Kissing Brendan Callahan Read Online Free

say.
    â€œWhat is with you?” he asks. “I’m giving you some of my best jokes.”
    â€œI guess I’m not in a good mood.”
    â€œYou’re telling me. ”
    I slow down and breathe in the ocean air and try to catch the mist on my tongue. I listen to the waves crash. A seagull swoops by.
    Brendan stares at the beach. “We should go swimming.”
    I feel the rhythm of the waves. I’d love to go swimming. “If we had planned on coming here, I would have brought my suit.”
    â€œWho needs a suit?”
    I blush. He couldn’t possibly mean go swimming in the nude. Could he? He gets off his bike, walks it down the ramp and across the sand. He leaves it resting on its side, its front wheel still spinning. He takes off his sneakers, socks, and T-shirt, runs into the water and jumps up as the waves crash against his chest. He’s a lot more muscular than he used to be.
    Last night Lynn e-mailed saying Brendan is not only cute, but also sexy. “Don’t take offense,” she wrote, “but I know about these things.” She had a boyfriend for three weeks, but I don’t think that makes her an authority.
    I guide my bike along the same path Brendan took and leave it next to his. I take off my shoes and socks. Maybe I’ll just put my feet in the water. I walk along the sand and my feet sink in. I step over shells and bits of seaweed. A woman is making a sand castle with her son and daughter. I can’t wait to do that with Jason.
    â€œHey, come on,” calls Brendan, waving to me.
    â€œI can’t swim in my clothes.” The beach is crowded with people sunning themselves, reading, or sleeping under umbrellas. There’s this mysterious woman dressed all in black who seems to be hiding behind her umbrella. Is she crying? I take a step closer, wishing I had my notebook with me.
    Brendan grabs my arm and pulls me in. “Don’t be a wimp. Your clothes will dry.”
    â€œI’m not a wimp,” I say, but my voice is drowned out by a wave crashing over my head. It’s cool and wonderful. A group of kids are body surfing. Brendan swims out a bit to where it’s not so crowded, and I follow.
    â€œWhat were you doing back there?” he asks.
    â€œWatching someone,” I say.
    â€œYou watch too much. You should do more.”
    We float on our backs, gazing at the clouds. This is so peaceful. I look at Brendan. He’s staring at me. I look at the clouds again.
    He splashes water at me. “I’ve just decided that I’m not helping our mothers with the fair this year.”
    Lucky him.
    â€œAnd how about you?”
    I swish the water around. “I don’t have a choice.”
    â€œEveryone has a choice. Stand up to your mother. Just say no. Do you want to spend the rest of the summer selling raffle tickets and handing out flyers?”
    I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”
    â€œThen do something about it. If you say no and I say no, then we’ll have strength in numbers. It’s the only way. Be strong. Say no to selling raffle tickets.”
    â€œI’ll try,” I say.
    â€œTry very hard. Isn’t there something else you’d rather be doing?”
    â€œYes,” I say. “But Mom won’t let me do it.”
    â€œWhat is it?” he asks.
    â€œEntering the teen writing contest.” I sigh. “I know I’d win.”
    â€œThen you have to enter,” he says. “Don’t let her stop you.”
    â€œWhat good will it do? Once Mom sees my name, she’ll disqualify me.”
    â€œIt’s simple,” he says. “Use a different name.”
    *   *   *
    Brendan leaves to meet his friend Steve. But I can’t get his idea out of my head. It’s so bold, so exciting, so Antonia DeMarco. I pass the arcade, the ball fields, and the old men playing bocci ball. What if I win? Would Mom be fired as president of the