How to Kiss a Bad Boy

by Ashby, Amanda

  “I like that he’s private,” Via said in a firm voice. “It’s better than being one of those know-it-all idiots who like to tell the entire world their business.”

  Frankie blinked and dragged her mind away from the Jackson-induced haze she’d been living in since yesterday.

  “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  “Sure it is,” Via said in an overly bright voice. Somewhere in the background was the rustle of leaves. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Er, I don’t know. But you’re sounding weird.”

  “No, you’re sounding weird,” Via countered, followed by another rustle of leaves.

  Leaves?

  “Via, where are you?”

  Her friend let out a sigh. “Fine. I’m up a tree.”

  “You’re up a tree? I don’t understand. Trees are full of nature, and you’re scared of heights. What could possibly make you do it?”

  “It’s a long story…actually, no it’s not. Hudson’s here.”

  “Hudson Trent?” Frankie’s phone almost fell from her hands. “As in your archenemy?”

  “The one and only.”

  No wonder her friend had been acting strangely. The pair had hated each other since Via’s eighth-grade science fair project had gone terribly wrong. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if Hudson hadn’t thrown a jug of water over her while she was wearing a white T-shirt, which pretty much went transparent and showed the entire class her bra, complete with tiny kittens on it.

  “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

  “Same reason you didn’t sell your Summerfest tickets. Denial. I’ve also been busy hiding. So far I’ve missed a family picnic and two afternoon swimming races. He hasn’t seen me once. I only have to survive seven more days and I’m in the clear. I think I’ve found my superpower.”

  “But from what you said, Camp Doom is tiny. Not much bigger than a playing field.”

  “Hence why it’s my superpower,” Via said as the rustling noise increased.

  “Via, this is crazy. You need to get out of that tree. What if you fall?”

  “Please, I’m not going to fall. I have science on my side. Don’t worry. I have everything under control. Enjoy your date and I’ll call you tomorrow. Crap. I’ve just spotted him. I’ve got to go.”

  “But—”

  Via was gone.

  Frankie stared at the phone. No one ever ruffled her friend’s feathers. Nobody but Hudson.

  She put on some more lip gloss and left the bowling alley. Jackson was leaning against the wall, sketching in a small notebook. The sinking sun left him half in shadows, but when he looked at her, the light hit his face and she grinned.

  We’re on a date.

  He thrust the notebook back into his jacket pocket and returned her smile. The fact he was as happy as she was sent a blast of warmth through her.

  “Hey, everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” Frankie said as she reached him. Then she wrinkled her nose. “Well, not exactly. I think Via’s having a crisis. She was hiding up a tree.”

  “A tree?” He raised an eyebrow as they walked across the parking lot. His arm grazed hers and more warmth flooded her. “Didn’t you say she hates nature?”

  “With a passion,” Frankie agreed, just as voices drifted over, joined by a low thump of a bass line coming from a car stereo. A few bays down, a truck was parked, with some kids she vaguely recognized from school.

  There was an excited squeal, and a blur of red hair raced toward them.

  “Hell.” Jackson swore softly under his breath as the blur came to a halt. It was Tania Wise.

  She was wearing leather pants and a halter top and looked like she could get into a club if she wanted to.

  “You’re here! Why haven’t you returned my calls?” Tania swayed. Her green eyes were fixed directly on him, ignoring Frankie completely.

  “Because I’ve got nothing to say to you.” Jackson’s voice was glacial, and his face was a granite mask. Just like he’d worn when Frankie had first met him. “You’re drunk. Go home, Tania.”

  “Night’s young. Don’t you want to know why I was calling?”

  “No.” His jaw was clenched.

  All the happiness of the bowling was gone. The joking banter. The softness in his eyes. Frankie’s throat tightened.

  “Don’t be a fool, J. Take the job. And you could also…” She trailed off, her lips all glossy.

  “Not going to happen.” Jackson ground the words out like a sledgehammer. Tania’s face tightened, and she swung toward Frankie, eyes narrow.

