Cracked Open by Susan Kaye Quinn

Author:Susan Kaye Quinn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult, science fiction, paranormal, young adult, science fiction, paranormal, teen
Publisher: Susan Kaye Quinn
Published: 2018-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

Before I can even say anything, Tessa is scowling.

“What?” I can’t decide if I should say, Look, I’m not into Kira, or if I should just pretend she didn’t catch us mid-hug up against the table.

“You really shouldn’t.” There’s a wincing pain in her eyes. I can’t tell if she’s embarrassed or maybe hurt?

“Shouldn’t what?” Okay, now I think we should just spit it out. Because the tension is ridiculous.

She crosses her arms, and her red suit bunches up a little. “I know she’s a jacker, and you guys share… well, a kind of bond, or something… but she’s still hurting over Julian.”

Oh. My. God. “I was not making a move on Kira.”

She frowns. “I’m just saying—”

“Don’t.” I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. “And thanks for thinking I’m the kind of jerk who would do that.”

Her mouth drops open.

“What in the world, Tessa.” I’m actually pissed now. “The girl’s just been shot at. She’s upset about… well, all kinds of things.” Most of which I don’t want Tessa to know about. “Including her dead boyfriend. So, yeah, I gave her a hug. Or really, she gave me one. Because she needed someone to talk her through all this, and I guess that someone was me. And I’m not a complete jerk.”

My rant has her chastened, dropping her gaze to her hands, which are tormenting one another. “No, you’re not.” She won’t look at me. “I shouldn’t have…” She shakes her head but won’t look up. “I’m sorry.”

My pride is a little less wounded, but that tormented look on her face is killing me. “I just don’t want you thinking I’m that kind of guy.”

She peeks up at me. “What kind of guy?”

Man, those big brown eyes get me every time. Make me want to open up and tell her everything. “The bad kind. The kind that hurts people. The kind with the mutant jacker powers that people want to use, and never for anything good.”

She’s straightened up now, looking me in the eyes. “I know you’re one of the good ones, Zeph.”

I let out a small laugh, and now I’m the one that’s having a hard time looking her in the eyes. “Yeah, well… you don’t know much about me.”

“No, I don’t.” The way she says it is an invitation. I can’t help looking back. “Did you mean it?” she asks. “What you said about not running away? Or were you just saying that to convince Kira to run for the Senate?” Her eyes are big and open and curious.

I don’t think I could lie to her right now if I wanted to. And I don’t. “I meant it. I ran away once, and my family paid the price for it.”

“Because they were captured?” She’s breathless now, moving a little closer. “By those people who hurt your sister?”

Her nearness is making it hard for me to breathe normally. “Yeah.”

“So you’re staying, then?” There’s hope lighting up in her eyes. “Staying and fighting, like you told Kira.”

Man, I don’t want to lie to her.

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