Torn (Torn Heart) Read Online Free Page B

dinner laid out on the table. I catch a whiff of the deliciousness of roast beef and fried potatoes with biscuits. My dad’s not the best cook, but he does try to give us everything we need. When my mom left, he stopped functioning for a while. It was such a slap in the face to him, and unexpected. He was a mess, and it took him time to deal with reality that became his life; a single father of two. But thankfully, we had Rose to help out. She’s an amazing cook, and she helped pull him out of the dark. I’ll forever be grateful to her.
    I sit down at the table and grab a plate. My father clears his throat and says, “So how was school today Jackson?” I sit in silence and look down at my empty plate, momentarily spaced out. I swallow and look at him. “Uneventful, as usual.” I respond shortly. My dad nods and fixes his plate.
    Dinner is quiet, which is how it usually is. I remember all the times we had dinner with Skylar and her mom. Those were the days. Now Rose is too busy to come around anymore. I miss her care-free spirit. We need that in this house.
    “So Jackson,” Jared’s voice gets my attention. I shovel a fork full into my mouth. “Why are you with Amber? She’s such a brat.”
    “What do you care?” I ask with force.
    “I’m just asking. Skylar’s been put through enough crap because of her. Don’t you think it’s time to set her straight?” Why are we talking about Skylar now?
    “I don’t know what you mean.” I ignore him when he goes on and on, and wonder if he’s secretly harboring feelings for her too.
     
    Amber picked me up after dinner so I could cool off. Part of me wanted to a sk if he likes her, I guess it’s not really my business. “Seriously Jacks, you’re gonna get out of here.” I try not to let that name bother me. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Soon you’ll be on your own and we’ll be together.” The fact that Amber thinks we’re gonna be together after high school makes me wonder; do I want that? I shake my head, already knowing the answer.
    “I think Jared likes Skylar.” I blurt out. Well shit, that was stupid. Amber blinks and laughs then looks serious. “Well good for him. Then maybe she’ll stop bothering with you.” See? Jealous. I bite my tongue. I don’t even know if she likes me that way. We’ve been best friends and the last few years, I’ve been cordial with her and we’d talk outside of school in passing. But I never implied I liked her more. And it’s not like I was all sweet to her, either.
    She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me close. “ Seriously Jacks, let your brother have her. They make the perfect loser couple.”
    Actually Jared is quite the opposite of loser. After high school he went to law school, though he dropped out and got a job at a bank on the management side and is doing pretty good. He lives at home to save money for now. He graduated from high school at seventeen with pretty close to perfect scores. I always wanted to play for the Dallas Cowboys. But I’m thinking of playing for another team, in another state. Maybe. Either way, as long as I keep my grades up, I’ll get out of Houston. And either way, I’ve never been able to squash my jealousy of my brother because he’s a better candidate than me in so many ways. I wish I was as smart, or at least half as smart.
    I kiss Amber, hungrily and urgently to get my mind off everything. My hormones are all over th e place, needing this physical connection. And with Amber sitting so close to me, I can smell her luscious fruity scent and it’s making me dizzy.
    She pulls away and looks at me. I grab her shoulders and kiss her again forcefully pulling her to the bed. I hover over her and look into her pretty greenish-gray eyes. I bend down and bite her bottom lip, sucking on it briefly. She groans in pleasure, urging me on. When I dip my head, I kiss her lips gently this time. My tongue slips out, searching for hers. She runs her fingers through my hair