Read Online Freak by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online

sick, huh?” he asked, stepping up next to Gaia. Even with an undercapacity crowd, the place seemed to be filled with screaming fans in blue and orange. The butter-colored boards of the court gleamed under the bright lights and the loudspeaker blared a cavalry horn recording, prompting everyone in the arena to shout, “Charge!”
    â€œI’ve never been to a game here,” Gaia said, her eyes trained on Allan Houston as he drove down the court.
    â€œNever? Well then, you’ll need to have the full experience,” Jake said. “I’ll meet you at the seats.”
    â€œWhere are you going?” Gaia asked, her blue eyes wide.
    â€œTrust me,” Jake said with a grin.
    He waited until Gaia had settled into one of the seats Derek had pointed out, then turned and jogged over to the nearest souvenir stand. He picked out a blue-and-orange Knicks visor, a white tank top with a small logo on the chest, two huge foam fingers, and a tan fisherman-style cap for himself. The girl behind the counter eyed him like he was a crazy person as she handed over the goods and took a major wad of his cash. Then Jake hit the food counter and bought a couple of hot dogs and sodas. Balancing everything in his arms on the way back down the stairs, Jake thanked God that he had an aisle seat. Anyone he had to walk over would have killed him.
    â€œWhat is all that?” Gaia asked as everyone around them stood up and cheered a killer three-point shot.
    Jake placed the food tray down on his empty seat and handed the tank top, the visor, and the foam finger to Gaia, one by one.
    â€œI’m not putting this stuff on,” Gaia said flatly.
    â€œLive a little, G,” Jake told her, pulling the fisherman’s cap down over his own eyes. He knew he probably looked like a tool, but that was the point. Gaia was going to have fun tonight if it killed him. Even if he had to embarrass the hell out of himself to make it happen.
    He slipped the other foam finger on over his hand and raised it in the air. “Go, Knicks!” he shouted, tipping his head back. The fans all around him let out a huge cheer.
    Gaia laughed and shook her head, her eyes dancing. Jake’s heart flipped over. She’d laughed. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen that before. Suddenly Gaia cleared her throat and looked away, flushing as if she’d done something wrong. Was it possible that she had actually never laughed before? Okay, probably not. But she obviously didn’t do it much.
    â€œJust put the tank top on over your shirt,” he told her.
    â€œWhat is it with you and dressing me?” Gaia asked. “Do you miss your Barbie dolls?”
    Jake tucked his chin and looked up at her past the brim of his hat. “Put it on or you don’t get the hot dog.”
    Gaia sighed and tilted her head so she could see the foot-long waiting for her in the cardboard tray. He could tell she was caving.
    â€œFine,” she said finally. She took off her jacket, pulled the shirt on over her turtleneck, then slipped her jacket back on. While she was still adjusting herself, Jake placed the visor on her head and put the foam finger in her lap. Gaia rolled her eyes up and looked at the visor, then shook her head again, trying not to smile. She yanked the foam finger on and looked at Jake expectantly.
    â€œHot dog,” she said, holding out her free hand.
    Jake finally sat down, lifting the tray onto his lap, and handed her the goods. Gaia consumed a third of the hot dog in one huge bite.
    â€œI’m good now,” she said, chewing. And she actually did look good. She looked comfortable . . . content. And ridiculously cute. She lifted her foam finger to shoulder level. “Go, Knicks,” she said quietly.
    Jake smiled and bit into his own hot dog. “You’re getting there.”
    Get It Done
    TOM STOOD IN ONE OF THE DEBRIEFING rooms at the CIA’s New York headquarters, completely calm