Denying the Wrong Read Online Free Page B

any emotion, making it hard for me to tell if she was angry or if she’d already known the inevitable truth.
    “No, but I know your mom.” She stuffed her mouth with noodles. The Alissa I grew up with would have argued her side. Vehemently. I was left a little confused by her demeanor.
    “And you're okay with this?”
    “It's not my favorite idea. But I'm not going without you, and if you need to save money before moving out, then I’ll stay at home, too.” She kept eating like nothing had happened.
    “I'm confused. I thought you’d be crushed.”
    She smiled at me while chewing. “Kat, one more year isn't going to kill us and I'm sure Dillon won't argue with the plan, considering he's probably going to have to live at home for a while until he gets his shit together. I'll be eighteen soon, and I have plans to seduce a certain gym owner and that may end up taking a year. So, we all win!”
    I jumped up from my chair, sat in Alissa's lap and hugged her until she couldn't breathe. “You have no idea how much I love you!”
    “You better love me, since you're dating my brother and I could at any time start talking crap about you.” She stuck out her tongue and pushed me off her lap.
    I stood up to grab drinks from the fridge for each of us. It took a second for her words to hit me. My mouth dropped open, letting a loud gasp escape. “Did I just hear you say you want to seduce a gym owner? Since I'm assuming you mean Scott, you’d better spill right now!”
    “Calm down, Sherlock. Nothing has happened, but it's no secret I think the man is hotter than jalapeños. I'm single now, and I don't think he's dating anyone, so the timing couldn't be more perfect. Then when it ends in heartbreak—his, not mine—you and I will be off to college.” She smiled at me and I laughed. “You have something stuck in your teeth.”
    I’d assumed she had feelings for Scott, though I hadn't realized the extent of them until this moment. I wanted more details but the last thing I needed was for Alissa to get defensive and clam up, which never failed to happen when I tried to talk to her about Scott.
    “So, we're good?” I knew we were but needed her verbal confirmation.
    “Of course. You better get off your ass and get a job this summer.”
    ~*~
    I missed the last bus after taking too much time grocery shopping Saturday night. I hated having to walk, but aside from the little business strip, it would mostly be in a residential neighborhood.
    I came around the side of the strip just as some guy with a red Mohawk was leaving the liquor store. I immediately recognized Matt sitting in the passenger side of the car. The Mohawk guy was getting into the driver’s side of a car when another pulled up. Scott jumped out of his car, rushed over to Matt, yanking him out of the car and throwing him against the hood. I stayed behind the side of the building, so no one would see me.
    “What the fuck are you doing with this guy again, Matt?” Scott said, grabbing Matt by his collar and throwing him against the side of the car.
    “Screw you, Scott. Leave me alone and I’ll let you see another day,” the Mohawk guy yelled. Scott didn’t acknowledge the threat.
    Matt stood still against the car as Scott stared him down. The other guy jumped in and started the car.
    “I’m sick of cleaning up your messes. Go get in my car and I’ll take you home,” Scott said, grabbing Matt’s arm.
    Matt didn’t say anything as he tried to get out of Scott’s grip.
    “Final warning,” Scott told him. Matt laughed in response. Scott punched him in the stomach and let him fall to the ground.
    I stood back, frozen, hoping the darkness would conceal me as Scott walked back over to his car, alone. Once I heard his car engine start up, I peeked around the corner. He backed up and sped away. Matt got up and got back into his original car, Mohawk guy laughing in the driver’s seat as he peeled out of the parking lot.
    What was that about?
    I pulled out my