Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“You know no one understands this group: an athlete performer, a future politician, a brainiac hick, the head cheerleader, and a fat dunce,” Miranda complained spitefully when she didn’t get her way.
Colt stepped in front of a bristling Amber and recoiling Harper. “Walk away, Miranda. If you were a guy, you’d be on the ground now. Since you’re not, know that our casual friendship is over. I don’t talk to mean girls.”
“What? Fine. Just stay with your friends,” she sneered, putting that last word in air quotes like they weren’t really that as she turned and stalked away.
“What a bitch!” Amber spat and took a step to follow her.
“Whoa, Nellie.” Beau hauled her back to the group with an arm around her slender waist. “She’s definitely not worth our time. So, what do you think she’ll do in a few months when school is out?”
“They’re hiring at the Wash n Go,” Harper suggested, drawing everyone’s attention as she suggested Miss Popular would get a job at the rundown laundromat downtown.
“Meow!” Amber commented as her anger melted into amusement when the sweetest of their group, maybe of everyone in their class, came up with such an outlandish idea.
The sound of the group’s delighted laughter rang out, drawing attention from the other students. Colt noticed several baffled expressions thrown their way. No one had ever understood how well the group fit together except Mr. Chamberlain.
“There’s a reserved pool table at Murphy’s for us,” Amber suggested.
“Why are we hanging out here? Let’s go.” Colt was immediately all in. He was done hanging out with people who liked him just for scoring the winning touchdown.
When a thought flickered into life, he turned to Beau. “Think it will piss your dad off if you hang out at the bar tonight?”
“Not a chance. I rocketed that ball fifty yards before you carried it a few yards into the end zone. He’ll be on the phone with every Ivy League coach everywhere, sharing footage,” Beau answered with a self-deprecating laugh before hesitating. “Just don’t let anyone buy us a round of beer.”
“Like my dad would allow that,” Amber scoffed. “Your dad’s political clout, combined with the fact he’d lose his liquor license, will have him focusing a security camera on us to prove we guzzled only soft drinks all night.”
“I could eat about a dozen of his giant pretzels right now,” Colt confessed, rubbing his flat stomach.
“I hadn’t thought of that! Training is over. Bring on the cheat meal of the century,” Beau cheered. Wrapping his arms around Maisie’s and Amber’s waists, he steered them away from the bonfire.
“Come on, Harper. Let’s go hang out with people we like,” Colt suggested, pulling the curvy woman to his side.
“I’m trying to diet, Colt. Maybe it would be better if I just go home,” Harper suggested.
“No way. I’ll eat carrot sticks with you. Murphy’s has a killer veggie tray as well.” Colt cut off that suggestion and added, “You’ll stay and help me celebrate, won’t you?” before she could make another excuse.
“Think Rio’s working tonight?” Harper asked with a meaningful look that Colt understood instantly.
“Without a doubt. We’ll need to chaperone Amber. The heat building between them is scorching.”
“The way she watches him,” Harper commented with a knowing look. “I wonder if he’ll make a move when she turns eighteen next week.”
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll decide to go to the movies with me next week.” Colt had asked her every week since the first day of sixth grade. Harper had yet to go on a date with him.
“Alone? No way. I’d have to fend off girls wanting to feed you popcorn all night,” Harper said, pantomiming one of their overly eager classmates who clustered around Colt.
“Fine. I’ll just ask you out three hundred and nine more times.”
“Three hundred and nine times?” she echoed.
“That’s how many times I’ve asked you to the movies. Maybe you’ll take pity on me and agree at four fifty,” he joked.
“You kept track of how many times you’ve asked me to the movies?” Harper questioned in disbelief.
“Of course. When something is important to you, you count. Hey, wait. Why didn’t I think of this?” Colt pulled out his phone and shielded the screen before typing with his thumb. Almost instantly, her phone buzzed.
Harper shot him a glance as she pulled her phone from her pocket. Come to the movies with me. Buzz after buzz sounded as messages bombarded her cell. Each said exactly the same thing.
“Stop!” she demanded with a laugh.
“Only one way to stop me,” he warned.
“Goof. Let’s go get pretzels,” she suggested.
Colt squeezed her fingers and plotted how to convince Harper that they were meant to be together.
Amber
Amber climbed into the back of Beau’s flashy convertible, despite Maisie’s protests. “I need to think through a new cheer. I’m so tired of the old ones and basketball season is gearing up. You guys sit in the front and talk.”