Read Online Always Upbeat / All That by Stephanie Perry Moore - Free Book Online Page B

Brenton’s father had skipped out before Brenton was born.
    â€œIt’s cool. Coach, my mom’s brother, is a great father figure. He’s a good man and husband.”
    â€œWell,” I immediately said, “don’t go giving my father any accolades.”
    â€œWhat? Something’s wrong at your house?”
    Replaying the awful ordeal over again, I said, “I just saw my dad with another woman.”
    â€œOh snap,” Brenton said with a frown.
    â€œMaybe I shouldn’t have told you that. You won’t say anything, right?” I gave Brenton a stern look.
    â€œI never said anything about any of the stuff we shared.” Brenton looked serious.
    Finally figuring out where he was going with that comment, I said, “Oh, you mean when you kissed me in the closet in sixth grade?”
    â€œNo, when you kissed me .”
    We just laughed. I couldn’t believe he had me laughing. My old buddy sure knew what I needed.
    Then all of a sudden, I started crying. Brenton came on the other side of the booth and draped his arm around me as my head collapsed on his shoulder. Blake was not answering my calls. He was out doing his thing—his cousin knew it; I knew it. Something just wasn’t right. My dad was doing his thing too. My mom was in her room locked away—she knew it; I knew it. Something just wasn’t right. My girls were out having a good time, not wanting to hang out with me—they knew it; I knew it. Something just wasn’t right. I wasn’t clueless, but I had no idea how to stop this wrong.
    Sobbing, I said, “I’m so sorry, Brenton. I’m sorry. I’ma mess. I’m crying in your arms. What am I doing? Oh my gosh. Forgive me.”
    â€œNo, no. It’s okay,” Brenton said. He gave me a comforting squeeze.
    I was starting to feel so safe that I had to pull back because it just felt too awkward. I certainly did not want to give Brenton the wrong idea. I did not need to give myself anything extra to think about. When his phone that he had placed on the table started vibrating, I glanced at it and saw Blake’s name. Before Brenton even knew what hit him, I answered it.
    â€œWhat time you getting off work, cuz? You gotta come over to Bay’s. The party’s slamming.”
    I hung up on Blake before Brenton could say anything. Steam was piping from my ears. I was livid! He was partying without me. I had to confront him immediately.
    â€œWhy you answer my phone like that?”
    â€œWhy are you tryna protect your cousin?” I said to him. “Who is Bay and where does she live?”
    â€œOh, he went to that party,” Brenton said, trying to act like he didn’t know.
    â€œAre you going? You guys are about to close.”
    â€œI don’t have a car.”
    â€œProblem solved because I’ve got one.”
    â€œWell, that’s probably why Blake called because he was supposed to be here to pick me up.”
    â€œSo you knew he was supposed to connect with you?” I said to Brenton, hitting him in the arm for being evasive earlier. “Text him and let him know you’re covered.”
    â€œIt’s just a party. It’s no big deal. You don’t have to get all mad at Blake, make accusations, and come up with stuff all in your head. Let it go.”
    â€œI wanna go to the party. Will you take me or not?”
    â€œYou’re the one with the car.”
    â€œI mean, will you let me drive you there or not? I can drop you off and not even come in.”
    â€œYou would do that?” he said, looking at me now like I was being evasive by not being accurate about my intentions.
    Actually, I did not even realize I was committing to something. I just said what I hoped would make him show me the way. I hoped he’d feel sorry for me and not hold me to what I said. If fibbing was what it was going to take for him to chill out and let me drive him to the party, then sure,