Light Unshaken (Unveiled #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

ended too quickly. I smeared a glob of leftover ketchup across my empty plate with my fork. Having a full stomach didn’t stop it from churning. I snarled at the clock. It smirked back, apparently planning to tag along with us for the next few days as an uninvited third wheel.
    In front of the sink, I slid our plates into the dishwater and gripped the counter. Each goodbye became more prominent.
    From behind me, Riley ran his hands along my arms. His touch spread assurance down my body as he turned me around. “Thanks for breakfast. You know, I could get used to waking up to you in the kitchen every morning.”
    “Oh, really?”
    He brought my hands to his mouth. “Mm hmm.”
    “You’re trying to distract me, aren’t you?”
    “That depends.” He edged closer, his lips just above mine. “Is it working?”
    “Maybe.”
    The front door blew open. Riley and I turned in time to see Trevor flying into the room like Kramer sliding through Seinfeld’s front door. I laughed until I noticed someone follow him in—someone who hadn’t stepped foot in my apartment since the end of last semester.

chapter Four
    Reminiscent
    “Em, I need to steal Jae this afternoon, but don’t worry.” Trevor winked and patted A. J.’s shoulder. “Bowers is gonna give you a ride instead.”
    I twisted toward the kitchen counter. A. J., me . . . alone? This should be interesting.
    Riley’s hand constricted around mine.
    A. J. stood at the living room window with his back facing the rest of us, probably dreading the idea as much as Riley seemed to.
    How had A. J. and I gotten here? We were supposed to stay friends. I had to try.
    I headed into the living room. “All right, Trev, how much did you have to bribe him to drive me?”
    Trevor’s full patronizing tenor kicked into gear. “Just ‘cause he’s getting to see the UFC fight this Saturday on me doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have driven you pro bono.” He jabbed A. J.’s arm. “Right, bro?”
    A. J. turned, a statue coming to life. “Of course.” His hollow tone betrayed the soft look in his eyes.
    “Think you better up the payoff,” I whispered to Trevor.
    Riley slipped in front of me. “Why don’t you let me drive you? I can go in to work late.”
    “It’s just a car ride.” A. J. stopped on his way through the door. “You coming?” He trucked into the stairwell without waiting for a reply.
    Just a car ride. One he obviously wanted to get over with. Other than a possible speeding ticket, Riley had nothing to worry about. Besides, the sooner I got to work, the sooner I’d make it through the hours keeping us apart.
    I kissed Riley goodbye. “I’ll see you tonight.”
    He didn’t let go of my hand until our arms stretched to their max over the threshold.
    If I could handle time waning with Riley, surely I could endure a single ride with A. J.
    Our silent walk to the parking lot begged to differ. Apparently, my need for extra strength today wasn’t over. The sun-coated paint on A. J.’s black Acura ZDX emitted heat waves into the air like some kind of sonar force warning me to enter at my own risk.
    I slid onto the hot leather seat. The scene seemed oddly reminiscent of the last time we were in this same car, heading up to the same city. Except that everything had changed.
    A. J. included.
    My mind sprinted to catch up with the pavement passing outside my window. I hurt him last year. And if this summer was any indication, he hadn’t let that go. Maybe it was selfish of me to hope he ever would. If nothing else, at least we could make the car ride bearable.
    “So, when are we having that rematch on the basketball court?” I asked with as much lightheartedness as I could assemble.
    The corners of A. J.’s mouth tipped into a reactive grin. “Whenever you’re ready to lose.”
    Should’ve known competitiveness would be the hole in his armor. “Ha. Don’t hold your breath. I’ve been watching the kids play at the center. I’ve learned a few moves that’ll