Chance Of Rain Read Online Free Page A

energy made my insides judder.
    I put my glass to my lips but stopped midsip when I noticed a guy looking at me. I felt so self-conscious that I almost choked.
    “Are you OK?” Bri asked when I started to cough.
    “I’m fine,” I finally managed. I felt embarrassed. Was he even looking at me, or was it someone behind me?
    I quickly glanced his way. He was looking down, shaking his head and smiling. Was he laughing at me?
Great
. Oh, well, he wasn’t that cute anyway. His nose looked like it had been broken a time or two, and his smile was crooked.
    I waited a few seconds then turned my head slightly to sneak another peek. He placed his drink down and picked up his pool stick to take his turn.
    His dark hair fell slightly into his eyes as he leaned down to take aim. He was wearing faded jeans and a snug-fitting T-shirt. The muscles in his tattooed forearm flexed as he struck the ball. His tattoo looked like tangled bolts ofblack lightning. The streaks traveled up his right arm, from his wrist to his bicep. I looked away before he could catch me staring.
    I motioned with my head for Bri to follow me. The band had just finished playing, so we were able to find an empty table close to the stage. The next band wouldn’t play for a little while, which would give us a few minutes to talk.
    We watched as stagehands worked quickly to set up equipment for the next band. I suddenly felt someone’s hand rest on my shoulder.
    Bri smiled as Blake pulled up a chair. “How’s it going?” he asked.
    “Fantastic!” Bri said, as bubbly as a glass of champagne.
    We talked for a few minutes, and then Blake recognized a friend at the door. The guy never met a stranger. “Hey, Bri,” he said. “Come with me. I have someone I’d like you to meet.”
    More than eager, Bri jumped up to go. I was glad to be alone.
    A few minutes later, a deep voice asked, “Is anyone sitting here?”
    It was
him! Pool table guy
. I shook my head.
    He turned the chair around and straddled it.
    “You look familiar. We know each other from somewhere, right?”
    My stomach was tied in knots, but I finally managed to speak. “We’ve never met.”
    “So…” he said, as he leaned in. “What’s your name?”
    “Oh…uh…Ashley.”
    Smiling, he extended his arm, the one with the tattoo. “I thought you looked like an Ashley.”
    I reached out, and his hand swallowed mine. It was even stronger and warmer than I’d imagined. He grinned as I took my hand back. It was hard for me to look into his chestnut eyes, so I turned away.
    “I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?” he said with a chuckle.
    “No.” I quickly felt embarrassed. He had a stamp like mine on his hand, but he seemed a little older than me.
    He looked around. “Do you come here a lot?”
    “Just every now and then. It’s too loud in here for me. What about you?”
    “I’m new,” he said, short and sweet.
    Without warning, Blake put his head to mine. “Miss me?” he said into my ear, loud enough for all three of us to hear. His warm breath made my skin crawl.
    I glared at Blake, but before I could introduce him as my
friend
, pool table guy stood to go.
    “I gotta run,” he said, as he ambiguously pointed with his thumb over his shoulder.
    All I managed to say was, “Bye.”
    “Who was that?” Blake asked.
    “Nobody,” I said, as I watched
him
vanish into the crowd.
    Bri sashayed up with her new friend. “Hey, this is Blake’s friend Cole.”
    Cole was
big
—more than six feet tall and probably close to three hundred pounds. He had sandy-blond hair and honest, blue eyes. Despite his large stature, there was an innocence about him. Maybe it was his baby face. I had a feeling I was going to like Cole. Physically he paired up nicely with Bri. She looked petite standing next to him.
    We exchanged hellos, and then Bri whispered into my ear, “I saw you and Mr. Hottie! Well, don’t leave me hanging. What happened?”
    “Blake happened!” I hissed while rolling my