Read Online Between Us by Cari Simmons - Free Book Online Page B

told him.
    â€œSo it shouldn’t be a big deal that you do something without her. It’s not like you ignore her or anything. You gave her that party,” Gus said. “Can’t you just explain that you and Olivia always do your birthdays by yourselves? Your other friends don’t care.”
    â€œMaybe. Yeah, I think this might be one of the rare times you’re right,” she joked. She felt Franz’s leash go taut and realized he’d stopped to pee on the Bakers’ garbage can.
    â€œYou’re not supposed to let them pee on people’s stuff,” Gus told her.
    â€œHe didn’t ask my permission,” Bailey shot back. She gave a tug on Franz’s leash. He took a couple of steps but didn’t stop peeing. Suddenly Hans realized what was going on. He scrambled right over Monsieur’s back and started peeing over the spots Franz had already marked.
    â€œCome on, guys. Come,” Bailey called, walking forwards and hoping Franz would follow. Bruce wasalready happily plodding forwards. But Franz, who probably weighed only about twenty pounds, seemed to have glued himself to the sidewalk. Bailey pulled on the leash, and Franz skittered forwards, his nails fighting to cling to the cement.
    â€œDon’t drag him like that,” Gus yelled.
    â€œWell, he won’t walk,” Bailey answered.
    Gus slapped his thigh. “Franz, giddyap,” he cried. And Franz giddyapped. But first he went through Bailey’s legs and around one ankle. She stumbled and landed hard on one knee. She was going to get a bruise as big as the ones Tess always had from falling off her board when she was practicing a new trick. Cats never knocked you to the ground!
    â€œGive them back.” Gus sounded exasperated. With her. Not with the insane wiener dog.
    Bailey handed back the leashes. They were in front of her house. “See you,” she said. “And thanks.”
    Gus grunted in response, then said, “Have fun with Olivia. I’ll just be home crying into my pillow because you didn’t ask me to come.”
    Bailey was still laughing when she walked into the house. “Mom!” she called. Her mother would be able to help her figure out exactly how to explain whyBailey and Olivia wanted to celebrate Olivia’s birthday without Hannah—without hurting Hannah’s feelings! She’d understand why Olivia’s birthday absolutely had to be a Hannah-free zone.
    â€œIn the kitchen,” her mom called back.
    â€œI need to ask you a—” she began as soon as she entered the kitchen. She cut herself off when she saw that her aunt Caitlin was sitting at the table with her mom. Obviously she wasn’t going to be able to bring up her Hannah problem now. “It’s a homework thing. We can talk about it later. Hi, Aunt Caitlin.”
    â€œSit down with us for a minute,” her aunt said. “I wanted to thank you for being so great to Hannah. She really appreciates the way you introduced her to all your friends. She said all of them have been so friendly. I appreciate it too.”
    Bailey nodded. “It must be hard starting at a new school.”
    â€œIt is. Especially because Hannah really didn’t want to move. She’s had so many upsets lately. On top of . . . of the divorce, moving was almost too much. She’d barely started at the last school.” Aunt Caitlin’s brow furrowed with worry. “Every time her dad talks to her on the phone, she gets so sad. I try to talk to her about it, but she shuts me down. The only time she seemsreally happy is when she tells me about things she’s doing with you.”
    â€œI’m glad she’s living here,” Bailey said truthfully, her mind whirling. She needed to figure out how to get in some best-friend time with Olivia, especially on her birthday. That was vital.
    But Hannah was her cousin. She needed Bailey. And there was no way Bailey was