Read My Lips by Teri Brown

Author:Teri Brown [Brown, Teri]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2008-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

I decided on the relaxed approach, as though it had never entered my mind that they wouldn’t let me go. Dinner was the perfect time.

“Patrice is throwing a party after the homecoming game on Friday,” I opened, when we were almost done with our meal. “It’s going to be casual because the guys will be showering and coming right from the game.”

“I thought the dance was after the game,” Dad said, looking at me over his glasses.

I took a sip of my milk and shook my head. “Nah. I thought so too, but they changed that several years ago.”

I eyed Mom, who kept eating without commenting.

“I think Miller is going to take me right after the game. Rachel was going to take me until Miller decided to go.”

Mom put down her fork and Dad looked from me to Mom. Obviously he’d be abstaining from this one. Like Switzerland. I turned to Mom and continued.

“I think Patrice is going to have tons of food there, so we’ll probably go straight from the game to the party.”

I speared my last green bean with my fork and put it into my mouth, even though it tasted like sand.

“I don’t know if this is such a good idea,” Mom said.

“If what’s a good idea?” Good girl. Perfect amount of surprise.

“Going to a party with a guy.”

Mother hover alert.

Ha! If she only knew half the things I had done at my old school. Okay, stay relaxed. I forced my lips into a gentle, amused smile. “Mom, it’s not just any guy—it’s Miller. He’s practically my cousin.”

Mom shook her head. “Just how much do we know about this kid?”

So he went from “a guy” to “this kid.”

And the helicopter started its engines.

Stay in control. “He’s going to be a vet and he’s a 4.0 student. Plus, he’s just a friend. We’re only going to a party together.”

Mom frowned and picked up her fork. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you going to a party with a bunch of kids you hardly know.”

And the blades started whirling.

Stay reasonable. “Mom, you’ve met Patrice and Rachel a couple of times and you like them. Plus, didn’t you move here so I could be a part of the community?”

There. I knew I could throw that in somewhere.

“Are there going to be adults there?” Mom asked.

Stay calm. “Patrice’s folks gave her permission to have the party.” I gave a light laugh. “It’s not like one of those bashes you hear about with alcohol and stuff.”

Mom frowned, causing her forehead to bunch up in worried wrinkles. “A lot of parties get way out of hand.”

Okay, so maybe it had been a tactical error to mention alcohol.

Stay focused. I shook my head. “This won’t be like that.”

“But you didn’t mention if her parents were actually going to be there,” Dad reminded me.

I shot him a glance. His eyes were wide and innocent, but I could detect the sparkle. So much for Switzerland.

“I think they’re going somewhere for a while, but will be home before the party is over,” I admitted.

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