The Naughty List (14 page)

“Fine,” I said, surprising myself. Wait. Really?

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah. Meet me in front of my house at eleven. We’re... going to the movies.” I hung up and dropped the phone on the couch next to me.

Napa Valley! I’d just made a date with another boy. I groaned and collapsed into the cushions, covering my head with my arms. My phone rang again.

Okay, now he was going to get an earful. I sat up, my pulse racing, and brought the receiver to my ear. “What now?” I said, much ruder than I had been in years.

“Tess?” Aiden asked. “Is that you?” He sounded confused. I was horrified.

“Hey,” I said. “Sorry, yeah. I . . .” I couldn’t tell him I’d thought he was someone else, because who else could it really be other than a Smitten Kitten? And I’d never be rude to them.

I walked to the kitchen table and sat down on a hard wooden chair. I was talking to my sweetie; I should feel relieved. Instead, I felt anxious. Unsure.

“Heard you got sick,” Aiden said casually.

“Did you?” A bit of anger prickled down my back. “Were you worried?” I rested my elbow on the linen tablecloth as I put my palm over my forehead.

“Of course, baby.” He laughed. I clenched my jaw.

“I could tell,” I snapped. Holy crow! I was being sort of mean. Who was I?

“What?” Aiden asked. I heard the phone shift on his ear. “What’s wrong with you? Are you pissed at me or something?”

Oh, my word. I could feel the beginnings of a fight. But it wasn’t fair! He couldn’t just forget about me like that. I would never forget about him.

“You know what?” I said, beginning to choke up. “I am PO’d. You didn’t come to find me. You didn’t call. In fact, Aiden, you’ve been out of school for over an hour, and you’re just now getting ahold of me. Where were you?” I didn’t sound like myself. I was acting crazy. Paranoid. Suspicious. SOS was getting to me. But Aiden paused, and there was a sickening twist in my belly.

“I was working on a chemistry lab assignment, Tessa.”

No. Oh, no. I took the phone away from my ear for a second, breathed out, and then brought it back. “With Chloe?”

“Yeah. We stayed after. I didn’t find out you were sick until just now when Kira called.”

“Where were you at lunch?” I needed to curl up in a ball and sob. In about ten seconds, I was going to do just that.

“Same thing, baby. Working on chemistry.”

Small little aches began to break across my face, wanting me to cry. “So,” I said, trying to sound as composed as possible. “You spent the entire day with Chloe?” Sugar and spice! I would die.

“Don’t say it like that,” Aiden said, sounding annoyed. “Damn, Tessa. Do I say shit when you hang out with that prick?”

I was startled. Aiden knew better than to swear like that. “Stop,” I said.

“No.”

My eyes widened. What was going on? Things were so clearly upside down. My boyfriend was angry with me when I was the one being ignored. He’d spent the entire day with that little cougar!

“I have to go,” he said quickly. “I’m sure you’re busy tonight.” He was definitely upset. And correct. I was busy.

“Sort of—”

“Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow or something, Tess. Whenever you can fit me in.”

And. He. Hung. Up.

The phone fell from my hand, bouncing on the table. Aiden had never, ever hung up on me. Not ever.

My life had just officially fallen apart.

“Hi, Daddy.” I walked up to give him a kiss as he came in the door, dragging his suitcase behind him.

“Hey, sweetie.” He sounded confused, pulling his brows together. “You do something different with your hair?”

The braid had been hurting my head so I took it out, letting my hair run wild with crimps.

“I came home sick from school,” I said, as if that had ever stopped me from looking great before. “Where’s Mom?” I peeked over my father’s shoulder as he was closing the door.

“She’s going to the club. We’re staying in town tonight. She... she said you were upset with us for being gone so much. Is that true, Tess?”

My mother. She’d obviously been obsessing about our earlier conversation. I was making her unhappy. I was making everyone unhappy.

“That’s not it,” I said. My father moved his glasses down his nose to look me over slowly. Then he adjusted them and motioned to a kitchen chair.

“Take a seat, kid. Looks like you need to talk.”

