“Did you kiss him?”
That was Jessica. Right to the point. No beating around the mulberry tree, or whatever the saying was. She couldn’t think straight. It was a problem she was having ever since that kiss.
Trudy sighed and sat back in her chair. She was so dead. As soon as Jessica found out she kissed him—and liked it—Jessica would freak. Not just a tiny freak. She was going to go supernova freak on her.
Jessica squinted at her, studying her face. “You’re not saying anything. Why aren’t you saying anything? What happened last night? Why aren’t you talking?”
Lane tossed his tray down on the table next to Trudy and leaned down, kissing her on the lips. “Hey. How’s it going?”
Jessica looked like she was going to explode out her eyeballs. And half the lunchroom had apparently seen it because the same expression was on their faces as well.
Trudy felt heat rush to her face, and she gathered up her sleeves in her hands. “Uh…”
Lane either didn’t realize he’d just stunned half the room or didn’t care because he took the chair next to hers, flipped it and sat on it backwards then picked up his sub sandwich and took a bite. “Mmm. This is good.”
He swallowed then motioned. “Hey, you must be Jessica. Thanks, by the way.” He shot her a devastatingly handsome grin. “Really enjoyed your text last night.”
Trudy finally found her tongue. “Jess, this is Lane. Lane, Jessica.” Oh. My. Word. Was she introducing them like nothing had just happened? What was this, 1950?
Jessica leaned on the table with one arm. “My text?”
Lane took another bite and nodded. “Yeah,” he said around his sandwich. “The one where you told Trudy to kiss me.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Trudy wondered if she could die from embarrassment. Or at least faint. Maybe that was a possibility.
Jessica shot a meaningful look towards her before looking back at him and picking up her chocolate milk. “Oh, really? Do tell. Because Trudy isn’t saying anything.”
Lane suddenly froze. “Oh. I’m sorry.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Trudy. “Was this thing between us a secret?” A worried expression made his forehead wrinkle.
Jessica grinned. “No. It’s definitely not a secret. In fact, the whole school can know. Right, Trudy?” She elbowed her in the side.
Trudy had so many mixed emotions running through her, she didn’t know what to think. She liked Lane, even though she knew about the bet. He just didn’t seem like he was the kind of guy who would hurt her. But she didn’t want Jessica to know. She swallowed down the acid in her throat and nodded. “Yeah.”
Lane grinned. “Good. Because I feel like telling the world we’re going out. Let’s hang out with the gang Friday after the game. You’re free, right?”
His blue-eyed gaze met hers and Trudy wanted to give up the whole thing. Right there. Tell him she knew about the bet, tell him why she’d kissed him and then sink into the floor. But her hesitation only made Jessica kick her in the shin.
“Ow.” She rubbed her leg. “Sorry. Random cramp. Yes, I’m free Friday night.”
Lane finished his sandwich with another large bite then drank his carton of milk before grinning at her. “Great. See you tonight. I’ll pick you up again, and we can study at my place. I kind of liked that.” He leaned over and brushed another quick kiss across her lips before standing. “I’d better run. I have to hand in a paper to Mr. Peterman before the bell rings.”
After he was out of earshot, Jessica squealed and grabbed her arm. “You kissed him! You did it! He’s so cocky about winning this bet. Did you see him? He thinks you’re all into him. You are going to pull this off!”
Trudy felt like her insides were at war with each other. Her stomach tightened and her heart beat loudly. “Yeah.” She slumped in her chair.
“This is going to be epic. You know what you should do? You should line up another date for the dance. So you can…”
Jessica kept talking, but Trudy was done listening. This whole thing seemed wrong. Why was she doing this? She didn’t want to hurt Lane. Maybe she should just go to the dance with Lane and see what happened. She didn’t think he had it in him to do something humiliating to her.
A voice came over the loud speaker. “Would Trudy Ward and Lane Collins please report to the office?” The speaker clicked off and Trudy’s gut clenched. Were they in trouble?
