Free TMI by Patty Blount Page A

really good at programming. What’s ur email?
    Again, Bailey heard Meg’s disapproving voice in her head. With a frown, she refused to believe Ryder West was bad. He was sweet and kind and helpful and really smart. Oh, she bet he was cute too. Bailey logged onto Facebook and did a search for Ryder West. She found a bunch. Virginia, Oregon, two in California, and a few in New York, but when she found one on Long Island whose avatar was Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed, she knew she’d found the right Ryder and sent him a friend request.
    Just as she clicked “Add Friend,” her cell buzzed with a message from Meg.
    Meg: Leaving work. Want me to bring u candy?
    Aww. That is so sweet. Bailey grinned. She opened the phone, ready to tell Meg all about Ryder and how awesome he was and how he was totally into gaming and—
    She tossed the phone to her bed and crossed her arms over her chest. What Meg didn’t know wouldn’t get Bailey another long, boring lecture on The Future. Another message from Ryder showed up.
    WyldRyd11: I’ll play u anytime :)
    She did a little chair dance, happy he didn’t mind getting his ass kicked by a girl.
    Goldilx: I want to see pictures of you. You have none on your Wall.
    WyldRyd11: Sorry. I don’t have any pictures to post. They’re all home.
    Goldilx: Home?
    WyldRyd11: Yeah. Montana. I just moved here.
    Goldilx: Where’s here?
    WyldRyd11: I can’t tell you. UR a stranger. LOL.
    Goldilx: OMG, seriously? You think I’m a psycho stalker?
    WyldRyd11: I don’t know what u r yet.
    Fair point, Bailey decided.
    Goldilx: OK, fine. So tell me about Montana.
    WyldRyd11: I grew up on a ranch.
    Goldilx: A ranch? Like with horses and stuff?
    WyldRyd11: Horses, cattle, poultry, hogs.
    Goldilx: I love horses.
    WyldRyd11: Can u ride?
    Goldilx: Yep. I took lessons when I was little. Classical dressage.
    WyldRyd11: LOL. U are such a girl.
    Goldilx: What’s wrong with dressage?
    WyldRyd11: Dressage won’t help u wrangle a lost calf, Goldilx.
    Goldilx: I never planned to wrangle lost cows. I just wanted to ride horses, and those were the lessons they signed me up for.
    WyldRyd11: OK, OK, I was just kidding. I think it’s great u can ride. Are there any stables around your town?
    Goldilx: There’s a place in Hempstead I go to.
    WyldRyd11: OMG. There’s a town called Hempstead not far from where I live.
    Goldilx: Do you live on Long Island?
    WyldRyd11: Yes! So cool. Maybe we can ride one day.
    Goldilx: Are you asking me out?
    WyldRyd11: If I say yes, will u say yes?
    Goldilx: That’s cheating. I can’t say yes unless you ask first.
    WyldRyd11: OK! OK! I’m asking.
    Goldilx: Then I’m saying yes.
    WyldRyd11: Really? Cool.
    Goldilx: Does this mean you want to meet me in person?
    WyldRyd11: Yep.
    Goldilx: Great!
    WyldRyd11: It would be kinda hard to go riding online. LOL
    Goldilx: Shut up! I was just making sure.
    WyldRyd11: UR hot. Which is good, since I’m hot too.
    Goldilx: Thanks :) Will you send me a picture of you?
    WyldRyd11: U don’t believe me?
    Goldilx: I don’t know you yet.
    WyldRyd11: I like u.
    Bailey smiled. He liked her. Whoa.
    WyldRyd11: I gotta go. I’ll text you later, pretty Bailey. Send me ur email and cell #.
    Bailey sent him her contact information and flung herself on her bed. Pretty. He thought she was pretty. She did another happy dance that messed up her comforter and pillows. Maybe he’d text her a picture of himself. She really hoped so. And then her mood shifted when Simon popped back into her head. She got up, stood in front of the mirror over the white dresser she’d had since she was a baby, and stared at her reflection. Ryder said she was pretty. Simon Kane could just run away with his little alley cat sidekick for all she cared. Who needed him?
    Not her. Not anymore.
    She had sent Ryder West her email address, cell number, and the house phone number. Just to be