I smiled. If only I had talked sooner, I wouldn’t be in such a mess. I plopped down in the seat and waited as my father poured us both a glass of milk and grabbed a few oatmeal cookies out of the cupboard. He was adorable. I was such a lucky Kitty.

“Thanks,” I said, taking a cookie from him as he sat down.

He nodded and then cleared his throat. “All right, Tess. Spill.”

I chewed slowly, wondering what my father would think of my spying. Wondering if he could relate more to the cheaters than to me. “I’m in trouble,” I said.

His eyes widened. Oh. I guess that wasn’t the best thing for a teenage girl to tell her father.

“Not that sort of trouble,” I said quickly. He exhaled.

“Wow, Tessa, thanks for the heart attack. Now what exactly have you gotten yourself into?” He pushed back in his seat and crossed his legs, taking a sip from his glass.

“Daddy, do you think Aiden is tired of me?” I hated those words. They were entirely too close to possible.

My father choked on his milk, his face turning red as he leaned forward. When he was able to breathe again, he put his hand on my arm and shook his head. “Has something happened with Aiden?” He was terrified. Aiden was the son he wished he had.

“No, not yet—”

“Not yet?” My father raised his voice. “Are you two having problems? Is it his mother again?”

“No, she’s the same. But Dad, do you think... maybe Aiden wants to see other girls?” Good golly! I began to tear up.

“What other girls could there be?” he said so seriously, I had to smile. In my father’s eyes, I was perfect. Even if it wasn’t true, that was what he thought. He reached over to mess up my hair.

“Stop.” I laughed, pushing his hand back.

He pressed his lips together, looking at me thoughtfully. “To answer your question,” he said quietly. “No. I don’t think Aiden would leave you, Tess. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s the same way I used to look at your mother. He adores you.”

But his words, although sweet, stung me. “You left Mom,” I said, suddenly needing to know why. If he loved her so much, why did he walk away?

My father dropped his head, and I recognized the look. I’d seen it many times in my line of work. Shame. He had cheated. My father had cheated on my mother.

“I made a mistake,” he said, meeting my eyes. “I made one mistake, Tess, and I almost lost her.” He waited a beat, and I felt a heaviness creep over my chest, aching.

“Why did you do it?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think I was lonely. But I never meant to hurt her, or you. I love you two so much. You’re my life.”

Aiden had told me that once.

“And I’m glad your mother loved me enough to forgive me.” He ran his hands through his thinning black hair. He tried to smile at me. “Aiden’s a good boy,” my father said. “He loves you. Why can’t you trust that?”

I didn’t know. I wasn’t exactly sure what had changed. It seemed that everywhere I looked, all I saw were cheaters. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I didn’t trust Aiden. I couldn’t. Because if there was one thing my heart-to-heart with my daddy confirmed, it was that my boyfriend could love me
and
cheat on me.

But I wouldn’t let him.

SOS DONATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Dear Mrs. Pugliese,

Thank you very much for your donation. SOS is a nonprofit organization, and your donations go directly to assisting others with their relationship needs by giving us the funding for the latest surveillance equipment.

Helping your daughter out of an unfaithful relationship was a joy in itself, but your money is much appreciated. We share your hope that Lynny will consider dating again in the future, even though she has taken a lifelong oath of celibacy. We understand your desire for grandchildren.

Once again, thank you for your generosity, and we wish you all the happiness in the world. Have a great day.

Keep smiling,

SOS

Text: 555-0101

Exposing Cheaters for Over Two Years

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“SO THAT’S REALLY WHAT YOU WEAR?” CHRISTIAN
asked, grinning as I approached his car. It was nice out tonight. Warm, clear. It was comfortable. The wind blew through my hair, whipping it out behind me as Christian held the door open.

“Well, we are undercover,” I said, climbing in the passenger seat. “You should have tried a disguise maybe.” Although he did look nice. Light blue sweater, khakis, very sexy cologne. I, on the other hand, was wearing my black turtleneck and leggings, along with a black down vest that I had lined with pockets to hold wiretaps and handheld audio equipment.

