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

sake.
    "Just kidding, dear," her friend chided. "Can you believe that girl? Her and her Chuck
     Taylors? And oh lookie, she gave up the doo-rag for a Little House on the Prairie
     braid. I can almost tell she's a girl."
    Not-so-subtly, Candi dipped her head, adjusted her cleavage and then turned to him,
     acting like he couldn't have possibly heard.
    She ran toward him like she hadn't just seen him earlier that afternoon. Didn't even
     bother to pull him aside before grabbing the collar of his shirt and pressing her
     mouth to his, along with the rest of her curves. Her tongue nearly reached his throat
     before he could take her by the shoulders and nudge her away.
    "What the fuck?" she said. Candi looked around. "Everyone's watching us."
    "Exactly," he answered, more than a little pissed off. Trying not to make any more
     of a scene, he patted her on the shoulder as he noticed her gaze slither up in Rose's
     direction. He couldn't help but follow her glare and watched as a tall blond dude
     slithered into the seat next to Rose. His seat. Andy stood and stared at them, feeling
     a sharp pang of something he decided must be overprotectiveness.
    First, Rose had her typical look of, "Excuse me?" Then, it changed to recognition.
    The whistle blew. He heard Candi's voice. He knew she would have to get back to the
     squad, but he couldn't peel his eyes away from Rose long enough to find out what she
     was saying.
    With the game starting, he walked out of the way of the spectators and toward concessions
     just as Rose turned to face the blond straight on. Could she not see what the guy
     was up to? How could she fall for the frigging handshake? Andy needed to help her,
     warn her. Shaking his head, he looked at the floor as he walked. Lightly stained wooden
     slats, he said to himself. Pay attention to the wooden slats on the floor.
    She had been talking, he thought as he ordered a popcorn and two bottles of water.
     She hardly ever talked to anyone. She had been smiling and talking.
    So, what's the big deal? She'll be eighteen soon. She can't talk to a guy? When he
     came back out to the gym, the dude was still there. Not for long, though. Andy stopped
     on the stairs just as both of them turned to him. Andy sighed heavily as the feelings
     he assumed were overprotective anger turned to guilt. Blond boy got up and side-stepped
     over the row of knees to the opposite side of bleachers.
    Andy returned and sat without speaking. He handed Rose one of the bottles of water.
    "Problem?" she asked.
    "Huh? Nope." Folding his hands, he rested them on top of his head.
    "Candi looks mad. I'm sorry if you're fighting."
    He felt her lean on him. She smelled like peaches.
    "Beginning of the first quarter. We're winning," she yelled in his ear. Damn it, that
     was funny. Sure it was loud, but he wasn't deaf. He couldn't help but smile.
    "You're trying to distract me." He lifted an eyebrow as he looked down at her. "It's
     working." Taking a deep breath, he confessed, "I'm gonna have to give her a ride home."
     He tried his best pleading look.
    "Not." Rose lifted her hands in self-defense, palms facing outward. "I'll catch a
     ride with your folks."
    "You sure?"
    "Of course." She patted his thigh three times, then tucked her hands deep underneath
     her arms.
    The game was a good one. Close. He gave her a play-by-play. They cheered at the great
     shots from their team and the air balls from the opposing team. They spoke of summer
     plans and fell right back into their groove of give and take. He was glad he brought
     her. Rose made everything easier.
    Offering her one last shot at a ride home, Rose shook her head. "Two words. No and
     way. See you tomorrow." She rose to her toes, kissed him on the cheek and walked away
     with those quick, efficient steps she used when trying to look independent. Cute.
    There were no signs separating student parking from adults, but there were rules.
     Everyone knew the rules. Rose headed toward the lot meant for the