分节阅读_81

  t a ride with a friend.”
  ”nice ride.” jacob's voice was admiring. ”i didhe driver,
  though. i thought i k of the kids around here.”
  i nodded nonittally, keeping my eyes doed sandwiches.
  ”my dad seemed to know him from somewhere.”
  ”jacob, e some plates? they're in the cupboard over the
  sink.”
  ”sure.”
  he got the plates in silence. i hoped he would let it drop now.
  ”so who was it?” he asked, setting two plates oer o me.
  i sighed i. ”edward .”
  to my surprise, he laughed. i gla him. he looked a little
  embarrassed.
  ”guess that explains it, then,” he said. ”i wondered why my dad was
  ag se.”
  ”that's right.” i faked a expressio like the
  s.”
  ”superstitious old man,” jauttered under his breath.
  ”you don't think he'd say anything to charlie?” i 't help asking,
  the w out in a low rush.
  jacob stared at me for a moment, and i 't read the expression in
  his dark eyes. ”i doubt it,” he finally ahink charlie chewed
  him ood last time. they haven't spoken muight
  is sort of a reunion, i think. i don't think he'd bring it up again.”
  ”oh,” i said, trying to sou.
  i stayed i room after i carried the food out to charlie,
  pretending to watch the game while jacob chattered at me. i was really
  listening to the men's versation, watg fn that billy was
  about to rat me to think of ways to stop him if he began.
  it was a long night. i had a lot of homework that was goi i
  was afraid to leave billy aloh charlie. finally, the game ended.
  ”are you and your friends ing back to the bea?” jacob asked as
  he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold.
  ”i'm not sure,” i hedged.
  ”that was fun, charlie,” billy said.
  ”e up for the game,” ced.
  ”sure, sure,” billy said. ”we'll be here. have a good night.” his eyes
  shifted to mine, and his smile disappeared. ”you take care, bella,” he
  added seriously.
  ”thanks,” i muttered, looking away.
  i headed for the stairs while charlie waved from the doorway.
  ”wait, bella,” he said.
  i ged. had billy gottehing in before i'd joihe
  living room?
  but charlie was relaxed, still grinning from the u.
  ”i did a ce to talk to you tonight. how was your day?”
  ”good.” i hesitated with o oair, searg for
  details i could safely share. ”my badminton team won all fames.”
  ”wow, i didn't know you could play badminton.”
  ”well, actually i 't, but my partner is really good,” i admitted.
  ”who is it?” he asked with toke.
  ”um… mike on,” i told him relutly.
  ”oh yeah — you said you were friends with the on kid.” he perked up.
  ”nice family.” he mused for a minute. ”why didn't you ask him to the
  dahis weekend?”
  ”dad!” i groaned. ”he's kind of dating my friend jessica. besides, you
  know i 't dance.”
  ”oh yeah,” he muttered. the me apologetically. ”so i guess
  it's good you'll be gourday… i've made plans to go fishing with the
  guys from the statioher's supposed to be real warm. but if you
  ut your trip off till someone could go with you, i'd stay
  home. i know i leave you here alooo much.”
  ”dad, y a great job.” i smiled, hoping my relief didn't show.
  ”i've never minded being alone — i'm too much like you.” i wi him,
  and he smiled his kly-eyed smile.
  i slept better that night, too tired tain. whehe
  pearl gray m, my mood was blissful. the teh billy
  and ja