Circle of Lies (Red Ridge Pack) (21 page)

How long was the appropriate amount of time to wait before having sex, anyway? Was it right if you loved the guy? And he’d mentioned something about a ring during our walk earlier. Had he meant it?

Wait. What was I thinking? Did I love Aiden? I wondered. Was I ready for that kind of commitment?

Maybe I was.

The pizza arrived, and we had a carpet picnic in the living room and watched a
Jersey Shore
marathon. The show was completely ridiculous, to say the least, but we couldn’t help watching. Then, on a commercial break, Aiden reached for my hand.

“So, can I ask you something?”

I looked at him, incredulous, worried what he might say, but finally I answered, “Sure.”

“You think your dad will always hate me?”

It wasn’t the question I’d been expecting. I wanted to say, “Who gives a shit what Dad thinks?” but I didn’t figure that was the answer he was looking for. He wanted something real.

“I don’t know.” I gave a nervous laugh. “If you haven’t noticed, he’s not exactly mentally stable.”

Aiden didn’t laugh in return. Epic fail at my attempt to lighten the mood. A serious expression spread across his all-too-pretty face, and I felt my heart pounding again, this time with fear. Where was he going with this? Was he going to dump me because of my family, just like I’d figured all along? I wanted nothing more than to be able to read his mind.

He intertwined his fingers with mine and his eyes shifted to the floor. “So, what’s up with him?”

I hadn’t talked about this thing with anyone. No one. But for the first time ever, I wanted to. Aiden had already witnessed the bat-shit craziness of my father, and he hadn’t run for the hills. Not yet. He’d actually stood up to him, which was the absolute last thing I’d expected. Even if he decided to run now, he deserved to have his questions answered honestly.

“I don’t know, really. He’s always been a drinker, but after my mom…well, after my mom took off everything just kinda fell apart. It’s not like he was ever the perfect dad, but he’s…well, you’ve seen him. I think he’s completely lost his mind.”

“Your mom took off on you? That must have been hard, losing her. Hard on both of you.” Aiden let his words just kind of hang there. It wasn’t a question or a statement, exactly. More like something in between. Something sensitive and pensive.

He gave me a weak smile when I looked up at him. There wasn’t pity in his eyes, either, just genuine concern. He did care about me. Did he
love
me? That I didn’t know, but he did care, and that was enough for me. It was more than I’d ever imagined I’d get from him.

I laid my head on his shoulder and admitted, “I stopped hoping she’d come back a long time ago. The heartache turned into anger, and now if she did show back up, I’m not sure I’d even want to speak to her. I don’t think I could handle the excuses, you know? There’d have to be excuses.”

Aiden shook his head. “You’re like the strongest person I know. You practically take care of yourself, and I’m all pissed off because I have too many people in my family worried about me. Kinda makes me feel like a jerk.”

“You’re not a jerk, Aiden,” I said. “You’re…perfect.”

God, I was such an idiot. Why couldn’t I just keep all my stupid thoughts in my head.

Aiden reached up and gently cupped my face in his hand. With his lips only millimeters away he whispered, “Can I tell you something?”

I just nodded my head. I couldn’t find the strength to speak.

“You’re absolutely nuts if you think I’m perfect. But I think
you’re
kinda perfect. And, well…now you’re going to think I’m nuts. Because…because I have to tell you something else. I’ve fallen in love with you, Teagan.”

Holy shit, Batman. He
was
crazy. He’d freakin’ lost his ever-loving mind.
Love
me? Seriously? You couldn’t love someone after only a few weeks, could you?

Maybe you can.

Before I realized it, words were spilling out of my mouth, words that I meant whole-heartedly. Right there on my living room floor, I admitted for the first time how I truly felt about Aiden Wright. “I love you too.”

Aiden launched himself forward. As his lips brushed mine, every ounce of need within me exploded. I wanted him. God, I wanted him. I pulled him closer and wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening our kiss and lying back with the hope he’d follow. He did, and his body covered mine, and I reveled in the feel of his weight on top of me. His lips never left mine.

