Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey Read Free Book Online Page A

hard not to make any eye contact. I leaned back on my arms, propping myself up. My gaze staying focused downward.
    Trying to sound very nonchalant, I said, “Why are you asking me about her?”
    “She asked me out.”
    I shot straight up. “On a date?!” I couldn’t hide the shock in my voice.
    “Yeah, I guess.”
    “That’s crazy talk!” My expression was pinched. Jealousy oozed out of every pore of my skin.
    “What’s so crazy about it?” He asked.
    Glancing up, I saw a little smile appear across his face. I wasn’t positive, but it seemed as if Noah was enjoying my reaction. The bastard.
    “Um…well, number one, we’re only fourteen and not allowed to date until we’re sixteen. Number two...”
    “I can date now.”
    Folding my arms across my chest, I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re kidding?”
    “My parents said it was okay.”
    I was desperately trying to think of other reasons for him not to go out with the slut/stripper, the slipper. My list of pet names for her was growing by leaps and bounds.
    “How are you going to get to the date? You don’t even have your driver’s permit yet. I’m pretty sure your handlebars aren’t wide enough for her to sit on. I mean, have you seen the ass on that girl?”
    “I’ve noticed her ass,” he said, smirking at me.
    I did not like his choice of words. Seeing her ass and noticing her ass were completely different.
    “She asked if I wanted to go bowling. Her dad’s going to drop us off.”
    “So you’re going to go through with this?”
    “I guess. Why not? She seems nice enough, and she’s kind of pretty.”
    Pretty? Pfft! Had he been smoking crack? She had big tits, a big ass, and was willing to let any guy crawl all over them.
    Looking down, I began picking at an imaginary piece of lint on my jeans, “Well, do what you want. It’s your life to ruin.”
    “It’s just bowling, Tweet,” he said, the smile evident in his voice. He was having fun.
    Tilting my head back and towards one shoulder, my eyes focused on the ceiling, I said, “Yeah. Well, first it’s bowling, then it’s a movie, and then you’ll get married, buy a house, and have little slutty stripper kids. But, if that’s what makes you happy, who am I to stand in your way.”
    Several seconds passed before Noah said anything. “Can I ask you something else?”
    “Shoot,” I said.
    He hesitated for a moment. “Have you ever kissed a guy?”
    “I’ve kissed my dad and my granddad.”
    He shook his head. “I don’t mean relatives. I mean a guy. Have you ever had a real kiss from a guy?”
    “You know the answer to that is no.” My voice was weak. I tucked my chin to my chest, looked down at the floor, and nervously shuffled my feet back and forth.
    “We’ll, I’ve heard from a reliable source that Brittani has kissed a guy, a few of them, in fact.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me.” We sat in silence for another moment, and then a thought crossed my mind. “OH MY GOD!!! Are you going out with her so you can get some ?”
    Noah bolted up in his chair. “What?! Get some what?!”
    “Brittani, lovin’.” I glared at him. The muscles in my neck and shoulders stiffened.
    “No! I’m going because…I don’t know…She asked me. Besides, you know how much I love the fries at the bowling alley. If you don’t want me to go, I won’t go. Just say so.”
    This was it. I needed to make a decision. I could hold on to him for a little while longer, and hope that eventually my feelings would change, or I could let him go. Maybe if I saw him with another girl, it would help knock some sense into me, even if it was with the slipper .
    I looked away from him when I said, “Go.” I paused. “It’s just…I don’t think she’s the right girl for you.”
    “Oh, I’m positive she’s not the right girl for me.”
    My eyes immediately shot to his. I had butterflies in my stomach. He looked incredibly sweet sitting there in his worn jeans, t-shirt, and Red Sox baseball cap.