Jarod's Heart (King Brothers Stories #2) Read Online Free PDF

name always pushed Lauren’s buttons. Jarod had become a different man after Miranda’s shameful departure. He had once been a confident and outgoing guy, but now he was merely going through the motions of life, competent in his job but quiet and withdrawn from the human race.
    After speaking to Jarod today, she just wasn’t in the mood for Brad’s teasing or Marguerite’s stupidity. The only person allowed to mess with Jarod was her, and she always teased him to his face, not behind his back, like these two.
    Of course, Brad was teasing her and not Jarod.
    She was so confused.
    Brad stood away from the wall, palms out in a gesture that said he gave up. “Sounds like you care a little too much for your boss, Lauren.” He winked.
    Marguerite zeroed in on that possibility. “Oh, I get it. Lauren’s got a crush on the sheriff. Well, surely, by now, you realize that he has no interest in you or any other woman for that matter.”
    She winked at Brad in a satisfied way, and slithered back to her workstation on the other side of the room.
    Lauren turned back to Brad and gave him a disbelieving look.
    “Sorry,” he said, sincerely. “I took that too far.”
    “You’re damn right you did. Why do you always get her going?” she asked.
    “Because she is so full of herself and it entertains me.”
    With that, he walked back to his desk, glancing at Marguerite as he went.
    “You’re really sick, you know that Brad?” Lauren yelled.
    “So I’ve been told,” he replied without turning around.
    Puffing out an exasperated breath, she returned to her work.
    On the way home that night, she remembered the first time she’d learned that Jarod would be committing himself to Miranda.

    “Is he going off to college, Josh?” she asked despondently.
    “He’s staying local, Lauren. Don’t worry,” Josh answered with a sigh, putting his arm around her slumped shoulders. “You’ll see him after he graduates and he’ll be around this summer, too.”
    “I don’t understand why you’re so upset, Lauren. He’s with Miranda,” Julie said, as she popped some grapes into her mouth.
    “I don’t care. She’s not the girl for Jarod.” Lauren answered firmly. 
    “Lauren, honey, he told Jason and I last night that he was saving up for an engagement ring. He really loves Miranda.” Josh gave her shoulders a squeeze to soften his betraying words.
    Lauren stared at the love of her teenage life who was across from their group in the cafeteria courtyard. His brilliant blue eyes were adoring as he looked at Miranda, the love of his teenage life. 
    Lauren refused to believe that Miranda was anything but temporary. As she watched them, Jarod pressed his lips to Miranda’s. Lauren turned away when Miranda’s cold eyes connected with hers and her tongue jetted out to meet Jarod’s. 
    Gross.
    “Why do you think she isn’t right for him?” Julie asked.
    Lauren shook her head. She couldn’t quite put her finger on the reason why she didn’t like Miranda, other than the fact that she had Jarod’s affections and Lauren didn’t. She’d never witnessed Miranda cheating or anything bad, but there was something wrong with the way she clung to Jarod that didn’t feel right. 
    There were rumors about Miranda and what she did when Jarod wasn’t around that had really stuck with Lauren. But nothing could be proven. If the rumors were true then Miranda didn’t have any self-respect.
    Shrugging, Lauren said “All I know is that she’s not good for Jarod.”
    “And you think you are, Sassy?” Josh teased her.
    “Of course I am!” Lauren said with a laugh. 
    Two big laughs sounded behind them before Josh was tackled to the ground by Jason. Billy slicked his arms around Julie, giving her a sloppy kiss on the neck and then on the mouth, which made Lauren want to gag. 
    Billy’s cold eyes always creeped her out. She honestly didn’t understand what her best friend saw in this particular toad. She didn’t understand why Jason