Page 16 of The Playbook

“You drive me nuts,” Lana groaned, rolling her eyes. “Also, flutes are just as much weapons as drumsticks are—”

“Yeah, but we have two,” he interrupted, raising an eyebrow at her.

Lana glanced at me.

I cast her a quick, forced smile. “He has a point.”

“Don’t join his crusade, Grace! You’re supposed to be on my side,” Lana whined, twining her arm through mine as we strode out to where she was parked, Noah in tow.

“Sorry,” I apologized, casting a quick peek over to where Logan and his friends were.

His eyes were on me.

“Hey, Noah, can I get a ride home?”

Noah lived three blocks from me. Dad was staying after school for the game tonight.

“Sure,” he replied.

I said goodbye to Lana as Noah draped his arm over my shoulder. It was typical Noah behavior.

“You look sad, Matthews. What gives?”

“Huh?”

“You look like someone just told you Christmas was canceled,” he continued. “I heard about lunch today.” His voice became low as we stopped on the passenger side of his car. “Want me to use my drumsticks as weapons? Prove once and for all to Lana drums are better?”

“No.” I forced another smile onto my face.

He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not buying into my false cheerfulness.

“Fine. I had a bad day. And I’m wearing Logan Walker’s clothes still. I really just want to go home and burn these.”

“Seems like a solid plan.” Noah chuckled. “I actually have some lighter fluid in my trunk I can loan you.”

“You’re so weird.” My lips quirked into a small, genuine smile. “Why do you have lighter fluid?”

“Truth? It’s actually my brother’s, but still.” He grew quiet as he stared down at me. “Those guys are jerks, Grace. Plain and simple. Don’t let them get you down. They’ve got their heads so far up each other’s asses they can’t see past themselves. Truth be told, they’re probably a little intimidated by you.”

“Me?” I squeaked with a snort.

“Yeah, you.” He laughed. “Listen, you’re hot, Grace. We’re friends, so I feel like I can be honest with you. You’re like a potential ball of gorgeousness beneath that really ugly basketball outfit. And I think that scares them, especially the fem-bots.”

“You think I’m pretty?”

“I think you’re beautiful, Grace.” He pulled me in for a tight hug. “And I think they’re idiots. If I were you, I’d make them hurt.”

“With lighter fluid?” My voice was muffled against his chest.

He let out another laugh, shaking his head. “No, not with lighter fluid. With being better than them. Be the girl who’s under all that ugly material you’re wearing. Don’t let them know they bother you. I think they get off on that shit.” He eased away and planted a kiss on the top of my head. “So smile, OK? We’re going to go burn some clique member’s basketball shorts.”

I grinned up at him, wiping at my eyes. He chucked my chin playfully and opened my door for me. Sliding in, my gaze locked on Logan’s.

He looked as sick as I felt.

CHAPTER10

Logan

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