Christian laughed and closed my door softly before walking around his Honda. It was odd being in his car again. Almost familiar. Hm. I didn’t want any of this to be familiar. No. I wanted it to be decidedly unfamiliar. In fact, I was going to end this little adventure tonight. I would tell Christian that this was it. Over. Finished.

I was going to call his bluff.

The driver’s side door opened, and Christian smiled as he got in, glancing over my body as he did so. He may not have thought I noticed, but my peripheral vision had gotten very good. And he was checking out my C cups. Totally inappropriate.

“Well,” he said, starting the car. “Even though you’re dressed like a bank robber, you’re still the cutest thing I’ve seen all day.”

I chewed on the corner of my lip, maybe blushing a little. “Thanks.”

I gazed out the window as he pulled onto the tree-lined street, wondering where Aiden was. Wondering if he was thinking about me.

“Oh, by the way,” Christian said, snapping his fingers like he’d just remembered something. “I talked to Kira earlier, told her that we had this assignment covered on our own.”

I gasped, swinging to face him. “You did what?” He wasn’t serious!

He smiled, shaking his head. “It’s not like this is a major mission, Tessa. I’m pretty sure we don’t need a chaperone. Unless you’re worried that you won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself.”

Candy canes and unicorns! Had he lost his mind? “Pull over,” I said. Obviously, he underestimated the damage a size-seven sneaker could inflict.

“Come on.” Christian was laughing. “I can’t even joke around with you?”

“No. Not on assignment.”

He straightened his mouth, trying to be serious. “You’re right,” he said. “I need to get my game face on. I’ll be good. Promise.” He crossed his heart.

I watched him for a minute, and he didn’t pull the car to the curb. “Okay,” I said. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

We were quiet as Christian continued to drive, bringing us toward the movie theater one town over. SOS had intercepted a call that Isaac Park was meeting a girl there tonight for the midnight showing. He thought he was crafty, but he had no idea that SOS had been on to him for days. And his girlfriend was a total sweetheart, too. Poor thing.

The parking lot was nearly deserted as we pulled in. Not many people went to a midnight movie during the week. Not wanting the car to get recognized, I had Christian park toward the back. After he turned it off, I took a minute to go through my backpack, making sure I had my camera with the night vision lens. Christian was smiling as he watched me twist on the cap.

“You couldn’t care less about the mission, could you?” I asked, sliding some of the pieces into the inside pockets of my vest. Theaters usually frowned at bringing in backpacks. He laughed. “Do you want the honest answer?”

I turned to him, not sure that I did. The streetlights filtered in, illuminating his face and throwing shadows over his eyes, making him look almost sinister.

“Check the time,” I said, feeling uneasiness creep over me. I didn’t want to be alone with him anymore. I wanted to hurry, and then go find Aiden.

Christian leaned his head back against the seat, staring at me. “We don’t have to go in,” he said quietly. He licked his lips, and I could see how hard he was trying to be smooth, suave. But he looked nervous.

My heart raced and I was completely uncomfortable. And yet there was a small part of me that was attracted to him. At least, to the attention from him. I’d been feeling so bad lately, so imperfect. And Christian was looking at me in that way—the way Aiden used to.

Christian’s hand moved from his lap and touched my fingers softly as they lay on the seat.

“Don’t,” I said quickly, moving my hand from under his. “You can’t touch me.”

He yanked his arm back, straightening up. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it sometimes. I find you fascinating.”

Was I a science experiment? Did he want to pin me down and dissect me?

I slid the camera into my purse and pushed the door open so hastily that I nearly fell out. I could barely catch my breath as I started speed walking across the parking lot barely able to catch my breath. Christian was immediately behind me.

“You’re freaked out, right?” he asked, sounding apologetic.

“No more talking,” I said. I didn’t care about the assignment anymore. I just wanted to get the pictures and leave.

We got inside the old-fashioned theater, and Christian rushed ahead to the glass-enclosed ticket booth. I let him buy the tickets as I scoped the scene.

“Do you want popcorn or a soda?” he asked as he came over to me, motioning toward the concessions. I curled my lip.

