The guys had made log benches for spectators, back when they were twelve and had visions of every girl in class lining those benches, swooning as they showed off in the ring. Never quite worked out th...
Tell her to be quiet, and she got louder. Tell her to stay back, and she pushed me into the line of fire. Tell her to watch for our pursuers, and she hovered at my shoulder instead. Open the door to l...
Sometimes humans hit on a moment of profundity more complete than their dim minds could comprehend, and they took that nugget of truth and dumped it in the refuse for the bards and the poets to find,...
It did not matter whether he thought she was in mortal danger or simply falling, certain to survive. She fell and he followed..
In the end, like any stray, I was conquered by the promise of continued food and shelter. Trust would take longer.
If I’d known how many brownie points this daddy stuff could win me, I’d have talked you into kids years ago. Would have saved me a lot of trouble. It would have. Problem is, they’re going to grow up....
I woke up in a weird mood. A good mood, which was the weird part, all things considered.After I finished feeding the animals, Mom offered me another get out of school free card. I refused it. I needed...
I went to turn off the water. He grabbed my arm and shook his head. Then he moved me closer to the shower, leaned in and whispered, Ask me to join you.What?He clapped a hand over my mouth and whispere...
I was rounding the local theater, planning to circle back, when Daniel’s shout pulled me up short.I turned. He barreled toward me, his eyes wide with alarm. Right, like I was falling for that one.I st...
I was in the Tillsons’ bathroom, still dressed, starting the shower, when I heard a faint click, and I wheeled to see Rafe coming in, holding a card he’d used to pop the lock. His free hand covered hi...
I wanted to see Maya. I wanted to make sure she was coming over for dinner.I haven’t invited her yet.Annie grabbed our branch.Whoa, no! Rafe said as it dipped. She can’t come over if she falls and bre...
I thought I saw someone.Where?I--I-- He looked around. I don’t know. Down there maybe? He pointed along the wharf. I was running after you and it happened so fast, I didn’t get a good look.Was it a ma...
I think you intentionally overreacted. Like killing a fly with a baseball bat, just to make sure it never bothers you again.
I squared my shoulders and threw open the truck door. Today or tomorrow, it’ll still be my first day back. I should face it and get it over with. Who knows? Something new and exciting might happen.You...
I slid closer, feeling his arms close around me, tightening. Our lips touched--Derek? his dad called. Chloe?Derek let out a growl. I laughed and backed up.We seem to get a lot of that, don't we? I sai...
I remember the cat snarling. I remember Daniel backing up. And I remember Rafe, lying on the ground, saying, It’s okay. It’s okay over and over in this calm voice, completely calm, like he didn’t even...
I pushed open the folding door and stepped out. What are you doing here?Sam spun.Her eyes narrowed when she saw me. What am doing here? I’m not the one hiding in-- Her gaze lifted over my shoulder. D...
I looked up at him. His green eyes glittered in the dark, reflecting the moonlight like a cat's. His scowl had vanished. The defiance was gone, too, replaced by a tightness around his mouth, a worry t...
I know this means it’s over, he whispered. I got a second chance, and I blew it, and I… He swallowed and turned his head, his expression hidden behind the curtain of water. I’d give anything not to do...
His hands brushed my waist. I’d kiss you good-bye, but considering your parents and Daniel are watching…Tomorrow.A crooked smile. Then he took off, walking at first, breaking into a jog when he though...