Theirs Read Online Free Page B

Rusty was a redhead with hazel eyes ringed with gold. They had the type of looks that made most of the girls in school drool, and she wasn’t completely immune to them herself.
    And therein lay the problem.
    “Well, I’ve just been busy lately is all. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big girl now. My grandmother doesn’t have to bring me to work with her anymore.”
    The brothers exchanged a meaningful glance with each other before Rusty grinned. He gave her a slow perusal up and down that suddenly made Alex self-conscious. “Yeah, we’ve noticed you’re a big girl , too.” He licked his bottom lip.
    Alex’s mouth went dry. If she didn’t know better , she’d think he was flirting with her. But that couldn’t be possible.
    Cash elbowed his brother in the ribs. “Cut that out.” He returned his attention to Alex. “Since when has your grandmother not needing to watch you ever stopped yo u from coming to our house? You won’t even return our calls. What the fuck is going on and I don’t want to hear another lame excuse.”
    She could see the hurt in his eyes, and it saddened her to know she’d put it there. But , she was staying away for them. They needed to understand that. “Look, you know , people grow apart. I never expected this friendship to last forever.”
    Cash took a step backward as if she had physically struck him. “You’re kidding , right?”
    Rusty narrowed his gaze. “Are you saying you don’t want to be our friend anymore?”
    She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. But then , she remembered the recent conversation with their mother and strengthened her resolve. “Look, Cash, you’re going to college next year. And Rusty , we barely see each other outside of class because of the numerous sports you’re into . And , I really need to focus on my studies. I really need to earn a scholarship if I want to go college. I’m not for tunate enough to be a Bradford.” The more she talked , the more Alex could tell they weren’t pleased with what she had to say.
    When neither one of them said another word, she continued. “You’re nice guys. You don’t have to be nice to me anymore just because my grandmother is your housekeeper.”
    Still , the boys remained silent. Alex didn’t know what else to say. “Well, I...uh , need to go.” She quickly gathered the books she needed for her homework and slammed her locker shut. Alex attempted to sidle past them, but Cash placed his hand in front of her , stopping Alex’s pro gr ess . “You don’t get to spout that bullshit and then , walk away like we don’t fucking matter . Don’t we get a say in this or have you decided for all of us ?”
    “It’s for the best. We don’t even hang out in the same circles. I’ll just hold you back .”
    “Hold us back from what? What are you talking about?”
    “We’re just too different, okay? I don’t want to be your friend anymore. Just accept it and leave me alone.” Alex attempted to push past them, but this time , Rusty was the one to stop her. He yanked her arm with enough force to pull Alex into his arms. Before she knew what had happened, his mouth was on hers…
    Alex shook her head clearing it of memories that were better left in the past. That kiss had turned into something that she couldn’t have possibly imagined. It had confused her and meant the world to her at the same time. But the following day, it was like it had never happened. Cash and Rusty both started to ignore her and what was worse, Rusty began hanging around Tabitha. That was when their childhood friendship had truly ended.
    Alex gathered herself together, washed her face at the sink to calm her nerves before heading back to her duties. S omehow she managed to make it through the rest of the day without making any more mistakes , but it was a long day . She was exhausted by the time she made it back to her apartment. All she wanted to do was take a hot shower, slip into her pajamas and catch up on all the