The Naughty List (8 page)

“Lunch would be great,” Christian said, beaming and brushing a lock of his hair behind his ear.

Uh-oh. I wasn’t really inviting him. I’d better not do any more damage. I twirled and walked to my table, sitting down in my seat. Pulling my bag into my lap, I grabbed out my history book as I looked over Kira’s shoulder at the cell phone screen. Wait.

I turned. Christian was at the end of our table, smiling. I raised my eyebrow. He stared back for a minute.

“Right,” he said, holding up his finger like he’d forgotten to tell me something. “I ...” He laughed to himself and shook his head. “Never mind. See you girls later.”

I watched him walk away, feeling a little uncomfortable, and then looked sideways at Kira.

She stared down, tapping her fingernails on the table. “My word,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Looks like I have a lot of work to do with that one.”

I laughed as she turned around in her seat to smile and wave at Christian. Kira was excellent at keeping a positive attitude. Even though Darren had just cheated on her a few days ago, she was already picking herself back up and moving on. It was brave, really. I was impressed with her tenacity.

“So how did the last assignment meeting go?” I asked when she’d settled down.

“Shit! I forgot.” She slapped her hand on the table.

“Kira, language!”

“Sorry, Tess. It just slipped out.”

It wasn’t like I was the purest soul on Earth, but there was something to be said for old-fashioned manners. And cussing like a sailor was unbecoming of a Smitten Kitten. We were supposed to lead by example.

“So no meeting?” I asked. I should’ve just come to school on Friday. The girls of Washington needed me. SOS needed a strong leader, and lately, I’d been failing.

“I got sort of sidetracked,” she said apologetically.

I exhaled. “By what?”

“Um ...” Her eyes wandered around the room. Mr. Powell got up, walking to the podium, and opened his oversized teacher’s book. I plucked the phone out of Kira’s hands.

“Never mind,” I whispered. “We’ll talk about it later.” The bell rang, and I quickly scrolled through the SOS message.

911! I think my BF, Marcus Billings, is cheating! I can’t catch him, and I’ve been told SOS is the best. If that bastard hooked up wl someone else, I will be so pissed blc we had sex for the first time this wknd. Thx, Cassandra

I cringed. Sometimes TMI was a given. I handed the phone to Kira and let her read.

“Ew,” she said, looking at me with her lip curled. “Too much information.”

“I know.”

Mr. Powell cleared his throat and told us to open our books to page ninety-six. Kira leaned over to whisper to me, “So when do you want to start this assignment?”

“I can’t tonight,” I said. “I’m going to Aiden’s for dinner. His mother is demanding it.” My stomach turned. She did this every few months, mostly to scare me away. But it never worked. I had some very sharp claws for a Kitten, and they were firmly planted in her son’s backside.

“Sorry for you,” Kira said, pretending to gag. She was so sweet.

“But this weekend,” I said. “We need to catch up on these assignments. We’re falling behind.”

“I know, Tess,” she groaned. “But there are just so many. I mean, Darren told me that part of the reason he cheated with Charlie was because I was never around.”

“Wait,” I whispered forcefully as I touched her arm. “When did you talk to Darren?” Oh, Kira.

She bit her lip. “Late Friday night.”

“Gross, K. Breakup sex? You’re so above that.”

“I know.” Her shoulders slumped. It hurt my heart to see her sad, so I gave her a quick hug. When I pulled back, I furrowed my brow.

“But why Darren when you’re trying for Christian?” I’d hate to think of Kira going back to her old ways. We’d worked so hard to restore her rep!

She shrugged. “It just happened. Darren sent me a text message, so I called him and . . . Gosh, Tess. I feel awful.”

“It’s okay,” I said, squeezing her hand. “If anything ever happened with Aiden, I would totally still go after him too.” My stomach turned. I’d never thought of anything happening to me and Aiden before. I straightened my posture and turned on the captain voice. “Just be careful, K. You’re more than a piece of tail. Smitten Kitten slogan.”

She nodded. I’d really hoped she’d get together with Christian, but now I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea. Not when she was obviously still lusting after Darren. Hm. Maybe I should talk to Aiden. Have him see what Darren’s intentions were.

The SOS phone vibrated again. My mouth fell open, and Kira met my stare.

“Another one,” she whispered, her dimples deepening with worry.