  “Enjoy it while you can. Because when he’s done, he’ll just cut and run. Bail on you.”

  Bail?

  Frankie stiffened as Jackson’s voice broke into a primal growl.

  “Tania—”

  “Don’t bother, J.” She held up a manicured nail, red hair trailing over her shoulders. “What I don’t get is why you keep trying to fight who you are? You’re playing uptown boy, but we all know the truth.”

  An engine revved, and a guy with a sleeve of tattoos stood up on the back of the truck. “Come on, we’re going. Now.”

  She gave Jackson one last lingering gaze and then walked back to the truck, swaying as she went. A moment later the truck disappeared from the parking lot. The throbbing bass seemed to linger, and Jackson was still standing there. Frozen.

  Silence dragged out between them, and Frankie’s stomach churned. “Is that true? You left her? I thought from what you said that the breakup was mutual.”

  He shut his eyes and was silent.

  It was true.

  Jackson had glossed over the split like it was no big deal.

  When he’s done, he’ll just cut and run. Bail on you.

  “It’s complicated,” he said slowly, as if trying to measure his words. His chest rose and fell. “Her dad and mine were friends. Close friends. I’ve known Tania since we were kids. And…I thought she was different.” More silence. “After we were dating for a couple of months her dad took me to one side and wanted me to start selling for him.”

  “Selling what?”

  He let out a harsh bark of laughter. “Drugs, Frankie. I said no and quit. I thought Tania and I were still solid. I didn’t want to be the jerk guy who accused her dad of being a dealer, so I kept my mouth shut. It never occurred to me she knew. But turned out she didn’t see what the fuss was. So, yeah. I did bail and avoided going anywhere she might be. I still do.”

  There had been a reason. Then guilt wound through her that she’d doubted him.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” She tried to meet his gaze, but he was still looking down at the ground.

  “Because that’s not the kind of person I want to be.” He was unmoving. Cold, as if he’d been hit by a sudden ice storm. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, that you had to see that part of my life.”

  Pain flashed in his eyes, and she reached for his hand. His skin was rough but warm, and his fingers tightened around hers in response.

  “You don’t need to explain it. I know who you are, Jackson,” she said, and he finally let out a shuddering breath.

  “Thanks. Sorry our date was ruined.”

  “Someone told me friends don’t keep apologizing,” she said. He wasn’t who the world thought he was. “Besides, you can make it up on our next date.”

  The frozen expression faded. “There’s going to be a next date?”

  “I sure hope so. It’s Lo and Johnny’s engagement party this Saturday. I know you haven’t decided if you’re going or not. But, if you did want to come…”

  Something flashed across his face, but it was gone before she could even tell what it was. He used his finger to tilt her chin toward him. Butterflies pounded in her belly.

  “Are you sure about this, Frankie?”

  He was referring to the party, but the weight in his voice suggested it was about more than that. Warmth once again flooded her skin. He was giving her a choice.

  “I’ve never
been more certain of anything in my life.”

  xxxx

  “Do you think she will like it?” Chelsea demanded as Jackson shrugged on his jacket and grabbed his car keys. He stopped and studied the latest drawing his sister had done. It was of a stick figure holding a large trophy. He let out a pained groan.

  “Did Frankie tell you about her bowling victory?” he demanded in a mock serious tone. “I swear I need to keep you two separated.”

  “She said you’d say that.” Chelsea giggled, and he gave her a quick hug while plucking the drawing out of her hands. It had been two days since the run-in with Tania, and Frankie had been amazing.

  When they had been faced with Tania, he’d figured for sure they’d be over. And he wouldn’t have blamed her. No one wanted to deal with a drunk ex.

  Or the fact he’d lied to her. Well, lied by omission.

  And it wasn’t just Tania. It was everyone she’d been hanging out with. Guys with jackets, bad attitudes, and long juvie records. Up until a few weeks ago that’s exactly how Frankie had seen him.

  But now?

  It was like being given the keys to some secret club he never knew existed.

  How the other half lived. How he wanted to live.

