Last Ride Read Free Page B

seminar is important,” Mom adds. “It prepares you for life after high school.”
    Like three months of classes can prepare you for the rest of your life. I manage, just barely, not to roll my eyes. I glimpse a smirk at the corners of Cam’s lips too.
    â€œHe says you missed the appointment he set up to discuss your college applications. And you didn’t write your sat test either.”
    â€œI told you last month, I’m not going to college.” At least not the kind of college Mom has in mind. Technical college is way cheaper. I can become a mechanic and be earning money in two years. And that reminds me…I dig in my pocket, pull out five twenties and put them on the coffee table. “For the bill.”
    My medical bill. That’ll maybe take it down to eighty thousand nine hundred. Big whoop. But at least it’s something.
    Mom’s eyes soften. “You don’t have to do that.”
    A lump the size of a small engine clogs my throat. Maybe not, but Mom can’t pay the whole thing herself. “I know.”
    â€œBut you do need to write your sat,” she says gently. “And talk to Mr. Lansky about scholarship applications.”
    â€œA scholarship won’t cover it all. You know that from Becky.” My sister took out a student loan and is working two jobs to cover her second year.
    â€œWe’ll figure something out, Tom. Don’t worry about it. In the meantime, get some sleep. You look tired.”
    How can I sleep with Ray’s threat hanging over me? With Lansky’s phone call?
    My feet are heavy as I drag them up the stairs. I reach the landing and start up the last few steps, and that’s when I hear it. A chuckle in my ear.
    I whirl around. Logan!
    But there’s only empty space in front of me. And the faint, unmistakable scent of the cherry Twizzlers he loved to chew.
    My fingers are shaking so much it takes me three tries to start up the computer. Need for Speed 2 is a poor substitute for the kind of racing I want to do, but it will stop me from imagining things. It’ll keep me busy. And awake. Which means Logan won’t be able to invade my dreams.
    â€œNice of you to join us, Mr. Shields,” Lansky says when I walk through the door of senior seminar the next morning. The bell just rang, but he’s a total sergeant major about punctuality. “Please find a seat so we can get started.”
    There’s a spot across the room, beside Hannah. Lansky’s frown bores into me as I walk past his desk. He’s a squat moon-faced man who coaches the school swim team. In fact, he coached Logan. No wonder he doesn’t like me.
    â€œHey,” I say when I reach Hannah’s side. I allow myself one quick glance at her tight white sweater before I sit down.
    â€œHey,” she says.
    Lansky clears his throat. “We’ll be pairing off today and continuing with our self-assessment sheets. Your partner will read what you’ve written and offer their opinion.”
    Hannah gives me a questioning look. I nod. People start moving chairs, breaking into groups. We slide our desks together.
    â€œThe key isn’t to criticize,” Lansky says. “It’s to give constructive feedback. Students are often too harsh in their self-assessments.” He starts handing out our work sheets.
    â€œYou wanna get together tonight?” Hannah asks.
    I stop breathing. Hannah’s asking me out?
    â€œI’m taking Amy to a show. You could come.”
    With Amy ? My breath starts up again, a gulp of disappointment. I don’t want to see Logan’s ten-year-old sister. I can’t. “I’m working.”
    â€œYou could meet us for ice cream after.”
    Hannah’s brown eyes look all innocent, but I know what she’s doing. She’s trying to keep me from going to tonight’s race. “I’m busy,” I tell her.
    She opens her mouth, but I speak first. “I’m not