Dizzy by Jolene Perry Read Free Book Online Page A

lost James. And the worst part about it is that he should have been the safest guy ever. Him and Alyssa? What have they done? Is it still going on? Was it a one-time thing? A many-times thing? How far did they go? That thought makes me feel like someone just dropped me out of a plane.
    My phone buzzes. Another text. I’m almost afraid to check, but it’s Lora. Amazingly, she seems like the safest choice right now.
    LORA: BEHAVE
    ME: R U KIDDING ME? I KNOW HIS BRO. DO U KNOW WHO UR MARRYING?
    Lora scowls as she reads my note, and then she starts frantically texting. Mom and Dad are probably telling some embarrassing story because there’s chuckling around the table, but Lora and I have business.
    L: HOW ON EARTH DO U KNOW DYLAN?
    ME: WE MET AT A…
    Crap. Now what?
    STUDENT FUNCTION.
    I hit send.
    She snorts from across the table. Yeah, I didn’t think she’d buy it. We don’t go to the same school.
    Dylan sounds like he’s holding in a chuckle. I glance his way to see him and his brother give each other the look that Lora and I usually exchange when something’s going on.              
    “Ziah?” Mom leans forward. Her in a chair at her own restaurant is a bit of a miracle.
    “Yes?” I lean forward, and Dad nearly tips his chair back trying to get out of the way. Guess there’s sort of a mood around the table.
    Now I’m getting the glare of death from Mom.
    Perfect. Does everyone think I’m so immature that I’m overreacting this badly to a wedding? I mean, I’m not for it, and I think they’re making a huge mistake, but seriously.
    I slump down in my chair and make a point of shoving my phone into my pocket so Lora can see. Neither of them asks why my day’s sucking. At the same time, opening my mouth to say that James at some point hooked up with Alyssa… or is maybe still hooking up with Alyssa…
    I wish I had more champagne.
    Dylan leans toward me, and I breathe in like an idiot. “Having fun?”
    He so knows Lora and I were texting. I don’t make eye contact, just lean back. Anger is better than hurt.
    “Where’s your armrest?”
    “Armrest?”
    “The one decorated like…nevermind.” He knows who I am. I could see it across the table before I sat down.
    He stops. He’s probably counting back girls to remember who on Earth he was with.
    “Have you been thinking about me, Hanes?” He chuckles.
    “You wish.” Hanes? I open my mouth to ask as my fingers twitch, as I wonder what the chances are of my getting a refill on my champagne glass.
    “Maybe.” He’s smiling like this is all some big joke.
    It’s not a joke. I don’t want to think about him, and I don’t want him to want me to think about him. I also don’t want Lora to get married. And I don’t want Alyssa to be with James. The thought of it digs at my chest. And this hot guy is just messing with me for fun.              
    Wait. I turn to face him. “What did you call me?”
    “What?”
    Ha. I’ve thrown him.
    “What did you call me?” I ask again.
    He glances up at his brother, who’s nuzzling Lora’s neck again. Gag.
    Maybe Alyssa and James did that. Maybe they hated that I was in the middle of what they wanted. I swear my stomach is turning inside out. I can always eat. Always. But I have zero appetite tonight.
    Dylan stares at his plate for a sec, looking almost… sad? Mad? I do not want to feel bad for this guy. He’s on the enemy side. I don’t know what’s going on, and I need air. My chair scoots back so fast, I almost tip over. Mom’s eyes are on me.
    “Ladies’ room,” I spit out as I almost trip over myself getting around the table. What’s my problem? It’s just Lora and some hot guy, and James and Alyssa. And just… Hanes. What does that mean?
    If hot party-guy’s brother is ready to settle down, what does that say about the guy who was supposed to be solid and steady, and who apparently hooked up or something with Alyssa? He has things he needs to apologize for, and