Read Online Andy Squared by Jennifer Lavoie - Free Book Online

minutes later, she asked, “Did you hear anything today from Coach about the scouts? Have they set up an appointment yet?”
    â€œNo,” Andrew replied, giving up on his math as he set the book aside.
    â€œI wish they’d hurry up.”
    â€œNothing may come from it, Andy. Don’t get your hopes up.”
    â€œYou’re so damn negative! If you think positive, good things happen. If you don’t quit being such a pessimist, you’ll ruin our chances.”
    I don’t know if I want the same chances anymore , he thought, but didn’t dare voice it. Andrea would kill him if she knew he was, again, thinking about giving up soccer and focusing solely on his education. It had been her—no, their—goal since they made it onto the varsity team their sophomore year. But it wasn’t as if he wanted to play soccer professionally. It was just something fun to do after school. He could get other scholarships, academic scholarships. His grades were good enough. Soccer wasn’t his whole life. It didn’t have to be, did it? Everything in his world seemed to be shifting.

Chapter Seven
    On Saturday morning Andrew drove out to the Kensingtons’ place after breakfast. The air had a biting chill more intense than the day before and the sky had grown overcast. A light snow began to fall and the small flakes drifted lazily to the ground. Andrew could smell the snow in the air and when he breathed out, he could see his breath before him.
    When he reached the house, he pulled into the driveway and parked beside another truck with a large horse trailer attached. Ahead of him, the lights were on in the barn and Mr. Kensington was talking to a man standing next to him. He waved when he saw Andrew.
    â€œRyder’s up in his room. He’s waiting for you.”
    â€œThanks, Mr. Kensington.”
    A fire blazed in the living room, making the house warm and inviting. Andrew waved to Ryder’s aunt and headed up the narrow stairs to the bedroom right at the top. The door stood ajar and Ryder lay back on his bed, his iPod lying on his chest and the earbuds nestled in his ears. He didn’t seem to notice Andrew as he approached, and Andrew felt the sudden urge to shove his cold hands against him. So he did.
    Ryder yelled loudly, sitting up with a start. “Damnit, Andy! You scared me! That’s cold!”
    â€œGotcha.” Andrew grinned wickedly. He fell back when a pillow hit his face.
    â€œYeah, whatever. You ready?”
    â€œYup, ready. We’re taking Magpie again?”
    â€œOf course,” Ryder said, getting up and pulling his boots on. He reached under his bed and pulled out a box. “Here.”
    Andrew took it, confused. “What’s this?”
    â€œFor you. Just open it. Consider it your early Christmas present.”
    â€œRyder.”
    â€œJust open it. Besides, you need it.”
    Andrew glared at him and opened the box. Inside, wrapped in white tissue, he found a pair of brown boots, size ten. He pulled them out and held them up, inspecting them while he ran his fingers over the soft leather. These must have cost a fortune. Why did he get these for me? He was stunned. “Thanks.” He realized his voice had come out slightly breathless, as if he had trouble getting air.
    Ryder beamed and shrugged a shoulder, reaching up to pull his hair back into a short ponytail. “I’d like a new iPod Nano for Christmas. The red one,” he teased. Andrew considered throwing the boots at him, but didn’t. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled them on. They were a comfortable fit and not too stiff.
    â€œThese are great, Ryder. Thanks.”
    â€œJust make sure you come over and ride with me. I don’t want them to go to waste.”
    â€œI will. I promise.” And after Andrew said it, he realized he meant it. In the short time they had been friends, he had come to value Ryder’s friendship immensely. Ryder