A Young Adult Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  “Well, you ignore them. The football players are so lame. I’m only in band because I want to get into a competitive music school and the counselor said being in the marching band would look good.”

  “I’m tutoring one of the players for the exact same reason. Mr. Brown said it would help me get into Harvard.”

  Jessica grinned. “That must mean we’re kindred spirits.” She put her arm around Trudy and gave her a side-hug. “So, you want to be a lawyer?”

  “No. I want to go into biomedical engineering. The program at Harvard is the best in the country.”

  “Wow. You lost me at bio.” She shook her head. “But that’s cool. You’re one of those smart people. I’m just good at playing instruments.”

  “Which is impressive. I don’t have a musical bone in my body.”

  The band members started standing and climbing down to the field. “Oh, that’s my cue. Gotta go play.” She sprinted down the stairs, the feather on her hat bobbing.

  Trudy watched her bright red hair disappear into the crowd of band players. It sucked that her mother had interfered and made her do this, but at least she’d found someone whom she could sit by.

  When the band was done playing, Jessica climbed back up the bleachers and plopped down next to Trudy. “Who are you tutoring?”

  “Lane Collins.”

  Jessica’s eyes widened. “Lane? Holy cow, he’s hot. How do you not stare at him the entire time?”

  Easy. She knew he was a jerk behind those mesmerizing blue eyes. But she didn’t want to tell Jessica that. “He’s okay.”

  “Okay? He’s got the most amazing smile. And those eyes. It’s like he’s looking into your soul.”

  “Yeah, but…” Trudy stopped herself from going further.

  Jessica squinted. “But what?”

  Great. Thanks to her big, fat mouth, now she had to say something. She sighed, not sure she wanted to go into it, but when she opened her mouth, the words just came out. “He and Gabe made me the subject of a bet.”

  “Whaaaat?” Jessica leaned back. “Are you kidding me? What kind of a bet?”

  “Gabe bet Lane couldn’t get me to go to Homecoming with him.”

  Jessica wrinkled her nose. “Why would he bet that?”

  “I don’t know. Gabe hates me. They’re planning something if I do go. Something to embarrass me, and all I can think of is someone dumping dog food on me, or throwing rotten eggs at my head.” Why was she still talking? This was not something she wanted to get out around the school.

  Jessica hmphed. “That’s so mean. What idiots.”

  “I know. But Mr. Brown made me tutor him, so I’m stuck until he raises his grades. And he keeps flirting and asking me out, which I know is fake, and it’s making me so mad.”

  Jessica’s cheeks turned red. “I can’t believe he’d do that. Jerk!”

  “Right?” Even though Trudy hadn’t wanted to talk about it, she was glad she did. Jessica getting mad on her behalf felt good. She needed someone on her side.

  Jessica fiddled with her flute. “You know what you should do? Find a way to get back at him.”

  “Back at him?” Trudy looked down at her hands. “How?”

  “I don’t know. Go along with it. Make him think you’re totally into him. Then right before the Homecoming dance, let him know you knew about the bet all along and was just pretending, and you don’t want to go with him.” Jessica nudged her. “He’ll lose the bet and it will teach him a lesson.”

  Hmm. That wasn’t a bad idea. If Lane thought he was winning the bet, maybe he wouldn’t be so flirty. She could get him off her back. The more Trudy thought about it, the more she liked it. “And then he’d be the one embarrassed.”

  “Right.”

  “You’re a genius.” Trudy almost kissed Jessica. That was the perfect plan. She could make Lane feel like he was succeeding, then drop the bomb on him and leave him hanging.

  “I know.” Jessica gave her a devious smile.

  Trudy laughed and, for the first time in a long time, she felt her spirits lighten.

  After the game, Lane came running up the bleacher steps, his helmet under his arm. Sweat matted his hair to his forehead, but for some stupid reason, he still looked hot. “Wait for me by the locker rooms. I’ll shower fast.” Then he winked and turned around.

