Read Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

goals this year.”
    “What does that have to do with testing out of a few subjects?” I asked. Did she have other plans for me?
    Dad pushed to his feet. I caught his wrist before he moved away. His grimace told me to back off, so I let go of him. I liked that he was taking control to support me rather than apologize to the principal for my bad behavior, which was what he’d done a few times at Crestview.
    “Principal Sanders, I respect your position, and what you’re trying to do here. But my daughter has been to hell and back this past year. I don’t expect you to understand, and for certain, I don’t want your pity. You assured me on the phone more than once that you would work with us to ensure Lacey worked toward her goals. So aside from telling us that she can’t test out, I don’t want to hear that you’re not going to allow her to try out.”
    “Mr. Robinson, the boys on the baseball team are tough. So much so that I had to reprimand them when the last girl that was on—”
    “That’s not my concern,” Dad said. “You don’t know Lacey at all. If you did, you would know that she doesn’t put up with anything, especially bullies. My daughter is probably tougher than most boys in this school. Regardless, she always sticks to her goals. If it weren’t for…anyway, she can handle herself.”
    Way to go, Dad!
    Mrs. Flowers’s mouth was agape and her eyes were wide. Ms. Sanders had a completely blank expression on her face.
    After several agonizing seconds, the principal broke the silence. “Please forgive me. You’re right, Mr. Robinson,” she said. “Mrs. Flowers, please set up a date and time for Lacey to take the tests.” She smoothed out her skirt. “Mr. Robinson, I appreciate your candor. My staff will help, but Lacey, it’s up to you to put in the work. I expect two things from you. One, you do not cause any trouble while a student here, and two, you maintain good grades while playing sports. Is that understood?”
    I went to stand next to Dad. “Yes, ma’am. But…I’ll also protect myself.” Just like I had at my last school. I wanted her to know that regardless of tough boys or girls in this school, I wouldn’t let anyone bully me.
    She eyed me up and down for a moment. “Very well then. This meeting is over.”
    Mrs. Flowers didn’t move.
    “Thanks for your time,” Dad said. We both headed for the door. I was out in the admin office when Ms. Sanders called to Dad.
    He turned back toward her office and stabbed his thumb behind him at Barb’s desk. “Go. I’ll talk with the principal. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
    I shrugged then inclined my head. I had no idea what the principal was going to say to my father, and frankly, I didn’t want to know. Between the night before and that morning, my life seemed to have taken a turn for the worse.Was she really trying to steer me clear of the boys’ baseball team? If so, why? She said she had to reprimand the boys for the last girl on the team. Had the team had something to do with her death? I’d had a dose of naysayers at Crestview from a couple of boys on the team. They didn’t think a girl helped their chances of winning games—until they saw me pitch. So whatever the boys at Kensington had to dish out, I would be ready.
    The first bell rang just as I was weaving into a crowd of students in the hall. Anxiety pangs from being a new student ate at my stomach when I merged into traffic. I didn’t know where I was going. I had my schedule, I had my locker number, but I had no clue where anything was.
    “Lacey,” a female voice called.
    Scanning the hall, I saw Becca standing against a locker up ahead, waving at me.
    I slipped out of the herd of students and stopped beside her.
    “How did it go?” she asked.
    “Fine.” I wasn’t about to tell her that my father almost took off Ms. Sanders’s head.
    “Do you know where you’re going?” she asked.
    “No. I have English first. Well, after homeroom. I need to