The Good Sister: Part One Read Online Free Page B

while bending over quite seductively before she grabbed a box from the trunk.
    “Definitely, a good thing,” Reid replied. He reached around my sister and snatched the box. “Let me help you.”
    Bentley giggled, and it was pure seduction. “You can help me anytime, Reid.”
    “I’ll hold you to that, Bentley.”
    “I hope you do.” She batted her lashes. “Hold me, to that.”
    Bentley led the way, and sauntered into the house, hips swaying, skirt brushing across the backs of her taught white thighs.
    I tiptoed into the hallway, and peeked.
    “Oh, hello.” My mother greeted Reid.
    “Mom, this is Reid,” Bentley introduced. “I ran into him in the driveway.”
    Reid put the box down, extended his hand, and hit my mother with a lady killer smile. “Reid Addison.”
    “Yes, Reid,” my mother acknowledged as she shook his hand. “Are your parent’s home? I should probably let them know we have arrived.”
    “No, we weren’t expecting you until tomorrow so…” Reid paused. Turned his head in my direction.
    Bentley looked down the hall. “Oh, that’s my sister, she is … shy,” Bentley finally offered.
    “Trinity, come out here and say hello,” my mom insisted.
    I started mangling the bottom hem of my shirt. In fact, I was twisting it into a tight knot. I brushed back my curls from my face, and tried to catch my breath. I moved forward only to find I was watching my feet. Were they attached? I couldn’t feel them, but I was moving into the living room. It felt like I’d crossed the desert. My throat dry, parched, and my lungs protesting the fact I couldn’t gain air.
    “Hey, Trinity,” Reid greeted.
    I came to an abrupt stop. Kept my chin down, and gazed at the floor. There were patterns within the wood grains of the hardwood. A face. A lopsided dog, then I realized I didn’t answer him. “Hi,” I squeaked. The sound was almost inaudible.
    Familiar anxiety kicked in, followed by the slight shimmer around the edges of my vision. I worried I might have a full-blown panic attack.
    Reid extended out his hand. With the knowledge I would have to shake his proffered hand my hand came forward. It shook like a tender leaf. When Reid took my hand heat seized my arm. My throat, cheeks, and ears flashed hot. In my mind I knew I was blazing candy apple red. I pulled my hand back. I’d never touched a man before. Odd. Something else was taking over the anxiety attack. Something I did not recognize.
    “Sorry,” Reid said. I could only guess he saw my discomfort.
    Bentley shook her head. “Don’t worry.” I turned to look at my sister. She gave me her patronizing grin. “Mouse…” I hated the name mouse , and I detested being as scared as one. “Can you please look up and say hi to our guest, properly?”
    Reid waived his hand, dismissively. “It’s fine.”
    “Trinity,” my mother said in that corrective tone of hers.
    I looked up. Saw the beautiful face of Reid Addison through my curtain of golden curls. I gave a forced bent smile, and pushed my glasses up my nose with my index finger while I gazed at him rather pathetically, I’m sure.
    “Sorry, hello, Reid.”
    “Hello.” Reid turned to Bentley. “Let me help you with the rest of the boxes.”
    Great. He thinks I’m a freak.
    My sister and Reid headed back to the car. I scurried into the bedroom and once again perched myself at the window.
    “You and your sister are very different,” Reid commented.
    “Yes,” Bentley agreed. “I’m sorry, but she’s much better than she used to be.”
    “Really?”
    Bentley reached for another box tucked into the trunk of the old puke green Toyota.
    “My sister is a very intelligent and sweet person, but she suffers from a lot of fears. She’s been in counseling since my father died and, well, at least she will leave the house now.”
    Reid’s expression turned questioning. “Leave the house?”
    “Yes. She has agoraphobia, and has been closed off from the world since she was