Twisted Stars (Hardest Mistakes #3) Read Online Free PDF

spaghetti and gently throw it into the sink before stomping upstairs to my room. He doesn’t want to share, fine. I don’t want to get to know him either.
    I lie back on my bed and glare at the ceiling. This was such a bad idea. What have I done? He has so many secrets…
    A soft knock echoes through the room. I tilt my head to glare at Jayden, standing in the open doorway. “What?”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    I huff and turn back to the glowing stars on my ceiling. “Well, you’re doing a terrific job. Maybe next time throw in some insults—they really burn at the feelings.”
    He steps further into the room with a frown. “I’m not trying to hurt you purposely.”
    I don’t answer.
    He sighs and settles into my desk chair. “I grew up in a small coastal town on the other side of the state called Silvertree with my parents and my older brother.”
    “Sounds nice.”
    “It was. Until my brother died.”
    “What?” I ask, jumping up with a start.
    “He was murdered. My parents tried to cover it up, but we lived in such a small town. People figured it out when they didn’t see him around. You can’t imagine what it’s like to walk through a town where everybody suspects you of murder.”
    I have to ask. “Did you…?”
    He squints at me and then shakes his head. “I would never hurt my brother.”
    I can’t even…I have to say something. The silence is deafening. “What was his name?”
    “Alexander.”
    “I’m so sorry.”
    He shakes his head. “I didn’t tell you for your pity. You said you didn’t want a stranger living under the same roof. Well, my name is Jayden Ross, I’m nineteen years old, my entire family is dead, and I’m homeless. Is that enough?”
    I swallow past my now dry throat. I don’t have an answer. His intense gaze stops me from taking it any further.
    Finally, he looks away.
    Guilt overwhelms me. “I’m sorry for intruding. I honestly didn’t mean to.”
    He nods once and leaves the room. His door closes a few seconds later, leaving the house in a tense silence.
    I head to the deli the next morning without saying a word to Jayden before I leave. Dylan is already busy when I arrive.
    “Hey,” he shouts over the noise of the chattering crowd. I nod and stow my bag under the counter, jumping straight into the orders.
    My shift is nearly over by the time the deli goes quiet. I take a deep breath and slump into one of the chairs I’m supposed to be cleaning.
    “Oh, come on, life can’t be that hard,” Dylan teases as he cleans the table beside me.
    I purse my lips, refusing to answer.
    He steps closers and starts wiping down the chair next to me. “Are you okay, Ash?”
    “Yeah,” I sigh. It’s hard to explain how I feel. It’s as if nothing in my life is ever going to change—that I’m stuck in a rut. I’m craving adventure. Oh, and weird things are happening and I’m not even batting an eyelash…does that make me crazy? “I’m just confused.”
    “I know what will make you feel better.”
    “What?”
    “A party. It’s at Jason’s house on Friday. I’ll even pick you up if you like.” He cocks his head to the side and flashes a charming smile. I want to smack him.
    He’s just trying to cheer you up , I have to remind myself. I shake my head. “Fine. Pick me up at nine.”
     
    ***
     
    I knock on Jayden’s door hesitantly. He’s been hiding in there for days now.
    There’s no answer, so I speak through the wood door. “Look, I know you don’t want to get close to anyone and that I’m incredibly annoying, but I’m heading to the library if you want to join me.” The door inches open, and Jayden’s dark eyes peer out at me.
    We drive to the public library in silence, neither one of us game to break the tension in the car. As soon as we arrive, I’m out of the car, inside, and wandering through the shelves. My gaze catches on bright covers and clean fonts. The smell is amazing, I can’t imagine ever leaving. It’s