Read Online Busted by Antony John - Free Book Online Page B

bearable.”
    Bearable? Did I really just say that?
    â€œOh, that’s such a relief.” She visibly relaxes. “Then let’s call it a date for this evening, okay?”
    â€œUh … sure.” I nod vacantly. “Hold on, this evening?”
    â€œYeah. ’Cause, you know, you might be busy after tonight.”
    I don’t know why she’d think that, but I’m not dumb enough to blow an opportunity like this. “Okay. Sure.”
    â€œGreat. Let’s meet at El Pollo Loco at five, okay?”
    I’m about to agree, but Paige has already left the room.

    Before the Graduation Rituals meeting I make a quick pit stop in the boys’ bathroom to practice my reluctant-yet-decisive res ignation speech. I know I told Brandon that I was com mitted, but I can’t take on Abby, Ms. K, and my mom—I’m simply not strong enough. Anyway, the guys will probably be pleased to get rid of me. I run through my spiel one more time, turning my palms up like a martyred saint and furrowing my eyebrows like I’m constipated. Now that I’ve nailed the right look, I’m ready.
    My confidence is short-lived. As I approach the meeting room, I feel my pulse quickening. Doing the right thing is okay in theory, but in practice I’m running the risk of pissing off Brookbank’s most volatile group, which seems like an oddly self-destructive course of action. To make matters worse, I notice that everybody else has already arrived. I take a deep breath, but before I’ve even walked through the door they all rise and applaud me.
    â€œKev Mopsely, you dog,” barks Brandon. “Hooking up with Paige Tramell already!”
    â€œWell, I haven’t technically hooked up with her yet—”
    â€œShe’s a total babe,” adds Ryan, completely ignoring my interruption. “I mean, she’s flat-chested as a ten-year-old boy, but man, that butt. And what about those lips.” Ryan performs the universal jerk-off sign.
    â€œBut just remember,” Brandon reminds me, “it’s the numbers we’re after, not a grade for how good a kisser she is. Got it?”
    All eyes are on me, so I nod meekly.
    â€œOh, and before you leave today,” Brandon says in a suddenly serious voice, “Chase has some numbers for you to add to the Book of Busts. Sounds like he was pretty busy this weekend, taking one for the team. Or was it two or three, Chase?”
    I almost wish I didn’t understand what he means by that, but as everyone else is laughing, I laugh too. By the time the laughter subsides, I realize that I haven’t yet resigned. And I know I can’t, either.

    Mom is still at work when I get home, so I have to call her to say I’m going out on a date. It makes me feel like I’m thirteen.
    â€œThat’s great, honey.” Mom’s voice explodes across the line. “I’ve been hoping you two would finally get around to having a date.”
    Whoa, that was unexpected. “Who? Me and Paige?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œPaige Tramell.”
    â€œWho’s she?”
    â€œA friend of mine.”
    Silence. “Oh, you’ve never mentioned her before.”
    â€œYeah, well … she’s a, er, friend,” I mumble.
    â€œYes, I get that.” Another pause. “So what’s she like? I mean, how do you know her? Is she a musician?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIs she a good student?”
    â€œNot especially.”
    â€œHave I ever met her?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHuh … I know it’s none of my business, honey, but exactly why are you going on a date with her?”
    How did informing my mom I’d be late home suddenly segue into the third degree about my love life?
    â€œIt’s just a date, Mom. Okay? That’s all. It doesn’t mean anything.”
    Another silence. “Hmmm. That’s a shame.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, because anytime you really