Read Don't Let Go for Free Online Page B

nothing more than his lips on mine. He leans in, closing the gap between us. Just as he licks his lips, I abruptly turn around toward the window. I close my eyes as I continue to face the passenger window, ignoring what just happened.
    Brady sighs before he puts the key in the ignition and drives out of the parking lot. I don’t think I have to worry about him pursuing me further; I’m sure I just put a stop to that. I did the right thing, right? Could I have stopped at just a kiss? I have never stopped there.
    He pulls up outside my dorm and I open the door before he can put the car in park. I can’t face him; I’m embarrassed how I reacted. It was just a kiss. I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want to if got more heated.
    “Sadie,” he yells over to me. I’m already at my dorm doors.
    I ignore him and walk through the doors. Some guy comes out as I go in and I hear Brady ask him to hold the door, which the guy does. Thanks a lot buddy.
    “Sadie, hold up,” Brady calls out, catching up to me at the next set of doors.
    “What?” I ask with my back turned to him, staring at the ground.
    “Look at me,” he requests softly. Lucky for me no one else is around. I’m sure they’re still out enjoying their Friday night.
    “I can’t,” I whisper.
    He walks up to face me, putting his hands on my arms. “Please,” he begs.
    I reluctantly look up through my eyelashes and see that he isn’t mad that I didn’t kiss him. Only concern fills his eyes and face.
    “Why are you running away from me? I thought we had a pretty good date.”
    “I’m sorry, Brady. You shouldn’t waste your time on me.”
    “Tell me you feel this. Tell me it’s not just me.”
    “Brady,” I sigh. “You don’t understand. It doesn’t matter what I feel. I can’t do this.” I shake my head.
    “Don’t walk away from this, Sadie.” His eyes bore into mine. “I know we look different from the outside, but it’s the inside that counts,” he argues. He thinks I don’t want to be with him because of our outward differences, but the truth is he’s too good a person for me.
    “I don’t care about that, Brady. There are things about me you just don’t know and once you find out…” I continue to shake my head, putting my key in the door.
    “I could give a shit about your past. Hell, we all have pasts, Sadie. I refuse to let you throw this away.”
    I hold the door open with my back, my eyes fixed to the ground. “Goodbye, Brady,” I say to him, walking through the doors.
    “No, Sadie.” He grabs my arms, pulling me to him. “Goodnight… not goodbye.” His lips brush across my cheek. “I won’t give up. If you’re not going to fight for this…I’ll do it for the both of us.” He releases me before letting the door shut between us.
    I make my way up the stairs and open the door to an empty room. I walk over to the ladder of my bed, shedding my flats as I go. Crawling up to my bed I close my eyes, willing the tears that are escaping to stop. Why am I so fucked up?
     

Chapter 5
     
    Jessa’s key turning in our lock wakes me. She stumbles in the doorway, wearing what she wore last night. The smile on her face is evidence of her good time with Rob. Staring over at my clock, I notice it’s ten in the morning.
    My stomach is still full from the meal at the diner, which brings visions of Brady to mind. I sit up in the loft, watching her try to be quiet, tip-toeing around the room to change.
    “So, where have you been?” I shout down and she jumps back.
    “Jesus, Sadie. You scared the shit out of me,” she screeches, holding her hand over her heart.
    “Please tell me how you go from wanting to get the hell away from him to coming home the next morning from his bed?” I climb down from the loft.
    “I don’t know.” She appears to be contemplating something in her head. “I never told you this but…” She hesitates and I realize she is about to tell me her secret but I’m not ready to share mine.
    “You