Free Rachel's Valentine Crush by Angela Darling Page B

that doesn’t mean you have to miss it!”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œI’ll have my cell,” Taylor continued. “So I can text you the whole time to tell you everything that’s happening. And I can send pics! Maybe even a pic of Brody! It will be just like you’re there!”
    â€œReally?” Rachel asked. “You don’t mind?”
    â€œOf course not,” Taylor replied right away. “I was probably going to take a bunch of pictures anyway.”
    â€œThen I’d love it!” Rachel exclaimed. “Now I won’tsit alone all night feeling totally left out. Thank you so much.”
    Taylor waved her blue-nailed hand in the air. “Please. Forget it. It’s nothing. All I can say is thank goodness you’ll be at the dance on Saturday. Did you talk to your dad about the concert yet?”
    Rachel shook her head. “No.”
    â€œRach! The concert is in forty-eight hours. What are you waiting for?”
    â€œUgh, I don’t know,” Rachel replied. “I guess if I haven’t asked him yet, he hasn’t said no yet—and there’s still a chance I can go. But if he does say no, it’s over. And I just don’t want to face that. Not yet.”
    â€œI get that, but you’re running out of time,” replied Taylor. Then she glanced at her cell. “And so am I. My mom said I have to eat dinner here before the party, or else she won’t let me go. You want to stay? I think we’re having something boring like sandwiches since I have to eat fast.”
    â€œWhat, unlimited chocolate fountain isn’t good enough for dinner?” Rachel laughed as she reached for her coat. “I have to go, anyway. We’re having family dinner tonight. But you look so, so pretty, T. You’re goingto be the prettiest girl there. Shane is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
    â€œShut up. You’re so nice,” Taylor replied, looking pleased. “I will text you the minute I get there. Promise.”
    â€œI’ll be waiting!” Rachel replied.
    The sun was setting in a frosty sky as Rachel walked home. With every step away from Taylor’s house, Rachel left a little of her enthusiasm behind. There was a hollow sort of ache in her chest as she wondered if Taylor realized how lucky she was. Sure, Taylor’s parents had plenty of rules for her, too, but they weren’t nearly as strict as Rachel’s dad. And Taylor liked a boy who actually liked her back! For a moment, Rachel wished that her dad was like Taylor’s parents. And she wished that Brody was like Shane—just a regular guy at their school, a guy who might actually like her, instead of a superstar who could go out with any girl on the planet.
    Then Rachel saw her dad pull into the driveway. He got out of the car, carrying a steaming pizza box. Normally he would only bring home pizza for dinner on somebody’s birthday, or if Grandma Nellie was too busy to cook. Pizza was one of Rachel’s favorites, and she had to wonder if her dad was making a special effort for their familydinner. Did he remember that tonight was the party at the Chocolate Bar—and remember how much Rachel wanted to go? Was he trying to make it up to her?
    Just like that, Rachel’s wishes for a different family and a different crush disappeared. She loved her family. And if Brody were somebody else, he wouldn’t be Brody .
    When she got inside, Rachel’s family was gathering around the table. Grandma Nellie was in the middle of serving up a big green salad, and Robbie already had a smear of tomato sauce on his face.
    â€œJust in time, kiddo,” Mr. Wilson said heartily. “What do you think about dinner, huh? Surprised?”
    â€œSmells good!” Rachel replied as she sniffed at the air. “Thanks, Dad.”
    After she sat down, Rachel slipped her cell out of her pocket. Under the table, she set it to vibrate. She wasn’t