Love and Lies Read Online Free

study?”
    “ Yeah, but I have one more question. What worries you more, that Eric is new and he and I became quick friends or that you like him?”
    And there was the million-dollar question. It would have helped if I’d had an answer. Maybe then I wouldn’t doubt his motives or question the guy who felt like a brother to me.
    “ I don’t know, Logan. I wish I did. But I don’t.”
    “ That’s what I figured. Okay, so back to work.”
    Like that , we went back to being two friends studying for a quiz. Plain and simple, just the way we both preferred. We talked out what was bothering us and then fell back into the easy friendship we shared.
    * * * *
    Eight -fifteen came way too early Friday morning. My alarm went off, and I hit snooze again, only to roll over and realize I was late. Breaking a speed record for myself, I showered, dressed, and ran out the door. I’d thrown my hair into a sloppy, wet ponytail. No makeup. Jeans and T-shirt that I’d yanked from the drawer without paying attention to what it said, and flip-flops. Definitely not one of my finer days, but I didn’t have time to worry.
    Half way across the commons , I had to slow down to get around a large group blocking the walkway. I huffed, shrugged my bag higher on my shoulder, and pushed my way through, rather than going around. Someone gripped my bicep, bringing me to a complete stop.
    “ Where you off to so quickly?”
    The guy’s voice was scratchy , not at all attractive. He sounded like he was a two-pack-a-day smoker. I cringed away at his touch, tried to shake him off. When he didn’t budge, my breathing picked up a little more. My chest tightened.
    “ Let me go.”
    He laughed . “No way, then you’ll run. I just wanted to talk. I’ve seen you around.”
    S moke-scented breath washed over me, and my gag reflex kicked in. “Great. I’m going to be late to class, please let me go.”
    The jerk actually tightened his grip and pulled me closer, then wrapped his other arm around my waist.
    “You’re hurting me.”
    Memories from the last time I was in this situation threatened to send me into a full-on panic attack. I tried to pry his fingers from my shoulder, but he wouldn’t budge. Instead , he dragged me away from the group. I wanted to yell, scream, but my throat wouldn’t work. It was all I could do to take another breath. My vision blurred. My heart beat so hard I was sure it would burst from my chest.
    “ Please. I’ll stay and talk. Just…just let go.” Each word took a miracle to get out.
    “ She said let go. I suggest you listen.”
    Eric’s voice rumbled from behind, and the relief washing over me nearly made me fall to the ground. He was the last person I would have expected to come to my rescue.
    It seemed like forever before he stood in front of us. The usual unease I felt with him around wasn’t there. Thank goodness. I gave a long sigh as the brute finally released me. Eric pulled me away and into his protective hold. Not so tight I couldn’t get away if I wanted, but tight enough I knew he was protecting me.
    “ Hey, man. Sorry about that.”
    Why did guys always do that? I asked him to let me go , and he tugged me around like a rag doll. Eric shows up and says the same thing, and the guy not only releases his hold, but also apologizes. Stupid boys. I wanted to hit him in the gut. Or the balls like the last person that tried to force me into something I didn’t want to do.
    “ Whatever. I’m sure your friends wondered where you were going. Maybe you should head back over to them.” Eric tilted his head back toward the group we’d walked away from.
    Eric didn’t let me go until he the other guy had rejoined his friends. I looked at my phone. Late to class. Crap.
    “ Hey,” Eric said before letting go and giving me some space. “You okay?”
    “ Yeah.” I rubbed my arm where there would likely be a bruise soon. “I’m good. Thanks for…umm…well, I…”
    “ Don’t worry about it. I’m glad I