Banishing all thoughts of where we were and whether or not what I was about to do made me a slut, I reached down and pulled his shirt up over his head. Aiden let me, but he drew back slightly and looked directly into my eyes.

“We don’t have to do this. Not now. I’d wait a lifetime for you. I want you to be sure. No regrets.”

I didn’t respond with words. Instead, I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down until his lips covered mine once more.

45.

Peter

The plan was to meet James at Tucker’s Icehouse tonight, the bar just down the street from the Red Ridge Motel. This was phase one of Recruitment. James had assured him that in order for their plan to work it needed to be done over a longer period than Peter originally intended; each night’s story would grow more desperate. They’d both retired to their individual homes to consider the stories they’d tell. Peter agreed with the methodology, he supposed, but he was also anxious to get results.

He walked through the bar doors at exactly nine o’clock. James was already there, and if the number of empty beer bottles in front of him was any indication, the man was well on his way to belligerent.

“Shit,” Peter muttered to himself. He hated drunks. He needed the man alert and focused tonight, not slurring his words. Peter faked a smile, though, as he walked over. “James, how’s it going, man?”

“Peter, my friend, come sit!” the drunk called, waving down the joint’s one cocktail waitress. She walked over and took Peter’s order, and before he could say anything she was back with his beer.

Peter wasn’t sure what James had in mind, so he just started in with what he hoped sounded like a normal question. “So, how’s your daughter doing?” They had to establish themselves as normal, caring members of society. Fathers and such. Trustworthy.

James smiled like Peter had just asked the magic question. “I have to tell you, Pete. I’m worried about her,” he said, a little too loudly. It was all part of the plan.“Why?” he asked.

“It’s this new boyfriend of hers. He’s one of those lakefront kids, and I don’t know… I just don’t trust them. Seems like those rich bastards are… Well, I dunno. They’re just so cliquish. Secretive.
Elitist.
”

Peter looked around. A few of the barflies were already interested.

“Have you talked to Teagan about it?” he said, trying to appear genuinely concerned.

“Yeah, but she’s smitten. She thinks he can do no wrong. He has her wrapped around his little finger,” James complained.

“Does he seem like a decent kid?”

James leaned back in his chair and said, “No, he seems like a snake. Can I tell you something, Peter?” He leaned forward, like he was going to reveal a truly earth-shattering secret, but his voice didn’t soften at all.

“Sure, James. Anything.”

“I think he’s
brainwashing
her. I think everyone out on that lake is crazy, and they’re trying to take my daughter away from me. I think they’re a bunch of brainwashing sex perverts!”

Peter sat back and pretended to contemplate what he’d just heard. Time passed. He was about to flag down the waitress for another beer when the man from the next table asked to join them.

William, his name was. James introduced them. William had been born and was raised in Red Ridge, James said, and Peter could tell that their suggestion had hit pay dirt.

“I heard you talking about the people down by the lake. I have always thought there was something weird going on there, James,” William whispered. “It’s too private, too secretive. Always has been. I think you need to get your Teagan away from that boy. She’s too nice of a girl to get mixed up with them.”

“Well, thanks, Bill. I just don’t know what to do short of going over there guns blazing and grab her back from him,” James complained.

“We do what we have to do for family,” William said. “You know, there are a few of us around here that don’t want their kind near our town. I bet the others would be willing to help you out. I know I would.”

“I appreciate that, Will. I truly do. I might need to take you up on that offer sometime,” James was quick to say.

Peter wanted to smile but refrained. This was a serious business. Recruiting had begun.

46.

Teagan

I awoke to my blaring alarm clock. It was already six thirty, and if I didn’t hurry I was going to be late for school. I faintly remembered Aiden waking me with a kiss before he left to head home about an hour before.

Standing in front of the mirror, I starred at myself, wondering if I looked any different. I might not see any change, but I definitely was a new person. I might have had sex before, but this was the first time I’d ever made love. Memories of Aiden flooded my mind: his gentle touch, the way we’d melded together, how he’d held me afterward as though he never wanted to let go. Our night together had confirmed that our feelings were real. He did love me.

