Free The Banshee and the Linebacker (A Paranormal Romance) by P.R. Mason Page A

storm cloud gray with an angry edge. Liam was boy-next-door cute but Keagan was dangerously hot sexy. Even as that comparison occurred, a pang of guilt pinched at me.

    "Come on, Goody," Keagan said. "Where's your sense of humor?"

    "Don't call me that nickname," I grumbled. "I'm not a goody two-shoes."

    He chuckled, a low baritone rumble.

    "What are you doing here?" I demanded, angrily. Keagan didn't attend our private high school, Richard Johnson Academy or Double Dick as the students had dubbed it. When Keagan had failed a math test, his father went crazy, ranting how he wasn't going to waste good money on tuition.

    "Either you're stupid or lazy," Mr. Ellsworth had screamed. "And I'm not going to pay for either."

    Unfortunately, I'd been at the Ellsworth house for dinner and heard the whole horrible fight. I would never forget the shame that twisted Keagan's face when he realized I was there. Keagan's response had been to rush out and total the family car. After that, he'd been relegated to the public school: Broughton High.

    "I'm here scouting the talent," Keagan answered me. "The big game is this Friday night. Johnson Flyers vs. Broughton Hawks."

    "You're playing?" Now I did turn to him in surprise. The rivalry between our two schools was fierce. Almost as fierce as the one between Keagan and Liam.

    "I'm the Hawks' new middle linebacker. Broughton's coach was thrilled when I enrolled. He even tracked me down to recruit me to the team." His sneering lip quirked even higher. "It seems someone appreciates my talents."

    "Does Liam know?"

    "He will soon." His tone dripped with such animosity it frightened me. I'd always thought Keagan's Mom and Dad were wrong to treat him like demon spawn and Liam like an angelic gift, but that wasn't Liam's fault.

    "Are you really so jealous of your brother that you actually hate him?" I asked. "Sometimes you can be such a...a...a...toad."

    "Ribbit"

    "What's that supposed to mean?"

    "You say I act like I'm a toad, so I thought I'd sound like one." His eyes bored into mine. "Maybe if you'd kiss me, I'd turn into a handsome prince." Puckering his lips, Keagan closed his eyes before waiting expectantly.

    Thank God for those closed eyes. Otherwise he might have seen the desire I knew must be showing on my face. I cut off the feeling with a ruthless swing of my conscience club. If I had to beat those stupid impulses of attraction to Keagan into submission, I'd do it. Getting swept into his black hole was all kinds of wrong. And why was I so attracted anyway? Keagan was mean to me and the intensity of his meanness had only mounted over the last three years. Ever since I began dating Liam, in fact.

    "Stop that," I said, punching his shoulder with the flat of my palm. "Everyone knows it's frogs that turn into princes, not toads."

    "Oh, right. But you know you want to break out of the good girl mode and go wild. Why not with me? Just one kiss. How 'bout it?"

    "You've got every pretty girl in the area panting after you. Why don't you leave me alone?"

    "All those girls don't matter." Keagan put a hand on my arm and the tingles radiated outward from his touch like exploding fireworks. "I'm just using them to make you jealous. You're the one I really want." The comment was nice but his quirky smirk and arched brow taunted me.

    "Sure," I said, slapping his hand away.

    "Okay, you caught me. I'm having trouble traveling to my usual circle of girls since Dad cut off my access to the family car keys. Of course, he gave Liam his very own pick-up." A derisive curl formed on his lips. "I just saw an ad for a motorcycle in the paper. I've probably got enough money saved to buy—"

    "No," I cut in. "Not a good idea. Those things are dangerous."

    "You're worried about me? How sweet," he said in a tone filled with sarcasm. "But I know how to ride. I've been practicing on Dad's."

    "I mean it. Promise me. No motorcycles. Not even your Dad's."

    He threw up his hands in a mock surrender. "Okay,