When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez Page A

afraid someone will see us out here? Abby and Sarah might be in the bushes with binoculars and cameras, taking pictures and posting them all over the Internet. Maybe the local paparazzi were tipped off. You know, they’ve already nicknamed us EmKev or is it Kevily?”
    â€œThat’s not funny,” said Emily.
    â€œIt might be safer to stay in my room,” he said and wiggled his eyebrows.
    Emily tilted her head and grinned but didn’t say anything.
    â€œSeriously, though, I know we kind of talked about this yesterday, but I really want to know how long this whole secret-boyfriend thing is going to last.”
    â€œYou’re in my sun,” she said and motioned for him to move.
    He smiled, raised his hands, and backed away a few feet. He crossed his arms and waited for a response.
    â€œI don’t know,” she said. “You said it yourself: my reputation will be ruined even more.”
    â€œI was joking.”
    â€œBut it’s true.” Emily stood up. “Everyone will have something to say, and I really don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to feel like I have to defend myself because I’m not ashamed of being with you.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be. We haven’t done anything wrong.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œSo, what’s the problem?”
    â€œWell, let’s see … Sarah and Abby will be pissed when they find out I lied. And even if they’re not, they’ll talk about our every move.” Emily paced while she talked. “And then my dad will find out—
por supuesto
—and force me to talk to middle schoolers about abstinence or something.
¡Ay, mátame ahora!
And, what if, while all of this craziness is going on, something happens between us?” Emily lowered her gaze.
    Kevin put his hands on Emily’s shoulders. “Jeez,
chica
, you are tense.” He turned Emily around and massaged her upper back. “Now let me give you some ‘what ifs.’ What if your friends are just happy for us? What if you tell your dad to back off and let you live your life?”
    Emily shook her head. Kevin turned her around and lifted her chin with his finger.
    â€œWhat if you trust me when I say I won’t hurt you? And what if you stop worrying about everything and enjoy the moment?”
    Emily’s stomach tightened. She hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. Could it really be that easy? Thinking about the aftermath of the June party, she doubted it. She’d never seen her father so angry. She’d never been more upset with Sarah and Abby for not understanding the position she was in, for thinking her problems could be solved with another manicure or pint of ice cream. But, they did promise to be more careful. Maybe, with her friends protecting her, and Kevin by her side, everything could be different this time. Still, right now, while their relationship was a secret, she had him, her friends, and no family drama.
    â€œI don’t want to tell anyone yet,” she said, looking up at him. “I want to keep you to myself for a little while longer. Is that okay?”
    â€œI’ll take what I can get,” he said and grinned. “But I’m not going to do this forever, Em. I don’t like to play games.”
    Emily nodded.
    Kevin started to fuss with her silver cross pendant, moving the clasp to the back.
    â€œWait,” she said and touched his hand. “You’re supposed to make a wish when they touch.”
    â€œOkay,” he said with a laugh. “Make a wish.”
    She closed her eyes and let Kevin fix her necklace. When she opened them, he was gone. She turned her head and saw the tail end of his cannonball into the pool.
    Emily patted her pendant and repeated her wish before she jumped into the water.

Chapter 10

“I dwell in Possibility –”
    Elizabeth stormed into the classroom seconds before the bell. She dropped her bag to the floor as she