Free Destroying the Wrong by Evelyne Stone Page B

wishing his hands were on me, not them. My palms got so sweaty from him touching me that I had to take a minute to wipe them off. I moved to the side, letting Scott show me the best way to do the exercise.
    Matt watched him, too, while moving to my side. He put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. In that moment, Matt’s touch made me want to push him away.
    “Okay, I’m ready to try again,” I said, moving away from Matt.
    We took turns using the bar. Every time it was Scott’s turn, Matt would hold my hand or put his arm around me. I was so confused why being around Scott was making Matt’s attention feel like torture. I pretended to pull my arm muscle and used a treadmill the remainder of the session. I had to get away from both of them.

Chapte r 8
    Katherine
    The summer flew by entirely too fast for my liking. The heat and humidity were brutal. Not that I was looking forward to the snow, but cooler air would’ve been nice. The stress of school starting again made me break out and encouraged my mom to ask me what was wrong a million times. I replied with an excuse about needing to start preparing for college entrance exams and applying for scholarships. Those excuses seemed to pacify her. What I didn’t tell her was that I feared how everyone would treat me this year after the mall incident.
    Alissa and I had a traditional sleep-over at her house the last weekend of summer vacation every year since first grade. Her brother, Dillon, would always try to scare the crap out of us. It didn’t always work but we secretly enjoyed watching him try. When he joined the Army last year, he’d been at basic training during the last sleepover and we both missed him. He just happened to be home on leave this year and I couldn't wait to see him.
    “Mom, I'm leaving for Alissa's! See you tomorrow!” I yelled even though I didn't need to because in our small apartment, we had no trouble hearing everything, including the neighbors.
    “Be safe and tell everyone hello for me!” she yelled back.
    I had been walking to Alissa's all summer since it was the only time I got any exercise. As I turned the corner towards her house, I caught sight of Dillon washing his car, with no shirt on and it stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't move. I just stared at him, watching his muscles flex as he cleaned the windows with a soapy sponge. I had never wanted to be a sponge so badly in my entire life. He moved to the other side of the car and must have seen me from the corner of his eye because his head turned directly at me and he smiled while I stood there motionless, staring and probably drooling.
    “Hey, Katherine!” He waved, but I didn't wave back. His eyebrows lifted and he walked towards me. “Umm, Katherine, is there something wrong?”
    My hand reached up to my cheek and I slapped myself. Oh my gosh! Could you be more pathetic?
    “I thought I saw a bee. And I'm allergic.” I'm not sure if I actually am allergic to bees, but it was the only excuse I could come up with.
    “I don't see any bees so I think you're safe.” He chuckled and I’m pretty sure I experienced a pre-menopausal hot flash if the heat in my cheeks was any indication.
    “Wow, Dillon, it's so great to see you!” I reached out my hand like a dork for a handshake.
    “Come here,” he said and pulled me in for a hug. He smelled like sweat and soap. I had to refrain myself from licking his shoulder. Ugh, Alissa must be rubbing her boy crazy on me. “Look at you, Katherine, all grown up.” His eyes roamed over my entire body, making me blush.
    “Look at you! All muscular and stuff.” I need a hole to crawl in.
    His grin got even bigger. “Yep, I had to workout so I didn't get my ass kicked.” Would it be wrong to run my hands over his chest?
    His face turned serious and I was afraid he could read my mind for a second. He ran his hand over his buzzed black hair and got so close I had to look up at him. “Alissa kind of filled me in on what happened