“Don’t respond. We’re getting seriously dunked on over here.”

Kira leaned back and touched her chest, staring at me. “But ... you’ve never purposely not responded to a message.”

She was right. What was I thinking? “Okay,” I whispered. “Check it, then schedule an emergency SOS meeting for tonight. We’ll meet up after my dinner.” That was if I made it out of Aiden’s house alive. “Can you message the other girls and let them know?”

“On it, Tess.” She held the phone under the table out of Mr. Powell’s view and began texting. Kira loved when I trusted her with top-secret communications. And even though she messed up the last briefing, I still believed in her. One day, I might even let her lead a practice or two. She’d been trying so hard.

After she put the phone back in her purse, she twirled the gum from her mouth around her finger, staring vacantly ahead. It was easy to see why she always got the attention of the boys at Washington High. She was very orally fixated.

I felt a tingle on the back of my ponytailed neck. Blinking quickly, I turned around. Christian sat up straight as my eyes met his. He beamed. I tried to smile politely, then swung to face front. He was making me self-conscious, but I wasn’t sure why. I just had the sneaking suspicion that I needed to keep my distance from him.

Oh, applesauce! I’d have to start after our lunch date.

Veggie burgers. Sigh. Although I appreciated our school’s attempt to promote the vegetarian society, I would have been more appreciative if it tasted even remotely like a burger. Besides, it was served with Tater Tots. I wasn’t sure what food group they fell under.

“So Tessa,” Chloe asked from across the table, tucking her bra strap under the fabric of her tank top. “How long have you been a cheerleader?”

I had hoped when Christian joined us, he’d ask his sister to go to another table, and he did. Only she refused. And took the seat directly across from Aiden. I had my eye on her. And I didn’t want to answer her question. I didn’t start cheering until seventh grade, the month my dad moved out. In fact, I was a late bloomer. Most of the former squad captains had cheered since Pop Warner.

Kira spoke for me. “Tessa was born in the skirt. She’s a natural-born leader. Pure Sex Kitten.” Chloe choked on her milk.

I straightened up. “It’s Smitten—”

“Holy shit.” Chloe laughed in her low, gravelly tone. “Did you just say
Sex Kitten?”
I clenched my jaw.

“Yeah,” Aiden said, leaning toward her. “It’s a pretty funny story. Everyone calls them that because a few years ago, the Ducks came to town to play us and the point guard found the squad irresistible—especially Tessa.” He turned to me and winked. “So, since they cheer for the Wildcats, he started calling them the Sex Kittens. The name sort of stuck.”

“Ew, it came from my old school?” She laughed and then looked at me. “You know that name is completely offensive, right?”

My jaw was beginning to hurt.

“Yeah,” Leona said from the end of the table. “If I was here then, I would have kneed that Duck in the balls.”

“Inappropriate,” I whispered.

“That’s the thing.” Aiden laughed and turned back to Chloe. “Tessa said if she didn’t let it bother her, it took away the Ducks’ power. That was from Oprah. Right, baby?”

I nodded.

“So she took their power. And I don’t know if you’ve ever seen one of our games, but when the Ducks are here, it’s pure entertainment. As soon as the girls stand up on the sidelines, their starting five have all sprung hard-ons.”

“Aiden,” I said, slapping his leg. There was no need to talk like that. Especially in public. Dressed.

“I’m sorry, Tess. I just think it’s hilarious when any guy thinks he has a chance with you.” He grinned mischievously.

Christian coughed and shifted in the seat next to me.

My face tingled. Was Aiden acting possessive? I’d never heard him say anything like that before.

“Don’t be mad,” he whispered, looking over at me. “I’ll be a good boy.” He licked his lips, taunting me. Daring me to be mad at him. Not possible.

“And how long have you lovebirds been together?” Chloe asked, sounding annoyed. My eyes darted to her. I didn’t like her tone.

“Two years,” Aiden said, leaning over to kiss my arm and look up at me devilishly. I could see his hands slowly inching down his thighs toward me. He was so naughty.

“Stop,” I mouthed to him.

He made a face, scrunching his nose. Then he pulled up, kissed my cheek, and went back to his veggie burger.

“That’s a long time to date,” Chloe said, looking down and picking through her lunch tray. “You must be so sick of each other.” She glanced up at my boyfriend. And smiled.

