Because of You Read Online Free Page A

have to shower and get my shit together before Dad gets home. ” I’m trying so hard not to sound angry.
    “Please don’t be mad at me Riley. ” When she ends the call I feel let down.
    After talking with Ashley I’m so annoyed that I decide to go for a run. Changing into a pair of shorts, tank top, and running shoes, I twist my hair up into a ponytail as I head downstairs. Since I’ve never run on the beach before I opt out of taking my iPod, hoping the sounds of the ocean will calm me down.
    Standing by the back gate I do a few stretches before I take off running down the beach. The salty air licks at my face as my feet find a rhythm with the crashing of the surf. My lungs expand with each breath I take and it feels exhilarating.
    As I slow down I can see the lifeguard towers up ahead letting me know I’ve gone too far. When I bend over to catch my breath that’s when I realize I’d forgotten to take a water bottle with me. I’m sure I must be well past the private beach so I decide to head home anyway. I’m dying of thirst.
    But by the time I get home my tank top’s soaked with sweat, so taking off my socks and shoes I dive into the cool ocean. As I ride the waves, a feeling of déjà vu causes me to giggle one minute and burst into tears the next. A feeling of such loneliness consumes me that I can’t catch my breath so I start to hyperventilate as a wave crashes over me.
    Suddenly, I feel strong arms wrap around my waist as I look up to see Hunter staring down at me. He scoops me up, holding me tightly against his chest as my arms circle around his neck. When he’s back onshore he sits down, cradling me in his lap. I can feel him trembling as he lifts my chin with his fingertips. “I gotcha; you’re okay now. ” He uses the pad of his thumb as he wipes away my tears. “I thought you were drowning,” he whispers as he leans his head against mine.
    “I was crying so much I couldn’t catch my breath… I guess I started hyperventilating. That freaked me out.” It feels so good with his arms wrapped around me that I don’t want to move. Then I realize no one has ever held me, comforted me the way Hunter is right now. I feel safe snuggled up in his lap with his arms secured around me.
    “There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. ” My dad says as he makes his way towards us.
    Hunter stiffens at the sound of my father’s voice. When he stands up he places me on my feet as he rubs his hands up and down my arms. “Are you all right now?” I nod my head as he bends down, leaving a warm lingering kiss on the corner of my mouth, now I’m going to faint.

Hunter
    All I wanted to do was go for a swim and follow it up in the Jacuzzi with a bottle of beer. I’m fucking twenty-one years old and alone on a Saturday night.
    That’s when I see Riley in the water laughing hysterically, then in the same instant this beautiful woman is sobbing uncontrollably. Without hesitating I dove in, reaching her just as a wave crashed over her, ready to drag her under. When I grabbed her around the waist and our eyes connected for a split second, my heart shattered. I know that look very well, because it’s the same one I see every time I look in the mirror—forsaken.
    Suddenly I’m so angry that I want to punch the wall or scream until I lose my voice. I feel my demons about to drag me under again. I need to get the hell out of here. Grabbing the keys to my Jeep I bolt out the door.
    I’m driving with no clue as to where I’m going, destination unknown. A bar or anyplace that requires a shirt and shoes is out of the question because I still have my shorts on. Before all this happened I was going for a swim and I can’t call anyone because I left my damn phone at home.
    After I’ve driven around aimlessly for about an hour, I decide to head home. I’m thinking the only thing that’s going to help me recover from this night is to get shitfaced. My only dilemma is, should I do that before or after the