Read Center Field for Free Online Page A

much more to think about. He realized he wasn’t looking forward to seeing her tonight. He heard Kat urging an old man to try moving his mouse a little more firmly. It was the first time he hadn’t heard a sharp edge to her voice. She was smiling as she leaned over to guide his hand. Her breasts brushed the back of his head. The old man didn’t notice. Mike felt warm. He looked away.
    And then Zack was thanking them for coming. Next week, he said, they would join internet groups. There was applause. Mike was surprised to realize it was already past one P.M .
    While the old people took their time leaving, he helped Zack and Kat unhook the computers and pack them up. He carried the boxes out to the white van.
    The old lady in the backward Yankees cap was one of the last to leave. He held the door for her. She said, “You don’t look like a computer brainiac to me.”
    â€œI’m the dumb jock bodyguard,” he said.
    She threw back her head and laughed. She repeated theline to a few people before she shuffled out.
    Back at school, after they unloaded and rehooked the computers, Kat said, “Wonder why we have to do all this? The school can spend a hundred thousand dollars on sports equipment, a new weight room, indoor and outdoor batting cages, you believe that? But they can’t come up with more money for secondhand laptops for outreach programs that benefit the entire community.”
    Zack said, “He can read it all on RidgedaleReform dot org.”
    â€œLike he can read,” said Kat. “Or cares.”
    Zack turned to Mike. “You coming next week?”
    The question puzzled him. “Coach Cody said you wanted me for three weeks.”
    Kat and Zack exchanged glances again.
    â€œFine,” said Zack. “Same time and place.” It had started raining. “You want a ride home? There’s room for the bike in the van.”
    â€œI’m okay.” It came out more sharply than he had intended.
    â€œHe can get wet,” said Kat. “He’s a dumb jock bodyguard.”

TEN
    â€œI know Zack Berger,” said Lori. “He’s very intense.”
    Ryan made a slurping sound. “And tastes so good.”
    Lori’s twin, Tori, hit Ryan with a French fry. “He comes to more cheerleading shows than you.”
    â€œTo hand out propaganda,” said Andy.
    â€œSo at least he considers them important,” said Lori.
    â€œTo dump on America,” said Andy. “Tell me why some geek who thinks he knows everything can say anything he wants and get away with it and if I say certain things I’m a bigot.”
    â€œWe love you but you’re a bigot,” said Lori.
    â€œIf Mike had slugged me, he’d of gotten a medal,” said Andy.
    â€œI’d give him one for that,” said Ryan.
    â€œMike shouldn’t have hit him,” said Tori.
    â€œHe must have been provoked,” said Lori. She sounds like Mom.
    â€œNow shut up,” said Ryan. “It’s on.” He tapped the mutebutton on the remote and a cage fighter who looked like a gorilla started explaining the rear naked choke like an English teacher might explain Melville.
    â€œAre these guys actors?” said Lori without moving her head from Mike’s shoulder. They were on the big leather couch. She was playing with Mike’s hair. He was enjoying it and annoyed at the same time. She always had her hands on him. He didn’t feel into it right now.
    â€œMixed martial arts is the latest weapon of mass distraction,” said Andy. He lowered his voice and continued talking to Lori, who nodded, wide-eyed. He loves to hear himself, thought Mike, and she thinks he’s so smart. I don’t even feel jealous.
    He didn’t feel like being with them or watching the fights. If his sore ankle wasn’t propped on the arm of the couch, wrapped in an ice pack, he would get up and leave. Then what? He didn’t feel like being with