Read Online Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane - Free Book Online Page A

Shane said. “Longest years of my life. Hey, are Kent and Dave here?”
    I shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve been standing around by myself for the last hour wondering where they are. Have you ever noticed how lame it can make you feel wandering around a party by yourself?”
    I hoped they couldn’t tell I was so buzzed, especially since I’d just told them that I didn’t know anyone there. What kind of loser gets tanked by herself at a party?
    Jake laughed. “Shane’s never at a party by himself. He’s too famous.”
    I looked up at Shane. “Too many admirers, Mr. Kennedy?”
    “Just slightly,” Jake said. “Press, fans, general hangers-on. It’s crazy. I have to make an appointment weeks in advance just to beat this clown at Madden Football.”
    Shane coughed. “Like you ever win.”
    “Hangers-on?” I said to Shane. “What does your wife think about the hangers-on who are of the female disposition?”
    He laughed. “They don’t want to mess with Kristina, let’s just say that.”
    “Hey, is she coming?” I said.
    Shane shook his head. “She got stuck at the hospital.”
    “Oh no, really? Darn it. I was really looking forward to meeting her.”
    He put his arm around Jake. “Well, my man Jake here isn’t nearly as hot as my wife, but he’s not all that bad, is he?”
    I must have turned even redder, because Shane laughed, and Jake hit him on the side of the head. “You’re a jackass, Shane,” he said. Then he looked at me and smiled. “Ignore him, Waverly.”
    I looked at Jake but didn’t speak. I felt like a female deer caught in the headlights of a speeding car being driven by a very hot male deer. Or would that be a buck? Whatever the word, he was hot and I was not cool.
    He and Shane were obviously waiting for me to say something in response, but I couldn’t think of anything witty.
    Or anything at all.
    Anything.
    Anything!
    “Uh, um, that’s okay,” I finally said quietly. McKenna and Andie would kill me for being so pathetic.
    I made a mental note for a Honey Note:
     
    Front: Ever get tongue-tied talking to a cute boy?
    Inside: Honey, if his tongue wasn’t involved, you’re a loser.
     
    I finally broke my gaze from Jake and turned back to Shane. “So, um, hey, Shane … didn’t you say you had a game here tomorrow? Then I guess you guys sort of play against each other?”
    He nodded. “Yep, tomorrow night. Dave and Kent are coming, so you should come, too. I’ll leave you a ticket at will call. Hey, I just spotted a couple of my buddies who play for the Yankees. I’m going to go say hi. I’ll see you kids later.”
    He walked away before I could tell him my flight home was the next morning, and as he disappeared into the crowd, he turned and winked at me. Or at least I thought he winked at me.
    My vision was getting a little too blurry to be sure.
    “Would you like a drink, Waverly?” Jake said.
    I looked at him and blinked. I knew the last thing I needed was another drink. But for some reason I couldn’t get my mouth to listen to my brain, and I heard myself say, “Sure, I’ll have a rookie,” as we walked over to the bar and got in line.
    “So I almost didn’t recognize you without that candy bar in your mouth,” Jake said as he handed me a fresh drink, which I proceeded to drop on the ground.
    “Are you okay?” He walked back to the bar and grabbed a handful of napkins, which I used to sop up the drink that had splashed all over my jeans. Then he ordered me another drink, which I needed like a hole in the head.
    I stood back up and bit my lip. “Um, you remember that?”
    “I thought I might have to give you the Heimlich,” he said, laughing.
    I coughed and looked everywhere in the room but at his blue eyes.
    “Uh, yeah, that wasn’t exactly my proudest moment. Can we maybe talk about something else?”
    He smiled and handed me the new drink. “Okay, but you’ve got to admit that it was pretty funny.”
    “Okay, busted,” I said, finally looking