Jessica picked up her milk. “What’s that about?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, you’d better hurry. Next period starts in ten minutes.”
Trudy had eaten hardly anything. She picked up her tray and tossed the uneaten food in the trash bin and placed the tray in the holder. Whatever it was, she hoped it didn’t take long. She didn’t want to miss any more calculus class.
She hurried to the office and Miss Diaz waved her in. “Mr. Brown would like to talk to you.”
Maybe he just wanted to know how the tutoring was going. Or congratulate her on a job well done, since Lane was convinced he’d aced the last test. Yes, that must be it. She walked into the room and smiled at Mr. Brown. He did not respond likewise. And the football coach stood awkwardly against the wall. What was going on? She sat on one of the two chairs in front of Mr. Brown’s desk.
Lane walked into the room. “Hey, Coach.” His smile faded as he looked at the expressions on everyone’s faces. “What’s up?”
“Have a seat, Lane,” the coach said.
Lane plopped down, sinking into his chair like a deflated football.
Mr. Brown leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “Thank you both for coming. I know the next period is about to start, so I’m going to get right to it.” He took in a deep breath then exhaled. “I am deeply disturbed by what happened yesterday.”
Lane looked just as confused as she was. “What happened?” Trudy asked.
“Mrs. Foster noticed some unusual behavior during the test. Let me show you what she saw.” He turned his computer monitor around so it faced them. He clicked on his keyboard and an aerial view of their calculus class came on the screen. It was in black and white, but you could see all the students in the class, their heads bent down, concentrating on their tests.
And then Lane peered over at her paper. He went back to his own, jotting something down. Then he looked again. Heat spread throughout her body as she watched Lane cheat off her test. How could he? Did he not learn anything from their tutoring sessions? Was this the plan all along?
She knew he prized football over everything else. If he got kicked off the team, all his future plans would go down the toilet. But to cheat? She thought he was above that. As she watched him continually look at her paper, her anger turned into fury. She sent him a death stare.
Lane shot up from his chair. “Coach. That’s not what it looks like. I wasn’t cheating. I was—”
“Lane.” Mr. Brown waved his hand. “Sit down. We’re not here to argue with you. It’s clear to us from this video what was going on.”
The coach shifted. “I’m disappointed in you, Lane.”
“But—”
“Please.” The principal gave one of his do-this-or-else looks. “Sit.”
Lane snapped his mouth shut with an audible click to his teeth. He sat down.
“You know the school policy on cheating. You will be suspended for three days.”
It suddenly dawned on Trudy what was happening. He was using the collective ‘you.’ She was getting suspended as well. Her throat closed up. “Mr. Brown, I had no idea Lane was looking at my paper. Watch the video. Can’t you see I was concentrating? I wasn’t letting him cheat.”
Mr. Brown looked like he was reprimanding a child. “You were holding your paper so he could have a clear view, Miss Ward.”
Panic closed around her and she couldn’t breathe. Tears threatened to spill out. “Please. Look at the video. I had no idea.”
Sympathy filled Mr. Brown’s eyes and he slowly nodded. “I’ll review it again and
let you know my decision before the end of the school day. I will let you attend classes today.” Then he turned to Lane. “Unfortunately, you will have to leave, Mr. Collins. Your three-day suspension will start today. You may come back to school starting Monday.”
“But—”
“I’m sorry. I know this means you will be kicked off the team. I can’t help that. It’s school policy. We don’t tolerate cheating.”
Lane raked his hand through his hair, a desperate plea on his face, his gaze bouncing between Coach and Mr. Brown. “Please, Coach. I swear to you. I didn’t cheat.”
The coach walked toward Lane. “The decision is final. My advice is to use this as a learning experience.” He placed a hand on Lane’s shoulder. “You are a bright young man. Your whole future lies ahead of you. Don’t waste it. You’re better than this, Lane.”
