Don't Tell Mother Read Online Free

This only raised my humiliation to a new level. “When Mr. Sparks finds out you made the team lose the game because the star player hurt your feelings, you’ll be looking for a new coaching job.”
    Before I gave into my urge to smack that fake hurt expression off Lowe’s face, I stormed off. Tears were escaping freely now, but I was too angry to stop them.
    As I neared the locker room, a few people shouted, “Bring back AJ!” I smiled inwardly, recognizing the squeals of Sophie and Krysta, which were almost drowned out by the sound of Bob’s booming voice.
    ****
    “Are you going to be in there all night?” Mike was taking forever in the bathroom, and I was sick of waiting. No way was I using the showers in the locker room. I was too upset to stay around and face my friends. Thank God we only lived a few miles away. I was half-way home before Mother picked me up. This was one night I was actually glad Mother didn’t go to my game. If she’d seen me getting kicked off the court, I’d never live it down.
    All I wanted to do was curl up in my bed with my doggie, Patches, and listen to my iPod—after a hot shower. But Mike was hogging the bathroom again. Sometimes I thought he stayed in there longer than he had to just to get on my nerves.
    “Got to look good for the ladies.” Mike opened the bathroom door, admiring his muscles in the mirror one last time and reeking of cologne overload.
    “Where are you going? It’s a school night.” I leaned against the doorframe, folding my arms across my chest.
    Mike flashed his bleached whites in the mirror before turning out the light. “Krystal James’ house to study.”
    What? Mother shouldn’t be letting him go out now. It was past dark. Why did Mike get to do whatever he wanted? It wasn’t fair.
    As Mike crossed the threshold and stepped into the hallway, the scent of cologne was almost overpowering.
    I coughed several times, waving my hand in front of my face. “Studying. Right. What’s all the cologne for?”
    He smirked, lifting his eyebrows. “We’re studying chemistry.”
    Sure. I knew exactly what chemistry he had in mind. “Is Krystal James Amber James’ big sister?”
    Mike puffed up his chest like some big stupid ape preparing for a mating ritual. “She’s the one.”
    “I’ve seen her at your games. Her skirt barely covered her butt cheeks.”
    On one particular night, she walked up and down the bleachers, giving the guys in the stands a great view of her legs and what was in between. I wanted to grab that slip of fabric she called clothing and yank it down to her toes.
    Mike grabbed my shoulder, looking into my eyes with a knowing grin. “Why do you think I made her my study partner?”
    “You’re a pig.” Intending to wipe that cocky smirk off his face, I shot him my best evil glare.
    He put his nose by my hair, sniffed once, and then jerked away. “At least I don’t smell like one.”
    Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fists. “I had a game.”
    “Early night,” he laughed. “Get your butts stomped?”
    “Go away.” I turned away to keep him from seeing the rising heat in my cheeks. If Mike knew what really happened, he’d torment me for months.
    I could still feel his annoying presence directly behind my back along with that awful smell. Didn’t he realize there really was such a thing as too much cologne?
    “Don’t forget to brush your teeth,” he sang in a taunting melody.
    Shivers of annoyance and dread raced up my arms. Mike was screwing with me. I recognized that tone in his voice from when we were in elementary school and Mike would spit loogies in my orange juice when I wasn’t looking.
    “What’d you do to my toothbrush?” I turned, narrowing my gaze at him.
    “Nothing.” He shrugged his shoulders, pretending innocence. “I just thought you needed a hint.”
    I leaned against the doorframe, rubbing my aching temples. “I hate you.”
    Mike shook his head and gave me his best fake smile. “PMS time?”
    That was