The Deepest Blue Read Online Free Page A

it,” I say. “I’m not making any decision about it tonight, so let it rest.”
    â€œWhatever.” She spins sideways on the bench and crosses her arms. Her voice has that “you’re an idiot” tone that makes me insane.
    â€œYou want a fancy car to ride around in, then get a job and save your own damn money. Don’t be thinking of ways to spend mine.” I keep my voice low so Mandy and Caitlyn don’t look over.
    â€œWho said I was trying to spend your money?” She sits up straight, arms still crossed, and looks me in the eye, challenging me.
    â€œThat’s what you want, isn’t it? You want me to bust into my college savings and buy a car so you’ll have someone to drive you and Mandy around. Someone other than her dad, I mean.”
    â€œI did not. If you just want to pick a fight with me, then why are we even here?” Her voice is a high-pitched whisper, but I can see Mandy turning to see what’s going on.
    â€œI’m not trying to pick a fight, I’m just saying that the money I’ve got saved is not for you to tell me how to spend.”
    â€œI guess somebody has to tell you how to do things, ’cause you’re obviously too slow to figure them out for yourself. If I hadn’t kissed you first, you never would have had the balls to kiss me.”
    My temper flares, but I don’t want to start yelling. I take a few deep breaths before I answer. “Maybe I’m just not in such a hurry. Maybe I don’t see a good reason to move faster than I have to.”
    â€œThat’s why you’ll be stuck in the same rut your dad is. You’ll be running his boat, cutting bait until you fall over dead in the water.”
    Her words sting. My brain stutters as it tries to come up with something in reply. “Yeah, and ten seconds ago you thought having me run my dad’s boat was the greatest idea ever.” I’m confused—ticked off at her attitude.
    â€œYou’re the one who wants to go to college because you don’t think running the boat is good enough for you.”
    My head spins and my stomach tightens.
    â€œBy the time you make up your mind about things, you won’t have any choices left.” Her voice is almost a hiss.
    I’m out of energy for this argument. I look at her, my eyebrows pushing together so hard I have to rub my finger between my eyes to focus. “What are you even talking about?”
    â€œYou think Maggie is gonna wait forever for your dad to make up his mind?” Rachel isn’t even trying to disguise her anger now. She practically yells at me, even though I’m sitting right next to her. “She could have any man she wanted any time she wanted. And so could I. You and your dad will just sit and wait until there is nothing left to wait for. We will have moved on to something better.”
    â€œYou don’t know shit,” I say. “My dad and Maggie are getting married.” I’m immediately sorry I let this slip. “And you know what else? Being patient and waiting weeds out all the crap, so that all the valuable stuff is left for those who have a little patience.”
    â€œI’m crap, is that it?” Rachel looks really hurt.
    A twinge of guilt pokes at my chest. “I didn’t say that.” I reach for her hand, but she pulls it away.
    â€œBecause I want to enjoy life now, because I want to live now and not ten years from now?” There are tears in her eyes, and I feel like an ass for making her this upset.
    This much of what she says makes sense. I lower my voice a little. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
    â€œBut you said . . .” she lowers her head but doesn’t finish the thought.
    â€œLook, Rachel, you pissed me off, and my mouth went running on its own.” I take a deep breath and try to calm down a little more. “I’m sorry. I just meant that taking things slower means you’re