Lane was now the one who looked like he was fighting back tears. “I swear,” he whispered, but it did no good. Coach motioned to the door. “Bye, Lane. I hope you’ll come back with a better attitude.”
Lane stood with about as much bad attitude as a person could have, shaking the coach’s grip off his shoulder. He stalked out of the office like it was on fire. Mr. Brown turned to Trudy. “Come back to my office after school. I’ll give you my decision then.”
Trudy felt like an elephant was standing on her chest, pressing down so hard she couldn’t take in any air. “Okay,” she choked out as she stood and left his office. The bell rang as she walked to her locker.
Curses flew around in her head as she pulled out her books. She was the stupidest girl in the world. How could she not see Lane was lying this whole time? He was a manipulative, dirty rotten rat. And she was ready now. Ready to get him good. Forget listing five things. Getting Lane back was what she needed to feel better.
She slipped into her calculus seat just before the second bell rang. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and hid it under her desk, texting Jessica.
You won’t believe this. Lane cheated off me yesterday. I might get suspended. I am so going to make him pay.
Jessica’s text came back quickly.
Game on.
You got that right.
Chapter 14
Lane slammed his car door and kicked the tire for good measure. How could Mr. Brown and Coach do this to him? They didn’t even let him talk. If they would have let him explain, maybe they could have seen that Lane had solved the problems himself. He hadn’t been getting the answers from Trudy. Only seeing the beginning step. Lane was so furious, he couldn’t stand it. He needed to let off some steam. He sprinted inside and changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
He strapped on his phone to his arm and turned on his favorite playlist, putting the buds in his ears. As he ran, 21 Pilots blared, settling him into a rhythm.
This was so unfair. He was off the team, and Trudy probably hated him. He wouldn’t be able to get a football scholarship. And there was no way he’d get an academic scholarship. He could barely keep a 2.5 grade average. His life was ruined. And it was all his own stupid fault for being so dumb.
Each time his foot connected with concrete, the jolt sent another wave of heat through him. All his life, all he’d wanted to do was play football. When his friends were lying around watching movies, he was outside, practicing. Throwing the ball. Running. Training. He was made to play. And he was good.
He’d quickly excelled at the sport in middle school, and by high school his father had said he had a good shot at going pro. This was his senior year. There was no way he would be able to try again next year. This was it. Dead end. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
He ran harder, his muscles burning. His life was in the toilet. His father was going to blow up when he found out about his suspension and getting kicked off the team. He would yell so loud the neighbors might call the cops again. Like last month when he found out about the high phone bill. That was embarrassing.
Lane ran until his lungs screamed for air and he had to slow down. Why had he looked at Trudy’s paper? Why did he think that was a good idea? He should have been able to remember what she taught him without that. But math was so confusing to him, he couldn’t remember how to start. So dumb. He ruined his own career before it ever got started. He wanted to kick himself for his stupidity.
His phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his armband. Trudy had sent him a text.
Hey. How are you? I’m worried about you.
He let out a breath of relief and texted her back.
I’m upset but doing okay. Dealing with it. I’m glad you’re not mad at me.
She didn’t answer back right away, and he crossed the street to the park. He walked on the trails for a minute then found a bench to sit on. Someone had carved ‘Sheila loves Jeff’ on it. The wood had worn over the years, and he wondered if Sheila and Jeff were still together.
I’d like to see you tonight. Will that be okay?
Would that be okay? That would be the highlight of his day. This completely sucky, stinky day. He checked his watch. School just got out. If he jogged home and showered, he could be with Trudy in a half-hour. His fingers flew over the screen.
I can pick you up in thirty minutes, if you want, since I don’t have practice today. He ended it with a frowny emoji.
As long as you don’t mind me finishing my other homework at your house.
Nope. I don’t mind. See you soon.
Finally, his dark mood began to lift. He was still suspended, off the team, but at least Trudy didn’t totally hate him. He’d explain things to her. At least she was on his side.
