Broken Hearts Read Online Free

have you got behind your back?”
    Steve’s grin grew wider. His blue eyes sparkled mischievously. “Nothing,” he said softly. “What makes you think I have something behind my back?”
    â€œSteve—” Josie started.
    He swung his arm around, revealing the smooth, white snowball in his hand. Before Josie could cry out in protest, he grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed the icy snowball into her face.
    â€œI’ll get you!” she cried, laughing and trying to squirm away.
    He was laughing so hard she was able to grab the snowball out of his hand. She tried to hit him with it, but it disintegrated, dripping onto the carpet.
    â€œYou’re not funny!” Josie exclaimed, and wiped her cold, wet hand against his face. “My mom’ll kill you for bringing snow in the house.”
    â€œShe isn’t home,” Steve said, still holding her shoulder. His eyes lit up. A devilish grin spread across his handsome face. “Hey, she isn’t home!” he declared. He lowered his head and pressed his lipsagainst hers. Leaning against the den wall, Josie returned the kiss.
    They were interrupted by high-pitched yapping from the doorway. Startled, Josie pushed Steve away.
    â€œMuggy, what’s your problem?” she called to the little white terrier, who continued barking in alarm, his stub of a tail wagging frantically. “It’s only Steve.”
    â€œBoo!” Steve shouted.
    The dog yipped and started toward Josie, as if coming to protect her from Steve. But the wet snow on the rug distracted the little dog, and it stopped to sniff it, then lick it.
    â€œHow can you stand that little rat?” Steve teased. “Why don’t you step on it and put it out of its misery?”
    Josie’s expression turned to mock outrage. “You’re disgusting. How can you say such a horrible thing about Muggy?” She stooped and picked the dog up, wrapping it in a tight hug against her pale blue sweater. “Don’t listen to him, Muggy.”
    The terrier gave Josie’s face a fast lick, then thrashed its legs, struggling to escape from her.
    â€œYuck,” Steve said, shaking his head. “You let that rodent lick you? How do you know what he’s been licking before he came in here?”
    â€œDon’t be gross,” Josie replied, setting Muggy down gently.
    The dog sniffed the snow on the carpet again, then sneezed, before hurrying out of the room.
    Josie glanced out the den window. The snow had stopped coming down. The snow-covered front yard glowed like silver under the late-afternoon sun.
    Across the street, she could see Melissa’s house, patches of snow piled on the windowsills and clinging to the gray shingles. Melissa’s blue Firebird was parked in the drive.
    Josie turned away from the window. “It’s cold in here,” she complained, rubbing the arms of her sweater. “I hate this drafty old house.”
    Steve took a step toward here. “Come here. I’ll warm you up.”
    She started to push him away, then changed her mind and let him kiss her again. She stared into his eyes as they kissed. She didn’t like to close her eyes. She liked to watch him.
    He’s so good-looking, she thought. In an all-American sort of way. Wavy, blond hair. Clear blue eyes. Perfect straight nose. Lopsided grin. Broad shoulders.
    How long had she been going with Steve? Ever since she’d dumped Jenkman. That was right after Rachel’s accident. Last September. So she and Steve had been seeing each other for almost five months.
    That’s a long time, Josie thought. For me, anyway. And I’m not the least bit bored with him yet.
    What’s your secret, Steve? she wondered as she pressed her cold cheek against his warm one. Is it because you bring snowballs into the house? Because I can never guess what you’re going to do next?
    He stepped away from her and raked a hand back through his blond