Wishing Pearl Read Free

back out of the driveway and squeal his tires as he sped away. She fell back on her bed and crossed her arms over her eyes.
    What would she do when he left for college? Who would look out for her then? He’d hardly ever be back, with school during the week and basketball games on the weekends. Not to mention the parties. Besides, if she were him, Olivia would never come back.
    Funny, even though Jake was two years older and twice as big as his little sister, Olivia had felt protective of him through the years. Helping him learn to talk. Learning sign language herself so she could help him communicate when people didn’t understand his muted, halting speech. Shielding him from teasing kids. Now Jake was the strong one—popular and athletic, good-looking—plus he’d learned to read lips and speak very well. He’d be fine at college. Jake didn’t need her anymore, but what would she do without him?
    Right on time, fifteen minutes after the text message, Olivia’s door shook with a knock. She threw it open, reached one arm out, and pulled Jordyn in. One quick glance up and down the hallway assured Olivia that Charles was nowhere to be seen. She shut the door and locked it as fast as she could.
    “How’d you get in the gate?”
    “Your brother passed me on his way out, and he let me through. He said you were the only one home—”
    Hmm. Guess Charles went out
. That could be good or bad. Only time would tell.
    “—and to just let myself in.” Jordyn’s blue eyes grew misty. “He’s so hot.” She fanned herself with the blunt end of her blond braid and swooned as her backpack slipped off her shoulder and landed with a heavy thud on the floor.
    Olivia pretended to gag. “Eww. He’s my brother.”
    “I’m just glad he’s not
my
brother if you know what I mean.” Jordyn wiggled her eyebrows.
    “Oh man. Cut that out. You’re giving me the heebie-jeebies.”
    “Hey, can you teach me sign language? Maybe I’ll ask him out.” A dozen bangle bracelets slid to the crook of Jordyn’s elbow as she held up a hand. “What’s the sign for
date?”
    Olivia brushed Jordyn’s arm down and giggled. “I don’t think so. My brother’s
way
too good for you.” At least Jordyn passed the deaf test. Olivia could never be friends with someone who acted uncomfortable or nervous around Jake. Many so-called friends had fallen by the wayside when it became clear they barely tolerated Jake.
    Olivia grinned. “So what do you want to do?”
    “Ooh!” Jordyn squealed and flopped onto her stomach across the bed. “I brought treats.” She reached down and hefted her backpack up to the bed beside her then pulled out a six-pack of beer, dangling it from the plastic ring hooked on two fingers. “Let’s party.”
    Oh no!
Olivia stared at the beer. She’d never really drank alcohol before. Did she want this to be her first time? Was she ready to take that step? Charles would literally kill her if he caught her drinking. Plus the last thing she needed tonight was to be buzzed while alone in the house with
Chuck
, especially since she had no idea what it felt like to drink or how alcohol would affect her. But wouldn’t Jordyn laugh at her for being a beer virgin? Maybe Olivia could just sip it, and Jordyn would never have to know it was her first time.
    Olivia searched the room—and her brain—for ways to stall. “Where did you get that?” She tried not to look nervous.
    “From my dad’s stash. He won’t miss it. He never does.”
    “You mean you’ve done this before?” Kids at school talked about drinking all the time, but Olivia hadn’t had much opportunity to witness it, let alone try it.
    Jordyn squinted. “What do you mean? Of course I’ve done it before. You mean you
haven’t?”
    “Oh sure … um … just not a whole six-pack, and I’ve never taken it from here. You know … just at parties and stuff.”
    “Well, there
are
two of us. You’re going to have to share, silly.” Jordyn plucked a can from