  “Momma!” Chelsea squealed as their mom appeared from her bedroom, her face gray. She’d been doing double shifts, and it was showing. Guilt caught in his throat. He wasn’t earning nearly as much as he had been on the construction site last year.

  “Morning, beautiful. Did Jackson make you breakfast?” she said, though her smile seemed forced. Something was wrong.

  “Hey, Chelsea. You want to go and read a story to Miss Sparkles?” he said, and his little sister darted into the other room. Jackson folded his arms. “What’s going on?”

  Her mouth tightened as if unsure whether to answer him. Then she let out a sigh. “I got laid off. He said he doesn’t have enough work. Truth is it’s cheaper for him to hire school kids. Especially over the summer.”

  “Did he give you any notice?” He kept his voice low so Chelsea wouldn’t hear.

  “A week.” She walked past him and poured a cup of coffee. Her hands were shaking, and her shoulders were hunched in defeat. “It’s okay, I’ll figure it out.”

  “I know you will.” The words were hollow. They both knew the truth. Yes, she’d find another job, but it would probably be even worse than the one she’d lost. Why did they have to keep working so hard, just to keep their heads above water?

  “You’re a good son.” She gave him a tired smile and swallowed a mouthful of coffee.

  Am I?

  Suddenly he wasn’t so sure.

  He’d spent the last week in a bubble, while his mom was working harder than ever. Not that he’d ever been able to stop her, but he could have tried harder.

  Asked Lo for more hours. Taken the construction job?

  He pushed down the thought. His mom was the last one who’d want him to go back to that job. She wanted him to be happy. And he was. They’d figure it out. They always did.

  xxxx

  “Hey.” Frankie’s cheeks were bright as she jogged toward him. She’d already been at Rosie when he’d parked the car, so he’d swung by the coffee cart to make the order. “I was wondering where you got to.”

  “Sorry, I got held up.” He paid for the drinks and handed her one.

  “I’ll forgive you. The silver lining was you weren’t there to witness me eating one of Lo’s new sherbet cupcakes. She’s testing them out for the engagement party.”

  Her blue eyes sparkled. She’d taken to wearing her hair in softer curls that hung down her back, and the wide skirt of her dress swished as she walked along beside him.

  She’d never looked more gorgeous.

  They’d both agreed to not cross any lines while they were at work, but damn did he want to. His fingers twitched to reach for her hand. To breathe in her scent and forget about everything else.

  “Sounds like I missed a massacre,” he said as they reached the little pink-and-white food truck. He followed her in, trying not to notice the sway of her hips.

  “It definitely wasn’t pretty.” She took a sip of coffee then frowned. “Is everything okay? Has Tania—”

  “No.” He gave a sharp shake of his head and dropped his satchel onto the counter. He might not have had any more run-ins with Tania, but she kept texting. He didn’t bother to read them, but it left a bad taste. Like something was just waiting in the shadows trying to mess everything up.

  “So, what’s going on?”

  Nothing. Apart from the fact that until his mom got a new job, he could hardly afford to take Frankie for a soda, let alone the daily coffees. He rubbed his chin. He could tell her, but what was the point?

  Frankie might have grown up on the wrong side of town, but she wasn’t there now. She lived in a nice house and didn’t have to worry about money.

  Last thing he wanted was to drag her down with his problems.

  Seeing Tania at the bowling alley was a reminder that he needed to keep his two worlds separate.

  “I’m fine. Just tired.”

  “Well, this will wake you up.” She put down her cup, her eyes glowing. “I’ve got a surprise.”

  “Oh, yeah? Is this a game I’m going to like?” he said as a strand of blonde hair brushed across her cheek. She pushed it away and picked up an envelope from the counter.

  “It’s not a game exactly,” she admitted as she passed it over. “Go on, open it.”

  He took it from her and lifted the flap up. Money. Sixty bucks. He frowned. “I don’t get it. What’s this for?”

  “For your sketch.” Frankie beamed, and he followed her gaze to the back wall where all of Chelsea’s drawings were proudly displayed.

  His brow pushed together. “I don’t follow.”

