Free The Girl of Sand & Fog by Susan Ward

been a loner. That
it’s not something new because you’ve changed schools. Why don’t you want
people to get close to you?”
    My scalp prickles as my cheeks grow warm.
    I meet his intense green eyes directly.
    “Maybe because I’ve never met anyone worth
getting close to.”
    His brows hitch up. “Maybe you would if you gave
people half a chance.”
    “That from the guy who doesn’t like anyone.” I
lift my nose. “Maybe I would. But I don’t think so.”
    I can feel him studying me and I don’t like it.
    “Hey, Bobby, can we go?”
    We turn our faces in unison. Caroline is
standing, shorts and tank top in place over her bikini, Gucci carry bag hanging
from her shoulder.
    Bobby springs to his feet. My throat convulses as
I watch him walk off across the sand with her toward the parking lot. Once
they’re out of view, I stand up and start to brush the sand from my legs.
    I look at Zoe. “I need to go.”
    Zoe’s face snaps up, startled. “So soon? It’s
early.”
    “I’ve got stuff I’ve got to do.”
    “Like what?”
    Like not sitting here butt hurt because Bobby left
with Caroline.
    My cheeks burn.
    Fuck, where did that thought come from?
    Stupid, Kaley. You just met the guy.
    “Sorry, Zoe. I’ve got to go.”
    Zoe’s brows pucker. “Do you mind if I stay and
catch a ride home with someone else?”
    My gaze shifts to Seth and for a moment I debate
leaving. Zoe definitely needs a wingman in the pursuing-a-guy thing. She is so
forward and eager with guys she’s going to get hurt.
    “Why don’t you come with me, Zoe? We can hang out
at my house for a while.”
    “Everyone is going to Seth’s. I’d rather do
that.”
    I bet you would, but you shouldn’t.
    There is something about that guy I don’t like.
    Maybe I shouldn’t take off. It looks like
everyone is paired up. Does that leave Zoe with Seth? I definitely don’t like
that.
    “Are you sure?” I ask, hoping to change her mind.
    Zoe nods enthusiastically. “I’m sure.”
    “OK. But text me later.”
    I cut across the sand back to my car. Bobby has
Caroline. Zoe has Seth. They all have someone, except me.
    It’s never bothered me before.
    I’m always the odd girl out.
    Why is it bothering me today?

 
     
    CHAPTER 6
     
    I
pull into my driveway two hours later. I check the dash. Crap. 7:30 p.m. I’ve
missed dinner and broken two of Chrissie’s house rules in a single day.
    Not showing up for dinner.
    Taking off after school without going home first.
    Not good.
    I enter the house. It’s quiet. Maybe I’ve caught
a break. Maybe Mom’s gone out with the herd. They are probably at Grandma
Harris’s. It’s definitely too quiet in here for the twins and Krystal to be
home.
    I go into the kitchen and find our housekeeper
washing dishes.
    I lean against a counter. “Hi, Lourdes. Where is
everyone?”
    Lourdes looks up from the sink. “Doing homework
in their rooms. Like you should be. Where have you been, mi niña? You have
worried your mother. You have worried me. It is not good. It needs to stop. Your
mother has enough to deal with without your nonsense.”
    I flush.
    Crap, if this is what I’m getting first thing
from Lourdes, Mom is going to blow.
    I give her the wide-eyed-innocent-I’ve-been-doing-nothing-wrong expression. “I just went to the beach. With friends.”
    She shakes her head. “Your mother wants to speak
to you. She is out back.”
    I stop myself from grimacing.
    Shit.
    This is not going to go well.
    I toss my things on the counter and head toward
the patio doors. I search the yard but don’t see Chrissie. I slide open the
door and step out. Splashing is coming from the pool.
    I cross the lawn and go through the safety gate
into the pool area. Chrissie’s swimming laps. When did this start?
    I sink down on a chaise, waiting for her to
notice me. The splashing stops. Mom climbs the pool steps.
    “Where have you been?” she asks, grabbing a towel
from the table beside me.
    I shrug. “Just out. With Zoe. I