Playing with Fire by Emily Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

Alison, she took Chad by the arm and led him away. “Meet me out front after class,” she ordered. “My aunt Christine is taking me shopping—we’ll give you a ride home.”
    In a split second the knot of feelings he’d been having over Alison was forgotten. Chad smiled. Kelly’s aunt Christine was gorgeous and famous, and everybody knew it. Kelly was offering more than a ride. She was offering a chance to look good in front of everyone at Stafford.
    â€œSweet,” Chad agreed as Kelly gave his hand a little squeeze. He knew Alison was still standing in the hall, but he didn’t give his ex-girlfriend a second glance.

Chapter Thirteen
    Tom plopped down on the marble steps in front of the school to wait for Chad. They hung out at Tom’s place together most days after school…or used to. These days Kelly frequently had something she wanted Chad to do—a lot more than Alison used to. Chad never complained, though—and why should he? Dating Kelly was cool; Tom knew that.
    â€œHey, Tom,” Kelly said, coming up behind him. “Could you hold this for a sec?” She handed him her metallic tote before he could reply. “Thanks, you’re a sweetie.”
    Tom blushed. “No problem,” he said. “I love a fashionable accessory.”
    Kelly laughed. Mission accomplished , Tom thought. If you can’t have the girl of your dreams, at least you can impress her with your dorky sense of humor.
    Tom watched as Kelly pulled her compact out of her purse and put on some lip gloss. It was a pretty pink shade—not too obvious. The perfect choice, of course.
    â€œHave you seen Chad?” Kelly asked, slipping the gloss and the compact back into her purse.
    â€œUnh-uh.”
    Kelly’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the lawn. “I told him to meet me here right after class.” She sounded annoyed.
    Tom nodded. “I’m sure he’ll be here any second,” he said. “He’s not stupid enough to stand up a beautiful blonde.”
    Just then Aunt Christine pulled up to the curb and honked her horn. A bunch of students turned to gawk at the actress in her sporty Mercedes. Kelly waved. “Be right there!” she shouted.
    â€œWhere is he?” she asked, sounding thoroughly put out. “Aunt Christine doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    And neither do you , Tom thought. But then, why should a girl like Kelly have to wait for anything? If she were his, he’d never keep her—
    â€œWhat’s up?” greeted a voice behind them.
    â€œYour number,” Tom mumbled to himself. “You almost missed your ride, man,” he said more loudly, nodding toward Aunt Christine. She was checking herself out in the flip-down mirror, pretending not to notice she was drawing a crowd.
    â€œWhere have you been?” Kelly asked, lacing her fingers through Chad’s and giving him a pout. “You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”
    â€œSorry,” Chad said. “Mrs. Naslund kept me after class.”
    â€œNext time tell her you have an appointment with Hollywood,” Tom said.
    Kelly smiled. “Right,” she agreed with a laugh. She gave Chad’s hand a little tug. “Come on, let’s go. You want a ride, Tom?”
    Tom glanced up at Kelly. He wanted to come. And he didn’t. He’d had a crush on Kelly since grade school, and this had been the year he was going to get her. Until she’d set her sights on his best friend, Chad.
    â€œNo, thanks,” he said. “I’ll just walk.”
    â€œOkay,” Kelly said, obviously not giving it a second thought as she pulled Chad toward the waiting car.
    Tom watched them go. He ignored the stabbing feeling in his heart as best he could.
    Half an hour later Tom unlocked the door to his house and stepped inside the cool entry hall. He hadn’t even closed the door when he heard voices—two of them. Zoey was