Over It (The Kiss Off #2) Read Online Free Page A

yeah ,” I said.
    Nikki sank to her knees and patted the dog like her life depended on it. "I take it you didn't know I was coming," she said with the quickest of glances up at Mads.
    "No, I didn't," Mads growled. “Why is that, Poppy?"
    "Because I knew you wouldn't want to come anymore."
    Mads scoffed. "You think?"
    "I can go," Nikki said, standing again. She wrapped her hand around her suitcase handle and retreated back over the threshold onto the porch.
    "Fine with me," Mads said.
    "No!" I yanked her suitcase handle out of her hand and pulled it back inside, holding it hostage, I guess. She followed me in and I slammed the door shut and pressed my back against it, arms outstretched, barring the way. "No one's going anywhere. Except Bay Fest. To have the best time ever."
    Mads balked at the sheer insanity of the idea. "With her ?"
    "Stop it, Mads! This is stupid!” I said. “Nikki is my friend.”
    “When did this even happen?” Mads asked, incredulous. “You hated her. She went behind your back and stole your boyfriend, or did you forget that?”
    “It didn’t happen like that,” I said. “Look, I apologized-”
    “ You did?” Mads asked, aghast.
    “And she apologized.” I continued. “We've worked our shit out, haven't we Nikki?"
    Nikki nodded, one corner of her lips turning up in a shaky, tentative smile.
    I turned my attention back to Mads. "And you hated her on principle because she was the back–stabbing slut who stole my boyfriend..."
    Nikki cringed.
    "No offence."
    She nodded. "I know, it’s fine."
    "And you were like a rabid pit bull of a best friend. Fiercely loyal and hating her for me."
    Mads crossed her arms and lifted her chin an inch. "Damn straight."
    "Well you don't have to anymore. It's over. We forgave each other."
    "Forgave each other ?" Mads said.
    She was so frustrating sometimes! It was like she refused to comprehend what I was saying.
    "It's complicated, okay? Look, if things had been different, I really think you two would have gotten along. You're actually really alike."
    I watched as both girls eyed each other off, trying to ignore the dog that wandered between them for attention, shoving his nose in their hands and between their legs.
    “You have really similar taste in…things.” I looked pointedly at their matching tank tops. "So will you try?"
    Nikki remained silent and we both waited for Mads to say something. Anything.
    "It's going to be a really long couple of days if you don't."
    Finally, she groaned and said, "I guess."
    Thank God.
    "Thank you, Mads," I said "Thank you–thank you–thank you."
    Mads rolled her eyes and looked at Nikki's tank again. After a moment, grudgingly, she said, "I like your top."
    Nikki looked like a weight had lifted from her shoulders. "Thanks." She smiled at the irony. "I like yours too."
    "Where's this cousin of yours?" Mads said to me, changing the topic. "He’s late. What's he like, anyway?"
    And just like that, a car horn honked twice outside, sending Poo Bum into a barking, jumping frenzy.
    I guessed that was him.
    "Please don't hold him against me," I said. I still couldn't believe we had to ride with Hamish. At least he'd agreed to stay away from us 'little kids'. God, what a tool. I placed my hand on the doorknob.
    "Mo–om!" I yelled as I opened the door, "The babysitter’s here!"
    Poo Bum ran out into the furnace–like heat of the day, bolting for the rusty Impala that idled at the curb. A tall, tanned guy with thick, shiny blond hair stepped out of the car, wearing an olive green Omega frat tee shirt that sat snugly against his athletic frame, a pair of cargo pants and flip–flops. He pushed his sunglasses up into his hair and leaned against the car door. He looked at us looking at him.
    That wasn't my cousin.
    "Whoa. You haven't changed a bit, Douglas," he said.
    Yet, apparently it was.
    "Hold it against you, Poppy?" Mads said under her breath.
    Nikki agreed. "Not going to be a problem."

CHAPTER FIVE
    "Watch it!" Hamish