The Truth About Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

like. I glance across Kayla’s expressionless face as I look over at Garett. I wonder if he's the kind of guy to take control like that. I think I might try to find out.
    xxx
    Kayla has the bar shut down and locked up, but the six of us are still sitting around the same table with a pitcher of beer between us. Well, four of us, as Kayla and Corbin disappeared. I believe Kayla now when she said that sex is the only thing those two do. They barely spoke five words to each other.
    "Hey, New Girl?" Garett waves his hand in front of my eyes and my slanted vision snaps back into as much focus as a drunk person can have.
    "Sorry, what?" I push my hair from my face and smile at him.
    "We're gunna ditch this place and head out to Mills Lake for a midnight swim. You want to come?" Garett’s eyes are expectant and warm. He wants me to go, but he doesn't know that I can’t. My heart starts pounding, and my body is flooded with a rush of fear. I reach down to the floor and grab my purse, just in case. I can taste dirty, algae-filled water in my mouth and resist the urge to gag. The alcohol makes my feelings both closer and farther away which is disorienting.
    "Sophia?" Riley asks this time.
    "No, no swimming."
    "It's just a few minutes from town. It'll be fun." Jackson rubs his hand on his buzzed blonde hair. He hasn't said much of anything all night besides smack talking during the game and I get the feeling that's he's the strong silent type.
    "No, I can't. I'm drunk and don't have a swimsuit," I say fast but instantly know that's the point. Garett smiles and elbows Riley. "Isn't she cute?"
    They all laugh and I stand abruptly. "I'm gunna go now." I scoop up my bag and try to make a straight line to the door.
    The cool night air slams into me, and I feel a thousand times better. I lean down and put my hands on my knees concentrating on deep breathing. The door clangs shut behind me, and a few seconds later there's a hand on my lower back.
    "Sophia?" Garett's voice is comforting, and I straighten up and look at him. "Is something wrong?"
    I look at his face, so pure and kind and genuine. He's seriously concerned, and I hate that it pisses me off.
    Is something wrong? Everything is wrong. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in this shithole, as Corbin called it. The appropriate question would be is something right.
    I'm drowning in my own feelings, and then I'm suffocating in his concern. This is the kind of guy the old me would go for. Someone who would care to the point of madness. Someone who would place a soft hand on my back or rub my shoulders but not go any further. Someone who would wait for me to make a move and respect my feelings, not knowing that I'm too fucked up and self-absorbed. That even my love life is dictated by my parents plans for my future. That's the old me. The old me who’s only ever had sex with one person. The one who covers up and shuts up. Who’s been told a million times that social compatibility is more important than finding someone I connect with emotionally or sexually.
    The new me doesn't answer his question. I lean forward and press my lips to his. He jerks backward and looks at me for a second before a boyish smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. Sliding his fingers into my hair, he pulls me back for another kiss. Through the alcohol haze, I can tell he's a good kisser, slow and practiced. I clutch fistfuls of his shirt in my hands and pull at him as my lips part, and he slowly runs his tongue along mine. He times his movement to mine. When I put my arms around his neck, he slides his around my waist. When I press against him, he matches the pressure. My body begins to react to him, and I let a little sound slip from my mouth. This could be good. This could be just what I need. A distraction.
    The cool night air swirls around us as Garett slides his hand under the material of my halter. His warm skin against mine makes me grip him tighter, kiss him deeper. I twist my fingers through his hair and suck his