Read Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws for Free Online Page B

How dare he try and make her feel guilty about Edward! “Why are you being such a bonehead about this?”
    Silence.
    “What do you want me to say? That I can’t remember you, Rush? There, I’ve said it! I can’t! I would say that I’m sorry about that, but the truth is that I can’t even remember who I am. I don’t know what happened between you and me, but everyone keeps telling me that Edward and I are a couple. Edward certainly thinks we’re together. He made that very obvious when he came to the hospital.” She blew out a breath. “I don’t know why I’m even trying to apologize. I don’t owe you an explanation. The two of us are just …”
    He turned to look at her. “The two of us are what?”
    His blue eyes were roving over her face, searching for an answer, and all she could think about was how devastatingly gorgeous he was with that wavy hair and chiseled jaw. A girl would have to be blind not to notice him, but that wasn’t all. There was a raw masculinity or energy that commanded her attention. Every inch of her body was aware of him. Another minute and she would be throwing her arms around him and begging him to kiss her. “The two of us are … friends.” Ew, she hated how superficial that sounded.
    He grunted in disgust. “Okay, friend , let’s get you to the game.”
    Before she could think of a reply, he revved up the engine. The bike lurched forward, and she was forced to hold onto him for dear life as they sped off. Despite the circumstance, there was something exhilarating about her hair whipping in the wind, her arms wrapping around his lean frame, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. How wonderful it would be if they could forget the world around them and ride off together. It was a fantasy, of course, and one that ended all too soon when they pulled into the parking lot of the school. She hopped off the bike and handed him the helmet. He practically ripped it out of her hands. “Thanks for the ride, friend .”
    He scowled.
    She forced a smile. “See ya around,” she said, her voice too cheery. She turned to leave, but he put a hand on her arm.
    “Good luck.”
    The sincerity in his voice cut her to the core. Just when she was about to write him off, he did something sweet. Her anger drained. “Look, I hope you know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me tonight.” Her voice caught. “I owe you …”
    Her eyes met his, and she could see frustration and something else she couldn’t pinpoint. “Go,” he said gruffly.
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    “ W hat on earth are you wearing, Miss Worthington?” The words were spoken loudly enough so that the other homecoming attendants and their escorts turned to stare as Miss Caskill looked over her with a scathing eye.
    Elle looked down at her Silver Jeans and shimmery blue Vera Wang Sweater. She’d dressed up the ensemble by wearing spiked heals and long, dangly, diamond-studded earrings. She offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I was all out of dresses.” She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans.
    The woman straightened her 5’ 3” frame as high as she could and glared up at Elle. “Do you think this is some joke?”
    “No, I don’t.” The heat of embarrassment stung, and she was suddenly furious with Rush. Why had she listened to him? She should’ve stayed home like she’d wanted to do in the first place. And she should’ve listened to that premonition that told her to stay as far away from Rush as she could get.
    The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the second quarter. The football players and coaches ran off the field. Edward removed his helmet. He looked at her from across the field as though he were going to come in her direction, but then he dropped his head and reluctantly turned and ran off the field with the other players.
    Her heart dropped. What was he doing? He’d promised her that he would be her escort. Here she was dressed in jeans and a sweater and now her escort was running off the field in the other