Unknown (Unknown Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

was farm equipment in front of the barn. I felt nervous, like a trespasser. Roscoe came out from between two of the cars and gave a deep howl, making me jump. Then his tail wagged and he trotted over, ears swinging. He’d gone gray in the muzzle. I patted his head, and he rubbed his giant face against me, sliming my upper thigh and the top of my shorts.
    I laughed, and a clank came from near the barn. A familiar figure pushed out from under the tractor, causing my belly to swoop.
    “Roscoe, no.” Rylen’s deep voice made me shake. He stood up and cocked his head at me from afar, taking off his work gloves and tossing them next to the tire. “Amber?” The muscles in his arms flexed. Ry was nearly as tall as his dad now.
    “Ye—” It came out squeaky, so I cleared my throat. “Yeah. Hey.”
    He walked over, and it felt like I was seeing him for the first time, this new, grown-up version of Rylen Fite. He seemed so much . . . bigger, standing in front of me, appearing worried, smelling of motor oil and dirt with a hint of his familiar soap.
    “What are you doing here?” He glanced toward his house and all around, shifting his feet as if embarrassed. “Everything okay?”
    “Yeah. Yes. I was just checking on you. You missed dinner.” Again.
    Why did I feel so nervous and stupid? Rylen’s eyes slid down to my chest in the tank top. His gaze became like my personal sun, heating me. He blinked and jerked his head toward the fields. I crossed my arms. I was still getting used to the whole boobs and bra thing. Certain bras lifted them up and made them look bigger. Lots of boys stared at school, which always made me uncomfortable, but to have Rylen look made me feel scorched in a satisfying way.
    “I had to drive my mom to the store,” he said quietly.
    “You . . . drove her?” I was so confused. “Is she not able to drive anymore?”
    “She tried to, but ran into the mailbox.”
    Oh. She’d been too drunk. I kicked a rock, still keeping my arms crossed. “But you don’t have your license yet.”
    “You gonna tell on me, Pepper?” His mouth lifted in a small grin, and I couldn’t help but smile a little in return.
    “Just be careful, ‘kay? I don’t want you getting in trouble.”
    “It’s all good. I’m signed up for driving school this summer, so I’ll have my permit and license soon.”
    “Don’t get too big for your britches,” I teased.
    “No need to worry about that. A hick always knows his place.”
    I frowned at his self-deprecation. “You’re not a hick.”
    “Sure I am. It’s all right, though. Someday I’ll get the hell out of this town.”
    He gave me an easy grin and reached around to pull my ponytail. I slapped at his hand and tried to smile back, but all I could think about was Rylen leaving town someday, and how much I hated that idea.
    “So.” He gave my arm a slow-motion punch. “You’re finishing middle-school, huh? You’ll be at the high school with us next year.”
    My shoulders rose and fell in a ‘no-big-deal’ shrug, though I was beyond excited. “You gonna let me ride to school with you guys or make me take the bus?”
    “Me and you get the back seat. Tater can be our chauffeur.”
    I laughed, imagining what Tater would have to say about that. Though Tater had different girlfriends every week, so he probably wouldn’t be alone in front. I imagined being in the back seat with Rylen, and I had to tighten my arms over my chest.
    “Sun’s gone down,” Rylen said. “You cold?”
    Nevada was funny like that. Hot as heck when the sun was out, then suddenly cold when it went down.
    “Nah, I’m—”
    “C’mere.” Rylen reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest, resting his chin on my head as he ran his hands up and down my upper arms to warm me. Through his shirt I could smell his soap stronger now. The same smell that always wafted from the bathroom after he showered. I freaking loved that smell. Not to sound creepy, but I