  Jessica snorted after he was out of earshot. “Oh. My. Gosh. He is laying it on thick, isn’t he?”

  “Uh, huh.” She stuck her finger in her open mouth and made a gagging noise.

  “I can’t wait to hear what he does when you start flirting back. You gotta text me tonight when you’re done with your date.” Jessica pulled out her phone. “What’s your number?”

  They exchanged numbers and Jessica left to change out of her band uniform. Trudy picked up her purse and made her way to where the doors to the boys’ locker rooms were. A group of cheerleaders was milling about, waiting for the football players to come out.

  A couple of them eyeballed her, but no one said anything to her. When Lane came through the doors, one blonde cheerleader practically wrapped herself around him. “Great job tonight, Lane.”

  He wiggled himself out of her grasp. “Thanks, Becky.”

  “Are you going to Grind it Up with all of us?”

  “I’m going with Trudy.”

  “Who?” Becky’s gaze snapped over to Trudy. Yeah, like she didn’t know.

  Lane ignored the question and left Becky’s side, walking up to Trudy. “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” It sounded like she was agreeing to go to a funeral. She plastered on a smile. “I mean, yes. Let’s go.” She looped her hand through the crook of his arm, like she’d seen other girls do.

  Lane looked a bit surprised at this but covered it well with a smile. “Come on. My car’s around back.”

  She gave Becky a smug look as they rounded the corner. The death glare that Becky shot back was oddly satisfying.

  Trudy fiddled with her sleeve. Lane noticed. “Oh, are you cold? Here, have my coat.” He shrugged out of his letterman jacket and put it around her shoulders.

  It was warm and smelled like Lane, which was a weird thing for her to notice, but she played the part of a flirty girl and batted her eyes at him. “Thanks, Lane.”

  His smile widened. “What’s up with you tonight? You’re acting different.”

  Oops. Maybe she was being too obvious. She needed to calm it down. “Nothing. Just happy to get out of the house.”

  “Man, I know how that is.” He opened the passenger side of a black and yellow Corvette, and Trudy slid onto the seat.

  When he’d made his way around the other side and opened his door, she leaned over and said, “Nice car.”

  “My dad bought this for me for my birthday.” His voice was low and unenthusiastic.

  The way he said it was curious to her. She pulled on the seatbelt and clicked it into place. “And you didn’t like it?”

  He gave her a questioning look. “What?”

  “You just don’t seem to be very happy about the car.”

  He shrugged. “I love the car. It’s just that Mom yelled at him for three days over it. Kind of soured the gift.”

  She could see the hurt in his eyes. Man, that would be terrible, to get such a great birthday present, but then have your parents fighting about it. How uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure what to say to him. “That sucks.”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “But it is a sweet ride.” He pulled out of the parking lot.

  “So, the whole team will be at Grind it Up?” She tugged on the sleeves of his letterman jacket, pulling them down over her wrists.

  “Yep. It will be great.” He glanced at her and his smile fell. “Unless you’d rather go somewhere else.”

  She really didn’t want to be around all the jocks that called her Prudy. But was going somewhere alone with Lane a better choice? She mulled it over for a split second before saying, “Is it that obvious?”

  “You don’t like my friends?”
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  What was she supposed to say to that? She bit her lip and contemplated. Should she be frank with him? He was looking at her like he really wanted to know. She decided to lay it on the line. “Would you like to hang out with people who called you names?”

  Lane’s eyes widened and his neck turned red. “Trudy. I’m sorry. I never even thought…” He swallowed then swerved into a turn lane. “We don’t have to go to Grind it Up. Let’s do something else fun.”

  It was amazing how much relief poured over Trudy. She’d been more worried about it then even she realized. “Like what?”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Actually, yes. I’m starved.”

  “Then I know just the place. It’s open until midnight, and they serve the best food.” He grinned at her. “Do you like Asian food?”

  “Love it.” Trudy found herself actually looking forward to it.

