Read Online Deceptive Cadence by Katie Hamstead - Free Book Online

can probably drop me off.”
    “Cool.”
    “Does Geri know yet?”
    He hesitated. “No . . .”
    “Do you want me to tell her or do you wanna do it?”
    “You can, I guess.”
    I grinned excitedly. “I love ice-skating.”
     

     
    Harper stepped out of her room just as I did. She scowled and folded her arms. “Geez, Cadence, it’s not even ten.”
    I looked at her in her black pajama pants and tank top. “I’m going ice-skating. I guess you have no plans today.”
    She scoffed. “I wish. Mum and Dad have me under house arrest until the end of the holidays.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need your pity, kid.”
    I pursed my lips, my frustration rising. “You know, I’m just trying to be nice. We won’t always be this close to each other. In fact, one day we could live clear across the country from each other. So I’m trying to make the most of my time with you, but you’re so pissed off at the world that you don’t even care. I’m your sister , Harper. I hate seeing you so sullen all the time. I just wish you would remember how much fun we used to have together and stop being so mean and shutting me out.”
    Her eyes narrowed. Her hand slowly reached out and touched my hair hanging over my shoulder. I held my breath, hoping just maybe I had made some ground with her, but then she gave my hair a sharp tug.
    “Ouch!”
    “I hate you, you stupid loser! Stop trying to be my friend to win brownie points with Mum and Dad.”
    I pushed her off and rushed down the hallway toward the front door. I paused when I reached the living room and looked back. She was awful! How could I live with her until she finally grew up?
    Geri’s mum came to pick me up. On the way, Geri and I chatted excitedly about what we’d done so far and how the holidays always seemed to go too fast.
    We hurried into the rink and rented our skates. As we made our way to the sitting area, we scanned the crowd.
    “Are we early?” Geri asked.
    “I guess so. I can’t see anyone from school.”
    “There’s Brian and Sean.” She nodded across the ice. Her eyes widened and her jaw fell. “Cadence, I think this is supposed to be a date!”
    “What?” I looked across at Brian and his best friend Sean. “No way!”
    It was too early for Brian to be making moves on me. We didn’t get together until the fourth term. But then again, I had been dating Justin at this point before . . .
    “Hey, Cadence.” Brian grinned as he slid up against the wall.
    I grasped Geri’s hand. “Hey, Brian. Hey, Sean.”
    Sean seemed edgy. He definitely didn’t want to be here, but he nodded and muttered, “Hey.”
    My hand tightened around Geri’s as we headed toward the gate. The boys left us briefly, and I whispered, “Don’t leave me for one moment.”
    She scoffed. “I’ll do my best, but I’m fairly certain Sean’s here so Brian can have some alone time with you.”
    I clenched her hand.
    “Ouch! Cadence!” She tugged her hand free.
    “Sorry.”
    We skated onto the ice and Brian came up behind me. “Wanna race?”
    His hand pressed against the small of my back. I half-turned to face him. “Not yet. I gotta get my feet first.”
    His hand shifted to my elbow. “Do you need some help?”
    “No. Geri and I will just be a few minutes. You and Sean go do your thing.”
    But he didn’t leave. He hung off me, asking questions and constantly touching me. Finally, I needed a break and told Geri I needed to use the bathroom. We hurried in and I breathed a sigh of relief. “This is so awkward.”
    Geri scowled. “Seriously, why do all the guys like you?”
    Her face showed a twinge of jealousy. It frightened me. I wasn’t ready to lose her again. “I don’t encourage it, if that’s what you mean.”
    She huffed. “I know. It just sucks. I wish one of them would be interested in me for once.”
    I tried to recall when she’d had her first boyfriend. Then it dawned on me—it wasn’t until after we stopped being