Chance Of Rain Read Online Free

bench next to me. Blake was tall and actually kind of cute, but he was always doing stuff like
squeezing my shoulders
and
sitting too close
, and it made me very uncomfortable. We had gone to school together for a while but only really had gotten to know each other about six months ago, when Bri and I began working at the Star-Lite Theater with him. I’d grown fond of his gray eyes and wavy blond hair. He was very sweetbut had no clue about personal space. Or maybe he did; he just didn’t seem to care whenever he was around me.
    “So I guess Mack gave you and Bri some time off,” he said, trying to start a conversation.
    “Yeah. We wanted to take a break to get some things done before school starts. It was pretty nice of him. I know it’s been really busy there lately.”
    “I think Mack finds it hard to tell pretty girls no.” He smiled and raised his brows.
    “Hi, Blake!” Bri said enthusiastically.
    Oh, my gosh! She winked at him!
Bri always had been a fan of Blake and thought I should go out with him.
    “You ready to go listen to some music?” she asked me.
    “Yeah, let’s go,” I said, happy to have an excuse to leave. I turned to Blake as I got up. “See ya later.”
    “You can come with, if you want,” Bri told him.
    I cut my eyes at her in a way that said, “I’m about to put my hands around your neck and squeeze as hard as I can!”
    Thankfully a group of guys passed by and yelled for him to “Come on!” Blake smiled at Bri as he stood to leave. Then he took hold of my arm and pulled me closer. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Maybe we’ll meet up later.” His friends whistled and hollered suggestively, as if Blake were some kind of playa. He strutted over to them, grinning, and gave them all high fives.
Puh-lease!
    “Seriously, Ash, I don’t know what you have against that guy.”
    I spun my head toward her with my jaw dropped. “You’re kidding, right?” I countered.
    “He’s cute and funny and
sooo
sweet. You’ve had plenty of chances. I’m giving you fair warning—if you don’t do something ASAP, I’m moving in for the kill.”
    “Have at it.”

    The Road House was a large bar-slash-club next to the fairgrounds. There was never a cover charge, and minors were allowed in, but they had to get a waterproof stamp on their hand, indicating they couldn’t purchase alcohol. The crowdranged in age from sixteen to twenty-something, and the music was diverse as well: pop, rock, and country. There was a stage against the back wall where bands performed, and there was always a DJ on hand. The dance floor was in the center and it was always packed. The building had several huge service doors, and they were raised that night, allowing cool air to drift in from off the lake out back.
    “I think I could find this place with my eyes closed—just follow the vibrations!” I yelled. The band had their amps up as loud as they’d go.
    “Yeah, really. Or you could follow the smell of cigarettes!” Bri added. She coughed dramatically and waved her hand back and forth in front of her face.
    Bri and I got our hands stamped then made our way through the crowd to the long wooden counter and ordered sodas. The bartender handed us two small, clear, plastic cups that were filled mostly with ice.
    Bri gave him a five and winked. “Keep the change, sweetie.”
    “We’ve only been here a minute, and you’re already hitting on someone. That’s my Bri!” The guy was cute and very flirtatious. He winked so much at Bri, I began to think that maybe he had a nervous tick. I’m sure he made more in tips in one night than the both of us made in a week at the theater.
    We stepped aside so the next people in line could get their drinks. We stood to the side of the bar and watched gyrating bodies bounce around the dance floor. Some I recognized from school, but must of them I didn’t. ACDC was screaming
You Shook Me All Night Long
and the atmosphere was charged. The mixture of the music and