Read My Favorite Distraction (Distraction #1) for Free Online

her, but I could tell she was trying to defend me, protect me. I started to play along, not sure where she was going, but I knew I could trust her.
    “I am just protective of you , that’s all. I think that’s why you have been hiding Jared. You were scared I wouldn’t approve—or he wouldn’t.” I was staring her in the eyes, willing her silently to shut the hell up.
    “Red ,” she corrected me, not liking that I knew him first as Jared, “thought I should wait. We wanted it to be the right time.”
    “So are you going to kick my butt?” Jared said , and I got the creepy-crawlies. My head fell forward and I peeked at the hand that I was holding on to. Jason was now holding my hand just as hard, and I noticed I was smashed up against him.
    I glanced up at Jason. He was ready to react, respond. He was all puffed up, and he looked ready to fight. I released my grip on his hand and shook it free, then slid my hand up his thigh. He immediately softened, and his grip on me released.
    Jason eyes dropped down to mine. “I am going to get the check.” With that, he slipped out of the booth.
    “Jason ,” Jared said, “how’s Bettina?”
    Jason stopped dead in his trac ks. He turned all of his attention to Red. “I’m not sure. I haven’t spoken to her in months.”
    “That’s not what I have heard . I was just on the phone with her brother. He said this is your pattern. You physically hurt her, and then you leave. He said last time the police were called and he had to place a restraining order on you.” I knew the purposed of stating that he physically hurt her was only for my benefit. He was reminding me of my past, the part he played, and even the part he never knew about.
    “It sounds like you have all the answers.” The waiter walked up behind Jason, and he handed him his credit card without hesitation. Then he sat down, shielding my body with his.
    Heather looked at me and started talking . I knew she was working on changing the subject. “So in college we had this professor that was clearly stalking Kat.” With that, everyone quieted and turned to her. “He would invite her to lunch and to teacher events.”
    “Heather, he was a great professor. He wanted me to pursue biomedical engineering. He said I was gifted and was trying to help me find my passion.  He was helping me that was all, nothing more.” She was embarrassing me.
    “So Kat’s grandfather went to the college and set him straight. I think there was a gun involved.”
    “No , Heather, please stop. That was not why he talked with my professor and my grandfather never carried a weapon.” I was going over in my mind ways that I could maim her.
    “Then there was another creepy guy, a guy that was friends with my boyfriend. Except after we broke up, the friend kept coming around, and he would leave if Kat wasn’t there.”
    “ We made out a few times that’s all. When I was done I asked him to leave, seriously,” I looked at Jason and confirmed. “He left.” She was pissing me off, but hell if I would show anyone when I was pissed off.
    She ignored me like I wasn’t even there.  What the he ck? “Really, creepy was an understatement. He snuck into her room one night, and Katie kicked the shit out of him. He spent a night in the hospital and was charged the next day. I am just saying people are drawn to you that way.” She glanced at Jason.
    I peered up at Red, who held anger in his eyes. Jason’s body stiffened with mine. I grabbed my purse and signaled at him. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
    I turned to Heather and gave her my practiced smile. “See you later , fairy.” Big fat liar, I wanted to add. I glanced quickly at Red and gave him a slight nod, “Jared.”
    I heard Jason say his good-byes as I moved out of the booth.  He waited for me, put his hand on the small of my back, and steered me out of the restaurant. We stopped at the sight of our waiter with our check. Jason thanked him, and we made our way to the Jeep.