Playing It Safe by Barbie Bohrman Read Free Book Online

short when I see Alex giving me an apologetic look before directing his attention back to Marisa.
    “I told you that I let Julia handle everything at these events because she’s the best at what she does. I would appreciate it if you would apologize to her right now so I can get back inside and deal with more pressing matters than this nonsense.”
    Suck it, bitch!
    She looks pained when she turns her head to me and says, “Julia, please accept my apology.”
    Smiling like a Cheshire cat, I answer, “Apology accepted.”
    Of course I don’t mean it, and now I know for sure I’m going to have to watch this one like a freaking hawk. All mini-drama over and done with, Alex, still looking as uncomfortable as ever, mouths an “I’m sorry” as he guides Marisa toward the door to leave. The moment he turns his head, she shoots me a look over her shoulder and then sticks her tongue out at me.
    Let me repeat. Sticks. Her. Tongue. Out. At. Me.
    I don’t even hesitate; I lift my hand and give her the finger with a huge smile on my face as Sarah and Lisette try to contain their giggling.
    “That girl really hates you!” Lisette exclaims.
    “Yeah, what’s up with that?” Sarah asks.
    “I don’t even want to talk about it,” I mumble.
    “Well, we do!” she says.
    I put my hands on my hips and let out a heavy sigh. “There’s not much to tell. I met her the other night when she was Alex’s date at the Grandersons’ party. She didn’t like me then, and obviously from that whole display, she really doesn’t like me now.”
    Lisette puts in her two cents. “She’s jealous of you.”
    “Yes! That’s exactly what I was going to say,” Sarah says.
    “Jealous of what?”
    They both look at each other and then back at me like I just grew two heads. I know what they’re going to say, and I don’t want to hear it. I feel like if someone else says it out loud, then it confirms whatever it is I’m feeling for Alex and vice versa. And maybe, just maybe, I’m not imagining that this crazy flirting between us isn’t just flirting.
    “That Alex is head over heels in lust with you and you’re head over heels in lust with him,” Sarah says so quickly that it comes out sounding like one long-ass word with a few syllables thrown in there for good measure.
    “You two are nuts, you know that?” I say, rushing to deflect the attention.
    “ Niña , I have been praying to Santa Bárbara for this day.” Lisette crosses herself while looking up to the heavens, but she’s really looking at a dingy ceiling.
    “I know, right?” Sarah says right behind her.
    Now they’re just staring and waiting for me to say something. They have another thing coming if they think I’m going to say a goddamn thing about Alex and our flirting and where it isn’t going. I only have one way out of this mess.
    “Alrighty then, I’m out. I’m leaving you two in charge. If Alex asks where I am, tell him I wasn’t feeling good and went home.”
    “Chickenshit!” Lisette yells to my back while I gather my belongings and start to walk out the door to my car.
    Whatever. Let them think what they want. Between the two of them, I’m going to get an ulcer. Then throw in the verbal fucking sessions with Alex, and this girl is sticking a fork in herself. I’m done.
    I get home about a half hour later, and as soon as I get in the door, my cell phone rings. I answer without checking to see who it is while plopping myself down on the couch, completely exhausted and frustrated.
    “Are you okay?” Alex asks, his voice full of concern.
    “I’m fine.”
    “Then why did you leave?”
    “I wasn’t feeling well.”
    “Then you’re not fine.”
    “I’m fine, Alex.”
    Silence. Utter silence from both of us. Not for nothing, but it’s an uncomfortable silence. Like shit-just-got-real-between-us kind of silence, and I don’t really know what to do with it. I hear him breathing on the phone and notice for the first time that it’s quiet wherever