Read Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey for Free Online Page A

finally took a breath. "I can't believe you insulted the man who was trying to help you with your therapy."

    "It was only some kid," Preston said weakly, trying to justify the unjustifiable. Jasper's body shook with rage and Preston backpedaled fast. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know he was a friend of yours."
    Jasper turned, leaning down, getting so close Preston could smell his breath as he pointed away. "I know Geoff and Eli because I work with them. They're some of the most giving people ever, and I've got a news flash for you, honey, you need them a hell of a lot more than they need you." Jasper stopped yelling and breathed regularly before shoving Preston's legs to the back of the sofa and sitting down. "They're one of the largest landowners in the county. Their land is measured in square miles. The therapy riding is something they do mainly for needy children. I asked them specifically if they could take you on, and you go and act like a big jerk."
    "I'm sorry, okay. I didn't know his name and... fuck." Preston huffed, trying to figure out how he could save face. Usually he yelled louder and people backed down, but that didn't work with Jasper or Derrick. "I'm sorry, okay?" What else could he say?

    "I wish you meant that."

    That small phrase really hurt. Not because Jasper didn't believe him, but because he didn't believe it himself. He was never sorry for anything he did. The words were just a way to weasel out of it. "Look, Jasper, I don't know why I called him that, okay? I shouldn't have."
    "No, you shouldn't have. And you are fucking lucky that kid is a hell of a lot nicer than you are." Preston released a huge breath; at least Jasper wasn't yelling at him anymore. "The only reason you're allowed back is because Stone, that's his name, by the way," Jasper said, glaring at him again, "thought they could help you and stopped Geoff from barring you from the place altogether."
    Preston was taken aback. "He did that for me?"
    "He sure as fuck did. I was able to get you an appointment on Thursday, and I'm going to take you so you don't insult someone else." Jasper got up and walked back toward the door. "I'll be here at noon, and you'd better be ready." Preston watched open-mouthed as Jasper left the room. "Oh, and by the way, if you ever want me to speak to you again, you better come up with an apology to end all apologies for Stone." Preston heard Jasper stomp out of the house, with the door closing hard enough to rattle the pictures.
    Damn, he'd never seen Jasper so angry before, but he supposed he had a right to be. He'd treated Stone badly, really badly. He heard the door open and familiar footsteps in the hall. "Hey, Mom."
    She walked into the living room as she took off her coat. "Was that Jasper I saw leaving?"
"Yeah."
"He looked angry." She hung up her coat and then walked back into the room.
"Mom, can I ask you something?" She sat in the chair across from him. "Have I treated you badly?"
She smiled. "Where did this come from?"
"Mom, I need to know."
"You've been through a lot since the accident." She dodged the question, and Preston had his answer as clearly as if she'd have just told him.
    "Look, Mom, I'm sorry." She'd been as supportive as anyone could ask, and he could hear all the things he'd said to her over the last few months. He'd been short, rude, and downright mean to her and to everyone else. "I shouldn't have taken things out on you. It's not your fault I got hurt." It wasn't anyone's fault, except the driver, but he'd done his best to make the whole world pay. He began lifting himself and scooting closer to his chair, and she got up to help him. "Let me do it, Mom," he almost snapped, but caught himself. "I need to do this myself, but thank you." He saw her smile as she watched him use his legs to help maneuver his body into the chair.
    "I have to make dinner." She got up, still smiling, and left the room.

    "Can I help?" Preston called as he wheeled himself back toward the kitchen. He never helped