Set Me Free Read Online Free Page A

his hands in his pockets, looking wary that I might bolt at any second.
    "He told you." It was hard to speak out of my clenched jaw.
    Elliot grimaced, his long nose wrinkling. "He needed someone to talk to. The guy never thought he'd see you again, so what did it matter?"
    "It matters. He can't just— You don't understand."
    A flicker of annoyance brushed over his angular features. "Why'd you leave him? Because you care about him?"
    "Yes, of course I do! I wanted to keep him safe."
    "Then why'd you come back?"
    Tears popped into my eyes, blurring my vision and making it hard to speak. "I don't know."
    Elliot's expression slowly softened.
    I swiped at my tears, determined not to fall to pieces in front of him. "Have you told anyone else?"
    "No, I haven't. And I won't."
    I believed him. His eyes held me steady and I nodded.
    "Look, from what Zach told me, I get why you ran. And I understand why you're back." He shrugged. "The Zackster's pretty irresistible."
    I chuckled, but the sound didn't carry. It was cut short by the hardening of Elliot's gaze.
    "But whatever-your-name-is, if you're endangering him in anyway..." He raised his finger at me.
    My head was shaking before he could finish. "I don't want him to get hurt any more than you do."
    "You broke his heart when you split like that. I've never seen him so effected. Why do you think Jaeda wants to kick your butt out the front door. He was hurting...big time."
    I wrapped my arms around myself and looked to the floor.
    Elliot shuffled closer to me, his lanky frame reminding me of a giraffe. He cocked his head and studied me with those pale, brown eyes of his. "You're back now and I think it's a good thing. But..." He clicked his tongue. "You need to figure out a way to set things right and make it safe for you to stay. I don't know exactly what that looks like for you, but if you hurt my friend again, that cop's not the only guy you're gonna be running from."
    My skin must have gone from white to grey, because Elliot blanched and whipped a hand through his hair. "I'm not—I didn't mean I was going to kill you. Sorry. I just wanted the threat to, you know, have some impact."
    "It did," I whispered.
    "Yeah, I mean I could never physically hurt you or anybody. I just...I wouldn't like you very much and I definitely wouldn't forgive you." He pointed at me, his raised eyebrows adding extra force to his statement.
    A smile whistled through me, but I couldn't make it form on my lips. I totally got why he and Zach were best buddies.
    "I understand." I nodded.
    "So we're good then?" His sticklike fingers spread wide as he lifted his hand towards me.
    "Yeah, we're good." I forced the smile to appear. "Except you need to stop being so nice to me. They're already trying to figure out what's up."
    His lopsided grin appeared. "Not a problem."
    I snickered and crossed my arms, shooting him a droll look.
    Flicking his thumb over his shoulder, he gave me a pointed look. "Now get your butt back down to that kitchen before I eat your pancakes."
     

Chapter 4
     
    ZACH
     

     

     
    Worried by Lucy's pale complexion and the sudden realization that Elliot had slipped from the room, Zach made his way upstairs. He found his girl sliding past his best friend and out the door.
    "Everything okay?" He touched her shoulder as she passed him.
    "Mm-hmmm. Just going to eat." With a swift kiss on the cheek, she descended the stairs.
    Zach's eyes narrowed as Elliot sauntered towards him. "Is everything really okay?"
    "Yeah." Elliot sighed. "She knows I know."
    Zach closed his eyes, dropping his chin to his chest. "Is she mad?"
    "No, I think she gets it. I promised her I haven't told anyone else."
    "I hate that I broke my promise to her, man."
    Elliot slapped Zach's arm. "Get over it. She's here and I don't think she's going to run again."
    "I just wish I knew why she ran the first time."
    "To keep you safe, you know that."
    "Yeah, but from what. I mean this guy must have done more than kill her parents to