Flying in Shadows (The Black Creek Series, Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

aware where his hand had brushed
     her shoulder. Sighing, she warned him. "If you laugh—"
    "Yeah, yeah. You'll kick my ass. When the hell did it get so long?"
    "It's always been this long. I just don't wear it down. Is it too long?" She couldn't
     believe she'd just asked that.
    Teeth gleaming, he smiled at her. "No, no. Just saying."
    By the time they reached the parking lot, she'd forgotten about any leftover tension.
     Andy told her of the apartment he was getting for his sophomore year. She spoke of
     her work at the zoo and about the landscaping business their parents co-owned. They
     slipped into their easy way, and it felt right as rain.
    She convinced herself high school politics were just that, high school politics. She
     would much rather spend time with Andy, fishing in the lake that overflowed into Black
     Creek, but if he could endure her dozens of martial arts promotions, she would do
     this for him.
    She thought about how this must be awkward for him, too. The college kid coming to
     see his high school cheerleader girlfriend. Then, she thought of how Candi would feel
     about it. Ugh. Hot, college boy coming to watch her shake her boobs. Great, she thought
     sarcastically, as she recognized that she'd just thought of her best friend as hot.
     He was, though. Not that she was supposed to know. He had the strength of a linebacker,
     but he was fast and could handle a basketball. That's what everyone said.
    The bleachers were just as she remembered—spectators crammed shoulder to shoulder
     with the aroma of popcorn wafting around them. She vowed not to use the bathroom since
     getting to her seat was a conspicuous venture that involved walking horizontally along
     the middle of the aluminum bleachers in order to reach any of the staggered access
     stairs. She had to admit the energy and unity stirred by the cheering crowd could
     be considered somewhat contagious. Maybe.
    She forced herself to be pleasant and gestured to Andy's folks. It wasn't uncommon
     for them to come to the high school games. After so many years of working at the elementary
     school, many of the players once had Andy's aunt as their first-grade teacher. They
     exchanged polite nods of greeting before they sat to watch.
    She had to lean into Andy and yell if she wanted him to hear her over the crowd. He
     smelled like a mixture of new car and guy soap. When her head cleared, she asked,
     "How come you never went out for college ball?"
    "Too short. Quick only goes so far." He shrugged and picked a piece of popcorn from
     her hair. "Are you sure about NYU?"
    "It has a good school of biology and it's in-state. So, that'll help with tuition.
     I've been really lucky with academic scholarships, but they don't all carry over all
     four years. I've got it mapped out but I'm trying to have options in case I hit a
     road block. If I work as a graduate assistant and do some research, I should be able
     to afford it. And... I'm rambling."
    "I like it when you ramble. I should do the boyfriend thing, though. Can I get you
     something?"
    She shook her head.
    The game was nearing tip-off. Andy made his way down the side stairs to the edge of
     the gym floor. He hadn't anticipated feeling so out of place.
    Nothing had changed, really. His old teammates were there, of course, and his coach.
     It was good to see them. But high school seemed long ago and, well, forgotten. Forgotten,
     at least, until he came within ear shot of Candi.
    She was arguing with the girl who cheered next to her.
    He reached the bottom of the stairs and walked in front of the bleachers.
    "Look, Candi dear." Andy was sure the blonde was speaking up to make sure he heard.
     "He brought his other girlfriend."
    Crushing the handles of her poms, Candi flipped her hair before turning to glare at
     her. She stood confidently with her long legs and thick brown hair tied with a large
     bow on the top of her head. He could tell she leashed her anger and hoped it wasn't
     only for his