Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2) Read Online Free PDF

Point is, you’re really awesome and I like that.”
    I can feel myself going rigid. If he tries to kiss me, I might punch him. “I can’t do this.” I swing my fingers from him to myself. “I just … I just ended a … what could have been a really great thing because I didn’t want him to be put through the test of a long-distance relationship at our age. And I know I said the words to push him away, but it hurts. I hurt. So I’m not looking for anything but a friend. That’s it.”
    He nods. “I can do that.”
    His words seem sincere, but his eyes tell me something totally different. He’s staring at me as if I’m a challenge, or an unbeatable problem he needs to solve in order to collect his prize. But I’ve got news for him: only one person is uncracking this girl and if I have to wait until June to see his face again, I’m waiting.
    I might have said it’s over, but that was only so Caleb could be free to have guilt-free fun. But what if he finds someone new? What if … crap, what have I done? All this confusion seeps into my core and all I want to do is go back to my bed. Possibly hide under my heap of covers.

Chapter 7
     
    Caleb
     
    The sky outside is dark, and the ground beneath me is cold, but I don’t care. I’ve sat here for about three hours talking to my dead parents’ headstones. I might have lost some feeling in my legs and possibly have to get some body parts sawed off due to frostbite. But, again, I don’t care.
    “Every time I find myself feeling happy something or someone takes it away. Why?” I scream.
    Yes, I know I was once a prick who treated girls like objects. So I actually deserved to have my happiness with Skylar taken away. Doesn’t change the fact that this sucks. No one answers my scream. Not that I expected anyone to. Still, it would be nice to get some freaking answers. “I don’t know if I should go to New York now. She doesn’t want me. She told me that today. I know if I saw her, I could change her mind. That’s beyond selfish and wrong, but I need her. She helps make this,” I pause with a hand on my heart, “feel things. She brings out the good in me. For a while, I didn’t think that was possible. Not because Uncle Brian doesn’t try. He does, and we’re cool. I’ve been keeping myself out of trouble for the most part. But Sky makes me want to care about my future. And before her, well, before her, you know how I was. Living in the now.”
    I can honestly say I haven’t been partying as much since Sky entered my life, and I’ve been doing my homework. Before, I’d copy off some smart chick who would gladly give me the answers. And these are only some of the changes. I should hate Skylar Fletcher for changing me, but I don’t. I love that freaking girl! “That damn, gorgeous girl came into my life, turned it upside down and left me.” Anyone with any sense would be pissed. Anyone with any sense would want to strangle her when she didn’t answer their calls for a week and then—bam—laid down the freaking “I don’t want to be in a long-distance relationship” stunt.
    Break starts Monday. I can’t wait until then. It’s too long. Two days is too long. I’ve got to leave now. “Mom, Dad, I love you guys.” I stand up and dust the dried leaves and dirt from my jeans then walk to my car. I wonder if it’s snowing in New York. I wonder if she’s going to smile or frown when she sees me. I hope she smiles.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    On speaker with Lance and Kayla, Lance barks, “You’re leaving tonight? I thought your flight wasn’t until Monday!”
    “I can’t wait that long. Two days can change everything. She could find someone. She could start talking to them. Fuck, she’s probably already found someone since I let a goddamn week and three days go by.”
    “All right, man, calm down. What do you need us to do?”
    “Drive me to the airport. My flight leaves in three hours, so I don’t have much time. I’m packed, just need you to