Twisted Stars (Hardest Mistakes #3) Read Online Free

He sighs and lowers his head to the table, closing his eyes. He looks as if he’s shaking.
    I reach out and lay a hand on his arm. “Are you okay? Are you sick? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”
    “No.” His voice is quiet. I quickly look around the coffee shop before turning back to him. He tilts his head up to look at me, his eyes flashing. I gasp and snatch my hand back. That was not right.
    He puts his head back on the table, hiding his face. “Jayden?” I pause and take a shallow breath. “What is wrong with…?” I can’t even finish the sentence. I don’t know what I just saw, but I’m beginning to feel afraid. “What’s going on?”
    “I need to go,” he whispers, his voice muffled by his arms.
    I nod even though he’s not looking. “Okay. Are you sure I can’t take you somewhere? The hospital, maybe?” Or a psych ward?
    He lifts his head again, his eyes normal. “I’m fine.” He’s still shaking. I nod slowly and get up to help him out of the booth.
    As soon as he’s gone, I sit slowly and stare blankly at my laptop screen.
    Well, it’s going to be impossible for me to concentrate on my Econ essay now.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Sammy helps me pin my hair up with about a million bobby pins, which are going to be a pain to take out later tonight, but my reflection in the mirror is worth it. I run my hands down the lace at the front of my silver blouse. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
    Sammy and I smile at each other then head downstairs to meet Kai and Dylan in the entry.
    We park a few blocks away from the club and walk until we reach the back of a long line.
    “I’ve been itching to check this place out since it opened,” Dylan pipes up excitedly beside me. The new club is called The Effect, and it only opened a week ago. “Do you think I should give the band’s card to the bartender?”
    “Of course,” Sammy answers. “These people haven’t lived until they’ve heard you sing!”
    Finally, the doorman waves us in. I pause just inside and glance around the club in amazement. The roof looks absolutely beautiful—neons and paint and a screen playing music videos…on the roof. I’m honestly lost for words. The wait outside was definitely worth it.
    Sammy taps me on the shoulder. I smile at her as she hands me a Coke. “Have you seen the roof?” I shout close to her ear. She nods and tilts her head back to gaze up at the screen.
    “Kai and I are going to dance!” she leans close and shouts over the music. I nod with a small smile and back up until I’m against the edge of the room.
    People dance and shout and laugh all around me. I spy Dylan through the crowd, handing his card over the bar. The bartender looks happy—maybe he’s heard of Dylan’s talent. I sip my Coke and gaze back out at the room.
    This used to be my scene. I used to love coming to clubs just to lose myself in the music. Right now, though—I just can’t seem to get into it. My chest feels heavy and tight. The weight of the world is pulling me down, and every breath I take feels as if I’m going to drown.
    Something is missing from my life. I can feel it.
    I watch Kai dip a giggling Sammy. They look so happy. And the way he looks at her…
    I want that.
    I want someone to look at me that way. I want someone to hold me close at night. I want someone to be there for me when the weight of the world gets too much and I can’t take it anymore.
    I want real love…
    Just as I swing around to make a break for the toilets, someone steps out beside me, and I run into them, spilling my drink down the front of their shirt. I gasp and then quickly set my glass down on the nearest table to grab a handful of napkins. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” I start dabbing at the ruined shirt.
    “It’s fine. Just leave it,” the owner of the shirt says, his voice unemotional and cold.
    Okay, I know I spilled my drink on him, but I don’t appreciate his snappy tone. “I said I was