I gasped. Kira dropped her spork. “Chloe?” she asked. “That is not a nice thing to say. Are you effing with Tessa?” Finally. The voice of reason. And it belonged to Kira. Go figure.

Chloe looked around innocently, touching dramatically at her throat. “God, no. I’d never fuck with a Sex Kitten. You guys are obviously badass.”

Okay. My heart was racing. I didn’t fight and I didn’t swear, but I would raise my voice if I had to.

“Goodbye, Chloe,” Christian said forcefully.

I didn’t look at him; I had his sister’s brown-eyed glare locked in my own. She was right about one thing. Nobody effed with a Smitten Kitten.

“Whatever,” she said, standing up and pushing her tray to the center of the table.

Her attitude needed to be seriously adjusted. In fact, her overall personality needed a makeover.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “See you around, prez.”

My lip curled for a split second, but I caught it. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know she’d gotten to me. I batted my eyelashes at her and smiled. “Have a nice day.”

Chloe flinched like she’d been slapped. Take that. She thought she’d break me. Fat chance. I was a tougher cookie than I appeared. It would take a lot more than a crude word to get me to stoop to her level.

“Goodbye, Aiden,” she said sweetly to him, reaching out to touch his arm when she walked by him.

My. Blood. Boiled.

I dropped my head, taking a deep breath before looking back up at the table. No one saw my temporary loss of perkiness. But when I shot a sideways glance at my boyfriend, he was rubbing his arm. The spot where he’d been touched. There was a dull ache I couldn’t identify. Cap’n Crunch! Was it doubt?

I felt a hand on my back. I swung around.

“I’m really sorry,” Christian said quietly, squatting down behind me. “My sister can be a real bitch—”

I rolled my eyes. Come on with these cussers!

“Brat,” he said quickly. “She’s a real brat sometimes. I’ll talk to her. Make her apologize.”

“Thank you, Christian,” I said cordially, not unaware that his fingers were massaging my vertebrae. I looked nervously at Aiden, but he was staring down at the table, still rubbing his bicep. I swallowed hard and stiffened my back, waiting for Christian to unhand me. He didn’t move.

“Let’s go,” Aiden said to the entire table just as the bell rang. He was up and staring down at Christian and me before the ringing had even stopped. He didn’t look jealous. He looked fine. I blinked quickly. Maybe he
should
be a little jealous.

“Nice seeing you again, Chris,” Aiden said, grabbing my backpack off the cafeteria floor. I stood, letting Christian’s hand fall from my body. My fingers were trembling from the altercation with Chloe. Coupled with Christian’s need to touch me, this had been a very odd lunch.

“Yeah, you too,” Christian said, eyeing my boyfriend.

I slid my hand into Aiden’s as we began to weave through the tables on our way to the hall.

“By the way, it’s
Christian
,” Christian called from behind us.

“Right. Sorry,” Aiden replied, but didn’t turn around.

I smiled. Maybe he was jealous. I held his hand a little tighter.

SOS INTENT TO INVESTIGATE

CASE:
045

CLIENT:
Mandy Morgan

SUBJECT:
Travis Murray

This is the SOS official notice of intent to investigate Travis Murray. The client has accused Mr. Murray of “stepping out with his ex.” It is unclear whether the subject had terminated his previous relationship or “gone back for seconds.” The investigation will begin in 48 hours.

If you wish to cancel this investigation, please text a stop work order to 555-0101. Stop orders must be placed within 24 hours of this written notification.

We trust that this notice will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.

Thank you for thinking of SOS, and we truly hope that our investigation ends with positive results. Have a great day.

Keep smiling,

SOS

Text: 555-0101

Exposing Cheaters for Over Two Years

CHAPTER SEVEN

I SHOULD HAVE ENJOYED GOING TO AIDEN’S HOUSE.
It was really nice. An old Craftsman with intricate woodwork and oriental rugs, filled to the beams with beautiful furniture from around the world. It was also, however, filled with his mother’s scorn for me.

“How’s cheerleading going?” she asked. Her green eyes, creased at the corners, were boring into my face.

“Very well. Thank you for asking.” I smiled at her and then looked across the table at Aiden. He was avoiding her, rolling pasta onto his fork. I wished I could avoid the conversation too.