“Christian, this is absolutely not a date.”

“Right,” he said, smiling. “Forgot.”

I stared at him, not sure if I could trust him to stay undercover. We still had to find Isaac. It figured that he’d talked about seeing some horror movie. I hated them. I wasn’t easily scared, but I just felt so bad when people got murdered. It was gross.

Christian agreed to be quiet, but I couldn’t help but feel like he was mocking me. Like this was all just an excuse to be around me. I mean, I knew it was, but I also thought he wanted to help a little. It was pretty clear now that he didn’t.

We found theater eight, and not surprisingly, it was nearly empty. I let the door close, blocking out the harsh light of the hallway, and searched over the backs of heads. I found Isaac. He wasn’t really hard to spot. He wore his hair in a faux-hawk, not a huge one, but a short, brushed-up one. It was sort of cool. Very individualistic.

“They’re two rows up,” I whispered to Christian and glanced at the screen. It was opening with a murder. I sighed. So sad.

Christian nodded and took my arm, leading us to the back row. We got the corner seats, and I reached into my inside pocket. It struck me that this might just be my last SOS assignment. I swallowed hard, feeling a bit nostalgic. But then I thought of Aiden and how much more time I’d have for him. It calmed my nerves a little.

My camera was poised and ready, night scope on. I zoomed in. Isaac was whispering in the girl’s ear, looking sweet. It made my stomach turn. He’d been with his girlfriend, Angela, for close to a year. She was an absolute doll: perky and petite.

I used the camera to push in on the accomplice’s face. She was pretty enough—blond and busty. My eyes narrowed. She sort of reminded me of Chloe, but I tried to block that thought. The last thing I needed was to think of Chloe as an accomplice in a cheat. Because I knew exactly who she was after.

“Did you want me to move closer?” Christian whispered. He bent his head dangerously close to mine. His spearmint breath was hot on my cheek.

“Yeah,” I said, mainly to get some distance between me and his ridiculously attractive cologne. “Take the recorder and get some audio. I need to know what they’re talking about.”

I reached in my pocket and pulled out the mini-recorder, passing it to Christian. His fingers touched mine as he took it. I met his eyes.

Okay, so we were pretty close to each other’s mouths. His smelled like mint, mine, Jolly Ranchers. My breath was caught. He looked like he was about to kiss me. I didn’t move away.

He smiled. “Be right back. Get some good photos.” Then he winked and ducked down as he got up and crept down the aisle. I watched him, feeling my heart race.

Brooklyn Bridge! Would I have just let him kiss me? No. I ... wasn’t attracted to him. I loved Aiden.

I shook my head and took aim at Isaac. He was a cheater. I’d never be like that. I wasn’t like that. Only, I found myself zooming in on Christian’s face... admiring it. Then, before I could begin any unwanted fantasy, I shut off the camera, got up, and walked out.

It took close to twenty minutes for Christian to meet me outside. He jogged up to the car as I leaned against it. I was chilled from the cooled air but thankful to now have my wits about me.

Christian stopped in front of me, panting. “What the hell, Tessa?” he said.

“Don’t say ”hell.’”

He stared at me for a minute, then, “Sorry. What in the
h, e, double hockey sticks
happened to you?” He grinned.

I couldn’t help but smile back. I liked the double hockey sticks thing. After an intense second of looking at each other, I exhaled and put my fists on my hips.

“I’m sorry, Christian,” I said. “But I can’t do this with you. And I’m done with SOS. I quit.” Wow. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever said the word
quit
in my life.

“You can’t,” he said. His eyes were wide. He took a step closer to me. He was now entirely too close.

“Tell everyone if you want,” I said, uncomfortable with his proximity. I didn’t care about SOS anymore. I needed to get my life back. Things had gotten too mixed up, and if the school hated me, fine. I couldn’t be perfect anymore. It was just too hard.

“Tessa,” Christian said softly, tilting his head. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I’m not trying to hurt you.”

My face was tingling. “Then what are you trying to do?”

