The Classy Crooks Club Read Online Free Page B

have “real parents.” She’s a total menace, so if I have something I can use against her, it’s pretty much my responsibility to take advantage of it.
    â€œYou’re right,” I say. “That’s a great idea. I’m totally in.” When Maddie gives me a weak smile, I know I’ve made the right choice. Nobody gets to make my friends feel like crap.
    My first opportunity for revenge falls right into my lap at the end of practice. We’re all changing out of our cleats and gathering our stuff when I hear Sabrina say, “Hey, check out the cutie by the black car.”
    We all look up, and there’s Stanley, standing by the town car. “Whoa,” Brianna says. “Who is that?”
    Right on cue he sees me looking and waves, and I wave back. “That’s Stanley,” I say, super casually. “He’s my grandmother’s driver; I’m staying with her right now. He’s not bad, right?”
    â€œOh my gosh,” Sabrina gushes. “He drives you around every day? You are so ridiculously lucky.”
    â€œI know, right?” I say. “He’s really nice, too. So funny and smart and easy to talk to. We get along so well.”
    â€œSabrina, are you coming out on the yacht with us on Sunday?” Brianna interrupts, obviously trying to draw her friend’s attention back to herself. “If you want to go, you need to meet us at the dock at nine.”
    â€œYeah, sure,” Sabrina says, but she turns right back to me. “So, is he in high school or college?”
    â€œCollege,” I say. “He’s nineteen.”
    â€œWow,” Sabrina says. “Doesn’t hanging out with him make you super nervous? I’d have no idea what to say.”
    I give her a breezy shrug. “Not really. My brother’s the same age, so I grew up talking to older boys. I’m sure it would be no big deal for you either, Brianna. You must be used to having long conversations with older guys, since you’ve dated all those eighth graders .” Somewhere behind me I hear Amy giggle, and when I glance over at Maddie, she’s smiling.
    â€œOf course I am,” Brianna snaps, but her cheeks are getting a little pinker. Stanley is so far from an eighth grader it’s like they’re not even the same species, and she knows it. She swallows hard, and when she speaks again, she sounds like her snotty old self. “It’s too bad he doesn’t have a cooler car—that town car is a serious snoozefest. I bet Stanley would have a great time driving one of my dad’s Jags. Or maybe the Mustang.”
    â€œI mean, he always seems like he’s having a pretty good time when he’s driving me around,” I say. “But maybe he just enjoys the company.”
    â€œWhatever,” Brianna says. “I have to go.” She gets up and slings her bag over her shoulder.
    â€œMe too,” I say. “Shouldn’t keep Stanley waiting.”
    Maddie mouths Nice and gives me a sneaky thumbs-up, and I feel better than I have all day. As I gather the rest of my stuff, I make a promise to myself: If I have to spend a month living in my grandmother’s stuffy house, I am not going to let it go to waste.

3
    S tanley opens the car door for me, just like he did earlier. As I get in, I see Brianna glancing back at us as she walks toward a fancy red sports car. She’s so busy staring, she almost crashes into a lamppost, and I snort out a laugh. It’s not very ladylike, but I’m pretty sure Stanley doesn’t care about stuff like that, unlike Grandma Jo.
    â€œFriend of yours?” he asks as he slides into the driver’s seat.
    â€œBrianna? Ugh, no. She’s the worst.”
    â€œYou need me to take her down?”
    Stanley’s obviously kidding, but the image of him kicking Brianna’s butt is kind of awesome anyway. “Don’t worry, I can handle her,” I