“That’s nice,” she said. It sounded forced. She hated me. “And your grades?” she asked.

“Tessa’s on the honor roll again,” Aiden said. Aw. I loved it when he was proud of me. I gazed lovingly at him.

His mother didn’t seem as appreciative. “Well,” she said, sucking on her teeth. “Maybe if you two spent less time together, you’d be on the honor roll too, Aiden.”

There was a hiss in my throat, but I forced it down with a sip of water. Aiden didn’t need to be on the honor roll. He was a great athlete and a total sweetheart. Studying just wasn’t his thing. She didn’t adore his adorableness as much as I did.

“Tessa,” his mother said sternly from the head of the table. “Are your parents at all concerned with the amount of time you two spend together? And the late nights?” It was the last part she really didn’t like. Her eyes narrowed on mine.

“Uh, not really,” I said honestly. “My parents love Aiden, and they trust him.”

Mrs. Wilder set down her fork with a clank and took a deep breath. Here it comes.

“Look, Tessa,” she said in fake sweetness. “I think you’re a really nice girl, I do. But I just don’t think it’s healthy for two teenagers to be together as much as you and my son are. You guys really need a break from each other.”

Even though I knew she’d say it—again—my face stung. I was a nice girl (I was glad she’d noticed), but Aiden and I were far from unhealthy. We loved each other. Healthily!

“Mom,” Aiden pleaded, tossing his napkin on the table. She glared at him. He got quiet, and I closed my eyes. Sometimes I just wanted him to speak up.

“You really want to go away to college in such a serious relationship? Without ever having dated anyone else?” she asked, looking at him angrily.

I clenched my fists under the table. That was not okay. Aiden didn’t need to date anyone else. He didn’t even need to
consider
dating anyone else.

“Please, just stop.” Aiden dropped his head in his hands as his elbows rested on the table. He hated fighting with his mother.

She exhaled. “I’m sorry,” she said, although I knew she wasn’t. “It’s just ... I married my high school sweetheart and look how that turned out.” Aiden shifted uncomfortably. “I just want something better for you, Aiden. You have a real chance to make a great life for yourself. You’re a tremendous athlete. You should be focused on school and basketball. I think Tessa has been a huge distraction for you.”

I stood up and folded my napkin neatly, setting it next to my nearly untouched plate. There was only so much I could handle without losing my stuffing. “Aiden,” I interrupted. “I’d like to go home. Can you please bring me?” Shoot. I should have driven myself.

Aiden pushed back in his seat with a loud scrape and gave his mother a disappointed expression. She looked down in her lap. She’d lost this argument.

“I’ll see you at the game, Tessa,” she said, not looking at me.

“Thanks for dinner,” I whispered, unable to lift my head. My chest hurt. I wanted her to like me. I really did. Especially since I loved her son so very much. But ... she didn’t. And there was nothing I could do about it. I nodded and walked to the door.

Aiden whispered something to his mother, but I didn’t catch it. He wouldn’t go home tonight. She knew that. And that was about as rebellious as he got. Tomorrow he’d be back here and they’d get along until the next time we had dinner together. It was a vicious cycle of passive aggressiveness.

Aiden met me at the door, looking down into my face. My cheeks were burning with humiliation and sadness. I sniffled.

His eyes weakened. “Come on, baby,” he said, opening the front door for me. He put his hand on my shoulder and led me out.

The night was cold, and I shivered against it. When we paused at his car, Aiden reached out and completely wrapped me up in his arms. He kissed my mouth forcefully, taking my breath away. When he moved back, I was gasping and feeling decidedly better.

“Well, that was nice,” I said, trying to smile at him.

“I love you,” he said seriously, as if I were arguing that he didn’t. “I love you so fucking much.” My bottom lip jutted out. Aiden looked like he was going to cry, and I’d never let him cry.

I nodded. “I know you do.”

“There’s no break. Don’t listen to that bullshit. It’s not going to happen.”

I raised my eyebrow at his language but didn’t say anything. When he was like this, he was allowed a bad word or two. His mother was a real
b-i-t-c-h
sometimes.

But my sweetie still looked distressed. I knew it was because his mother had brought up his father. Aiden was really sensitive about that. And who wouldn’t be? His dad had left them when Aiden was twelve. He never called, never wrote, nothing. How anyone could forget about Aiden was a crossword puzzle to me.

