Delusion Road by Don Aker Read Free Book Online Page B

hers.”
    “Your dad works for Carleton Jaffrey?” asked Russell.
    “At his dealership. He’s their new accountant.”
    Russell and Greg exchanged a look that Keegan couldn’t read. “I hope your dad doesn’t get too comfortable,” Greg said. “After this morning, the royal party’ll be on your ass for sure.”
    Keegan heard Forbes’s prime directive echo in his head, and he grimaced.
    “Maybe you should apologize to her,” Raven offered.
    Again? thought Keegan. “For what? Not saying enough about her?”
    “Something to think about,” Bailey agreed.
    Another moment passed, and suddenly Russell grinned. “Jeez, I wish I could’ve seen the look on her face.”
    Greg pulled out his phone. “Priceless.” He touched the screen and then passed it around. “Use the zoom,” he said.
    A second later, people all over the cafeteria turned toward the group huddled over their table, Russell Shaw’s laughter echoing through the large space.

CHAPTER 11
    Willa stared at Britney’s phone. “I can’t
believe
you took a picture of that,” she moaned.
    “I’m taking photos of all of us on our first day back,” said Britney from across the table at Subway, where the six had gone for lunch. “Since you were standing up there during our first class of our senior year, I figured what could be better, right?” She reached for her phone and, looking at the screen again, she frowned. “Trust me, I won’t be posting
that
one.”
    Wynn put his arm around Willa. “Listen, babe, nobody embarrasses my girl and gets away with it. If he hadn’t disappeared so fast, I would’ve had a chat with that asshole after class.” He made a fist with his meaty free hand to clarify the meaning of
chat.
    Willa let her body lean into his. “Thanks, Wynn,” she said, “but I don’t want you getting into trouble for me. It isn’t worth it.”
    Todd shook his head. “He disrespected you in front of the whole class, Wills.”
    Willa reddened again, remembering how she’d reacted to the new guy about his dad working for her father. She’d kind of rubbed it in, clearly pissing him off in the process. “Look, it’s no big deal, okay? Let’s just forget it.” She spied a newspaper lyingon the table next to them and reached for it. “Here,” she said, eager to change the subject, “let’s check out the personals.”
    “Jeez,” said Jay, “do people even
read
newspapers anymore?”
    “Yeah,” said Celia. “Ninety-year-olds who’ve never heard of the Internet.”
    Ignoring their comments, Willa pulled out the classifieds and scanned for the personal ads. “Here’s one,” she said. “‘Phyllis Tidwell is no longer responsible for the debts incurred by Andrew Tidwell.’”
    Jay cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds like some old lady finally gave the boot to her slacker son.”
    Willa looked up. “I’m thinking Phyllis and Andrew were married. She caught him cheating.”
    “With her best friend, right?” said Britney.
    Willa shook her head. “With her brother.”
    “Ew!” said Celia, and all of them laughed.
    Willa scanned a few more ads, then read, “‘Thank you, St. Jude, for favours granted. Signed L.J.’”
    “Favours granted,” murmured Celia. “I’m guessing sexual.”
    “All you ever think about is sex,” Britney teased.
    Jay put an arm around Celia, grinning as he drew her close. “And that’s a problem how?” he asked.
    Willa suppressed a sigh—talk like that always reminded her of what she and Wynn didn’t share—and she pondered the cryptic message. “Jude’s the patron saint of lost causes.” She read the ad again silently and then grinned. “L.J. just won the lottery. Not the big one, but enough to pay off some of his gambling debts. But ten-to-one he’s back at the casino tonight.”
    Still grinning at her explanation, Willa looked up, catchingwhat she thought was the tail end of an eye-roll Celia had given Britney. It was no secret those two had never shared Willa’s delight at making