  Ten minutes later, Lane pulled into a parking lot next to a building with a bright sign that read, “Asian Buffet.”

  “They have the best egg drop soup here.”

  Lane opened her door for her and they entered the restaurant. After the server took their drink orders, they stood up and grabbed plates. Trudy filled hers with rice, orange chicken and some amazing-looking stuffed mushrooms, steamed mussels, and a myriad of other things. By the time she sat back down, her mouth was watering. Lane slid into the booth opposite her.

  “This smells delicious.”

  “It’s the best. I love this place.”

  As they ate, Trudy watched Lane. Yes, she had to admit he was good-looking. His blue eyes were stunning, with dark and light specks. And dang, he had the longest eyelashes she’d ever seen. How unfair. Her own stumpy eyelashes were barely noticeable.

  He grinned at her. “What are you thinking?”

  Oh, yeah. Like she would tell him that. She felt her face heat up. “Nothing.”

  His eyebrows raised. “Come on. Tell me.”

  She had no desire to do that, so she made something up. “Just thinking about my sister.”

  His gaze dropped to his soup. “Oh.” When he looked back up at her, she could see the reservation in his eyes. “How is she? I mean, is she going to…”

  Tears stung before she could stop them. She blinked, trying to stave them off.

  “I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to say.” Lane backpedaled. “Just forget I asked.” Then he whispered under his breath, “I’m so stupid.”

  Trudy shook her head, feeling a little sorry for him. “You’re not stupid.”

  Lane pointed to her plate. “Did you like the mussels? I’m trying to decide if I want to try them. I’ve never had them before and they kind of freak me out.”

  He was obviously trying to change the subject, which was okay with her. She didn’t want to talk about her sister. “They’re good.” She picked one up and stuck it on his plate. “Go ahead. Try it.”

  He poked the fleshy part with his fork. “It looks like rubber.”

  “Their texture is a bit rubbery, but they don’t taste like rubber. If you like seafood, you’ll like them.”

  Lane made a face. “I’ll try it, but only on your recommendation. If I don’t like it, it’s your fault.”

  She laughed. “Deal.”

  He stuck his fork in the meat of the mussel and tried to scoop it up, but it was attached to the shell. “It’s not coming off.”

  “Pull harder.”

  “I’m pulling! It’s stuck. Why am I eating something that is stuck to a shell? It’s going to be hard to chew, I can tell.”

  “My word.” Trudy reached across the table and took his fork, twisted the mussel off the shell, then gave it back to him.

  He stared at it. “Are you sure it’s good?”

  “You’re such a baby. Just eat it.”

  “All right, all right.” His lips quirked and she could tell he was milking this. If he didn’t look so cute, she would want to smack him. “I’ll do it.”

  She waited until he put it in his mouth then yelled, “Wait!”

  He busted up laughing as he chewed. “You’re terrible.”

  “Just kidding around.” She watched him chew then swallow. “What did you think?”

  “I think it’s an acquired taste.”

  She smiled. “Okay. I’ll give you that one.” She twisted a mussel from its shell and popped it into her mouth. “Mmm.”

  He pointed to her mushrooms. “Have you tried those yet? They’re to die for.”

  She cut one in half and stabbed it. She put it into her mouth and the taste of mushroom, cream cheese and crab meat filled her mouth. “Delicious,” she said after she swallowed.

  “You gotta try…” Lane’s gaze froze on something across the restaurant and his words fell away. The color drained from his face.

  Trudy turned to look but didn’t see anything odd. “What are you looking at?”

  Lane swallowed, an unreadable expression on his face. “That’s my mom.”

  She turned to look again. A woman with the same dark hair as Lane sported sat across a booth from a distinguished-looking man. “Oh. Are you not supposed to be here? Will you get into trouble if your parents see you?”

  Lane seemed distracted. “Uh, no.” He stared at the couple.

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “That’s my mom. But that’s not my dad.”