“Tell me no break,” he whispered, kissing me with his eyes open.

I reached up and swept his hair away from his face. “You’re not going to shake me, point guard. I play man-to-man defense.”

He grinned. He thought it was so cute when I talked basketball. Aiden bent down and kissed my neck softly. “I’m sleeping at your house tonight,” he mumbled into my skin.

“I figured as much,” I said, biting my lip. My hands slid down to his waist.

“And we’re going into overtime tonight, baby.”

I laughed. “Let’s get out of here,” I said, moving back. “Your mom’s probably watching out the window.” I glanced over, and she totally was. Ew!

We got into Aiden’s Jetta, leaving for my house. I pushed his mother’s dirty looks from my mind and imagined next year. Aiden away at Washington State and me still cheering with the Smitten Kittens. We’d be apart, but we’d work it out—we belonged together. We were apple pie a la love.

“She brought up his dad?” Kira asked over the phone, sounding completely sorry for Aiden. I shifted the receiver to my other ear, listening for Aiden, who was taking a shower in the hall bathroom.

“I know,” I said to Kira, walking over to my mirror to check my lip gloss. “I felt awful for him. Just because his dad is a complete jerk doesn’t mean that all relationships are doomed to fail. That woman seriously needs some sunshine in her life.”

“Or maybe Prozac,” Kira said. I grinned and stepped over to my bed, dropping down and sinking into the pillows.

“Sorry about canceling the meeting. You sure you guys don’t mind waiting until tomorrow?” I hated blowing them off, but Aiden was here. There was no way for me to sneak out with him in my bed.

“No bigs,” Kira said. “But we have some pending assignments. Travis Murray is accused of hooking up with his ex-girlfriend, or at least, I think she’s his ex. Either way, it’s going to be a busy week.”

I sighed. “I know. And thanks for listening, K. About Aiden’s mom and all. She really messed with my head tonight. I wished Aiden lived here with me; it’d be so much easier.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’d take
good
care of him.” Kira giggled.

“Be quiet.” But I was smiling. She’d done one heck of a great cheer-up job tonight. The shower in the bathroom turned off with a squeak.

“You and Aiden are like Romeo and Juliet,” Kira said dreamily. “It’s like star-crossed lovers and—”

I furrowed my brow. “K, Romeo and Juliet killed themselves.”

She gasped. “Oh, my word! They did? That is so tragic!”

I held back my laugh. “Hey,” I whispered. “Aiden’s out of the shower. I’ll talk to you in school tomorrow.”

“Night, Tess. Give Aiden a big, sloppy kiss for me.” She giggled.

“Yeah,” I said. “Probably not sloppy, though.” Because that would be gross.

I hung up and set the phone on my side table just as my bedroom door opened. I sat up, admiring Aiden’s lean, wet body draped in just a towel. He noticed.

“Hey,” he said, leaning against the door frame, rubbing another towel in his hair. As I watched him, he wiggled his eyebrows and tossed the wet cloth at me.

It bounced off my shoulder, and I laughed. “Hi.”

“Who were you talking to?” He licked his lip, readjusting the towel around his waist.

“Kira.”

“What’s up with her?”

My insides were complete pudding right now. “She wanted me to give you a big, sloppy kiss.”

“Sloppy, even? That sounds sort of hot.”

I smiled and shook my head. “Quit teasing me and come over here.” I patted my bed. I wanted him. I always wanted him, and there was nothing his mother could say to change that. We didn’t need a break; she was wrong. In my heart, I knew she was wrong about us.

SOS CLIENT REJECTION

CLIENT:
Becky Roth

SUBJECT:
Corey Panchilla

Dear Ms. Roth:

SOS is sorry to inform you that your cheater request has been denied due to the rules of double jeopardy. Although we sympathize with your discovery of a “skanky thong” in the glove compartment of Mr. Panchilla’s car, we are unable to investigate further.

It may be in your best interest to confront Mr. Panchilla yourself or possibly terminate the relationship.

We trust that this report will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.

Please keep in mind that double jeopardy does not apply to your future relationships. SOS is still at your service, and we hope you’ll keep us in mind for referrals. Have a great day.

Keep smiling,

SOS

Text: 555-0101

Exposing Cheaters for Over Two Years