Twisted Stars (Hardest Mistakes #3) Read Online Free Page A

sorry.”
    “I know,” he sighs. “I’m sorry.”
    I stop dabbing and look up, pulling back my clenched fistful of napkins in surprise. “Oh, Jayden?” He nods, his expression impassive. “I didn’t realize it was you.”
    “I can see that.” He glances behind me to Kai and Sammy. He knows who I was watching, and the way he looks at me makes me feel as if he knows my depressing thoughts as well. I can already feel the warm blush spread across my face.
    I look at Jayden—actually look at him this time. His dark eyes glitter in the neon lighting, and he’s wearing dark jeans and a grey shirt that pulls tight over his chest and arms. The only thing marring the perfection is the huge wet Coke stain.
    “Finished?” He smirks as he leans up against the wall beside me.
    Oh gods, real smooth, Ash—of course he saw you checking him out. Could you be any more obvious?
    I shake my head and look down at his ruined shirt. “Umm, well, that’s embarrassing.” I can’t believe I just did that. Face palm.
    The last time we spoke flashes in my memory. I’m still not entirely sure I know what that was at the coffee shop. Should I make a break for it? Will he come after me?
    A thought suddenly strikes me—I’m afraid of him. Completely and utterly afraid.
    “So who did you come with?”
    I point out into the dancing couples. “My friends.”
    Jayden’s gaze levels with mine, and he holds out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
    Oh god, how am I supposed to respond to that? Aren’t I supposed to be afraid?
    I glance at Sammy and Kai then nod. “Yes.” Even if you are a crazy serial killer. At least I won’t be alone when I die.
    I place my hand in his. It’s so soft and warm. He leads me out onto the dance floor and pulls me close. My eyes widen in surprise, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “I don’t think this is a slow song?”
    The music finishes, and a new song starts. I stare at Jayden curiously as the people around us transform into slowly swaying couples. He leans his head down beside my ear. I can feel his breath brush across my neck. A shiver runs down my spine. I hesitantly move closer and lay my forehead on his shoulder. He smells like forest pines and clean spring water—it’s surprisingly appealing.
    “Jayden?” I say just loud enough for him to hear over the noise.
    “Yes?” he answers, just as quiet, his breath tickling my ear.
    I jump straight to honesty. “I can’t figure you out, and that makes me scared.” I lean back and meet his gaze. “Who are you…what are you…where did you come from…?”
    He tilts his head slightly and stares down at me, his mouth slightly open as if trying to figure out how to answer my questions.
    The song ends, and he pulls away from me slowly, still holding my waist. We stare at each other, both confused and curious about one another.
    “I don’t know how to answer…” he finally says, letting go of my waist. He nods once and turns away from me, melting through the crowd and out of sight.
    I’m left standing in the middle of the dance floor alone.
    “Where have you been?” Sammy’s voice calls over the music behind me. I turn and smile at them, jealousy forgotten. “Ready to go?”
    I lay in bed, staring up at the fake glow-in-the-dark stars I stuck on my ceiling when I moved in. For some odd reason, they comfort me. I’ve never been camping, so I don’t know what it feels like to sleep under real stars…but there’s just something about them.
    I briefly wonder how my mom is in the Caribbean before my tired mind drifts to Jayden and his creepiness. I can’t work him out. One moment, I’m scared to death of him—the next, I feel the safest I’ve ever been in his arms.
     
    ***
     
    I meet Brooke and Kelly outside as they pull their beat-up car into my driveway. I nearly said no to going to the falls with them. Nearly. I’m already so tired, and it’s still early. I plop down into the back seat and stare out the side window.
    We