think that was what he meant.  He continued on when I didn’t answer.  “I’ll have to find a car for you before winter comes.  School’s not far to walk right now but you’ll need something when the weather turns.”
    “I don’t mind walking.”
    “I know.  But you might want to go places and we only have the truck.  Nicole will be using that for work so you’ll need something to get around.”
    “Maybe that McCoy family can give you a lift?”  Nicole suggested with a wink.  I rolled my eyes in response. 
    “I haven’t heard from them since they left last week.  They probably live on the other side of the school and it would be out of the way anyways.”
    “Hmm…some boys are chivalrous.” 
    “Who said we were talking about Cade?”  I asked as I stood to put my dishes in the dishwasher.  “Cassie could drive too.”
    “I have a feeling Cade does most of the driving.”  Nicole commented as a knock sounded at the front door.  I looked up to see both Steve and Nicole share a glance before they looked at me.
    “Don’t look at me.  I don’t know who it would be.”  I shrugged.  Steve sighed and made his way to the door as someone knocked again.  He opened the door and I heard deep voices and then a chuckle. 
    “Kendra, your ride’s here.”
    “What?!”  I almost yelled.  I glanced to Nicole to see her smothering a laugh as I peered around the corner to see who was at the door.  Cade was standing there.  My eyes bugged.  “What the hell are you doing here?”  I asked heatedly.
    “Kendra!”  Nicole scolded before she sidestepped around me and walked toward the door.  “Finish getting ready and be down here in five minutes.”  I stared bewildered as she and Steve ushered Cade into my house.  My House.  Cade smirked in my direction and I scowled.  This was so not happening.   I pivoted and went back upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my school bag. 
    It was supposed to be warm that day so all I had on was a t-shirt and my favorite jeans.  This time I wore sneakers.  Just in case there was running involved on the first day of school.  You never knew when you went to a new school what kind of reception you would get.  I slung my bag over one shoulder, glanced in the mirror and scowled at myself for checking my appearance.  Why should I feel the need to impress?  I turned and slowly made my way downstairs.  I could hear Nicole laughing at something that was said and it just set my irritation on edge.  Ok yes, it was nice to have a ride to school.  But why did it have to be him?  Why, of all the days, did he have to show up today?  Or ever? 
    I rounded the corner and came to a halt as my eyes landed on him.  Before when he walked into the house, I only caught a glimpse of him before I left to finish getting ready for school.  Now, he was standing not two feet away, looking directly at me.  I couldn’t help my eyes as they traveled down his tall, lean frame, taking in his form fitting t-shirt, hipbone hugging jeans, down to his combat boots.  My eyes made the reverse journey before I could stop myself and I found him smirking, again, at my blatant perusal.  Oh.  My.  God.  I did NOT just check him out with him watching.   I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  Ok,