Until the Sun Burns Out Read Online Free PDF

much to decline. With a sigh, I threw myself down onto the chair. After my butt hit the seat, I wished I hadn’t thrown myself down quite so hard.
    “I know you’re upset with me for leaving, and I don’t blame you.” My head snapped up. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I would’ve responded, but my mouth was stuck together from all the marshmallow crème. So instead I simply chewed, and listened. “And I’m not going to sit here and explain the reasons your mom and I split up again.” Thank goodness. It was hard enough to hear the first time. “I’m done making excuses. The divorce was between your mom and I, and I don’t expect you to understand any of it. And I’m sorry that you and your brother have been hurt by our mistakes.” He paused, his eyes catching mine. “But you’re my daughter, and you’re here for the summer. I want us to make the most of it. Do you think we can do that?”
    I swallowed down the remainder of the sandwich. My gaze swept the room, taking in the large windows overlooking the beach, the stack of DVDs in the corner (many of which were my favorite), and the board games sitting out on the coffee table. Then I returned my attention to Dad’s face, open and vulnerable, expectancy written all over it. He’d been trying so hard, and I was tired of making him pay for his past mistakes. No amount of tantrums was going to get my parents back together. What was done was done. End of story.
    So, I forced a smile. “Yeah, I think we can.”
    “I’m glad to hear it.” Wearing a smile of his own, he snatched up my plate. After carrying it to the sink, he turned on the water. “So what do you want to do today?”
    “Go to the beach!” Luca leaped into the room, already wearing swim trunks.
    Giggling, I nodded. “That sounds fun, actually.” Ever since the last time I’d seen Austin, I’d been avoiding the beach. But I figured if I was with Luca and Dad, it wouldn’t be so bad this time.
    “Beach it is, then,” Dad said, turning the faucet off and wiping his hands on a nearby towel.
    It didn’t take long to get ready, and we were at the beach in no time. Even though it was still early, it was already sweltering. Luca and I thought ahead and had already put on sunblock up at the house. So the minute after we dropped our stuff in the sand, I hurriedly peeled off my swim suit cover up and headed to the water.
    “Race you there!” Luca called, sprinting past me.
    “Not fair!” I called back, taking off behind him. It only took a few seconds for me to catch him. Not only was he younger than me, but I’d always been a fast runner. It’s what made me good at soccer.
    I reached the water before him and turned around to do a little victory dance. Luca snickered as I strutted and flapped my arms like a chicken in the shallow part of the water. It was frigid as it slid over my toes with each motion, and goosebumps rose on my calves. But it felt good. Giggling, I spun around and then stopped cold. A few feet away Austin watched me, his expression a mixture of amusement and surprise. Face heating up, I froze, mid-flap. Luca shot past me, unaware of Austin’s presence. Lowering my arms, I wrapped them around my bathing suit clad body, as if the mere act could shield me from embarrassment. Not that it would do the trick. Nothing but a time machine could’ve saved me.
    “Come on, Mina. Let’s go bodysurf in the waves,” Luca hollered, running further into the water.
    “Yeah, Mina,” Austin parroted him, nodding his head toward my brother. “I’d like to see you try to bodysurf again too. The last time it was really entertaining.”
    Annoyance thrashed in my veins. Everything about this guy got under my skin, from his snarky remarks and sarcastic attitude to the fact that he looked so good shirtless. Wait. What? Shaking my head, I scolded myself for even thinking that. As he continued to watch me with those dark, mischievous eyes, the need to prove him wrong rose up inside of me so