Beautiful Mess Read Online Free PDF Page B

dragging things out,
trying to maintain the upper hand in their fictitious relationship, and she was
furious.  So on Wednesday, she dragged Bri back to Venice Beach for one
last shot at some Cole lovin’.
    Though,
it wasn’t as if Bri hadn’t tried to dissuade her.  She had done everything
she could think of to keep her from going back, but Carly would have none of
it.  She was a girl possessed.  She told Bri she had one last
sure-fire plan, she was certain wouldn’t fail.  So, with great reluctance,
and after exorbitant amounts of whining, begging, and threatening (this from
her parents), Bri drove Carly to the beach.
    “This
plan better not involve another group of testosterone fueled, touchy-feely
guys.  Because if it does, you’re on your own.” Bri exited the car.
    “Don’t
be ridiculous, Bri,” Carly chided.  “You worry too much.  It’s going
to give you wrinkles.  No, this plan doesn’t involve anyone but me, Cole,
and Dalton.”
    “Dalton?”
    “He’s
my boyfriend.  You’ve listened to me talk about him, and to him, this
whole week!”
    Bri
hadn’t heard Carly talk about any Dalton at all.  Bri was pretty certain
this Dalton didn’t exist. 
    “Why
would a plan to get Cole involve a fake boyfriend?” Bri was confused.
    “Ugh,
Bri, you don’t get anything!  And Dalton is not fake!  Guys like Cole
are only interested in what they can’t have.  When he finds out that I
have a boyfriend, that someone else wants me, he’ll want me, too.  The
whole forbidden love thing will kick in and will be too much for him to
resist.  He’ll be all over me!”
    This
was the worst plan Bri had heard.
    “Don’t
you think Cole is too smart to fall for something this obvious and stupid?”
    “Please,”
Carly scoffed.  “Guys like Cole aren’t known for their brains.  And
his brains aren’t what I’m after anyway.”
    “Carly,”
she made one last ditch effort.  “The only thing all your plans and
schemes have proven is that your theories about boys are completely
insane!  Are you sure you want to put yourself through this again? 
Why don’t you just get over it and move on?”
    “This
coming from the girl who’s barely dated and never had a boyfriend in her life,”
Carly replied snidely.  “Watch and learn.  Who knows, if you follow
my advice, you just might lose your virgin lip status before you graduate.”
    Again,
none of those things were true.  Again, Carly was not the kind of person
you wanted knowing the intimate details of your life.  So, once again, Bri
let the comment pass.
    “Now,”
Carly said as they spotted Cole.  “Just follow my lead, and don’t screw
this up!”  She walked up to him, her demeanor completely changing. 
“Hi Cole!” she smiled sweetly at him.
    Cole
looked a little taken aback and worried, but he quickly covered it with a
smile.
    “Hi
Psy...uh, Carly,” he caught himself.  Bri had to stifle a laugh. 
Apparently Carly’s nickname was a keeper.  “Hello, Bri,” he winked at her.
    “So
Cole, today I kind of need a favor, and was hoping you could help me out?”
Carly pleaded with a pathetic smile.
    “Okay...”
he replied hesitantly.  He looked more than worried.  He looked down
right scared.
    “You
see,” Carly began, “I was talking to my boyfriend Dalton last night...”
    “Boyfriend?”
he interrupted, looking confused.
    “Yes,
my boyfriend back in Phoenix.  Anyway, I told him about that beautiful
drawing you did of me and Bri, and he said he’d like one too.  So, I need
you to do another drawing, of just me this time, that I can take back to
Dalton.”
    “Um,
okay, I guess.”
    “Great! 
Dalton will be so excited!”
    “Sure
he will,” Bri muttered under her breath. 
    “Oh,
and Bri, since you’re not needed here, you should go shopping.  Or go find
a nice spot to read, ” Carly sneered.  She pulled Bri in close and
whispered in her ear.  “I don’t really care what you do, just don’t