Don't Look Back (Warders of Earth) by S E Gilchrist Page A

Dad was offered a position in England after they’d both graduated, they got married. They came back to Australia when Mum fell pregnant with me. We’ve moved around a lot, so I know what it’s like starting new schools over and over. I remember the first school I attended was in Perth. Next thing I know, Dad had a new job and we were in Brisbane. ” I grinned.
    Funny though, I held little memory of my early years apart from a recurring dream of being trapped inside a white room. Although why I’d always felt the dream to be connected to my childhood and not some movie I’d seen, I couldn’t say.
    “Yeah, it can be tough but you do get to see a lot of the world. Whereabouts did you live?”
    I shrugged. “Capital cities mainly. A couple of times we lived for a few months in the US. The last big city we lived in was Canberra. But then Mum and Dad decided on a tree change and we moved out west.”
    All those moves, never staying long in one place.
    Constantly being lectured to never draw attention, to never err on the wrong side of the law.
    Even a parking ticket had been the subject of an argument.
    Now, for the first time, I wondered why.
    Alex didn’t respond. He’d plucked a blade of grass and sucked on the end, staring straight ahead as if lost in his own thoughts.
    Silence stretched out between us like a rubber band.
    What would happen if it snapped?
    I needed to change the subject. Desperately I searched my mind then blurted, “There’s a live band playing at the pub next week. My friends are home for a bit and we’re gonna go. Why don’t you come along with us?” OMG! Did I just ask him out?
    “Yeah, I heard it was on. Maybe I will.” He reached out and took my left hand in his turning it over to smooth his thumb across my palm. His touch spiked a flurry of goose bumps skittering up my arm.
    “What’s your story, Tara? Why are you here in this town?”
    My throat tightened. Should I pull my hand out of his grasp or act cool? Act as if I’m not imagining pulling him down on top of me and running my fingers all over those hard muscles.
    Clearing my throat, I said, “I’m only here until I’ve finished my land care course, then I’m long gone.”
    He quirked his eyebrows as his cool gaze studied me. “Really? You seem to be very close to your mother and little brother. I can’t see you up and leaving them any time soon, even if your parents do piss you off with their odd ideas.”
    “You know nothing about me or my family.” I glared at him. It was okay for me to be annoyed, but that didn’t mean I was going to let anyone else cast judgement. I remembered the bomb shelter. This guy had better not spread any rumours about Mum.
    “I know more than you can possibly comprehend.”
    Now, what’s he talking about?
    I yanked free of his hold and wiped my hand against my shorts. His gaze followed my movements. The intentness of his stare made me feel all trembly inside.
    “What’s the story with your old man working as a cleaner? With his qualifications he could get a job anywhere in the world.”
    Why was Alex so interested in my family? Had he heard gossip about Dad’s involvement with drugs?
    “What my father does for a living is none of your business.” Anxious to be rid of him, I leaned closer and almost hurled the words in his face.
    “When I make a pledge, I stick to it,” he drawled, his eyes ice cold.
    Huh? This conversation is totally off the scale of weirdness.
    Feminine voices floated towards us. The scowl on his face vanishing as if it’d never been there, Alex stood up as Marnie and Em sauntered around the side of the house. Their faces lit up like they’d spotted Liam Hemsworth and they both smiled.
    He lifted a hand in greeting and tossed me a casual, “I’ll see you later, Tara. Dad’s staying for lunch but I’ve got some work to do at the garage.”
    My friends stared after his retreating back. Their drooling over Mr I’m-so-awesome irritated me.
    It annoyed me even