Reaching Rachel Read Online Free Page A

pointed look. “Listen. You obviously aren’t getting a clue. We don’t want a drink from you, so get lost.”
    Before the man could even respond, he was yanked back by his collar off of the chair. Rachel gasped at the sudden movement, and Kayley and Emily scooted back off their chairs, standing quickly. She looked back to see the man sprawled on the ground on his back, Justin standing over him with his chest heaving, his eyes wild, and his fists clenched.
    As she watched, unable to move, Justin yanked him up by his collar and got right in his face. “Stay the hell away from my girlfriend, jackass.” He pulled his fist back, as if to punch him, when Rachel found her voice.
    “Justin!” she yelled, stepping up to him. “Stop it. Let him go. It was no big deal.”
    Justin turned to her, his breath coming in short spurts and his eyes looking around wildly. “You’re defending him?” Spit came from Justin’s mouth, hitting her on the face.
    Wiping it away, she put her arm on Justin’s. “Let. It. Go, Justin. He just didn’t want to take no for an answer. He’ll leave now, okay?”
    He let go of the man, causing him to stumble backwards and fall. Gripping Rachel’s upper arm, he steered her away from the table.
    “Let’s go,” he demanded through gritted teeth. Rachel pulled her arm, trying to get away from him.
    “Justin,” she hissed. “Let go of me. I have go to say goodbye to my friends at least.” He didn’t respond or even look at her, he just kept walking. Still trying to wrench herself away, she could feel her blood pressure increasing. Looking back at her friends, who were watching her with mouths agape, she tried in vain to stop him from moving. He was just too strong.
    Pushing open the door to the restaurant, Justin’s fingers were pressing tightly into her arm, hurting her. “Justin, you’re hurting me,” she whimpered.
    He turned his head, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. The look in his eyes scared her, made her stomach drop out of place. “Maybe you shouldn’t have been flirting with him , Rachel! Once a slut, always a slut, I guess.”
    Her mouth dropped open at the venom in his voice. “What? I was trying to get him away from me! Ask Kayley and Emily! We told him to get lost!” He continued striding purposefully towards their cars, his face set in stone.
    “Get in,” he demanded, unlocking his truck and shoving her slightly, releasing her.
    Rachel rubbed her arm, the points where he had been touching burning from the pressure of his grip. “My car’s here, remember? I’ll see you later.” She turned to walk towards her car when she felt his hand close around her other arm.
    Gasping, she found herself face to face with him again. “Get. In. The. Truck.” Justin’s nostrils flared as he bit out each word.
    “What in the hell is your problem, Justin? You better get your damn hands off me, now. I’m getting in my own car and going to my own house, and you aren’t coming with me . How about that for making myself clear?” Rachel jerked her arm away from him and stepped back, furious. How dare he think he could treat her that way!
    Justin studied her for a moment, then sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Rachel, listen,” he began, his voice soft. “I’m sorry. That guy totally freaked me out in there.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s a pathetic excuse. I’m pretty sure I’ll have bruises on my arm tomorrow. Not to mention that you just completely embarrassed me in front of my friends, and this was the first time they ever met you. Classy, Justin. Way to win them over.” Rachel couldn’t help it, she was pissed. She would never let a man treat her like that. As if on cue, her cell phone started ringing, and she would bet money it was Kayley, checking on her.
    “I’m going home,” Rachel said coldly. “Don’t come over, and don’t call. We’re officially done.” She turned away from him, putting the phone to her ear and