Read Online Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory - Free Book Online Page A

“I’m driving,” I called after him. “You can either follow in your truck or ride along.” I didn’t wait to see which one he chose.
    I tossed my bag in the back of the Bronco and climbed into the driver’s seat just as he opened the passenger side door. “I won’t come if you don’t want me to,” he said.
    I stuck the key in the ignition and started the truck. “You can come if you want. You promised I could drown you, remember?”
    He grinned, climbing inside and slamming the door. “I have a feeling I might regret that later.”
    “I have a feeling you’re right.”
    There were a pair of muddy running shoes on the floorboard, and Ian tossed them into the backseat as I pulled out of my driveway. “I run cross-country,” I explained.
    “Really?” He seemed surprised. “Running was always my punishment. What made you pick that?”
    I shrugged. “Why do you play football?” Why does anyone do anything?
    “I’m not sure,” Ian said. “I don’t actually remember why I even started. I have a picture in my room of me right after a game. I’m covered in sweat and blood and grinning like hell. But I don’t remember playing that game. I remember that we won, that I was interviewed and everything, but I can’t remember actually playing the game.”
    He shook his head in frustration, and I felt bad for him. While there were a few things in my life I wouldn’t mind forgetting, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose those that meant something. Who would I be if I couldn’t remember Pops? If I didn’t remember my mom before his death?
    “Are you a good runner?” he asked.
    I was getting pretty good at running away. “I’m all right.” I wasn’t breaking any records, but if I could shave a minute off my time, I might qualify for at least a partial scholarship. “I like running because I can set goals and reach them if I work hard enough. Life isn’t always like that.”
    “I know exactly what you mean,” he said, and I was surprised to find that he sounded like he actually did. Most of the time Becca just rolled her eyes and told me to lighten up. It was nice that Ian actually heard and understood what I was saying.
    “There are some things that, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much work you put into, don’t ever happen,” Ian said. “I can’t stand it when I can’t change things. When it’s out of my hands.”
    Staying mad at him made more sense than the way I actually felt. His face was honest and open when he spoke, his words a truth I could almost hold in my hands.
    “I run the drills and I get better at football. I study for a test and I get an A. But no matter how hard or how bad I want it, I can’t find my memories or get rid of my headaches. I can’t fix my…” He stopped short and turned in his seat, his voice lower. “I can’t make the right impression on this really great girl, because no matter how hard I try, I keep screwing it up. Wouldn’t it be great if willpower made things happen?”
    My thoughts, someone else’s voice. Because if everything worked like that, I could fix my family before I graduated high school. I wouldn’t have to worry about them crumbling when I was no longer here to hold them together. I wouldn’t have to fear failure—or escape.
    “Okay,” I said, slowing down as we rolled through town. “If that were true, what would you make happen?” I waited for the single stoplight in town to turn green while Ian thought of an answer.
    “Well, besides the obvious one…” he began. He leaned over the console, his arm brushing against mine. His mouth twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. He failed. It was so easy to smile back.
    “Which obvious one?” I asked.
    “Willing myself not to forget beautiful girls.”
    I was relieved when the light finally turned green and I had to focus on the road instead of the way Ian was looking at me. There was just something about him that kept me from being able to stay mad. Maybe