"What else?"

"Argyle socks…and you know those little machines that sell those toys in grocery stores?" She snapped her gum. He nodded. "I love those. I still have to put a quarter in one every time I go."

He laughed. "What else?

"Twizzlers." She smiled. "And the blues."

He looked surprised for the first time. "Who's your favorite?"

"I like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton… old stuff."

He snorted. "Old, eh?"

"My favorite, lately, though, is Kenny Wayne Shepard."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Well that's a strange coincidence…" His grin grew wider. "I happen to have tickets to Kenny Wayne Shepard playing at the Palladium on Friday."

"You do not!"

"I actually do."

"Really?"

"Want to go?"

"Are you serious?"

"Would the Pillsbury Doughboy kid you?"

"Lindsey!" It was Mr. Ryan calling from the principal's office. She'd almost forgotten about him!

"Here's my number." Lindsey grabbed her crumpled gum wrapper and opened it, scribbling furiously. "Call me. I have to go get paddled."

"Excuse me?" Zach raised his eyebrows as she grabbed her backpack.

"Lindsey!" It was Mr. Miller this time, his face already red.

"I've been a bad girl." She smirked, nudging Zach's shoulder with her hip as she passed. She didn't look back, but she had the strong feeling he was watching her ass wiggle in her shorts as she walked toward where Mr. Miller and Mr. Ryan were flanking the principal's office door.

"Lindsey-" Mr. Miller shook his head as he waved her in.

"I know, I know." She snapped her gum, throwing her backpack on the floor and flopping into the chair next to his desk. "Save the lecture, Dad."

Mr. Miller nodded to Mr. Ryan. "Thanks for bringing her down, Jim." Mr. Ryan sighed, pulling the door closed as he left.