Old Enough to Love... (Just One of the Guys) Read Online Free PDF Page B

singing, where’s your inhaler,” he said quietly.
    I concentrated on his words for a moment then heard myself. A soft wheeze accompanied each breath. I reached for my purse, but Grant had already retrieved my albuterol inhaler from the top and was shaking it dutifully. I lowered my head and did one quick puff, shoving it back in my bag. 
    “Thanks,” I whispered over my shoulder.
    The hour seemed to drag past. When the bell rang, I gathered my books and casually glanced back—the room was half empty and no Zach. But, Estelle swayed gracefully between the desks. Even worse!
    “Hey, Emma,” she greeted. “How’s Ryan?” 
    She was so pretty. “Fine, I guess. Haven’t you talked to him?” I hated when girls asked me about my brother. He was a player and everyone knew it. And here stood Estelle, with her ebony hair and perfect body—asking me about him. Wait, maybe this was a good thing. Maybe she’d stay away from Zach.
    “He hasn’t really talked to me since prom,” she complained.
    “Hmm, well, we were gone most of the summer.” I moved to the door hoping for an easy escape.
    “Tell him hi for me.” She beat me out the door. “Hi Zach,” she chimed.
    I heard her greeting before my eyes found him. Suddenly my throat went dry—again.
    “Are you going my way?” Estelle asked with a mild southern drawl—she was from Seattle.
    I tried not to roll my eyes. Mainly, because they were too busy searching for him.
    “Hey ‘ Stelle. I’m not sure. Hey, Emma. Where you headed?” His eyes met mine.
    This time it was my eyes that danced from him to her and back to him. As hard as I fought—a smile touched the corners of my mouth. My arms felt weak and I tightened my grip on my Algebra book.  Estelle’s eyes narrowed back at me, apparen tly not feeling the camaraderie we had just shared.
    She stepped closer to Zach touching his bicep with her hand. “Emma is Ryan’s sister and a freshman.”
    My mind was racing. Estelle said ‘Ryan’s sister’ like it was a crime and the word ‘freshman’ hissed off her tongue. I, of course, said nothing. But she was right; Ryan had run off every guy I’d ever liked. Not that there were many, but even his friends knew I was off limits. 
    “Hey, Runt.” Connor whacked me with a book from behind.
    “Hey, Con.” I couldn’t pull my eyes away to look at Connor and was getting more annoyed each time I was referred to as Runt.
    I watched Zach, eager for his response. My eyes were wide and Estelle’s smoky lashes fluttered.
    “We were all freshman once.” He smiled and strolled in my direction.
    Estelle flipped around stomping away.
    No words came from my mouth as much as I wanted them to.
    His eyes bore into mine. “So. Where you headed?” he asked. He was walking me to class?
    “Um…I…gym…P.E.  I have P.E.” I had three words to get out and couldn’t do that clearly. My thumb acting on its own accord pointed toward the gym.
    “Well, we don’t have much time. You’re gonna be late.” He whirled me in the opposite direction. It must have been obvious I was unable to do it on my own. His hand rested at the small of my back, as he directed me through the hallway toward the gym. A jolt of electricity shot through my body as his hand shifted up and down. We moved fast and didn’t talk. As we neared the gym, he glanced at his watch.
    “About 20 seconds to spare.”
    “Now, you’re gonna be late.” I smiled guiltily but I didn’t really feel bad.
    “I have Spanish. Ms. Padilla won’t care. Do you want me to put your Algebra book in my locker?” he offered. 
    “That’s OK. Thanks though. I should go.” God, I did not want to leave. His beautiful brown eyes seemed amused. Had I said something?
    “ OK. I’ll see you after.” He smiled then jogged down the hall.
    I wished I’d let him take my book. Then I would have had to get it after school because of the homework assignment.  What did he mean ‘I’ll see you after’—after what? After