Rain 01 When It Rains Read Online Free PDF Page B

you might like it here.”
     
    And I did. I’d really liked the house and the town, and after a few weeks, I’d really liked Beau.
    He’s been one of my best friends ever since.
    That was the first time he rescued me. That branch did snap a few days later, narrowly missing my head. Beau didn’t say I told you so; he just helped me up and went to get my mom. I liked that he didn’t end up to being the type of boy who had to be right because I wasn’t the type of girl who liked to be wrong.
    I hear a car door slam shut outside and look out the window to see Beau staring at my front door. I feel bad about how we left things yesterday. From the expression on his face, I can tell he’s conflicted too. Everything feels out of place, and I can’t shake the feeling that our relationship will never be the same.
    I can’t take my eyes off him as he turns towards his door. I need to go out there and say my goodbyes, but I’m not sure where I should even start. Yesterday he told me that he’s in love with me, and I pushed him away. Should I just go out there and pretend like nothing happened?
    I really screwed this one up.
    I throw on a pair of jean shorts and my hooded Iowa Hawkeye sweatshirt. That’s where Beau’s going to school, and this is my unspoken way of supporting him. I take a few deep breaths and open my front door just as Beau comes out of his house again. Our eyes lock and we both stand motionless. I want to run to him and beg him not to leave, but I don’t want to hold him back any more than I already have. I don’t want him to know how much him leaving town is hurting me.
    He walks toward his truck, placing another box into the back before walking in my direction. I think my heart stops beating for a second; I’m so nervous. He’s wearing a grey Hawkeye t-shirt with his faded jeans resting low on his hips. I try to focus on that and not the intense, dark look in his eyes, but those eyes have always been hard for me to avoid.
    He pulls me into his arms, burying his nose in my hair. “Good morning,” he whispers. I rest my cheek against his chest and close my eyes, listening to the sound of his voice.
    “Good morning,” I mumble, not bothering to look up at him.
    “Kate, I’m really sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have thrown all that stuff at you right before I leave for school,” he says, running his hands up and down my back, “but I meant every word.”
    This is kind of what I was hoping wouldn’t happen. I was hoping we could just forget it all.
    “Beau, I care for you, but things are different between us. You’re my friend, and I can’t handle a relationship with anyone right now,” I say, trying to look up at his face, but he’s holding me so close to his chest that I can’t move.
    “I’ll wait for you,” he says, finally letting me out of his grasp. He takes my face in his cool hands and kisses my forehead. I’m going to miss that too.
    “Are you ready to go?” I ask, trying to change the subject. Just asking him causes my chest to tighten.
    “I have two more boxes in the house that I have to grab, and then I’m done,” he replies, looking back over at his house. I expected to see his mom outside fussing over him, but I haven’t seen her once this morning.
    I grab his hand and start walking up the steps. He seems hesitant. “Come on, I’ll help you grab the last of your boxes.”
    He smiles, but it’s a sad one. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
    I ignore him as I continue up the steps. As soon as I open the front door, I can smell fresh chocolate chip cookies. Mrs. Bennett must be baking.
    “Oh hey, Kate, would you like a cookie?” she asks, taking a pan out of the oven.
    “No, thanks. I just had breakfast.” It wasn’t the truth but my stomach is so tied up in knots that I’ll be surprised if I can eat anything for the next week.
    “Well, I’m going to send some home for you and your mom. Jeff and I don’t need to eat them all,” she smiles, rolling