Free Cipher (The Cipher Series) by Cindi Madsen Page B

it all she had.
    “They played your song,” Summer said when she came up blank on anything else to talk about. “I’m gonna listen to it more now. Maybe it’ll help me through my rough spot.”
    Ashlyn gave an exaggerated sigh. “What could you possibly have in your life that’s rough? You’re on the dance squad, and your boyfriend’s a football star and one of the best-looking guys in school. Forgive me if I doubt your problems are real problems.”
    Summer kept trying to tell herself she didn’t need Cody, but her heart still clenched whenever she thought of her recently-exed-boyfriend. “For your information, my boyfriend and I broke up because I wouldn’t have sex with him. So maybe it’s not a life-threatening problem, but it sucks, and I’m trying to have fun tonight if that’s all right with you.”
    Summer spun around and almost bumped into Troy. His jaw was clenched and he looked ready for a fight, fists clenched at his sides. She lowered her eyebrows. “Why do you look so mad?”
    “What did you just tell Ashlyn?” he asked. “Tell me I heard that wrong.”
    “It’s nothing. And it doesn’t matter anyway. Any boy would be the same way.”
    “That’s not true,” Troy said. “That guy’s just a loser.”
    “Actually, it’s pretty true,” Ashlyn said, and Summer whipped her head back to the girl, her mouth hanging open. “Come on. You’re supposed to be a dancer, right?” She motioned to the dance floor, where several people were moving to the beat of the music they played during intermission. “Let’s go dance.”
    Summer followed Ashlyn as she moved through the crowd to the center of the room. The next song started and they moved to the beat. The bass line vibrated through Summer until her body hummed with it. The music, the dancing, the fact that Ashlyn wasn’t scowling—tension leaked out of Summer’s body, until she felt floaty and light.
    That was the magic of music and dance. They were a language all their own. Speaking of dancing, Ashlyn knew how to move.
    “You’re a good dancer,” Summer said. “The squad’s full right now, but we’re going to add a few more girls for basketball season. You should…” It hit Summer then. Ashlyn might not have that long.
    Ashlyn cupped her ear. “What? I can’t hear over the music.”
    Summer raised her voice. “I said you’re a good dancer.”
    Ashlyn swung her head from side to side. “Unicorn Stench’s new stuff was so awesome, right? I’m totally buying a CD before we leave.”
    “Me, too. You’ll have to let me know which song is the most poseur-like, so it can be my favorite.” Summer grinned to let Ashlyn know she was kidding.
    Ashlyn’s smile lit up her face. “You know, I think I misjudged you. You might just be okay.”
    It wasn’t exactly where she needed to be for her supposed job, but she’d take it.
    ***
    Troy parked his Jeep alongside the curb of Summer’s house. “Hey, Sunshine? You’re not going to get back together with Cody, are you?”
    Summer shook her head. “Definitely not. It’s over for good this time.”
    “Good. Then you won’t mind when I kick his ass.”
    “Don’t. Seriously, Troy. Just leave it alone. I didn’t even want you to find out why. I didn’t want anyone to know, actually. I just kind of blurted it out.”
    The streetlight came through the windshield, illuminating Troy’s green eyes. He looked at her, the stripe of light shifting to his cheekbone and jaw. “I never could figure out why you were with him.”
    “Oh, he wasn’t all bad,” Summer said. “Besides, it’s not like you’re an expert at picking gems, either. Kristen was mean. Like punch-you-in-the-face mean. I had no idea why you were with her. Or most any of the girls you date for that matter.”
    “I broke up with Kristen a long time ago.”
    “Right. And I broke up with Cody.” Summer tucked her leg under her as she twisted in her seat to face Troy. “Now, promise me you won’t do anything.