The List by Kate L. Mary Read Free Book Online Page B

called me Buttercup for the first time. He’d mentioned his mom and Cami had acted like he was talking about a ghost. Maybe he was.
    The afternoon seemed to be in real danger, so I exhaled slowly and took in a deep breath, sifting through my brain for something to say in the meantime. Something that would lighten the mood. “My house was probably very similar to a frat house when I was growing up, so I guess I did get to experience some things.”
    Cami exhaled and giggled. “Are your brothers cute?”
    Ryan relaxed and his eyes moved back to the road, which I was thankful for. I didn’t like the way he’d looked at me, plus I didn’t feel like dying in a car accident.
    Ryan said, “Gross, Cami. How is she supposed to know if her brothers are cute?”
    â€œI know you’re cute.” She elbowed him and Ryan grinned.
    â€œOf course my brothers are cute,” I said, pulling out my phone.
    There were about a million missed calls and text messages. I needed to make time to call my family, but I wasn’t ready to deal with it. I pulled up the most recent picture of the five of us. It was at my graduation. I thrust the phone at Cami, who eagerly took it.
    â€œWow! You weren’t kidding. Who’s the tall one?”
    I leaned forward, so I could point to their pictures. “That’s Alex. He’s the oldest. He’s married and lives in Georgia with his wife, Stacy. Then there’s Aiden and Austin. They’re twins. Right now they’re both going to UC Davis and living at home with my dad. Then there’s Adam. He’s at the Air Force Academy.”
    â€œAdam,” Cami said wistfully. “He’s the one for me! When can I meet him?” She turned sideways with a big grin on her face. “We should take a road trip!”
    I giggled and rolled my eyes, and snatched the phone out of her hand. “That’s almost thirty hours away!”
    â€œThat’s why they call it a road trip ,” Cami said with a wink.
    We chatted the rest of the way to the outlets, but the second we walked up to the stores, the guys broke off to do their own thing, leaving me with Cami. She was practically jumping up and down—not that it was anything new.
    â€œNow, you have to trust me and listen. No more t-shirts and jean shorts! You need skirts and dresses. Heels and dressier flip-flops and sandals. And accessories! You can never have too many necklaces and purses and scarves.”
    She ticked everything off on her fingers while she led the way, and I couldn’t keep myself from giggling. I was on board with whatever she wanted. I had already transferred a huge chunk of money into my checking account. My dad would be calling me about that for sure, but I was prepared for it. No matter how big a fight it caused, I was ready to stand up for myself.
    We hit a few clothing stores and Cami picked out jeans and nicer shorts and shirts and skirts and dresses for me. I’d never really shopped before, and I wasn’t totally sure whether I’d enjoy it. After trying on the first few outfits Cami picked out, though, I found I was having a really good time.
    I’d always been a typical tomboy. In the back of my mind I’d often wondered what I would have been if my mom hadn’t died. The sports and t-shirts and running shoes were never my choice. None of my life was. I’d seen hundreds of pictures of my mom over the years, and not one of them showed her in clothes that were anything less than feminine.
    Yet my dad had never considered doing that for me. There were times when I was so bitter about it I could hardly see straight, but at the same time I understood. I got his motivations, no matter how insane they were. That’s the only reason I hadn’t rebelled the way Cami’s friend had. It would have been too much for him. So I’d sucked it up and moved through my life, biding my time.
    Finally, my time had arrived.
    We