Transitions (A Thousand Words Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

understand, that should put a stop to this once and for all. One: Lin and I were introduced by a mutual friend of yours and mine; and two: give it up, George. Chase someone you actually have a chance with. That’s not me.”
    On either side of him, James and Kevin flinched.
     
    ○ ○ ○
     
    “Well, that was amusing.” James slouched in his chair after Kevin took Krista and George home.
    “Almost as amusing as seeing you slouch,” Dev answered. “It just looks wrong.”
    “You’re one to talk.” Noah laughed and tipped back his bottle of beer. Dev wasn’t sure where it came from, but he was glad Noah didn’t break out the alcohol until George left. He could barely handle her sober, he didn’t want to see her with reduced inhibitions.
    “Hey! My job requires good posture,” Dev protested.
    “Your job requires you to sway in time.” Noah shook his head.
    “My other job.”
    Noah looked confused.
    “Dev was a model first,” James told him.
    “What’s your excuse?” Dev asked.
    “The Madisons. Old family, tradition, money, snobbery.” James shrugged. “Take your pick.”
    “You seem well adjusted.”
    “I’m the black sheep of the family.”
    “How so?”
    “College was expected. Cambridge and New Haven are the only two acceptable options –”
    “New Haven?” Noah asked.
    “Yale,” Dev answered. “Although I suspect his family meant Harvard when they said Cambridge.”
    “They should have specified,” James defended his actions with a grin.
    “Yes, they should have.” Dev nodded.
    “Oh, that’s good,” Noah agreed. “Going to get disowned?”
    “Yes and no.” James shrugged again. “I have a trust, so it wouldn’t do much good. Also there’s money on both sides and my mother’s sister never married. She thinks it’s a lark. My father threw a fit and threatened to disinherit me if I didn’t graduate from one of the traditional schools. Aunt Marion said she’d name me sole heir if I wanted to call his bluff. Dad even said he’d accept a master’s or doctorate, and Mom said she’d try to talk him into accepting Cambridge in England, Notre Dame, or Stanford.”
    “They sound desperate. Only child?” Noah asked.
    “Middle son, actually. I think a child not conforming makes them look bad at the country club. My sisters swear I’m making Mom feel like a failure, and my brothers look at me like I’m a poor relation. Made Thanksgiving and Christmas hell.”
    “No offense, James, but your family makes me feel better about mine,” Dev said.
    “My family is as normal as it comes,” Noah said. “Well, my sister is a new age hippie, but she’s seventeen and I assume she’ll grow out of it. What’s the deal with yours?”
    Dev hesitated. Airing personal grievances would get him more than a few chastising words from Kenny. And another reminder to grow up from Flynn, probably via Kenny. He shook his head. “It’s complicated.”
    Noah didn’t push, he just nodded and toasted Dev with his bottle. “Good answer in your position, I suppose. Stick to it when George is around. I should warn you, she’s tenacious.”
    Dev slouched farther back in the comfortable, overstuffed chair. Physically the position felt both foreign and oddly comforting, like the chair was holding him close when no one else would. Lindsay would, Dev suspected as the idea trickled through his mind. If he’d learned anything from her and Jess, and the last two nights were any indication, so would Krista and George. How was he going to survive the rest of the week? The rest of the semester?
    “Noah, can’t you just ask her out? You like her, right?” Dev asked.
    “I do, but I think I’ve been overshadowed.” Noah held Dev’s eyes for a moment.
    “I don’t want her. More than that, I’d like to avoid her at any price,” Dev assured him.
    “Doesn’t matter. It’s what George wants that matters and you know it,” Noah said, taking another drink.
    “Lay off Dev. He doesn’t know as much as