Free Disturbed (Disturbed #1) by Ashley Beale

raining out for two days. The weather was nasty from what I was told. On the way home, part of the road had been washed away. She must not have noticed it. The car slid off the road and flipped over. The hood of the car caved in just enough it caused serious brain damage to my mom. She was in a coma for almost three years, I just didn't know it. I was never allowed to visit her in that time because my dad knew that if she lived, then she'd be a vegetable. He'd rather me believe she died."
              "I'm sorry," Blaise whispers.
              I try to smile sincerely at him, knowing he is probably at just as much of a loss as I am. No one ever knows what to say when I mention my mom died when I was little. It’s usually an apology, even though they're never at fault. "There's nothing to be sorry about," I tell him. "Besides, I'm lucky I got to know her at all."
              "Did your dad ever remarry?"
              I shake my head. My dad took it hard. He still takes it hard. He drinks enough beer to numb himself from the pain, and puts all his time into work, watching sports, or tinkering around with our vehicles. I don't think he'd even know what to do if someone asked him on a date or showed interest in him. The sad thing is, my dad is a very attractive man for his age. I've often wanted to hook him up with the moms of friends or teachers, but its never happened.
              I don't bother explaining all this to Blaise though. I'm kind of a private person when it comes to that stuff.
              "Is your sister married?"
              "Nope. She has a boyfriend she lives with though."
              "Am I ever going to meet her?"
              I love that he wants to be involved with my family. Unfortunately though, I'm not sure that'll happen with my sister. "We haven't talked much in the last six years, unless it’s a holiday or something. She didn't even come to my graduation."
              Blaise gets up to put our empty plates into the sink. He doesn't question anything more right now. I'm glad. I could feel my anxiety starting to rise. It usually does when it comes to my sister... or family talk in general.
              When he comes back over the table, his hands press against my cheeks. "Be thankful for what you have and for what you don't have. Everything in life happens the way it’s supposed to, usually without explanation. You are who you are because of your past, and if you didn't know, you're incredibly amazing."
              Tears brim my eyes. I wasn't expecting that. I can barely squeak out a response, not that I know what to actually say to something like that. "Thank you." It’s simple and truthful.
                  I'm beyond thankful. Not just for Blaise's words, but for him in general.
              "Have you ever been in love?" Blaise whispers. I feel the faint of his whisper on my lips, bringing goosebumps to my skin.
              I swallow down the emotion he is evoking in me. I'm not sure where this came from. I mean, I know he didn't say he loved me, but mentioning love in general. It gives me a thrill to know he must be falling.
              I answer him honestly- because there isn't a doubt in my mind that I've ever been in love before. "No. Have you?"
              Those bright blue eyes of his stare directly into mine. I find so much truth in his words it almost hurts, in the absolute best way possible. "Not yet. I can say I've started falling though."
              My lips lift into the largest smile I swear has ever been on my face. Blaise leans forward and lays his smiling lips on mine. His tongue flickers out, licking along my grinning lips, tasting my happiness. Our kiss soon furthers. It fills with passion, need and lust.