Every Girl Gets Confused Read Free Page A

shoulder.
    I shook my head and didn’t respond. Doggone it. I didn’t want to be affected by Casey’s call, but something about the sound of his voice still got to me.
    â€œWe’ve been best friends since we were little,” I said. “It’s hard to shake off a best friend.”
    â€œI don’t mind a little friendship, but if he thinks . . .” Brady’s voice tightened. “If he thinks . . .”
    â€œSurely not.”
    Then again, Casey had sounded odd. And what was up with that stuff about being lonely? Some sort of subliminal message?
    â€œWhen you’re used to talking to someone every day and then you don’t talk anymore, it gets weird.” I gave a little shrug. “I think he’s just at that inevitable stage where he’s adjusting to his new normal.”
    Brady still didn’t look convinced. “I’m perfectly adjusted to my new normal, and he’d better not mess it up. He had his chance and he blew it. His loss is my gain.”
    â€œMine too.” I smiled up at him, my heart feeling more at home than ever before. Ah, that handsome face! It won me over, not just because of the perfect job God had done in creating it, but because of the emotion behind it. The edges of my sweetie’s lips curled up in a delicious grin, and a little shiver ran through me as he leaned down, his breath warm against my cheek.
    â€œGood. Because I’m laying claim to you, Katie Sue.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh. “Sounds like a country song. Someone reach for a guitar.”
    â€œYep.” He faked a heavy drawl as he warbled, “I’m layin’ claim to you, Katie Sue. Yer purty face makes me want to . . .to . . .” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ve never been very good at rhyming, sorry.”
    â€œHa-ha. It’s okay.”
    â€œWhat do you think? Will they play my song on the radio?”
    â€œWell, you are Brady James, basketball star. Maybe they’ll play it on the Dallas stations because you’re already famous in these here parts.” I winked.
    In an instant his expression shifted from lighthearted to sad. Ack.
    â€œI guess it’s time to stop calling me a basketball player, don’t you think?” He gestured to his left knee. “Once I have the second surgery on this knee, I’ll be out of commission for a long time. Maybe for good. You know what’s going to happen. They’ll release me from my contract for this season, at the very least. No going back.”
    â€œMore time to work on the lyrics of my song?” I forced a smile but he only shrugged. “I’m sorry, Brady. I’m just trying to make things less painful.”
    â€œHere’s one thing that can help make things less painful: if I know that Casey isn’t trying to force his way back into your life. You don’t think he will, do you?”
    â€œHe’s never been one to commit to anything. Learned that the hard way. Maybe he’s at the wishy-washy stage with his new job. Surely it’s just a phase.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’d like to show him a phase.” Brady’s eyes narrowed and he raised his fists as if ready for a fight. For whatever reason, the image of the two guys in the ring got me tickled.
    â€œWhat?” Brady feigned surprise. “You don’t think I can take him?”
    â€œOh, you could take him, all right. But right now, I’d rather you take me . . . to dinner.”
    â€œMmm. Dinner.” He reached to grab my coat off the rackand slipped it over my shoulders. “You had me at chicken-fried steak.”
    â€œUm, I never said ‘chicken-fried steak.’”
    â€œYes you did. Just this minute.” He grinned and kissed me. “And I’m all in, trust me.”
    Okay then. I’d eat two platefuls of chicken-fried steak for this guy. I might even throw in some