  Chapter 6

  Lane’s stomach twisted as he watched his mother laugh and touch the other man’s hand. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t have caught his mother cheating on his father. The thought of his mother with another man made him want to throw up. But he couldn’t force himself to look away. It was like his eyes were glued to them.

  Trudy sucked in a breath. “Oh, Lane. I’m so sorry.”

  Her words barely registered. He felt like he was having an out of body experience, watching from above what was going on a few booths away from him. And then his mother stood, smiled and waved goodbye to the man, and walked out of the restaurant. The man sat for a minute before getting up and leaving.

  “Are you okay?” Trudy’s eyebrows pulled together.

  He blinked and looked at her. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  “Do you want to go?”

  He glanced down at her plate, still half-full of food. “No. We can stay. Eat.” He pointed his fork at her meal.

  “Are you sure? You don’t look so good.”

  He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “My parents fight all the time. I know my mom’s not happy, but I never thought she’d cheat.” Lane shook his head. Why was he telling her this? He was such an idiot. He didn’t want her spreading rumors about his family life around school. That would be the worst.

  “I’m sorry.” Trudy reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

  It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot to Lane. He rubbed his thumb over her skin. It was soft and warm. He appreciated her support. She withdrew her hand, and for some reason, he missed it.

  They were silent as Trudy finished eating, and Lane pushed his food around his plate. He’d lost his appetite. When she was done, the server brought over their ticket and he paid. Then they stood and Trudy held out his jacket to him. “Here. It’s probably even colder out now.”

  “You keep it. You can give it back to me on Monday.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” He hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets. “You are colder than I am.”

  She stared at him for a second, and he wished he could open up her head and see what she was thinking. She was probably feeling sorry for him. “Thanks,” she finally said.

  He led her to his car and opened the door for her. After he pulled back into the school parking lot and parked by her car, he turned to her. He had to get back to the bet. Back to what he was supposed to be doing, making Trudy like him. “So, was that as horrible as you thought it would be?” He put on a flirtatious smile.

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re so full of yourself, you’re going to
have trouble getting out of your car.”

  He chuckled then sobered. “Thanks for going out with me tonight. I had fun.”

  She looked at him with sad eyes. “I’m glad.”

  He waited until she got into her Toyota and drove away before putting his car into drive. When he got home, his mother looked up from the book she was reading. She was curled up in her favorite chair in the living room. “Did you win your game?”

  His throat tightened as he looked at her. There she was, sitting all calmly in the chair. Like she hadn’t spent the evening with another man. He finally nodded. “Yeah.”

  She smiled. “Great. I knew you could do it. Did you go out with friends afterwards?”

  He swallowed, heat creeping up his neck. “Yeah. I’m tired, Mom. Can I go to bed?”

  “Sure,” she said. “Good night, sweetie.”

  “Good night, Mom.”

  Lane ran up the stairs and flopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. A hole seemed to open in his chest. His mother was seeing another man. She was sneaking around behind his father’s back. And she didn’t care what it would do to their family.

  It was stupid to get all broken up over his mother. He was seventeen. He knew things like this happened. It shouldn’t get to him like this, but he couldn’t help it. He hated the thought.

  His phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his pocket. There was a text from Trudy.

  Hey, just wanted to be sure you’re okay. You looked pretty upset tonight.

  Lane smiled despite the awful feeling in his chest. Trudy was starting to warm to him. He was so going to win this bet. He couldn’t wait to see Gabe have to eat his words and shave his head.

  I’m fine. Thank you for caring.

  When she didn’t say anything back to him, he texted again. Can I ask you something?

  She answered right away. Sure.

  What are you wearing?

  You pig.

  Lane laughed when she texted a pig emoji. He sat up and typed a return message. Just kidding. Thought I might make you laugh.

  It didn’t work. But I did snort like a pig, so there’s that.

  Lane imagined Trudy snorting and it made him chuckle. I wish I would have been there to hear that.