Read Falling Together (All That Remains #2) for Free Online Page A

I said.” Jayla laughs and
Carson smiles in spite of himself before heading to the shower.
    When
I wake the next morning, my nostrils fill with the mouth watering smell of
roasting pork. I’m going to pig out tonight, no pun intended.
    “How
do you know when it’s fully cooked?” Jayla asks when Airen announces the pig
will be ready to eat before the sun goes down.
    “This
isn’t my first hog roast, honey.” He has been in such a good mood today. Eric
and Troy brought a box full of water pistols, and I suspect Airen is more
excited for the water war than the kids. Julie, Jayla, and I have spent the day
preparing for the barbecue. In addition to the pork, we have baked beans, corn
on the cob, watermelon, and potatoes. Pitchers of Kool-Aid for the kids are
chilling in the fridge, and Eric has made a container of hard lemonade that
could power a space shuttle. It’s been too long since we were all together, and
I’m really looking forward to it.
    Tables
are set up in the yard, along with a volley ball net, and Airen places buckets
of water strategically around the perimeter to refill their water guns. He’s a
big damn kid. As soon as Walker arrives, the war is on, and the forest echoes
with their laughter and taunts. Jayla, Eric, Carson, and Troy join in the fun
while Joseph signals for me to follow him inside. Grinning like a madman, he
produces a bucket filled with oversized water balloons.
    His
grin is mischievous as he holds up a balloon and asks, “Do you want to help me
teach Airen a lesson?”
    “Let’s
go out the back,” I reply with a giggle. We’re scarcely out the door when we’re
presented with the perfect opportunity. Airen is crouched against the corner of
the house, water cannon at the ready, just waiting for a victim. He’s a sitting
duck.
    We
creep up behind him, as close as we dare. I’m fighting so hard not to giggle
and give us away. Joseph nods, and we fire the balloons at him, one after the
other. The surprise and utter shock on his face is absolutely priceless. Soaked
to the skin, water drips from his inky black hair to run down his face.
    “Just
keep on laughing,” he taunts, wiping the water from his eyes. “You’re both
dead.” Joseph grabs my arm and we back away, preparing to run. Airen laughs. “Abby,
this is your only chance to surrender, sweetheart.” His eyes smolder as his lips
lift in a wicked little half smile. “Just hold Joseph right there.”
    I
shake my head, laughing. “Come get us, Holder. I don’t sell out my friends.”
    “Have
it your way, now you’re in trouble.” I squeal and run as he laughs and pivots
sharply, darting after us, but he doesn’t get far. In his haste, he overlooks
the large mud puddle from the overflow of our rainwater filter until it’s too
late. Attempting to leap over it at the last second, his foot slips and he
sprawls head first in the mud, nearly disappearing under the murky water before
he sits up spluttering.
    “Are
you…all right?” Joseph asks, struggling to talk through his laughter. I don’t
believe I’ve laughed so hard in my entire life. My knees squelch against the
grass as I drop down, holding my side, tears pouring down my face.
    When
I manage to catch my breath and peek at Airen, he’s sitting calmly in the
middle of the puddle, staring at us. The sight sets me off again, and when
Troy, Eric, and Julie round the corner, I have to close my eyes. Their
faces…his smirk…oh, I’m going to laugh myself into a hernia.
    He
scoops the mud away from his eyes and off his lips before rising slowly, a
wicked mischievous grin spreading across his dirty face. Suddenly, he bolts in
my direction, and before I can take three steps he embraces me, pressing his
body against mine. Mud squishes between us and soaks into my shorts and T-shirt.
It’s cold!
    “Airen!”
I squeal. His wet lips are chilly against my cheek. The muscles in his arms and
back bunch and flex as he scoops me up, and my world tilts as tosses me over
his