  “Yesterday when you were on a break this woman from Florida asked to have a look at it. She has her own Rosie. Though she’s called Lucy. Anyway, she came back this morning and pretty much begged me to sell her the sketch. She loved it. Didn’t even care it was on the back of a napkin.”

  “You sold it?’ He turned to the wall and faced the gap where his drawing had been. Her smile faded as she peered up at him through her lashes.

  “Well, yeah. I didn’t think you’d mind. She’s a tourist, so she’ll never be back here. I mean, it’s sixty bucks.”

  “I—” The words tasted like cotton wool in his mouth as he struggled to make sense of it. Silence spread between them. “The reason I don’t talk much about it is because it’s the one time I’m not judged. I’m not Marty Lang’s kid. It doesn’t matter what I wear or where I live. I’m just me.”

  She stiffened and her face crumpled. “Jackson, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. But she wasn’t judging you. She loved it. I don’t think you know how talented you are,” she said, then her voice faltered. “A-are you mad?”

  His fingers tightened around the envelope. Sixty bucks. It was a lot. With his mom about to be out of work, it would pay for Chelsea’s schoolbooks and new shoes. A wave of guilt hit him. Frankie had only been trying to help.

  Her face was pale, and her lips were pressed together.

  Oh, hell.

  He was an idiot. She’d just earned him a stupid amount of money for something that had taken him ten minutes to draw. On the back of a napkin. He hadn’t even been trying. How many dishes did he have to wash for sixty bucks? A lot more than ten minutes’ work, that was for sure.

  Did this mean he could sell more of his work? Make more money?

  “I’m not mad,” he finally spoke. “I was just surprised. I don’t like showing my work to people. But…I don’t like being broke either. This is pretty cool.”

  “Promise?”

  “Pinkie promise,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Sorry. This is just new to me.”

  She let out a shuddering sigh. “I won’t do it again, but Jackson, not everyone’s going to judge you.”

  “Yeah, you could be right.” He r
eached out and grazed her hand, letting the heat of her skin burn into him. Her mouth trembled, and before he could stop himself, he kissed her.

  The clawing sensation in his skull faded as she melted into him. Then she peered up at him, eyes wide.

  “There goes the no kissing rule,” she whispered as his arms snaked around her waist, her mouth hot on his. He couldn’t even remember why they’d had the rule in the first place.

  10

  “Frankie, calm down. It’s my party. I’m the one who should be running around in a panic.”

  “I’m not in a panic,” Frankie corrected on Saturday night as she held up two dresses. “I’m just having a slight crisis. Blue or white?”

  “White.” Lo promptly pointed to the white sundress Frankie had spent last week’s wages on. The skirt was soft cotton, and the bodice was covered in lace with halter straps and a cutout back. When she’d tried it on, she’d had visions of wearing it while walking along the beach. Or floating. But now?

  “Sure it doesn’t look like a wedding dress?” She held it against herself and studied her reflection. This is what happened when Via wasn’t around to supervise her shopping expeditions.

  “It doesn’t look like my wedding dress,” Lo said as she crossed the room and plucked the blue dress from her hands. “Now…finish getting ready. People will start arriving soon.”

  “Okay,” Frankie said as Lo left the room holding the blue dress, because apparently she had trust issues. Frankie shrugged off her robe and put the white dress on. Then checked her hair. She’d forgone the straightener so it was hanging in curls down her back. She wasn’t quite comfortable with it, but Jackson seemed to really like it just the way it was.

  Her chest expanded as she put on another layer of gloss.

  Jackson liked her just the way she was.

  It was a week since Summerfest, and she still couldn’t quite get used to the fact this was happening. She, Frankie Hargreaves, had a third date.

  With a really, really gorgeous guy.

  And I nearly screwed it all up.

  She’d been too caught up in the excitement that someone wanted to buy one of his sketches it never occurred to her he might not like it. It still annoyed her the world had treated him so badly. She turned to the sketch he’d given her of the Cauldron. Every time she looked at it, there was another layer she’d never noticed before.