Loving Lucas Read Online Free PDF Page B

when no one else had the courage or desire to stop Connor, and that’s not the first time my ex abused me in public. Lucas scored big points with Marie and Brandon; that means something, too. Those two are worse than a pair of pit bulls when it comes to me. They’re my only family.
    As much as I attempt to convince myself that my heart is suddenly my own again, my mind wanders back to Connor. Love, no matter how toxic, is beyond most people’s control. A single tear slides down my cheek and I swipe it away. Compose yourself, Karlie. I’m just nervous about moving. There’s an undeniable attraction between Lucas and me, but he’s offered me a perfectly respectable reason to live there.
    Brandon would never approve if he had doubts about Lucas, and he’s an excellent judge of character. He works part time as a bounty hunter for a bail bondsman. In fact, he promised to run a quick background check on Lucas today. If everything looks good, there’s only one thing holding me back— myself. I’m known for self-sabotaging sometimes. Growing up in group homes and living in foster care tends to diminish any faith you have in yourself. College helps, and I’m slowly learning to trust my instincts, to believe in my academic abilities. But I still feel worthless some of the time.
    I check my watch—ten thirty. We didn’t get home until four in the morning. Well, there’s time for sleep later. I need to get my truck before Connor gets home. His mom won’t give me any trouble, but she’ll demand an explanation. Maybe I’ll finally tell her what a piece of crap her son is.
    I stand up, slipping into my flip-flops. My backpack and suitcase are inside the apartment. I grab my purse, step outside, then turn to lock the door. I head upstairs to Marie’s apartment and have to knock only once before she opens the door, smiling.
    “Get in here, sleeping beauty.” She grabs my hand, pulling me inside. “Hungry?”
    “Coffee,” I moan.
    Although their place is small, it’s incredibly cushy and clean. Brandon and Marie live on a tight budget, but when they buy something—whether it’s a leather sofa or a big-screen TV—it’s always high quality. It’s not that they can’t afford a bigger apartment. But they’re both seniors at A&M and chose to live this way until after graduation, building up their savings. A nest egg, as Marie calls it. I plop down on the sofa.
    “Where’s Brandon?”
    “He’ll be back soon.” She looks over her shoulder from the kitchen sink. “I believe he wanted to get that background check done early before everyone shows up at the office.”
    “Think Lucas’s story will check out?”
    She folds the dishtowel in half and hangs it on a hook as she turns to face me. “I know it will. Everything that boy does screams popo. Some guys have genetic predispositions to be cops, you know. Natural-born leaders, a sense of justice, protectiveness . . .”  
    I roll my eyes; she’s talking him up like he’s a saint. “I get it,” I say. “You like him.”
    “I do,” she admits. “And so do you.”
    “He probably has a perfect girlfriend or half a dozen kids somewhere. Guys like him always do.”
    “Hmmm.” She taps her chin.
    “What?”
    “I’ve never seen you react this way to a man.”
    I shake my head, trying to figure out what she’s talking about. “Skeptical?”
    “No.” She laughs. “Frantic.”
    “Talk about gross exaggeration,” I say. “I think those compounds you play with in environmental chemistry have burned up a few brain cells.”
    “Look at you . . .” She joins me on the couch. “Those political science classes have paid off in spades. You can lie and keep a straight face.”
    We both laugh, knowing somewhere in between is the truth. Yes, I’m way too attracted to Lucas Lafontaine already, and yes, his profession appeals to me. I feel safe. Why shouldn’t I? After years of never really fitting in anywhere, and practically being ignored by my foster parents,