Read Online The Long Ride by Bonnie Bryant - Free Book Online Page B

say. Everything seemed inadequate. Lisa smiled understandingly.
    â€œTell Alex I’m home, will you?” she asked.
    â€œI think he knows already,” Stevie said. She pointed to her own home, a few houses down the block. Alex had emerged from the front door and was heading toward Lisa’s house. “Radar,” Stevie said in explanation.
    â€œThanks,” said Lisa. “For the lift and for letting me talk.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Stevie said, meaning it.
    â€œAnd congratulations on getting your job. Don’t worry about the hat. It looks so silly on your head that nobody will take it seriously at all.”
    â€œYou really know how to make a girl feel good, don’t you?”
    â€œThat’s what friends are for,” Lisa said before she closed the car door and headed into her house.
    Stevie waved at her twin as she passed him on her way back to their house. He was so focused on getting to Lisa’s that Stevie didn’t think he really saw her at all. That was okay. She was glad that her best friend had someone who loved her that much—even if it was only Stevie’s brother.
    â€œHi, Lis’,” Alex said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and taking her hand. “Got a minute?”
    â€œAlways,” Lisa said, squeezing his hand back. “I wanted to see you today anyway. I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do, and you can help.”
    â€œLike choose what shirts you’re going to take to California?”
    â€œNo, actually, what CDs I should take. That’s more up your alley than fashion, right?”
    â€œDefinitely,” he agreed. She led him into the den, where she kept her music collection.
    As they walked in, Lisa’s mother came out, saying she was on her way to the grocery store. “Not that I’m going to need to keep much food in the house once you’re gone for the summer, Lisa,” she said. The sigh was apparent, even though inaudible.
    â€œThat makes it unanimous, then,” Alex said when the door closed behind Mrs. Atwood. “Nobody wants you to go away this summer.”
    â€œThat doesn’t change the fact that I’m going, Alex, and it doesn’t make it easier when you talk like that.”
    â€œI know, I know. I just can’t help myself sometimes.”
    â€œLook, we’ll talk on the phone. I’ll send you e-mail from my dad’s computer. I’ll be in your hair so much you’ll start wishing I were farther away!”
    â€œI don’t think that’ll happen,” he said. Gently he pulled her to him and wrapped her in his strong arms. He gave her the kiss he’d wanted to give her when he first saw her: warm, lingering, and deep. She circled her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It made her feel good—very good—but it also reminded her how hard it was going to be to be away from him for the whole summer.
    They came up for air. “I’m going to miss you,” he said.
    â€œMe too. But being apart isn’t going to change how we feel about one another. Besides, Alex, saying good-bye is really hard. I’m dreading it, and it doesn’t help when you start doing it now. I’m not leaving yet. Let’s save the good-byes until the last minute, okay?”
    Alex looked at her, savoring her sweet smile and lovely face. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but, as usual, you are totally sensible and absolutely right. No good-byes. Just hellos. I do a good hello kiss, too. Want to try it?”
    â€œSilly!” she said, pushing him away. “You’re as incorrigible as your sister! Who—by the way—got herself a job today.”
    â€œAh, my sister the pizza girl, huh? I’ve heard that Mr. Andrews is something else. The two of them should get along just fine.”
    â€œAs long as she ‘minds her Pizza Manors,’” Lisa said.
    â€œYou’re kidding!”
    Lisa told him all