by Jessa Russo
“Just . . .” Ted took a deep breath, and I watched as his fingers slowly uncurled. “Just don’t speak that way about someone’s mother, all right?”
The hell?
“You okay there, Ted? You seem a little agitated. I just said she’s hot, bro. No harm, no foul. You’re beginning to make me think that psycho daughter of yours isn’t the only nutjob in this family.”
His eyes narrowed in on me one more time before he reached out to snatch the truck keys from my hand.
“I’ll forget you just said that, son. Let’s go.”
He stormed out of the kitchen and right out the front door.
“Someone needs a Xanax,” I muttered as I grabbed my leather jacket, then followed him out, locking the door behind me.
AAs Sunday dragged on, I wondered if I’d ever been so bored in my life. Ted was gone, which meant I had the house to myself but also meant it was quiet and dull. I could have used his banter for entertainment, and frankly, I wanted to see what might cause him to take another trip on the crazy train. Clearly, I was right in my assessment that his psycho daughter hadn’t fallen too far from the tree.
I was restless and . . . where the hell was Ever, anyway?
I couldn’t stop looking outside to see if her ugly old Honda was parked in her driveway yet. She’d been gone all morning, since before I even woke up, and I carried this stupid feeling of disappointment all day.
Turned out she wasn’t much for sleeping in on Sundays, just Saturdays.
After repositioning myself on the couch for the hundredth time, I finally got fed-up and went to shower and change my clothes. Again.
I was becoming a chick.
I showered quickly, not wanting to miss her if she came home, threw on a clean black t-shirt, black jeans, and my leather jacket, then went outside around three o’clock. I didn’t know where she was, but she’d have to come home sooner or later.
I hoped.
Otherwise, I’d just be the creepy new neighbor who lurked around all afternoon.
I didn’t have to wait long. Within a few minutes, her Honda turned the corner of our street, and I became annoyed when I realized the quickening of my pulse was for her. This was stupid. I shouldn’t be excited to see her. She was just a chick. Just a job. I’d be gone in a few weeks, charming my way into some other poor soul’s house.
But damn if there wasn’t something about those big brown eyes.
I leaned back against the tree in Ever’s yard and tried my best to ignore the excitement I felt at the sight of her. An obnoxious pink v-dub pulled up behind her, blocking her Honda in the driveway. Ever’s gaze flicked from me, then down the street, then back at me, then to the car blocking her escape. When her gaze met mine once more, she gnawed on her bottom lip, pulling my focus to her mouth and my immense desire to kiss her.
Her cheeks flushed, as if she’d followed my thoughts, and I almost laughed.
“Hey,” I said, closing the distance between us.
Her eyes widened as I approached, and I looked her over from behind my dark sunglasses. She wore an old black wife-beater and cut-off purple sweats. Sweats! And she looked good in them. What kind of girl could look good in ratty old cut-off sweatpants? It was crazy, but she looked adorable.
The hell? Adorable? I needed to get a grip.
“Um, hi,” she said, as she wound her hand in her tangled hair. Her clothes were soaking wet, and I couldn’t hide the smile that pulled at my lips. Something about her shyness made me want to tease her, see if I could get her to blush even more.
I hadn’t noticed her friend until now, but glancing up as she approached, I realized she’d definitely noticed me. She was dressed in head-to-toe pink—like Barbie . . . if Barbie was covered in Pepto-Bismol—short blonde hair framed her face, and bright blue eyes sized me up, but her smile was what caught my eye. She was definitely hot, but I’d never really had a thing for sporty-looking chicks. Curvy girls were more my thing. Which brought my attention back to Ever.
I scanned Ever’s face, catching the way she watched her friend warily, which made my smile grow. She gave the girl this warning look—the one chicks give each other when they’re trying to be secretive. Like we can’t see them doing it or something.
Pinky came at me, hand extended and that knockout smile stretching her pink lips over perfect white teeth. I could tell she was the type of girl that guys didn’t refuse. She’d probably never heard the word ‘no’ in her life.
“Hi there! I’m Jessica Lynn Smith—Ever’s best friend—but you can call me Jessie. And you are?”
Ever hadn’t talked about me? Ha. Somehow I doubted that. Well played though, Pinky. Well played.
“Hey, I’m Toby. I just moved in next door.”
“Toby . . . ?”
“James. Toby James.”
“Fantastic! Well, Toby James, Ever was just telling me how much she’d love to show you around.”
Bingo. Of course she’d talked about me.
Ever gasped, slamming her mouth shut as soon as the sound escaped, but I caught it. I also couldn’t miss that flush of red on her cheeks. Damn I liked that.
I liked her.
“Wouldn’t you, Ev?” her friend prompted. Ever’s face flushed three shades darker, and she shook her head gently from side to side, a movement I would have missed had I not been so intently watching her.
Pinky giggled as she walked backward into the house, and I waited for an excruciatingly long time for Ever to speak.
“So, um, thanks for the flowers. How did you know they were my favorite?”
Her favorite? “I didn’t.”
She tilted her head. “Hmm, well, they’re not really your run-of-the-mill daisies, so I guess I just thought it was strange, but . . . .” She paused, clearly waiting for me to say something, but I was as surprised as she was. My flower choice was unique—I already knew that—but the chance of anemones being her favorite . . . that was just too perfect.
“Well, um, thanks,” she said finally.
“Sure.”
Ever’s gaze roamed my body, and it was all I could do not to pull her to me. She was so curious, almost unabashedly—I just wanted to give her what she wanted.
What I wanted.
Shit.
