Free The Boyfriend League by Rachel Hawthorne Page A

problem.)
    I was hoping Bird had my tote bag, because I so didn’t want to have to get a new driver’s license picture taken with this huge knot just above my brow.
    Once we were in the car, and Dad had called Mom to let her know we were on our way home, he’d let me borrow his cell. I called Bird. The party was still going—I could hear it in the background—but no way was Dad going to let me go.
    â€œDid we win?” I asked as soon as Bird answered.
    â€œYou bet. Six to two. Where are you? Are you okay?”
    â€œI’ll live, but Dad won’t let me come to the party.”
    â€œBummer. I want to see you, make sure you’re all right.”
    â€œI’m fine. Just have a headache.”
    â€œI didn’t even see the ball until it hit you.”
    â€œI didn’t see it, period.”
    â€œI’ve never seen anyone pass out before. It was scary, Dani.”
    â€œIt’s something I definitely don’t want to do again.”
    â€œJust a second, babe,” I heard her say, then, “Brandon said to tell you the guy who hit the ball felt really bad.”
    â€œBabe?” I repeated.
    â€œYeah, we’re sorta progressing. He kissed me,” she whispered. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
    â€œThat didn’t take long,” I said.
    Bird believed I took thinking too seriously, while she was more impulsive. When we went shopping, it took me forever to decide whether or not to make a purchase. She made her decisions in a split second. I want, I buy. She was amazing to watch.
    â€œI thought the whole point of your plan was to get a boyfriend for the summer.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad it’s working out for you, because it sure isn’t working for me.”
    â€œThe season just got started, and you sure got noticed tonight.”
    â€œThat’s not the way I wanted it to happen.”
    â€œAre you sure your dad won’t drop you off at my house?”
    â€œJust a sec.” I held the phone to my shoulder. “Dad—”
    â€œSorry, kiddo. Your mom would have a fit.”
    How did he know what I was going to ask before I asked?
    I sighed and put the phone back to my ear. “Sorry, Bird. Did you happen to grab my tote bag?”
    â€œYeah. I’ll give it to Jason. He’s getting ready to leave, anyway. I’ll check with you later.”
    â€œOkay. Thanks.”
    I closed the phone.
    â€œThere’ll be other parties,” Dad said.
    Yeah, maybe.
    When we got home, Mom was waiting for us. In typical Mom fashion, she overreacted, rushed up to me, and looked at my forehead as though she’d never seen one before. Although in all honesty, she might never have seen a knotthe size of a golf ball growing out of my head like some alien creature.
    â€œAre you okay?” she asked.
    â€œI’m fine. I’m totally up for going to Bird’s party.”
    â€œI don’t think so. Not this late. How could you not see a baseball coming at you?”
    â€œIt happened so fast.”
    â€œAre you hungry? I could fix something—”
    She had to really be worried if she was offering to cook.
    â€œDomino’s is still delivering,” she finished.
    â€œI’m not hungry, Mom, just tired. My head’s kinda hurting.”
    â€œSleep late in the morning.”
    She said it like it was a gift, when in reality, I had nothing to do except sleep late.
    She kissed me on the cheek, and Dad patted my shoulder as I passed by him. But once I got upstairs, I didn’t feel like going to bed. I was totally bummed that my night had turned out like it had.
    I went into the game room and sat on the love seat. It was actually two rocking recliners joined on one side, so two people could sit on itsomewhat independently. Recline or rock. Each had a choice. Before reclining, I grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and started flipping through channels.
    Five hundred channels, and I