Perfectly Messy by Lizzy Charles Read Free Book Online Page B

bench, giving it a squeeze as I send her a sideways eye roll. You’re Good. He’s crazy .
    “Bottom of the fourth quarter, girls. Two baskets behind. You’re killing me!”
    I glance out into the bleachers where Eric jumps up and down in his Superman costume, oblivious that Coach T is grilling us. I wave back, loving his enthusiasm for Halloween, even though it’s still over a week away. A flash of familiar yellow makes me turn. I hate that Marissa’s blond hair captures my attention. After she betrayed me by sleeping with Zach, I go to great lengths to avoid her in school. But right now Marissa’s pretty impossible to miss since she’s sucking face with Zach in the back corner. Eww.
    Why would they even come? Is this their sick idea of a date? Making out in front of me? Whatever. They can do what they want up there. The court is my domain now.
    Coach catches my look of disgust, then tosses his clipboard in the air. I reach out and catch it before it slams to the ground, a guaranteed technical foul. Coaches and players can’t throw stuff. He knows that.
    He glares at the clipboard in my hands. “Is this a joke to you, Zwindler?”
    “No, sir. Just waving to my brother.”
    “And how does that help?” Oh my gosh. For real! I’m so done with his crap.
    “It’s helping about as much as your incredibly inspiring speech.”
    Chelsey sucks in a breath as Coach takes a step closer. Rage doesn’t even begin to describe that bilious look on his face. He glares at me but I hold his gaze. He can’t treat us like that, and he knows it. I’ve got more on his past behavior than anyone in this gym. Call it blackmail, but whatever. I’ve got team email threads with his name on it and responses, that include the horrible stuff the seniors said about me.
    “Fine.” He takes a step back. “Just get Zwindler the f’ing ball.”
    The ref blows the whistle and we all jump up and dash onto the court, eager to get away from that troll.
    “Whoa, Lucy. I can’t believe you said that!” Jaclyn squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks. I never would’ve had the balls to do it.” She pats my butt and I laugh. Jaclyn, the queen of the butt pat. I take position at the top of the key, watching Chelsey from the sideline as the ref gives her the ball. The crowd roars, Laura’s bouncing around in front of the cheerleaders in a hot witch costume, doing a much better job of rousing the crowd with her dancing than the cheerleaders are doing.
    I take a deep breath; the sound deafens in my ears.
    Just me, the girls on the court, and the ball. Go.
    Chels slaps the ball and I jog backwards a few steps, hands overhead, making as if I’m going to catch a pass. I feign a jump, throwing my defender toward me, but dart the other direction toward the hoop. Mac, Jaclyn, and Grace weave under the basket, creating a brief opening. I dart, catching the ball from Chels. Mac’s defender drops away from her to take me on. I toss the ball behind my back to Mac, who throws it up for an easy lay-up.
    One basket down.
    The defender swears, snatching the ball and returning to the baseline before throwing it back into play. Her throw is lazy, towards the girl Jaclyn defends. Jacyln stretches her freak spider arms, snatching the ball from the air. The lanes open. I sprint for the drive. Jaclyn sends the ball my way.
    Defenders collapse in on me. I’d probably make the shot, but it’s too risky.
    Four seconds left on the clock.
    Chelsey blurs past my left peripheral.
    Yes. A sharp bounce pass and it’s in her hands. She squares up.
    Swish.
    Bzzzzzzzz.
    A deafening roar breaks through the buzzer. “The Eagles Win!” booms from the sound system. I run to Chels, wrapping her in my arms.
    “YES, CHELS!”
    Jacyln jumps on my back. “We did it!” The rest of the girls rush onto the court, squealing at unbelievable decibels.
    Three for three. Not a bad way to launch the season.
    I glance back at Coach T, who’s clapping and shaking hands with random parents. He