Free Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) by Tricia Andersen Page A

student and great help she was. After talking for nearly a half hour, he learned that Mary used to live in Mount Vernon, which wasn’t far from where Mark and Dan grew up. Maybe he needed to bring his friends in and introduce them so they could chat about things back home.
    Rico shuffled the deck of flash cards then set them on the table. It was Friday night. Any other Friday night, he’d be at the clubs looking for some woman to charm. Tonight, he was in the library helping Avery study for her last exam. He couldn’t possibly be happier.
    “What do you want to do this weekend?” he questioned.
    She sighed. He could see the weariness in her eyes. She pulled out her cell. Seconds later her text arrived. All these tests and papers have worn me out. I just want to relax. Of course, that is after the 5k I am helping with.
    Rico frowned. “A 5k? ”
    She grinned. Yes, sweetheart. A 5k run and walk. It’s to raise money for Operation First Response. I’m organizing it along with the store owners that we picked up the donations from. Oh, and Chloe is helping me.
    “ Chloe is helping? When did you talk to her?”
    She stops in the café. We’ve been talking since shortly after our double date at the Italian restaurant. It is all right if I make friends with your friends?
    “Of course it is.” Rico shook his head, baffled.So much for damage control.“When were you going to tell me about this?”
    I thought I had. I am sorry.
    He smiled because he was the last person who should be angry about holding things back. He was hiding a huge part of his life from her. “ No worries. So, I’ll see you after the 5k?”
    Or… Avery crept her finger across the tabletop until they wrapped around his.She squeezed then let go to sign. You could come run. I’ll even waive the late fee because you are so hot.
    “You want me to run? Seriously?”
    You are so physically fit. I just figured you could run a little over three miles. Unless, of course, I am wrong.
    Rico huffed.“I can run three miles.”
    You can?
    “ Yes, I can. ”
    Good. Then you can run with Max, Chloe, and me.
    He stared at her, bewildered. His best friend could harass him constantly about the fight, but couldn’t mention this race he was running? “ Max knows about this?”
    Well, yes. He registered to run. He even had Hard Drive sponsor it. I’ve thanked him a million times. She stopped tapping on the screen then started typing again. Have you ever thought about fighting?
    Rico paused a moment. “Once or twice. Would you be okay with it?”
    “Sure. What’s a fight or two?”
    “What if one or two led to the big time? What if I become known throughout the world?”
    Avery frowned at him. Her fingers flew over her phone screen. Then she handed to him. A video of the latest MMA fighter behaving badly played. Rico shook his head. “They don’t all behave like that.”
    How do you know?
    “I know a couple fighters. Besides I doubt I’m that good. Nothing to be worried about”
    Avery grinned at him. So, you will run tomorrow?
    “Sure. Anything for you.”
    Avery smiled slyly at him. Awesome. Then, afterward, you can come over to my house. Lindsay is going out of town with some friends. We could order pizza and watch movies.
    “Or, I can bring some things over to make you supper, and then watch movies. What do you think?”
    You can cook?
    “I’m not too shabby at it.”
    You are hot, and you can cook. I guess you are the perfect guy.
    “There is no guessing. I am the perfect man.”
    Avery giggled and punched him lightly in the shoulder. Catching her fist, Rico pulled her across the wood table into his kiss. As they broke apart, he signed. “So, running then movies. Is it a date?”
    It is most definitely a date. Meet me at the lake at six-thirty in the morning. You can help me set up for the event.
    “Or, I can pick you up at six.”
    Avery giggled. I like that idea better.
    “Your wish is my command.”
    She purred as she sank into another kiss. It