Take My Hand Read Online Free

drinks in!” Snickers turned her head
and yelled as she reached the ladies room. Christ she had a mouth on her.
    “Same again?” I asked dutifully. I might’ve said
I wasn’t planning to talk but if drinks were involved, it was my job.
    “Actually could you skip the vodka?” she said,
stealing an inconspicuous glance towards the ladies room under the veil of her
hair. “But don’t tell Rachel,” she added – like it was any of my freakin’
business. I figured Snickers was a pushy bitch and I bet it was all her idea to
come tonight because I was certain it wasn’t Emily’s. Hold up… Did I just call
her Emily? Like I actually knew her? What’s that all about?
    “No problem,” I said with what felt like a
genuine smile. Huh. I never smile. Smiling just isn’t my thing.
    “So where abouts in America are you from?” she
asked faintly – so quiet I could barely hear her. I think she was as
reluctant to make idle chatter with strangers as I was, but she was making the
effort so I decided I would too.
    “Ohio.”
    “Oh! Like Glee?” she beamed, braving full-on eye
contact with me for more than a split second.
    “Um, if you say so. Can’t say I’ve ever watched
it.”
    “Oh.” She looked down again, circling the rim of
her still-full glass with the tip of her finger. It was hard to see through the
hair concealing her cheek but I was pretty sure she was blushing. Now she
seemed not only nervous but embarrassed too. Shit, was I being a dick again? I
didn’t think I was, but then again it comes so naturally to me I barely
notice it anymore.
    “So you’re one of them Gleeks I take it?” I
asked in a softer tone as I attempted to make her feel less uncomfortable in my
presence. Though I couldn’t quite figure out why I gave a shit. And before you
start, I’m not a closet Glee fan. I know what a Gleek is because I read about
it on Facebook.
    “Yeah. Guess I am,” she admitted with a soft
giggle. Yep, she was definitely a Tootsie, which was my cue to leave
well alone.
    “Wouldn’t kill you guys to clean those toilets
every once in a while. I swear I just wheeled over a lump of actual shit in
there.” Good, Snickers was back. I could leave.
    “I’ll get right on it,” I said. I had no
intentions of doing so of course – Mick hired a cleaner for the gross
stuff - but it sounded like the perfect excuse. Feeling a bizarre ache in my
chest, another involuntary smile invaded my face when I looked to Emily, so I
immediately wiped it off and practically ran to the other end of the bar.
    What the fuck was that? Maybe I’m getting
the flu.

 

Chapter Four

 
    Emily

 
 
 
    “ Guess we won’t be ticking number one off after all,” Rachel said with a
disapproving shake of the head when we arrived back at the flat.
    “ Why? I drank didn’t I?”
    “But the list clearly states ‘get wasted’.
You’re still functioning like a normal human being therefore you have not followed
the list on this occasion.”
    Maybe I don’t want to follow the bloody list!
    “But at least we’re a step closer to number
eighteen.” Right – all the sex. Yeah, I don’t think so.
    “It’s one date, Rach,” I argued. I can’t
believe she talked me into going out with Jared. Don’t get me wrong he’s a nice
enough guy, and pretty hot if you’re into the surfer look, but I know already
we have nothing in common. He’s confident. I’m not. He’s a talker. I’m not.
He’s obviously comfortable in life, and surprise surprise – I’m not. Plus
he’s got to be in his mid-twenties at least. He must be settled by now. What
would he see in a nineteen year old with no experience in anything?
    “But one date will lead to a second, and a
second will lead to a third. AKA the acceptable length of time to indulge in
all the sex without coming across as a total slut bag.” I rolled my eyes at
her. “Promise me you’ll try? I know it’s all new to you but isn’t this what you
wanted? Why we’re down