Free Mansfield Ranch by Jenni James Page B

true for very long. I mean, popularity can only cloud someone’s judgment for a little while, right?
    Ugh . Harrison was correct. This was a cheesy soap-opera mess, going out with one girl and flirting with her two sisters. The only thing that amused me at all—the only thing that made me continue to watch this train wreck with any sort of anticipation—was that I wanted to be there when his little juggling act overbalanced and came tumbling back down on him. Yes, I admit it. Harrison’s inevitable failure brought me happiness.
    Now if only I could stop Sean from falling for the wrong girl—then I’d be truly happy.
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten: Girl on a Mission
    “So what do you say? Would you and your family like to come over to our house Friday night?”
    I stared at Julia Crawford for a minute and allowed the last few bits of conversation to wash over me. Hang out with us . . . just a little party . . . a movie night or something . . . Harrison and I are hosting. The final bell had rung and the whole place had begun to quiet down as everyone headed home.
    I decided to stall as we walked down the long hall of the main building. “Uh—you’re inviting all of us?”
    “Yeah! Alexis and Lauren are already coming and so is Sean—will you come too?”
     There was no way I would go to that party. Not even if a wild pack of deranged rainforest ants came and hauled me over their shoulders and dragged me down to the Crawfords’ house. I would find a way to fight my way out of it—even if I had to die trying. But I could never admit that out loud—Harrison would probably just move the whole party to our house or something. “Um, yeah. It sounds like fun. I’ll ask if I can come.”
    “Great!” Julia’s smile sparkled back at me. She was pretty. Really pretty . “I can’t wait to get to know you! You’re all Sean and my brother ever talk about, so it’ll be cool to hang out, I think.”
    Sean talks about me? “Yeah, really cool. I can’t wait.” I hitched up my bag and maneuvered past a couple of kids who were messing around in the hall. I had to hurry and get to the car before Alexis and Lauren threw a fit. Julia had other ideas.
    “Here. Let me give you my phone number, in case something comes up.” She pulled out her phone.
    “Oh, uh, I’m sure I can get it from Alexis or Lauren. No worries, I’ll just ask them.” I really needed to get out of the hall and outside; I’d wasted too much time as it was. Not that I was particularly worried about making them mad—it’s just that it was much easier on everyone if I didn’t rock the boat.
    “Okay, that’ll work too.” Julia seemed a bit taken aback. I must’ve come off ruder than I thought I had. But she smiled and said, “Then, no worries. I’ll see ya tomorrow.”
    I felt a momentary stab of guilt as I watched her walk out of the building and into the bright sunshine. I couldn’t let it affect me. There’s no way I can start to feel compassion for the girl Sean’s interested in. It would kill me.
    As I followed Julia outside, I heard Lauren’s ear-piercing shriek across the courtyard and parking lot.
    “LILLY!”
    Ugh . I put my head down and sped toward the sound. Does she have to scream so loud? I knew I was late. Sheesh!
    “Hey, Lilly.” Harrison jogged up to me, no doubt alerted to my presence thanks to Lauren’s stupidity.
    I walked faster.
    “Wait.” He caught up. “Why do you put up with them, anyway?”
    “Because I have to, okay?” I never took my gaze from the ground as I plowed on.
    He tugged on my bag, forcing me to stop. “But why? You don’t have to.”
    My eyes rose to Harrison’s other hand that held his strap on his shoulder. “Yes, I do. We’re family. It’s what families do—put up with each other.”
    He let out a sigh of frustration. “Come on, don’t give me that. Just ride home with me, okay?”
    My eyes met his. “Why? So you can—?”
    “LILLY!”
    I winced. Just great. Now she’s