Free Hate Me by Jillian Dodd

too.”
    “Me too,” Katie chimes in. “Bryce, you’ll be drooling.”
    “Of course, it sort of depends on what outcome you want,” I tell Annie.
    “What outcome?”
    “Yeah, do you really want him back or do you just want him to want you back?”
    Annie thinks about it for a minute, then says, “No way I’d take him back. Even if it means I end up dateless for Winter Formal.”
    “I bet you’ll have a date before he does,” Maggie says.

    Your gaydar is broken.
    French

    Miss Praline starts right in on a lecture, so I write a note to Aiden and drop it over my shoulder.

    I bought you some birthday presents last night. I’m excited for you to open them.
    All I want for my birthday is you.  
    Like all of me? Does that mean you’re ready to?
    I’ve been ready, Boots. I want you to be ready.
    I know. I appreciate that.  
    French weekend will be busy. I’m really excited for it. I’m going to try to speak French to you the whole time.
    Really?
    Ha. Well, I wish, but probably not. I’ve been studying a few key phrases though.
    Like what?
    It’s a secret.  
    Are they from the dirty French book?
    Nope.  
    Darn . . .  
    Next weekend, I told you my parents are coming in for your dance competition and for my birthday. Then, I was thinking . . .
    About what?
    You’re done with the competition on Friday at noon. My parents are going to visit some friends and Peyton is leaving to spend the weekend with Damian. What if we spent the weekend at your loft? We could relax, go Christmas shopping, see the Rockefeller tree all lit up.  

    Miss Praline finishes her lecture and gives us time to work on our homework, so I turn around. “I’d love that.”
    Aiden grazes my hand with his finger, giving me instant goose bumps. “ Je veux vos lèvres sur les miennes ,” he says, his voice rough with desire.
    Annie rolls her eyes. “Don’t be all sexy and say I want your lips on mine in French. It’s depressing.”
    “Annie, it’s Ace’s loss,” Aiden says to her. “How do you know there’s not someone better waiting for you? He was your first serious boyfriend, right?”
    “Yeah,” she says, probably wondering where he’s going with this.
    “See? He was your warm up pitches.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “In baseball, the pitcher gets to throw a few pitches before he faces a batter. Maybe Ace was your warm up and you’re ready to start the game for real.”
    Annie ponders that.  
    “Is there anyone you think is cute?” I ask, hoping she has a list.
    “Well, sure. There are lots of cute guys.”
    “Any who are single?”
    “Well, I mean, Jake is super hot, and he was really sweet at lunch, but I know he was just being nice. He’d never go for me.”
    “I think you’re wrong. But what about Brad? He’s not seeing anyone either, and he’ll be there tonight.”
    “Oh, he’s really cute too. And he’s got those broad shoulders.”
    “I’m not completely sure,” Aiden says in a hushed voice, “but I think Brad might bat for the other team.”
    “So could I pitch to him too?” Annie says, clearly still thinking about baseball.  
    Aiden breaks out in laughter, so I clarify. “I think Aiden is saying Brad might be gay.”
    “Really?”
    “I’ve never gotten a gay vibe from him at all,” I say to Aiden, agreeing with Annie.
    Aiden whispers in my ear. “Says the girl who dated someone gay for over a year. I think your gaydar is broken.”
    I stick my tongue out at him, because he’s probably right.
    He glances at the teacher then grabs my tongue with his lips, pulling me into a very steamy kiss.

    Strong, fierce, confident.
    Soccer

    During soccer practice, Cooper announces that the new Steele Building Workout will now include two days a week of boxing and self defense training.
    “Monroe, come up here.”  
    When I’m standing in the middle of the mat, Cooper says, “I’ve been doing some private lessons with Monroe here. Learning to defend herself is just one of the perks. She has also