Free Until the Sun Burns Out by Amber Garza Page A

finally had answers. But it didn’t go great either. I was still mad. Knowing the truth hadn’t made me feel better. In a lot of ways it made me feel worse. Honestly, I didn’t think there was ever going to be a perfect outcome.
    “I’m not sure,” I finally said. Weary from it all, I lowered myself down onto the sand. It was cool beneath my thighs. Austin joined me. “I mean, I’m still pretty angry. A part of me wonders if I’ll ever stop being angry, and I hate it. I never used to be like this.”
    “You know what you need?” His hand momentarily lit on my thigh, and a chill ran through me. “You need to get out your aggression. Have you ever boxed before?”
    A surprised chuckle escaped from my mouth. “I’m mad at my dad, but I don’t want to learn how to beat him up.”
    “That’s good, because I’m definitely not telling you to hit your dad,” Austin clarified. “But there’s a gym a couple of miles from here. Sometimes I go there and punch the crap out of a punching bag, and I feel loads better.”
    “Oh, yeah?” He never ceased to surprise me. “You’ve got a lot of pent up aggression you’re working through?”
    “Sometimes,” he answered deadpan, no trace of teasing at all.
    “Oh.” I never knew how to respond when he got like this. And it always came out of nowhere. One minute he gave me nothing but sarcastic remarks and banter, and then right smack in the middle of it he’d hit me with a straightforward answer.
    “What do you say?”
    “I say it’s worth a try.”
    “All right.” Austin hoisted himself up to a standing position and wiped the sand from the back of his shorts.
    I got up too, following suit. While I brushed the remaining sand off of myself, Austin said, “I have to warn you, though, I’m a pretty good boxer.”
    Oh, here we go again. “Why am I not surprised?”
    He puffed out his chest. “I’m sure you’re not. I know I’ve wowed you with my skills in all of our activities so far.”
    I couldn’t help the laugh that spilled from my mouth.
    “What’s so funny?” He feigned offense.
    “Nothing,” I said sarcastically. “You’re right. You’re incredible at everything you do.”
    “Well, thanks, I’m so glad you finally admitted that.” Wearing a cocky grin, he slung an arm over my shoulder. As we walked forward together, I had to fight to breathe evenly and maintain composure. I knew he was being his regularly silly self and that the display of affection was nothing more than a friendly gesture, but for me it was a big deal. It was the first time a guy had put his arm around me. As it lingered, I wished he’d leave it there forever.
    I knew it was a stupid wish. One that could never come true. But isn’t that typical of the things we wish for?
     
     

TEN
     
    Austin was right. Hitting the crap out of a punching bag was therapeutic. Not because I wanted to punch my dad, or even Penny. Mostly because it was exhausting both physically and emotionally. Exercising had a calming effect on me. When my adrenaline started pumping, I felt like I could face anything. While my fists repeatedly connected with the punching bag and sweat slid down my spine, I felt invincible.
    But like any high, there would always be a low. A time when I’d crash and burn.
    That happened when Austin and I were walking away from the gym. With every step, the dread returned. I knew that pretty soon I’d be back at Dad’s, and he’d want to talk. Even though I was glad to know the truth, a part of me wished I’d never broached the subject. Dad wasn’t the type of person to let things go. He’d want to hash this out until he felt like we were on the same page. And I wasn’t sure that was possible for us anymore.
    “You swear you’ve never boxed before?” Austin asked as we stepped off the curb, preparing to run across the street.
    “Nope. Never.” Shaking my head, I waited for a break in the cars and took off running. Austin’s footsteps clamored behind me. Back