Read Online Play Safe (Make the Play #1) by Amber Garza - Free Book Online Page B

pissing contest, and they both shut their mouths when they spot me.
    I cross my arms over my chest, raising my brows. “Don’t stop on my account.”
    “We were just talking baseball, baby.” Josh opens his arm, motioning for me to step into it. Reluctantly, I do. Cal frowns.
    “Sure you were,” I mutter.
    “What’s that?” Josh asks.
    “Nothing.” I smile sweetly.
    Cal shakes his head. “I’m gonna go find Chris and say hi to Olivia.”
    I feel Josh’s stare boring a hole into the side of my face as Cal exits the room.
    “You didn’t tell me that she would be here,” he says, his tone laced in betrayal.
    Man, this night is a disaster . “I didn’t know.” I turn to him. “But Olivia is part of this family, so play nice.” I don’t usually speak to Josh like that, but there’s no way I’m letting him disrespect Olivia. I love her like she’s my own mom. In fact, there have been times when she was more of a mom to me than my own mother. Olivia is creative as well, but in a different way than my mom. And, since she runs her own business, she’s more levelheaded, more organized. She gets me in a way my mom never has. I can’t even count how many times Olivia has offered me a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.
    Besides, I don’t even understand why he hates her so much. The scandal that blew up her life didn’t hurt Josh. In fact, it’s safe to say, it helped him.
    Josh pulls away from me, his arm slipping from my shoulders. “When we started dating I had no idea how much family you had.” He says the word “family” with sarcasm, and an edge of disgust.
    “Would it have made a difference?”
    “Probably.”
    Ah, always the romantic. “Thanks a lot.” I scowl.
    “What do you expect me to say?” He lowers his voice. “You know how I feel about Olivia.”
    Well, at least he’s being honest. That’s more than I can say for some people. Case in point, Christian appears in the doorway of the family room. His gaze sweeps over me, then lands on Josh. His lips curl downward.
    “You can leave if you want,” I whisper to Josh, a part of me hoping he will, while another part of me wants him to stay. Not so much because I want him here, but because it will be embarrassing if he ditches me in front of everyone again. Besides, I’m not sure my parents like him that much. If he skips out on dinner, they won’t like him at all.
    “ She should leave. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
    I bite my lip to keep from saying what I’m thinking. It disgusts me how this town keeps making Olivia pay for something that happened so long ago. “She’s my mom’s best friend. She’s not leaving,” I say in a hushed voice, careful to make sure no one hears us. Anywhere else in town Josh could get away with talking bad about Olivia. But not here. If anyone else hears what he’s saying, they’ll throw his ass out. And it makes me feel sick that I don’t have the guts to do it.
    “Fine.” He throws up his hands. “I get it. I’ll be on my best behavior.” Leaning down, he kisses me swiftly on the mouth. “For you.”
    It’s the kind of statement that used to make my heart soar. I used to live for moments like this. Now I see them for what they are. Lines. Words with no real meaning. Still, I force a smile, reminding myself that it’s my fault he’s here.
    Not just in my house, but in my life.
    “Thanks. C’mon.” Grabbing Josh’s hand, I guide him toward the dining room where everyone else has congregated. The scent of garlic and chicken wafts under my nose, causing my stomach to growl. I’m surprised by the reaction since my stomach is so nervous I doubt I’ll be able to eat a bite. When Josh and I enter the dining room, everyone except for Mom is seated. She’s still fluttering about like a butterfly, setting platters of food on the table. All eyes fall on us, and my chest tightens. No one speaks, and I find myself once again wishing to disappear.
    But it’s Olivia who breaks through the