Free Shattered (Shattered #1) by Heather D'Agostino Page A

as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
    He was wearing a pair of athletic shorts and a navy blue hoodie. His
sandy hair was still damp from what I assumed was his morning shower. A pair of
Ray Bands were pushed up on the top of his head.
    “I just thought…” he trailed off.
    I smiled at him, “Thanks…I’d love a ride.”
    I hoisted my gym bag up on my shoulder a little higher as I moved to
climb into his truck. This felt like old times, it was weird, but comforting at
the same time. Nick always drove me to school when I was a student. He’d stop
by every day with a coffee and a muffin, and we’d talk about our day during the
drive. Now it seemed like we were back there, only this time I hoped we had a
different ending.
    Once I got close enough, Nick grabbed my bag and tossed it in the back.
When he turned, his hoodie slid up slightly exposing a small sliver of his side
and back. The tan skin mocked me as I fought to control my emotions. If things
were like they used to be, I would have had no problem running my hand along
that spot. I shook my head as I watched Nick turn to open my door. He offered
me a hand to help me climb in, before making his way around to the driver’s
side.
    “Here,” he handed me a travel mug once he closed his door. “I wasn’t sure
if you still drank it like you used to, but I figured I try.”
    My mouth dropped open in shock as I watched him grin at me. I could tell
he was proud of the fact that he’d taken me by surprise.
    “If there’s a muffin wrapped in that paper towel, you’re a dead man,” I
giggled.
    He reached for the balled up paper towel sitting by the cup holder, and
handed it to me, “Kill me now then.”
    “How did you…” I gasped.
    He shrugged at me, “I said I’d try. This is me trying.”
    As I peeled back the paper towel, sank my teeth into the muffin, I
groaned in satisfaction. I hadn’t eaten breakfast this morning, and I really
hadn’t eaten much the night before ether.
    “This is really good. When did you have time to go buy these?” I mumbled
as I wiped the crumbs off my lip.
    “I made them,” he shrugged as his eyes darted to where I’d just removed
the crumbs.
    “Wait…Nick Sutter bakes?” I grinned.
    “I’m not a kid anymore Leah. I do know how to take care of myself,” he
rolled his eyes at me.
    “I’m sorry. That was rude…I just…I don’t know what I expected. Of course
you cook. You’re an adult now. I’m sure you know how to do all sorts of things
now that you didn’t back then.”
    “Yep,” he glanced over at me. “All kinds of things,” his breath hitched
and I knew that he was not talking about food anymore.
    At that point, we pulled into the school parking lot, and Nick parked in
his assigned space. He cut the engine, and then shifted to face me.
    “I know I said I’d try, but I feel like we need to start fresh,” he
rubbed his hand over his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t just
pick up where we left off. A lot has changed. We’ve changed,” he sighed.
    “I know,” I nodded. “Where do we start then?”
    “I was thinking maybe…a date?” he offered a soft smile. “Dinner?
Friday?”
    “I can’t,” I blurted out and then slapped my hand over my mouth as I
watched his face fall. “No…let me start over,” I begged. “It’s not what you
think. Avery wants to get the old gang together for drinks on Friday. Hang out
at Dave’s like we used to. I owe her that, I’ve been blowing her off,” I
sighed.
    “Ok,” Nick nodded.
    “She wanted me to invite you too. Cam can come and whoever he’s seeing
if he wants,” I shrugged.
    “I doubt he’ll want to bring her, but ok,” Nick began to grin. “So
Dave’s huh? When did you have time to talk to Avery about me?”
    I could feel the heat spreading up my neck and across my face, “last
night.”
    Nick shook his head, “It is just like old times.”
    “What?” I wrinkled my forehead. “She’s my best friend. I tell