The Bones of You Read Online Free PDF Page A

something nobody else did. I wasn’t sure I liked that; it seemed like a minor violation, but I wasn’t sure why.
    I spent the rest of the shift trying to look a lot busier than I actually was. I avoided conversation with anyone else, and was grateful that Evans didn’t interrupt me again.
    At last I was able to switch off the forklift, get my stuff from my locker, and go home. I was tired. Coming here had been a mistake. I didn’t need the money that badly, and I seemed to have inadvertently encouraged Evans in some way.
    Jesus, why was everything always so fucking complicated?
    I washed my hands and face at the sink in the changing room. There was a shower, but I didn’t feel comfortable using it this evening. What if Evans walked in and saw me naked?
    Shit…why was I so concerned about this? I was probably reading the situation wrong, anyway.
    I changed out of my overalls and into my street clothes, feeling snug in the padded jacket Jess had bought for me on my last birthday. I suspected her mother had chosen the jacket, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that my girl had given it to me, all wrapped up by her own fair hand (that was obvious from the mess she’d made of it) and presented with love.
    I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, opening it quickly. I almost walked right into Carole on the way out but managed to stop moving just before a collision occurred.
    “Ah…I’m sorry. I should look where I’m going.”
    She turned, smiled. Her blonde hair was piled up into one of those top knots a lot of women wear for work, and stray strands had fallen loose, hanging over her eyes like cobwebs. She stuck out her bottom lip and blew the strands aside, but didn’t rearrange her hair to conceal them.
    “Yes, you should. I didn’t know you were working tonight.”
    “Just standing in for someone.” I flexed my fingers; my mouth was dry.
    “That idiot Jacko?”
    I couldn’t help smiling. “That idiot Jacko,” I agreed. “How come you’re working the late shift? I didn’t think you prissy office types even knew the place was open this late.”
    She shook her head, pursed her lips. Her eyes were level with mine; she was tallish for a woman, certainly above average height. She really was pretty. “Some payroll data needed collating in a hurry, and I need some extra cash.”
    We walked together along the corridor toward the main entrance. The small talk dried up and we fell into a comfortable silence, synchronizing our steps unconsciously. To be honest, I’d have preferred an uncomfortable silence. I didn’t want to feel this relaxed in her presence. There was the danger that it might lead to something I’d already decided I didn’t want to happen. I grasped for the previous awkward emotions I usually experienced when she was around, but for some reason I failed to find them.
    “Oh, how’s the new place? You settled in yet?” She stopped and turned to face me at the double doors. Her small oval face was pale and her head tilted slowly to one side.
    I glanced outside at the darkness. It had started to rain, a light drizzle. I knew Carole didn’t own a car. She lived alone, not too far away, and would be planning to walk home. In the rain.
    Shit.
    “Yeah, thanks. I moved in yesterday, and everything seems fine. It isn’t paradise, but it’s a place…you know.”
    “I know.” She smiled at me and I hated myself for being drawn to her. I recalled my thoughts when Evans had been sitting next to me, how they’d reinforced the notion that I wanted to be alone, just by myself, with no significant other and their baggage to weigh me down.
    I looked again at the rain. It was heavier now.
    Double shit.
    “You need a lift home?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I certainly couldn’t take them back.
    Stupid shit.
    “That’d be nice, thanks. I don’t much fancy walking home in this weather.”
    She was wearing a faded, oversized gray raincoat over a pair of