Trudy grinned at Jessica and stuffed her phone in her pocket as she leaned against her locker. “He bought it. He’s going to pick me up in thirty minutes.”
Jessica held her flute case under her arm and clapped her hands. “You go, girl. You get that dignity back.”
“I just can’t believe he cheated off my paper. I’m so glad Mr. Brown reviewed the video and concluded I wasn’t cheating. If I had gotten suspended…” She couldn’t finish that sentence. Her anger and humiliation would have been too much.
“I’m so glad you didn’t get into trouble. The jerk.”
“He’s got to be the laziest idiot who ever walked these walls. I fell for it too. The whole innocent look he’s got. Man, it’s a killer.”
“Don’t look into his eyes. Don’t let him hypnotize you.” Jessica pointed at her as if that would ward off Lane’s good looks.
“You got that right,” Trudy said under her breath. From now on, it was going to be all fake. She wasn’t going to believe a word he said. And she was going to freeze her heart so nothing he did affected it. One week and she’d get her revenge on him.
“Good luck,” Jessica said as she turned on her heel. She walked down the hallway, swinging her flute case as she went.
Trudy slammed her locker closed and walked outside toward her car. It was a warm day, and she turned on her air conditioning as she pulled out of the parking lot, her tires crunching on the gravel.
Lane was dead to her. And her feelings were dead toward him. All she had to do was pretend everything was fine for one week. She could do that, right? Then she’d be done with him and could go on with her life.
She parked her car and walked up the sidewalk. The lawn needed mowing again. It had become Trudy’s job ever since the move. Ever since her Dad had to work long hours to pay medical bills, and no one else was around to do it. She sighed. This weekend. She’d do it Saturday.
Sliding the key, she unlocked the door and let herself in. Lane would be there in a few minutes. She tossed her bookbag on the couch and plopped down.
The house seemed quieter than normal, which was odd because she was used to no one being home. Why would it feel any different? She laid her head back and closed her eyes. Just one more year, and then she could get out of this city. Leave Wisconsin altogether. Go to college. She could truly start her own life.
She sat for a minute, listening to the hum of so
mething running in the background. The refrigerator, maybe? She didn’t feel motivated to start on her homework. Not when Lane was coming to pick her up any minute. She’d have to gather it all up anyway.
Man, why was it so quiet? She could hear the ticking of the clock on the mantle. Why was she noticing that? And then it dawned on her. Jasper’s usually making noise. He hadn’t run to meet her when she’d come in. That was odd. He was always excited to see her after school. She stood up. “Jasper, are you hungry?”
Opening a can of cat food always caught his attention, so she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a can from the cupboard. She pulled back on the tab and the can made the metal scraping metal sound. “Jasper! Time to eat.”
The smell of tuna met her nose. She scooped out the cat food, confused when he didn’t come racing in. She even tapped the spoon on the side of the bowl, clinking it. As she set the bowl down on the floor, still without the cat, a dark feeling crept into her chest. “Jasper?”
She walked through the house, looking in all of his favorite hiding places, but they were all empty. He wasn’t under her bed. Wasn’t in her closet or curled up on the bathmat. He wasn’t sitting on her dirty laundry pile.
She went back into the kitchen to see if he’d found the bowl of food. No cat. Her fingers began to tremble. Where was he? And then she saw the curtain move. She ran and threw back the fabric. The window was open, and the screen had a large hole in it. Jasper was gone.
The doorbell rang and, for a split second, Trudy had the crazy notion that Jasper had somehow made his way to the front door to ring the bell. But then she realized it must be Lane. She rushed to get it, her heart in her throat. What if Jasper had been out all day? How far away had he gotten?
She opened the door, tears blurring her vision. Lane took a step toward her, his eyebrows pulling together. “What’s wrong?”
“My cat. He got out. I don’t know where he is.” She tugged her sleeves down, gathering them in her hands. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t lose Jasper. Not when she’d lost everything else in her life. She struggled to breathe as the worst possibilities flashed through her mind.
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