The Handoff (Big Play #3) by Jordan Ford Read Free Book Online Page B

narrow as he walks towards me. “You went to a party, didn’t you?”
    I roll my eyes. “Of course I did.”
    “You should have called me. I would have come.”
    I flick my hand through the air. “I’m not the president, Mack. I don’t need a personal bodyguard.”
    I actually do. The way my skin is crawling right now I need a full detail to guard me from my own stupidity. But I’m not about to admit that to the world’s most protective brother.
    With a soft snicker, Mack drops down beside me, making the bed bounce. “So, how’d you get home?”
    “I walked.”
    “I mean last night.” His firm voice makes me roll my eyes again.
    “Roxy drove. She only had one beer, so it was totally safe.” I give him a pointed look, telling him that now is not a good time to lecture me.
    He reads it and is nice enough to make do with a short sigh. Slapping my knee, he gives it a squeeze that makes me yelp and jump up. I smack his arm while he laughs at me.
    “You’re a dick. Get out of my room.” I hit him again before flopping back down on the bed, wincing when my head thumps onto the mattress.
    Mack laughs a little more, but then gazes down at me with a look that warns me a serious conversation is coming. I swallow, preparing myself for what I know he’s already going to say.
    “I’m going to New Zealand for spring break. I leave on Wednesday.”
    A tight knot forms in my chest, pulling everything inward and making it hard to breathe and swallow.
    Mack keeps going, oblivious to my near cardiac arrest. “I gotta get Kaija back. I need her to know how much I care about her.”
    I wind a lock of hair around my finger and focus on the dark strands. “The feels must be pretty big.”
    “Yeah.” Mack smiles. “They really are.”
    “I hope it works out,” I squeak.
    “Layla.” Mack nudges my arm. “You know I’m coming back, right?”
    I turn to look at him then, staring straight into his eyes as I whisper, “For how long?”
    He can’t answer me because we both know that if he can have it his way, he’ll only be popping back long enough to graduate.
    For some weird reason, I’m hit with this overpowering emotion. It’s kind of familiar and it takes me a second to figure it out, but then I remember. This feeling grew inside me as I watched my dad die. It then reared its ugly head again when Mom fell in love with Martin and forgot her children existed. It’s now hitting me again, full force.
    I’m losing the people I love.
    They keep turning away from me, and soon I’m going to be left with nothing but my reckless, out-of-control self for company.
     

 
    #8:
    A Favor
     
    Finn
     
    Mack drums his fingers on his knee as I steer Dad’s truck into Trentham Airport. My friend’s been a jittery mess since I picked him up. I can understand his nerves. He’s flying halfway around the world to win over a chick who may not want him. But I’m pretty sure she will. According to Tori, the feels between Mack and Kiwi Girl were pretty big and very real. I have high hopes for the guy.
    But as I pull into the drop-off zone, I quickly find out that Mack’s jitters are fueled by more than just nervous excitement.
    “I need to ask you a favor.”
    I wait until the truck is stationary before turning to look at him.
    He cringes and runs a hand through his hair.
    Great. I don’t know what the hell kind of favor he’s about to ask, but it doesn’t look like a good one. Too bad I’m useless at saying no to my friends.
    I grit my teeth and paste on a smile.
    “Something’s up with Layla. I feel really bad leaving her, but I’ve gotta do this, you know?”
    I nudge his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You’re doing the right thing, man.”
    “If everything goes the way I’m hoping, I’ll be gone just over two weeks.”
    My brain’s kicking in as I nod, the pieces slipping into place. I figure out what he’s gonna say before he even opens his mouth.
    “I need you to keep an eye on Layla for me.”
    So this