Christian closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he focused on my mouth. “This,” he said, reaching out to put his palms on my cheeks, pulling me toward him. He pressed his lips to mine, forcefully, passionately.

And for a second, I stood there, shocked, stunned, guilty. His mouth felt so foreign to me that it was almost like they weren’t my lips he was sucking on. It was like an out-of-body experience. At least it was until he tried to put his tongue in my mouth.

“Stop,” I said, bringing up my hands to try to push him back. He was resistant at first, still going for it, so I pushed him hard enough to make him stumble. John Deere tractor! He’d just kissed me. He just... kissed me! “You’ve gone batty,” I shouted. “You can’t—”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I couldn’t help it, Tess.” He licked his lips. Ew. Was he trying to still taste me? My stomach took a violent turn.

“I’m not going to tell Aiden about this,” I said, holding up my finger to him. “Because if I did, he would seriously cream you. But don’t effing touch me again. Got it?” The adrenaline pumping through my veins was making my entire body shake. And my mouth tasted like spearmint. Leaping lizards! I needed Aiden.

I turned around and yanked open the passenger door with a creak. I’d never kissed anyone other than Aiden. Ever. This had been a huge mistake. A big, ginormous mistake.

Christian ran around the car and got in, looking unsteady, sort of shaky. He should. He’d just assaulted my mouth with his. So what if his lips were pillowy soft? It was still wrong! He didn’t even ask.

We were silent as we drove back through the streets of Washington toward my house. I stared out the window, happy the night was over but worried about its consequences. Surely Christian would out the Smitten Kittens now.

After he’d turned on my street, Christian pulled into my driveway, bumping the curb on the way in. I looked over at him, not sure if he was mad or flustered. He killed the engine and turned to me, his eyes lowered.

“You were completely out of line,” I said. I should have slapped him. That’s what a real Smitten Kitten would have done.

“I know,” he said, his brows pulled together. “I’m really sorry. I promise it’ll never happen again.”

“It sure as heck won’t! Because we’ll never be alone together again. Understand?” This was the tone of voice I used when the Smitten Kittens were distracted while I was trying to teach a routine. I sounded very authoritative.

“So you’re not going to let me have my second mission?” he asked, sounding like a stubborn child.

Blazing saddles! Was he was serious? “Uh ... no. You made it clear that it wasn’t the missions you were trying to accomplish. It was me.”

He tilted his head. “So? Is that wrong? Did you not like it at all?” Christian looked worried, and I appreciated his insecurity about his kiss. It was vulnerable, and I understood that. But it didn’t mean he could walk around putting his mouth on mine.

“I have a boyfriend. I do not want or enjoy anyone’s lips other than Aiden’s.”

“Does he follow that same philosophy?”

My heart stopped. “Excuse me?” I glanced toward my darkened house, feeling like that comment deserved a swift walkout and a car door slam, but I couldn’t really move.

“You don’t think your boyfriend kisses other girls?”

I glared at Christian and held up my hand for him to stop. “Zip your lip, buddy. Aiden doesn’t touch anyone but me!” I waited a second, feeling my nostrils flaring. How dare he? How flipping dare he?

Christian’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t open his mouth. Shoot, why would he? It wasn’t like he was trying to stick his tongue down my throat. He’d already done that. Jerk.

“Stay away from me,” I hissed, grabbing my backpack off the floor. I got out of his car and slammed the door as hard as I could. I smiled to myself, proud of my bravery, as I stomped toward my house. Then, just for good measure, I tossed my hair over my shoulder one last time before I went in.

Nobody was home. I noticed how Christian’s cologne seemed to be clinging to my clothes. I needed a shower and maybe some mouth rinse. But as I walked toward my bathroom, I grabbed my phone off the side table. No missed calls.

Oh, my. Aiden hadn’t called. Not since he’d hung up on me. I glanced at the clock, and it was late. But after my shower, I had one other mission. To make up with my boyfriend.

I paused at Aiden’s lattice, looking up at his window. Hm. It was closed. I couldn’t call the house, not without waking his mother. But I needed to see him. I needed to be with him.