Falling Together (All That Remains #2) Read Online Free

order. Oh please, please . We
start up the driveway and there’s Airen, waving and walking toward us. “There
he is!” I shout with relief, jumping from the truck before Joseph can even come
to a complete stop.
    “Hey,
it’s okay,” Airen exclaims, sweeping me into his embrace.
    “I
thought something terrible happened to you! We’ve been searching for you since
noon.”
    “I’m
sorry, sweetheart. I went to get spark plugs for the mower and the damn truck
broke down. I think it’s the alternator. I had to walk about ten miles, and I
just stopped here to look for some water.”
    “You
didn’t tell anyone! You didn’t take a radio! Airen, you scared the shit out of
us!”
    “I
forgot. It was early and I only planned to be gone for an hour or so.”
    Joseph
and Troy catch up with us just in time to hear his explanation. Troy looks
annoyed, but not particularly surprised. Joseph’s face hardens and his cheeks
and ears flush a deep crimson. Before Airen can speak, Joseph swings at him. He
pulls the punch at the last second, but his fist still makes contact with
Airen’s mouth hard enough to split his lip. Troy and I look on in shock.
    “You
scared the fuck out of us, you arrogant asshole!” he shouts. Troy quickly gets
between them, though Airen doesn’t attempt to strike back. He regards Joseph
warily, as if he’s studying a new species of animal that may attack
unexpectedly. His eyes widen at the blood that streaks his fingers when he
drags his hand across his lower lip.
    “You
hit me,” he declares, his voice incredulous.
    “Joseph,”
I squeak. I can’t believe my eyes. I doubt Joseph has ever hit anyone in his
life. His face and ears glow bright red, his hands are balled into fists, and
the cords in his neck stand out. He’s furious.
    “Come
on now, Joseph,” Troy orders, taking his arm and pulling him toward the truck.
“That’s enough.”
    “Don’t
you ever fucking do that to us again,” Joseph exclaims, his fear and relief
warring with his anger. After glaring at Airen for a few seconds and getting no
response, he turns and allows Troy to escort him back to the truck.
    They
talk for a few moments before Troy approaches me. “I’ll run him home and come
right back for you two.”
    “Okay.”
It’s probably a good idea to keep them apart for a bit. “Thank you for
everything, Troy.” A gloomy look of resignation settles on his face when he
glances at Airen. His lips press together and he nods when my sympathetic gaze
meets his. Airen may still be struggling to piece things together, but Troy
understands Joseph’s reaction only too well.
    “Are
you okay?” I ask Airen after they pull away.
    “I’m
fine.” Gravel crunches beneath his feet as he stalks to the steps, sitting as
though his body weighs five hundred pounds.
    “It
doesn’t look like you need stitches, but an icepack would be a good idea when
we get home,” I advise, sliding my arm through his and sitting beside him. He
remains silent, struggling to suppress the myriad of emotions that flit across
his handsome troubled face.
    Anger,
regret, and disbelief dissolve into hurt while he stares into the distance
attempting to process it all. I consider what to say to him, how to comfort
him, and eventually opt to keep quiet. His pride is hurt along with his
feelings. Besides, it’s not completely undeserved. As we walk to the road to
meet Troy, he slips his arm around my shoulders, seeking and giving solace.
    “Everything
will be okay,” I reassure him, my voice soft.
    He
nods. “Are you pissed at me, as well?”
    “I
should be.” He nods again, his lips pressed together. “But it appears Joseph
has the anger approach well covered. I’m just relieved you’re safe.”
    “He’s
really mad.”
    “You
scared him. He was terrified something bad had happened to you.”
    “He
hit me.” Anger flashes in his dark eyes.
    “You
know how terrible he’s going to feel about it when he calms down. At least you
didn’t