Double Time by Julie Prestsater Read Free Book Online Page A

ass myself.
    When all is said and done, Alex is the winner. But he didn’t make it easy. I swear he practically sat on top of Ben until his ass hit the mat. What a big cheater.
    Round two sucks ass. I’ve never had any luck in my life so far, so why should I get it now, right? Next up: me, Licha, Travis, and Alex.
    “ This should be interesting,” Ben whispers, as we stand on one side of the mat with my opponents on the other.
    “ You’re a shithead. You were supposed to win.”
    “ Hey, I tried. You saw what he did.” He looks down, like he wants to say something.
    “ What is it?”
    “ You sure you want to know?” I nod, and he continues, “I think he wants you back, Meg.”
    “ What makes you say that?”
    “ He told me.”
    “ Oh.” I take the flask from his hands and suck back another shot.
    “ So what do you think?”
    I shrug. “I don’t know.” I pause. “Actually, I’m really not that interested. He was right. He’s a lot older than me. I’m only sixteen. I can’t even drive yet and he’s in his second year of college. What’s wrong with him for wanting a girl in high school when there’s a bunch of girls his age probably willing and ready to take care of his every need?”
    He doesn’t say anything at first, but then adds, “I don’t think it’s about anything being wrong with him or other girls, I think it’s what’s right about you.”
    “ You’re too good to me, Ben.” I put my hand on his. “But I still don’t think I’m interested.”
    He stands, yanks me to him, and hugs me. “I’m glad to hear that.”
    “ Really?”
    He releases me and we walk over to where round two is getting ready to begin. “Yeah. He’s my friend, but I think you’re better off with Travis or someone else your age. For now, anyway.”
    “ Thanks, Ben.”
    “ Anytime.” He ruffles my hair as I join my opponents.
    “ You ready?” I ask Travis as he struts toward me.
    “ Sure, why not? I’ve always dreamed about playing naked Twister with you and your ex-boyfriend.”
    “ You know, I’ve had that same dream and Licha was in it too. All I could do was moo like a cow next to her flawless figure.”
    “ Moo. Nah. I don’t see you with spots. I bet you were pink with a curly tail,” he says, with a sly grin.
    “ You calling me a pig?” I ask.
    “ No way. It’s not like I’ve witnessed you eat a bag of Kettle corn, and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream, chased with a Coca-Cola Double Super Big Gulp Slurpee.”
    We both laugh. “That was only one time. And you helped me.”
    “ You only let me have a sip of your Slurpee before you ripped the straw from my mouth.”
    “ You should know better than to mess with my Slurpee or my…”
    “ Fries,” he finishes my sentence.
    “ What do you say we win this thing?” I tell him, holding out my hand.
    Instead of taking my hand, he rests his palm on that spot on the back of my neck, and whispers in my ear, “I don’t know. I think I’d rather get your shirt off again.”
    “ Down, buddy,” I tell him. “Remember our rules.”
    “ It’s been weeks. Don’t you think it’s time to live a little?”
    “ Don’t tempt me.”
    “ Are you two gonna play or what?” Alex says.

Seven
     
     
     
    Frankie jumps on the table again. “Hey, the last round took too long. We’re only going to play one more round with six people. Let’s get this show on the road. I’ve got things to see and girls to do.” He laughs at his own pathetic joke and his friends give him a fist bump. Lame.
    The game gets underway and immediately I can tell it’s going to be a lot more difficult with two more people on the mat. When all of us have both hands and feet down, it’s pretty squished. Licha has the next move, and I’m fairly certain she bumps me on purpose. I try to keep myself from falling, but I can’t. I take out Alex and Ethan with me. Off goes my second sock. I lost my other shoe and sock in the first game. Alex