Read Online Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt - Free Book Online Page A

is really quite awkward. I can’t walk next to him, because that’s very, you know, couple like, but walking behind him is weird, too, because then it’s like I’m not walking next to him on purpose, which may lead him to believe that he’s actually affecting me, which I definitely don’t want. For him to be affecting me, I mean. Or, for him to think that. Because he obviously is affecting me.
    When we get inside, he heads to the Burger King line, and I go to Sbarro. I actually wanted Burger King, too, but there’s no way I was going to stand in that wicked long line with him while we tried to make conversation. Or worse, just stood there in silence. I brought my book in with me, so hopefully while we’re eating, I can read and he can just eat and look at the ground.
    I order a sausage calzone before I realize that I should probably get the grilled chicken salad, since now that I have no boyfriend, I need to make sure I don’t get really fat. I’ve been eating a lot lately, and with the freshman fifteen probably a given, I need to make sure I at least make some kind of effort to eat healthy. If I didn’t know better, I would have started to think I was pregnant, what with all the food I’ve been eating. But I know I’m not, because Jordan and I never actually did it. The only time we came close was in Miami, right before we broke up. Thinking about that night makes me feel sick, and I almost throw my sausage calzone into a nearby trash can on my way to pick a table. But then I realize that if I don’t have any food, Jordan’s going to wonder why, and then what will I say? “Because I’m too upset about you dumping me to eat.” I don’t think so.
    Despite the long Burger King line, Jordan’s already sitting at a table when I get there, and so I slide in across from him.
    “Hey,” he says, unwrapping his Whopper. “What’d you get?”
    “Sausage calzone,” I say, putting the straw into my diet Coke. I reach into my bag and pull out my book.
    “You’re kidding, right?” Jordan says, raising his eyebrows.
    “No,” I say. “I really did get a sausage calzone.” Why would I kid about that?
    “I mean the book,” he says. He takes a bite of his burger and licks his lips. I look away quickly, because a wave of heat has started between my legs and is now moving its way up my body. How ridiculous. That I’m getting turned on just from watching him lick his lips. Especially since he’s such an asshole.
    “What about it?”
    “You’re going to read your book at lunch?”
    “Yeah, that was the plan,” I say.
    “Lame,” he says, shrugging. He takes the top off his soda and takes a big drink. Jordan never uses a straw. He says it’s because he can’t get enough soda that way. I used to think it was cute. Apparently I still do, because I’m still getting hot just looking at him.
    “Why is it lame?” I ask, frowning.
    “It’s just kind of rude.” He shrugs again.
    “Yeah, I don’t think we should get into a conversation about what’s rude and what isn’t,” I say. “Or who’s ruder. Because I have a feeling I’d win that argument.” He shifts in his chair uncomfortably. Good. I cut a piece of my calzone and pop it into my mouth. I look down at my book and try to concentrate on the words.
    Suddenly Jordan’s cell phone starts playing “Baby Got Back” again. He checks the caller ID, frowns, and then sends it to voice mail without answering it.
    “Don’t not answer it on account of me,” I say. “It doesn’t bother me at all.”
    “I thought it did,” he says. “In the car, you acted like it did.”
    “Well, it doesn’t here,” I say, chewing and swallowing, even though the calzone tastes funny in my mouth. “In the car, you shouldn’t talk on your phone, but here, it’s okay. Besides, I’m reading.” I force down another bite of calzone, and turn a page in my book.
    “It wasn’t important,” he says.
    “Whatever.” I shrug.
    “If it was, I would have answered