Read Out of Mind for Free Online

mug I held. I wanted something stronger. Something to take the pain away. But I resisted, for Carrie.
    I’d gone through hell and back to keep her at my side.
    I wouldn’t…no, I couldn’t lose her.
    A car pulled up, and I narrowed my eyes. It wasn’t Carrie or her parents. They were out getting a Christmas tree. They’d waited till the last minute since Carrie hadn’t been home to go with them until a few days ago. I’d stayed behind because walking around in the freezing cold with an aching arm while the senator frowned at me wasn’t the best thing for me. Carrie had tried to stay behind but I’d insisted she go.
    She needed to spend time with them before we went home. Needed to feel normal as badly as I did. I knew it, so I made her leave by telling her I wanted to nap.
    I had. Then I’d had a nightmare. Go fucking figure.
    The red Porsche parked at the front, but I couldn’t see who got out of it. I made my way over to the front door just in time for the butler to open it. “They’re not at home, Mr. Stapleton.”
    “I know. Carrie texted me and told me, but I thought I’d stop by and wait.” He laughed. “She told me she wouldn’t be much longer because they’re freezing outside.”
    “Ah, well, come in. You can wait in the family living room, if you’d like.”
    I stood in the shadows, waiting to see who the fuck this was. Carrie had been texting him, but I didn’t know a single thing about him. “Thank you, George.”
    He knew the butler’s name?
    “Can I get you a cocktail?” George asked.
    Another laugh. “I’d love a whiskey, if you don’t mind.”
    I stepped closer. There was a shuffling sound, and then a tall blond guy stepped through the door. He was handsome, had bright green eyes, and was wearing an impeccable blue sweater and a pair of khakis. He looked…fucking perfect, damn it.
    He was everything I wasn’t right now. Who the hell was he?
    He pulled off his scarf and kept talking to George, but I didn’t hear a word. I was too busy trying not to be jealous of a guy I didn’t even know. He laughed and turned my way…and the smile faded. He looked me up and down, concern clear in his eyes. I knew I looked like hell. I knew I was a wreck. But seeing him looking at me as if he felt sorry for me?
    Fuck no. Not happening.
    “Hi,” he said, hesitating. He crossed the room and held out his hand, offering me his non-dominant hand since he knew I couldn’t use my broken arm. How thoughtful of him. “I’m Riley. You must be Griffin, right?”
    Son of a bitch, he was nice, too.
    I knew right away, within seconds of eye contact, that while this guy was rich, he was not another Cory. This guy was kind and seemed to be a guy that even I could like, under different circumstances. In fact, even I had to admit he was the perfect guy for Carrie…
    If it wasn’t for me being in the way.
    “It’s Finn,” I managed to say without my voice cracking. I set my mostly empty coffee mug down on the side table and shook his hand, not dropping his stare. He was sizing me up, and I had a feeling he’d find me lacking. So I stared right the fuck back. I wasn’t one to back down, even when I was clearly the one who lost this battle. My mind was not whole, and neither was my body. “And you are…?”
    “Riley Stapleton.” He was a little shorter than me, but not by much, and he was strong. His grip didn’t relax on mine at all, even though I didn’t let go of him as quickly as I should have. “I’m a friend of Carrie’s, and our dads are political affiliates.”
    I nodded and released him. He watched me with bright green eyes. His flawless skin and impeccably styled hair made me run a hand over my own roughly shaved head, ending up on my long, jagged cut. “I’ve never heard of you.”
    He smiled easily. “It’s not too surprising. I didn’t really become friends with Carrie till the holiday party. And after that, she left and stayed with you. We’ve only been talking via text and