Read My Soul To Keep (Soul Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

pencil.
    “Maybe I should try a different key.”
    “Grady, come on. Toss me a bone here.”
    “Why should I?” He drops the pencil, along with any pretense that he doesn’t know exactly what I want. “There are plenty of girls out there more than willing to play your games.”
    “Who says I want to play games? I just want to get to know her.”
    “Are you telling me you don’t want to sleep with Kai?”
    Well, he just put that right out there, didn’t he? It should be awkward, him being my uncle and all, but I did live through my out-of-control adolescence under his roof. He did buy me my first condoms. We left awkward behind long ago.
    “Grady, I just met the girl last night. Give me some time. Maybe start with coffee.”
    “I’m just saying what’s the point? She’s very driven. Very focused, and not one of these girls looking for anything she hasn’t earned. So just let her go her way, and you keep going yours.”
    “Do you really think that little of me?”
    “I just think that much of her. She hasn’t been in L.A. long. Moved here from the backwoods of Georgia. She needs protecting.”
    “And you’re her designated protector?”
    “I seem to remember someone else who needed looking after when he first moved here.” The stern lines of his face soften just a bit. “Wasn’t I that for you when you needed it?”
    Grady just played his trump card. He knows I can’t, or won’t, argue with that. I got nothing.
    “So now do we have an agreement?” Grady picks up the pencil and poises it over the song we haven’t worked on yet. “You’ll leave this one alone?”
    I nod and start reworking the measures he’s been wrestling with, but I don’t say the words. Another lesson I learned from my parents the hardest of ways. Don’t make promises you aren’t sure you can keep.

I PUSH BACK THE CURTAIN OF Grady’s living room window for the hundredth time and check my watch. It’s so unlike Santos to be late. If he’s not here soon, I’ll be late for my hip-hop class. I hate the thought of my girls standing around waiting for me at the community center. I’m just about to call Santos one more time, when my cell rings. It’s him.
    “Where are you?” I can’t even bother with a decent greeting.
    “I’m sorry, pipsqueak.” Santos sounds irritated and apologetic at the same time. “Some guy rear-ended me.”
    My heart completely shifts gears, concern swallowing any impatience.
    “Are you okay? Where are you?”
    “I’m fine. Still about thirty minutes away, and the cops want me to stay on the scene. I don’t want you to be late.”
    Grady and Rhyson enter the room, laughing and talking. I turn my back, blocking them out of my conversation as much as I can.
    “I’ll be fine, San. Just focus on that, and I’ll figure it out.”
    I’m already calculating how late I’ll be if I have to wait for the next bus, and how every stop will further delay me getting to class on time.
    “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe this happ—Hold on.” His voice grows fainter like he’s turned his head. “Hey, it’s the cop.”
    “Go. I’ll figure it out. I’m just glad you’re okay. Text me once everything settles down.”
    Grady walks over to me, concern on his face.
    “Everything okay with Santos?”
    I focus on Grady, keeping my eyes off Rhyson, who stands back, observing our conversation, arms crossed over his chest. I will not notice the subtle bulge of his biceps pulling at the sleeves of his T-shirt. I will not remember the heat of his hand on my stomach or his finger caressing my belly ring. Or the way his, “May I touch you here?” pierced my peace of mind back in the music room.
    “San was in a car accident, but he’s fine. He just has to stay at the scene.”
    “He was taking you to class?”
    “Yeah, but it’s okay. I’ll catch the bus to the community center.”
    “You’ll be late.” Grady pulls the keys from his pocket. “I can take you.”
    “No way.” I shift the bag on