How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison Read Free Book Online Page A

room, and tried to decide which of my friends to call. I usually talked to Charity when I had a problem. She’s one of those compassionate types of people who feeds stray animals, which is why—much to her parents’ chagrin—her yard has turned into a cat sanctuary. Well, really, when you think about it, it was her parents’ fault. What did they expect when they named their daughter Charity?
    But I didn’t dial her number. Charity’s father is a minister, which means she’s an expert on forgiveness and turning the other cheek and all that stuff I don’t do very well. I knew she’d tell me to apologize to Jesse.
    I also didn’t call Raine. Her name is actually Loraine, but she will hurt you if you call her that. Raine always tries to look at things logically, which, let’s face it, never works. Besides, she doesn’t date much because she’s six feet tall (five eleven and three quarters, she claims), and she refuses to go out with anyone shorter than she is. This doesn’t leave many guys to choose from. So I didn’t imagine she would have the most sympathetic ear about my love life.
    I lay down on my bed and dialed Daphne’s number. Her cell phone number, that is, since it was a Saturday night and she was probably out on a date. I hoped not an important date, or at least not a date where she couldn’t talk to me.
    She picked up after two rings. I could hear music playing in the background. “Hey Giovanna.”
    â€œHi, Daphne. Where are you? Are you busy?”
    â€œI’m at Allison’s party,” she yelled over the music. “What’s up?”
    I put one hand over my eyes, as though this would keep me from crying, and told her the whole story.
    After I’d finished, she said, “I can’t believe Jesse would campaign for Wilson instead of for you and Dante. And then he doesn’t see why you’re upset about it. Men are nothing but fools. Really.” Of course this statement would have carried more weight if I hadn’t heard her immediately afterward turn to someone at the party and say, “Can you be a darling and get me a Dr Pepper?” Then there was a pause in which I heard her giggling in top flirting fashion. “Thanks, Troy.”
    As far as I knew, Daphne wasn’t going out with anyone named Troy, but she goes through guys quicker than most people go through gum, so I didn’t bother asking who he was.
    â€œI’m really sorry for you, Gi,” she said, returning to our conversation. “Do you want to get together soon and hang out?”
    â€œMaybe.” I didn’t know what I really expected her to say to make me feel better. She could have promised me that pony I had wanted since I was seven years old, and it wouldn’t have helped.
    â€œJust a second, Giovanna.” Daphne’s voice turned far away again. “Did someone bring donuts? Are there any maple kinds? I’d love you forever if you’d get me one.” A pause in which she turned up the flirt. “Pleeeease, Jared.” A giggle. “I’m yours forever.”
    Jared? What had happened to Troy, and why was it that Daphne could eat whatever she wanted and never gain a single pound? Life is so unfair.
    â€œSorry, Gi, I’m back now. Let’s go shopping Monday after school. That way Charity and Raine can come too, and we can turn it into a campaign strategy shopping trip.”
    I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Since Jesse had abandoned Dante, I almost expected all of my friends to vote for Wilson too. “That would be nice,” I said.
    â€œI’ve gotta go now, all right?”
    Sure. Fine. I appreciated how much work it must take to simultaneously flirt with two guys and send them on errands for you.
    I hung up and tried to muster some confidence in Dante’s chances. My friends would help me. We would figure out a way to help him win. We