Chapter 161: Austin

He picked up the newest thriller by Mark Dawson and stared unseeingly at the pages, then put it down. He automatically went to pick it back up, when his hand froze over the paperback. It was no use. He'd been trying to read that rather short paragraph for the last – he looked at his phone – thirty-two minutes, and still had no idea what it said.

Or what the name of the book was.

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. This was ridiculous. He loved to read. He loved thrillers. He loved Mark Dawson. Austin had long ago taught himself how to entertain himself while alone, because otherwise, he would've gone stark raving mad years ago.

After growing up with Monica practically attached to his hip from their freshman year forward, it'd actually been something he had to consciously teach himself how to do. It was okay to be by himself. It was okay to spend evenings in, with only a book to keep him company.