How to Hook a Bookworm by Cassie Mae Read Free Book Online Page A

work.”
    Levi does this thing where it looks like he’s halfway between hugging me and strangling me. He doesn’t do either and just walks from my room, letting the door shut quietly behind him. I take a small breather before I put the phone back up to my ear.
    “Sorry about that,” I say to Jay, hoping my voice is even.
    “It’s cool. I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?”
    Yes .
    “No.”
    “Awesome. So, how are you?”
    “Okay, I guess.” I’m not sure if it’s the left over tension in the air from my argument with Levi or if it’s the phone call itself, but it feels awkward and weird. “Uh, you?”
    “I’m good. I rehearsed what I was going to say about ten times before I hit call. So I’m going to spit it out before I forget.”
    A slight smile twitches the corners of my mouth, and I walk over to my dresser and play with all the sketches I keep on top. “Go for it.”
    “So Brea, I’m new here, not sure if you knew…” We both share a laugh, his nervous and mine totally just to humor the poor guy. “I was wondering if you’d be cool with hanging out Friday night? I can pick you up around six, and you can give me directions to all your favorite spots.”
    My favorite spots? I’m glad I have notice, because if he surprised me with that one on Friday night, I would’ve told him to take me to Adam’s backyard, Sierra’s massive bedroom, or the candy aisle at Target.
    I chew on my lip, opening my top drawer and digging out my pack of Stride gum Adam always keeps stocked for me. I pop a piece in and chew, wondering if I should ask Mom if it’s okay, or agree to the date now and ask for forgiveness later. She never said the word “grounded,” but I’m afraid if I ask about going out this weekend right after the grade report, she will say the word loud and clear.
    “Crap, did I mess that up too? I thought I was being pretty cool about it.” Jay laughs, and I pop my gum.
    “Sorry, I was just checking…my, uh, calendar.” What baloney. I don’t even think I own a calendar. “Six on Friday sounds good.” I put on a smile, then pop my gum again. “As long as I’m allowed to pick a place with food as our first stop.”
    “Of course.”
    “Then… I guess it’s a date.” That word sounds weird in my voice.
    “Awesome.” And he really likes that word.
    I try to smile, wishing that this really great thing—I mean, hello! Hot sexy boy asking me out—would make me smile automatically, but I just can’t find it in me with everything else.
    After a few more pops of gum, I finally get the smile right. Not that he can see it.
    “Awesome.”

Chapter 6
    It’s okay to be spoiled on a date, right?
     
    The second Sierra and Jolie slide the zipper up the back of the red dress they forced me into, a zing of pain shoots through the back of my head.
    “Ouch, shit!”
    Jolie stops mid-zip as I grab a bundle of my hair to ease the pain.
    “Crap, Brea, I’m sorry. Hold still. I’ll get it out.”
    I take deep breaths while single strands get tugged and pulled and pinched. Damn this dress. I told them I’d be better off in Sierra’s off-the-shoulder tee.
    “Do I really have to wear this? I want to be comfortable.”
    Sierra bats Jolie’s hands from the back of the dress and pulls at the zipper, ripping a few more strands from my head. “It is comfy, I promise. You won’t be constantly adjusting any of it.”
    “Unless my hair gets stuck in the zipper again.”
    “We’ll do it up. Oh! It’ll look so pretty in a classic ponytail, especially with how long it is.”
    I grip my hair again as she tugs the last little bit free. Should I tell her that even in a ponytail, my hair is long enough it’s still in danger of the zipper teeth that are determined to have it for dinner? It’s probably best not to argue right now, because I seriously need help. Is it sad that I’ve never been on a date before? Like an official boy-asked-me-out date. Unless you count the time Adam invited me to