Read Online Magnolia by Kristi Cook - Free Book Online Page B

say. “You played really well.”
    â€œYeah, good thing, too—there were scouts crawling all over the place. Mostly there to see Ryder, of course. Dude’s so got it made. I don’t think he has any idea how lucky he is. I mean, sure, he’s got talent. But mostly it’s just a size thing, you know?”
    I just shrug noncommittally and continue picking at my crust.
    â€œBut you looked great tonight. I got to watch you some during the third quarter after I took that hard hit.”
    â€œThanks. I was kind of off. I almost fell during a toss.”
    â€œYou mean that thing where they throw you up in the air and catch you?” he asks, even though it seems pretty self-explanatory to me. Since it’s called, you know, a toss .
    â€œYeah. Listen, Patrick—”
    â€œUh-oh, here it comes. Look, let me lay it out on the line, Jemma. We’ve known each other a long time—”
    â€œOur whole lives.”
    â€œRight. And I know it might seem like what happened on Saturday came out the blue, but I wanted to do that for a long time. Kiss you, I mean.”
    My mouth goes dry, and I reach for my Coke and take a sip. All I can think about is Monday night—Ryder holding me in his arms, brushing away my tears. And then later, by his car, there’d been that moment when I’d thought he was going tokiss me. Which seems pretty stupid now, considering the text I’d gotten from him just minutes later.
    But what’s really crazy? The fact that I’d been kinda disappointed that he hadn’t. I’d lain awake half the night thinking about it, and the rest of the week hadn’t been much better. I was confused. Mad at myself, more than anything.
    I force my thoughts away from Ryder and back to the boy sitting across from me looking hopeful. I like him—I do. But I’m not sure I can give him what he wants from me. At least, not right now.
    â€œAll I was going to say is that it’s kind of bad timing, that’s all. Nan’s coming home tomorrow, and I want to spend as much time with her as possible. Before her surgery,” I add.
    â€œI know.” He reaches across the table for my hand, and I let him take it. “But I really want to spend time with you too.”
    â€œCan’t we just . . . you know, keep it casual? Play it by ear? That’s all I can promise you right now.”
    He shrugs. “Hey, I’ll take whatever I can get.”
    I wince at his choice of words. Mostly because I know Patrick is an experienced guy—God knows I’ve listened to him talk. Ryder was right. Patrick has been known to kiss and tell on occasion, often in graphic detail. Maybe he thought it would impress me. Who knows? But I’m fairly certain I won’t be giving him anything, least of all my virginity.
    â€œYou want some dessert?” he asks, releasing my hand tosignal for the waiter. “They’ve got really good cheesecake here.”
    â€œNo, but you go ahead.” My phone buzzes, and I glance down at the screen.
    Having fun?
    It’s Lucy. I quickly tap out a reply. I guess.
    Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do , she answers, followed by a winking smiley.
    Patrick is still occupied with the waiter, so I continue the text convo. What r u doing? I type.
    Hanging out @ Ward’s. Ryder’s here.
    Why would I care if he’s there?
    Dunno. Just sayin’.
    Umm, okay.
    I shove my cell back into my pocket. “Sorry ’bout that. It was just Lucy.”
    â€œAh, Luce the Deuce.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
    â€œLuce the what?”
    â€œThe Deuce—that’s what some of the guys call her. You know, ’cause no one ever gets past second with her.”
    â€œSeriously?” I ask, cringing. “You guys are so gross.”
    â€œI ordered you a piece of cheesecake, by the way. Cherry topping.”
    â€œOh. Thanks.” I’m pretty sure I’d said