I quickly showered, put on a bit of makeup and threw on some clothes. As I left I had a damp ponytail, but I didn’t want to be late. I couldn’t wait to see Aiden. I loved him so much. There was no denying it now. There was no point, either.

I pulled into the parking lot with just enough time to rush to my locker and high-tail it to first period. Finding Aiden would have to wait, I supposed, as I got out of my car. But as I hurried through the main doors, my phone chimed.

Aiden: Running late, find u after 1st per.

I typed
OK
so he’d know I’d seen his text. I hoped he wasn’t in trouble for staying out so late. My own dad probably wouldn’t have noticed, but something told me Aiden’s mom would. She probably didn’t like her son staying out all night.

I made it to my locker with only a few minutes to spare, and as I fumbled with my locker combination someone practically pounced on me. There she stood, leaning her perfectly polished self against the locker next to mine. And before she said a single word, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.

Without any pleasantries whatsoever, taking a page straight from Kendall Stuart’s playbook, Becca attacked.

“So, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you’d be better off ending whatever little fling you’re having with Aiden. Now. Right now. Really, I’m just looking out for you. I don’t know what he’s even thinking. I mean, if his mother knew that your father was the town drunk—and trust me, she will find out—she’d never allow you within fifty feet of her son. Let’s face it, Teagan. You’re not good enough for him. But surely you already know that.”

Becca finally decided to take a breath, so I cut in. “Thanks so much for your concern. Really, how kind of you to be looking out for my best interest…but do you really think this is any of your business?”

With a cruel smile, she continued. “Oh, honey, of course it’s my business. I know you haven’t been here long, but if you haven’t noticed we look out for our own around here. Aiden may be new to this school, but he’s part of our group. You know, the group that dissed you last year—for good reason? To be perfectly honest, you’ve got no chance ever of getting in with us, especially with your family’s history. If you think you do, you’re crazier than your deadbeat father. Or maybe you’re drinking as much as him.”

By this point my blood was way past boiling. I could literally feel my cheeks burning. Tears threatened to spill down my face, but I refused to let Becca think she could get to me. Screw this bitch. She needed a taste of her own medicine.

“Maybe the real problem here, Becca, is that Aiden isn’t interested in what you have to offer. If you think us nobodies haven’t noticed that you sit up and pant every time he’s near, you’re the one crazier than my ‘deadbeat father.’ So, let’s just be real here. I’ve got what he wants, and you…well, you obviously don’t. So, how about you take your little ‘I’m-just-looking-out-for-you’ bullshit and shove it up your ass.” Then, before she could respond, I took off down the hallway.

I might have had the last word with Becca, but her words hit too close to home. They’d made me doubt everything that happened between Aiden and me. Was what she said true? I certainly wasn’t one of them. I’d never be one of them, either. Who was I kidding? They would never accept me.

Without thinking twice, I headed straight toward the parking lot so I could get the hell out of school before I broke down. There was no way I was going to class now. My eyes were already threatening to fill with tears as I rushed the exit. I heard Sean calling my name but I didn’t turn around. I knew he would want to talk about it, and since we hadn’t spoken much since the play I didn’t want to get into it. I needed to be alone. I was done. Done with Becca, done with Aiden’s parents’ strange little enclave and the Beautiful People, done with it all.

By the time I got into my car at the back of the school parking lot, tears were streaming down my face because I’d suddenly realized that if I really was done with it all, I was done with Aiden too.

I started the car and took off toward my house. School clearly wasn’t in the cards for me. Not today. Neither was Aiden Wright. I couldn’t talk to him. Not when I didn’t know whether or not I could handle being with him. No matter how much I liked him—
loved
him—would this ever work? I should have listened to my instincts. I’d known Aiden wasn’t the right guy for me from the very start. Anyone could take one look at the two of us and know we didn’t belong together. I was just an average girl, and there was no denying there was something special about Aiden. Something I doubt anyone could define.

On the drive home, I set my phone to silent and shoved it deep into my purse; if I knew Aiden was calling, I wouldn’t be able to ignore it. When I got home, I dried my eyes and slid back into bed. I covered my face with my pillow and begged for sleep to take me away from the feelings I wasn’t ready to face.