Read The Secret of Ella and Micha for Free Online Page A

slept together, just like we’ve never dated. But we’ve been friends since we were kids.”
    She sits down on the bed and unhooks her sandal. “But you’ve had sex before?”
    I squirm in my skin. “I’m going to go get ready for bed.”
    “ Whoa , wait a second.” She leaps off the bed wearing one shoe and jumps in front of the door with her hands spread out to the side. “Are you saying that you’ve never had sex? Ever .”
    I struggle for words she’ll understand. “It’s not like I haven’t because I don’t believe in premarital sex or anything. I just… Look there’s a lot you don’t know about me and sometimes I have a hard time getting close to people.”
    She’s not surprised. “Well, obviously. That’s totally been a given from day one.”
    “What do you mean?” I question. “I’ve never told anyone that before.” Not even Micha.
    “It means sometimes I can see right through you.” She sighs and counts down on her fingers. “I’ve been your roommate for eight months and all I know about you is you’re focused on school, you hate to drink, hate being around large crowds, and have never went on a date. I barely know you and being here, I’m starting to wonder if I know you at all.”
    She knows the Ella I want her to know. “Can you let me by? I’m really tired.”
    She gives me a disbelieving look, but doesn’t press. She steps aside and lets me by. Relief washes over me because I don’t want to get into it with her. Not tonight. Not ever. I never want to get into the night that changed my life. I buried my reckless identity, and I won’t dig it up again.

Chapter 4

    Micha
    “She’s already got you all hot and bothered.” Ethan sips on his soda. “Look at you. Drunk after eight months of sobriety and I don’t believe it’s a coincidence it happened on the same night she showed up.”
    I slam another shot back and wipe my lips with the back of my hand. “I’m fine man. And I can’t blame what I do on anyone else but myself. This isn’t Ella’s fault. ”
    Ethan laughs, tipping his head back, bumping it on the edge of the cupboard. “Who the hell are you trying to convince? You know just as well as every single person in the room knows that you two are each other’s problem and it’s never going to be fixed until you fuck and get it over with.”
    I punch him in the arm, harder than I planned. “Watch it. You’re walking on thin ice tonight.”
    He holds up his hands, surrendering. “Sorry, I forgot how you get when you’re like this.”
    I grab a fist full of his shirt and jerk him toward me. “Like what?”
    Again, he forfeits up his hands. “Micha man, calm down and go drink some coffee or something. You’re trashed out of your mind.”
    I release him and rake my fingers through my hair, frustrated with something I can’t grasp. “Coffee’s a myth… And I need something else.” My eyes travel to the back door window, and suddenly I understand what I need. I pat Ethan’s shoulder. “Clear everyone out before my mom gets home, okay?”
    “Alright, man will do,” he replies confoundedly. “But where are you going?”
    “On a walk.” I knock people out of my way, and stumble out the back door. Regaining my balance, I trip across the grass and climb over the fence. Ella’s dad’s Firebird is parked in the driveway, so he must be home from the bar. Doesn’t matter, though. He won’t notice or care if I sneak in. I’ve been doing it since we were kids.
    Although, my intentions did get a bit dirtier the older we got.
    I stare up at her bedroom window until I reach the tree. After a drunken struggle, I make it to the top and I inch along the branch to the window. Cupping me hands around my eyes, I peek inside. The lights are off, but the glow of the moon lights a trail to her bed. She’s fast asleep. I inch open the window, slicing my finger on a rusty nail. “Mother…” I suck on my finger tip, the taste of blood and vodka bitter against my