Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Author:Cynthia Leitich Smith [Smith, Cynthia Leitich]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781536202007
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2018-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

The red Porsche convertible looked out of place in front of Nick’s modest ranch-style house in one of East Hannesburg’s older residential developments. As Joey parked his beat-up Jeep Wrangler alongside the curb, I said, “You must love covering Sports with Daniel.”

Joey turned off the ignition. “It’s a sweet ride. But on assignment, I’m the one who does the driving or we take separate cars. There’s not room for my equipment in there, and Daniel’s father would have a meltdown if my stuff scratched those leather seats.”

Nick had invited the Hive staff over on Thursday for movie night. In class that week, we’d half-heartedly considered Ms. Wilson’s recommendation, All the President’s Men, before choosing Alexis’s suggestion, Never Been Kissed. It’s a Drew Barrymore rom-com about a Chicago Sun reporter who goes undercover in a prom-obsessed high school.

We paused the film halfway through. Karishma and Joey went to the kitchen with Nick for more drinks and snacks. My phone vibrated, and I glanced at the pic of Hughie, Chelsea, and A.J. backstage with their arms around each other. A solidarity selfie.

“Um, Daniel,” Alexis began from the love seat, “my brother was home from Ames last weekend, and we ran into the Wrestling coach at Chili’s.”

She’d wiped out on her skateboard on the way over and was still icing her right shin.

“When I mentioned covering this winter’s high-school meets, your name came up and — maybe this is nothing — but he used the word if, as in ‘if Daniel goes out for the team.’ You’re our best wrestler. What gives?”

Daniel set his phone on an end table. “Last week, Coach said that if I don’t drop Journalism next semester, I can forget Wrestling.”

“Drop Journalism?” I inched forward on the sofa. “Why?”

“His son’s construction company is up for the building contract on the Immanuel Baptist expansion,” Daniel explained. “We’re talking serious money, millions, and as far as the pastor’s wife is concerned, the Hive is ‘undermining tradition.’ ”

I was stunned. The coach was willing to screw over his top wrestler and jeopardize his upcoming season. But it was a ton of money. Life-changing money that would all go to his son.

It was like an insidious game of dominoes. Peter Ney’s mom had leaned on the Wrestling coach to lean on Daniel to punish, maybe even silence, the Hive like she had last year.

I wondered what — if anything — Peter knew about it and not only because of his family ties. He’s on the Wrestling team.

I moved closer to Daniel and rested my knee on the ottoman. “What’re you going to do?”

Alexis stayed put. “Doesn’t your family go to Immanuel Baptist?”

“We used to,” Daniel said, like there was more to the story. But then he pushed Play as the others returned with soft drinks, potato chips, and onion dip.

In Never Been Kissed, suggesting the prom theme (“Meant for Each Other: Famous Couples Throughout History”) helps propel Drew Barrymore’s character, Josie Geller, to popularity. The dance itself is a costume ball with partygoers

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