Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend by Becca Ann Read Free Book Online Page A

happened too fast for me to overanalyze it.
    Hayley sighs before hookin’ her bag over her shoulder. Before she can freak out on me, I jump out of the car and open the door for her.
    “Thanks, but I’ll be real quick. Wait here?”
    I nod. No point in arguing. That and death-stare mom is looking out the window at us.
    Hayley jogs into her house and the drapes swing shut. Some muffled shouting rumbles the window, but is soon covered up by dog barks.
    Whoa. What is going on? I kind of want to knock on the door and see if Hayley is all right, but something tells me that would piss her off.
    A few minutes later, Hayley comes runnin g out, the dog still yappin’ it s mouth off behind the door she slams in its face.
    “Uh, hey. I’ve got some stuff I gotta do here,” she says forcing a smile. Not one of her smiles. Her face is a bit splotchy, her eyes puffy red. “Can I take a rain check?”
    “Are you okay?” No way am I goin’ to ignore this.
    She nods, her fake smile getting wider. “I’m fine. Just have to do some laundry and stuff I promised my mom I would. No big deal.”
    I study her face. Her smile usually goes to her eyes when she’s happy. I’ve noticed, and that’s one of the best things about her. But now it’s flat.
    “Hayley…”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow?” She looks back at her house, at her mom who’s back to staring at us.
    “Uh, I guess.”
    “Hey,” she says, grabbing my attention back to her eyes. “A step in the right direction today. At least I think so. You should be happy.”
    I should be happy. But I’m worried as shit right now. There’s no nerves or nothing rumbling through me, and I know Hayley hates being touched, but I can’t help it. I pull her into my arms and hold her there.
    She’s so cold, but hugging her freezin’ skin doesn’t bother me. It feels… good. The stomach twists begin as I breathe in her hair. Hot damn! This! This is what a hug with a girl should be like. The stuff in my chest goin’ crazy and noticin’ everything about the person I’m holding. The curves along her sides, her eyelashes batting against my t-shirt, the fact she’s holdin’ her breath, but I’m suckin’ in her scent like it’ll be the last thing I ever smell.
    Whoa, what the hell? This is Hayley. Not Quynn.
    Hayley.
    She hesitates before wrapping her arms around my torso for a split second, then she pushes away, leaving a wide space between us.
    “Uh, thanks Hayles.” I don’t know what I’m thanking her for.
    Her cheeks match her red eyes as she says, “No problem. I’m glad the little pointers I gave you are helping.”
    Huh? Oh, right. She’s talking about Quynn.
    I nod , and she leaps back into her house before I get another word in.

 
     
     
     
    Reason 7: I think about you before I think about her
     
    Two hugs. Both I can’t get out of my mind. One was so quick I’m not even sure it happened, and the other was…
    Amazing.
    Incredible.
    Confusing.
    How can someone get so much from a hug? I can’t stop thinkin’ about it.
    And she pulled away like I bit her or somethin’. A blast to my ego for sure, but why do I care? Hayles is just a friend.
    Just. A. Friend.
    It can’t be anymore than that. I don’t really know her, and she’s helping me get another girl. A girl I’ve thought about more than any other girl. A girl who hugged me today too.
    Then why can’t I stop thinking about Hayley?
    I slam my head back into my pillows, toying with the phone in my hand. I’ve been arguing with myself the majority of the afternoon. Call Hayley? Or leave it alone? Send a text? But that’s pretty dick-ish, and I’m freakin’ worried about her.
    My stomach hasn’t untwisted since I held her. Maybe talkin’ to her will solve the issue. I’ve already tried Tums.
    In the end, I decide a text is the best solution to ease my stomach and not pry into her business so much she tells me to get away from her. Though, she’d probably say something more like, “Get the