Read Play Nice (Make the Play Book 3) for Free Online Page B

Chase, he adds, “She’s too good for our food.”
    Chase guffaws, nudging Josh in the side.
    Shaking my head, I shove past them, regretting ever dating Josh. I should’ve known better.
    “Cafeteria’s that way, Ash,” he says. I spin around, my gaze meeting his. Understanding washes over him, and for one second I think I see pity in his eyes. But then the smug look returns. “But that’s not where you’re going, is it?”
    This whole thing is a joke to him. He ruined my life, and he thinks it’s funny. Figures. Anger fills me to the point that my whole body shakes. But I don’t say a word. I know it won’t do any good. He’s already won, and anything I say at this point will make me look even worse. So instead, I keep my head held high as if I couldn’t care less about him. Or about any of them. And I hurry toward my car.
    Once inside, I rest my head against the seat and breathe out.
    My mom and I never spoke of what happened at my school that day in fourth grade. But when I got home that afternoon, I could see in her eyes that she knew I was ashamed of her. And I wanted to feel bad, but I didn’t. In fact, I was sort of glad that she knew what it felt like.
    It was the same way she’d made me feel when I brought home a picture I’d drawn in first grade and she told me it looked like something a two year old would draw, and then she tossed it in the trash. And it was how I felt when I had the solo in my third grade choir and she told me it was okay if I couldn’t sing, that we had plenty of time to figure out what I was good at.
    I knew how much it sucked thinking someone was ashamed of you because my mom had made me feel like that my entire life.

HAYES
     
    Ashley’s not sitting at our table. In fact, I don’t see her in the cafeteria at all. Talia and her friends sit at the end of the bench I’m on, giggling and talking a mile a minute. It turns my stomach. Usually Ashley’s the ringleader, talking louder than the rest of them. I tell myself it’s the only reason I notice her absence.
    But I know that’s not true.
    “Wanna go hit some balls this afternoon?” Brady slaps me on the back.
    I set down the sandwich I’d been holding. At this point it had become more of a prop than anything. Once Talia sat down, I lost my appetite. I hate that she has so much power over me. Normally nothing could keep me from eating.
    “Um…yeah. Why not?” I say.
    He frowns. “I hardly recognize you, man.”
    “What do you mean?” I knit my eyebrows together.
    “Um…yeah. Why not?” He mimics me, but he makes his voice sound all whiny and high-pitched. “The Hayes I know would’ve made some joke about hittin’ me in the balls.”
    I chuckle. “The only reason I didn’t is because yours are probably too small to find. My aim hasn’t been that great lately.”
    “Aaand, he’s back!” Brady clamps a hand down on my shoulder.
    “Who’s back?” Josh and Chase slide onto the bench across from us.
    My stomach tanks. So much for my mood lifting. Brady shifts his position on the bench, and it creaks beneath him.
    “No one,” he says, his voice taking on a hard edge.
    Josh dips his hand into a brown paper bag, and he pulls out a greasy hamburger. I’m usually a fan of greasy fast food, but today it sickens me. Maybe because it’s in Josh’s grabby hands.
    “It’s a nice day.” Brady jabs me in the side. “Wanna go out to the quad?”
    I raise a brow, considering his words. I’ve sat at this same table every day since freshman year. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever gone out to the quad. My gaze scans the table. Things have changed. With Cal and Chris gone, Talia at one end of the table and Josh at the other, it’s not the same place it used to be.
    “Sure.” I gather up my stuff and stand.
    “Where are you guys going?” Josh asks.
    “We’re gonna go hang with the cool kids,” I joke.
    Josh’s lips curl downward. Not letting him respond, I push away from the table. Brady and I weave our