Read Online Shades of Darkness by A. R. Kahler - Free Book Online

there wasn’t any more to it.
    â€œNot at all,” I said, sliding out the chair. Playing nonchalant was my best way out of this becoming awkward. In theory.
    The next ten seconds of silence were potentially the most cringe-worthy of my life. Especially because Ethan was leaning forward with his hands clasped before him, a slight grin on his face, like he was about to do a job interview. Thankfully, Oliver came to the rescue.
    â€œYou ready for the Russian Lit quiz Tuesday?” he asked, popping a nugget in his mouth.
    Chris’s face lit up at the bone Oliver threw him.
    â€œNot really,” he said. “I still have to finish the last fifty pages of Tolstoy.”
    â€œUgh, have fun,” Oliver replied. “At least it’s not Nabokov anymore. Guy made me want to shoot myself.”
    â€œIsn’t that the whole point of Russian literature?” Chris asked innocently.
    I chuckled. “Well played, sir. Well played.”
    â€œSpeaking of shooting ourselves, we were just talking about Painting Studio,” Ethan said. “And how excited we are for Tamora’s piece.”
    Chris laughed—it was one of those laughs that was too loud for the situation, which just made it even funnier.
    â€œI nearly lost it last time,” he said. “I just hope she wasn’t using oil paints. Those can damage you.”
    I tried to filter out the boys’ banter and focus on food. Faux nuggets and macaroni was easily my favorite meal in the known universe, and if I let myself pay attention to the boy sitting a foot to my right, I’d lose my appetite entirely. That would be a grave disservice to the gods of food.
    It worked. Right up to the point where Ethan threw a nugget at my head.
    â€œEarth to Kaira,” he said when I jumped back in my seat. “You still there?”
    â€œWhat? Sorry, zoning out.”
    â€œWe noticed,” Ethan replied. “Chris just asked what we were doing tonight.”
    â€œWe?”
    â€œYou were coming to my concert, right?” Oliver asked.
    I nodded, then caught the drift.
    â€œWhat our eloquent friend is trying to say,” Ethan intervened, “is that you’re more than welcome to join us. Kaira and I were going to meet in the Writers’ House at six thirty to grab some hot cocoa before braving our way to the auditorium. Sound good?”
    â€œPerfect,” Chris replied. A pause. “You don’t really think Tamora painted with her nether regions again, do you?”
    It took a moment for my brain to start working and connect the dots, as it had begun to spin on he’s going to a concert with you, he’s going to a concert with you . It made my pulse race, and not in a good way.
    â€œI hope not,” Ethan said. “But as they say, ‘God hates the gays.’ This would just be another fitting form of punishment.”
    Oliver chuckled and kissed Ethan on the cheek. I glanced to Chris, who was grinning and picking at his food. When his brown eyes darted to mine, I was immediately grateful for that previous stuffing of my face. My heart leaped into my throat, and any chance of food getting past the obstruction was lost.
    I know it was stupid, but something in that smile reminded me of Brad.
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    â€œYou were totally smooth,” Ethan said as we left the cafeteria. “I mean, like, Oscar-worthy performance in there. I nearly cried.”
    â€œShut up.” I rammed my elbow into him, maybe a little harder than necessary. I wasn’t pissed, really, but the fact that Chris made me think of my ex had me on edge. “If I remember correctly, you weren’t nearly as eloquent when you first met Oliver.”
    â€œGirl has a point,” Oliver said, grabbing my free arm. “She led that conversation. In fact, she nearly took our first kiss from you.”
    â€œI hate you both,” Ethan muttered.
    â€œAnyway, Chris is cute. And intelligent,