Read Play Safe (Make the Play #1) for Free Online

counter. “I knew something happened last night.”
    My face heats up. Yeah, a lot happened last night.
    “Do you need me to kick his ass?”
    He’d love that, wouldn’t he? I slug Cal in the arm. “No.”
    “It sounds like a good offer. I might take him up on it,” Ashley chimes in.
    “That bad, huh?” Cal’s gaze sweeps over me. “Tell me what happened, Em.”
    “I told you it was nothing.” My ring tone floats down the hallway from my room. My head bobs up. “Hold on.” Before leaving the room, I point my index finger at Cal. “No beating anyone up. I’ll be right back.”
    “Ashley may get on my nerves, but I’d never hit a girl,” Cal quips.
    Ashley sticks her tongue out at him. “Very funny.”
    “Whatever.” I shake my head and race down the hallway. When I reach my room, I head to my dresser where my cell sits on top. Josh’s picture stares back at me from the screen. My heart pounds in my chest. Why is he calling? To break it off officially? While I’m having my mini freak-out session, the phone ceases ringing. The silence reverberates through my body. I stand perfectly still, wondering what my next move is. Do I call him back or freeze him out? What would a non-needy girlfriend do?
    The phone vibrates and a text appears. I pick it up and read it.
    Josh: I’m sorry about last night. I was drunk and stupid. Don’t ignore me.
    As I’m reading it, another one comes through.
    Josh: Please?
    “Who is it?” Ashley materializes in my doorway.
    I flinch.
    She flicks her gaze over her shoulder. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I had to get outta there. Your brother was totally irritating me.”
    “It’s okay. Come in.” I wave her inside, and then flash the phone in her direction. “What should I do?”
    Her eyes widen as she reads over it. “Text him back.”
    “Really? Even after he was such a jerk?”
    Ashley cocks her head to the side and purses her lips. “Look, Em, Josh has no shortage of girls that want to be with him,” she speaks in a condescending tone as if I’ve suddenly morphed into a kindergartener. “Last night girls were already plotting how to get him now that you two were finished. But clearly he doesn’t want them. He wants you. That’s huge. Most girls would kill to be in your position. You can’t turn it down. Besides, it would be social suicide.”
    Social status has never meant as much to me as it does to Ashley. But still it does mean something. I don’t want to go back to being the invisible nerd girl I was in middle school. My friendship with Ashley has opened so many doors for me. But being with Josh has elevated me to a level I never even thought possible. I know it probably sounds shallow, but that poor girl who was bullied and picked on really likes the way people treat her now. Plus, what other option do I have? If we break up, I’ll end up spending all my time pining over a guy who doesn’t even want me. Christian made it clear where we stand last night. And now Josh wants me back.
    Ashley’s right.
    I know what I have to do.
    Lifting my phone I type swiftly with my thumbs.
    Me: I’m sorry too. Why don’t we just forget the whole thing and move on?
    After pressing send, I hold my breath while waiting for him to respond.
    Josh: Ok.
    Me: We’re good then?
    Josh: We’re good.
    It’s not exactly a declaration of undying love, but it doesn’t seem like anyone’s handing those out lately. I glance up at Ashley.
    “You can tell everyone that Josh and I are not broken up.”
    She squeals and throws her arms around my neck. “Oh, this is so great.”
    It hits me that I should be the one excited, not Ashley. So then, how come I’m not?

CHRISTIAN
     
    A few minutes ago it was light out, but now it’s dark. It’s as if someone closed a curtain around the sun. Grey clouds move overhead, and I wonder if it will rain. Usually I would pray for the rain to hold off until after practice, but today I’m sort of hoping for a downpour. I’m not