“You’re all wet,” I said, trying to chase the desire out of my head. This is a job, I reminded myself. A job. A job. A job.
Ever’s eyes widened slightly, and I wondered where her mind had taken that assessment. I tilted my head to the side, watching her, and waiting for some sort of response. But none came.
She reached up to smooth her messy ponytail-thing, tangling her car keys in the mass of wet, black hair, and I couldn’t help but smile. I looked down, unable to keep my eyes away from her chest, and noticed the nametag she wore.
“You work at the Animal Shelter?” I asked, trying to get her to speak again.
Her eyes widened once more, and I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed making her blush.
“Your nametag? You’re still wearing it,” I clarified. “Was there a flood today?”
“Oh, wow. I’m sorry! I don’t normally look like this! I was giving one of the dogs a bath, and then, well, you can see what happened. Let me go change! I’ll be right back!”
She turned around and bolted for her house, leaving me standing there like an idiot. My chest clenched—I didn’t want her to leave. I sprinted behind her, then reached for her elbow to stop her before she made it to the door.
“Hey, Ever, wait,” I said, as my fingers closed around her arm.
Motion inside the house caught my eye, and I brought my gaze to the window, catching a quick glimpse of his ghostly form, and reminding me of the real reason I was here. And it wasn’t to date this girl.
Well, not for any purpose outside of getting into her house, anyway.
But one more glance at those big brown eyes, and I thanked my lucky stars that Ari had ruined my life, stuck me with Ted, and inevitably landed me here.
Because
this was one job I would really enjoy doing.
Coming Soon
Evade
Ever Van Ruysdael's race to beat the odds – and the clock – begins with the introduction of an integral part of her past. As secrets are revealed, and truths uncovered, Ever learns her imminent death is the least of her problems: Ariadne did more than just put an expiration date on her life; she marked Ever's soul by upping its value for greedy collectors looking to buy their freedom.
Condemned by the countdown on her life, and hunted by hired Seekers, Ever’s journey leads her to question everything she’s known and everyone she’s trusted, while growing closer to the one person from her past she was determined to avoid – and the one guy she never could – Toby James.
With her ex-boyfriend by her side, and the countdown clock rapidly ticking away, Ever tries thwarting fate’s plans. But as her nineteenth birthday approaches, and desperate Seekers follow her every move, Ever may be too late.
A marked soul is hard to come by … and even harder to escape.
Ever and Toby return October 1, 2013
Thank You For Reading.
© 2012 Jessa Russo
http://jessarussowrites.blogspot.com
An unashamed super fan of all things paranormal romance, Jessa Russo reads, writes and breathes paranormal YA, rarely straying from her comfort zone. When not writing or reading, Jessa enjoys making memories with her awesome family and amazingly supportive friends, while secretly planning her next trip to New Orleans. She’s won a few flash fiction contests and had a short story published, but feels her greatest accomplishment is raising the coolest kid ever – a little girl with a Tim Burton obsession and a desire to save every animal she sees.
Jessa will always call Southern California home, where she lives with her husband Jon, their daughter Faith, Bronco the Great Dane and Lola the Chihuahua.
Acknowledgments
Anyone who has written a book – or even attempted to write a book – can tell you that as solitary as it may seem at times, it is anything but. I have been blessed with an extremely tolerant and ridiculously supportive group of people that I could not (and will not) live without.
My beta or first draft readers have watched EVER change so many times it probably made them dizzy. Yet they read and reread my story with passion and fervor, and have always – always – cheered me along in my journey. I believe in myself because they believe in me. So thank you Melissa Purkey, Mat & Michelle Magaña, Kathleen Kubasiak, and Nanette Pitts - you’re all wonderful friends and amazing betas, and I don’t deserve you. Many other people have read EVER along the way as well, and your enthusiasm for my writing has been priceless. There are too many of you to name, but I cherish all of you and I hope you know who you are.
Mom – I can’t imagine that anyone has a cheerleader like you in their corner. You have always believed I can do no wrong – even when I’m doing it. You have given me something irreplaceable – my drive to keep on keepin’ on. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and always believing in me – even when I don’t believe in myself. You’re probably responsible for my massively inflated sense of self, and for that I am eternally grateful.
My critique partner Tamara Mataya – I can’t even properly express how important you are. Even more valuable than your critiquing, is your ability to push me when I want to quit, or pull me down from that pesky tree of self-doubt. Whether it’s a surprise bouquet of flowers, or a picture of a sloth scratching its butt, you rock at saving me from myself. I’m so blessed to know you and call you my friend. Your friendship means the world to me. Shiny Critique Partners FTW! *fist pump*
A HUGE thank you goes to my editor, Krystal Wade. Not only did your belief in this book turn my dream into a reality, but your friendship has proven invaluable. I owe you so much more than gratitude and I hope I can pay you back some day.
My family deserves endless praise for putting up with this all-consuming passion of mine. Jon – I love you more each day – even when you’re teasing me about my imaginary worlds and fictional boyfriend collection. You’re stubborn and hard-headed like me, and I can’t wait to grow old with you. Princess Bella – I know that at times it was frustrating, and for a long time you didn’t understand my constant need to write. I hope that in the end, you are proud of me. Most of all, I hope that I have taught you to finish what you start, and always chase your dreams – no matter how old you are, or how unreachable those dreams may seem. You can do anything.
Last but not least, thank you to YOU – the person reading this right now. Whether you love this book or hate it, I hope you feel something when you read it. EVER is my firstborn word-baby, and the fact that you are reading her story means more than I could ever put into words.
So, thank you.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Bonus Material
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Bonus Material
About the Author
Acknowledgments
