The Con

by Nicole Marsh

  “Won’t your parents mind?” I ask, feeling shy and awkward at the thought of sharing a room with Collin Franzen.

  “We have a few spare rooms. My mom will agree with me—it’s not safe for you to be in the trailer park by yourself, and we have the space, so you should stay at our place.”

  His words ease some of my apprehension. I’d have my own room. Maybe a few days away from the trailer park will be enough to get Derek off my case and provide enough time for me to work up the nerve for a confession.

  “Okay,” I agree hesitantly.

  Collin nods and captures my hand again, squeezing it tightly. He speeds away from the trailer park like the devil is on our tail, and maybe he is. It feels like only seconds pass until we’re pulling into the Golden Oaks neighborhood. Shortly after, we’re parked in the Franzen driveway.

  Collin shuts off the ignition and faces me. “I’ll explain everything to my mom, okay?”

  Like I want to explain to Mrs. Franzen that her son has taken pity on me because I live in a trailer park by myself and my neighbor is harassing me to rob her house.

  I silence all the thoughts in my mind and simply respond, “Alright, thank you.”

  Collin tugs me into his side, syncing our footsteps as we stroll to the front door. He types the digits into the keypad for the door, and I purposefully avoid looking, wanting to circumvent any temptation that may come with the knowledge of how to gain access to his house. We step over the threshold together.

  “Collin is that you?” Mrs. Franzen asks the second our shoes hit the entry floor, her soft voice sounding like its coming from the direction of the kitchen.

  “And McKenzie,” he replies, not skirting the topic at all.

  I hear his mom’s heels tapping against the floor, warning us of her approach. She’s still dressed the same as she was for dinner, with the addition of a pair of yellow dishwashing gloves. “Is everything alright?” She asks, her brow furrowing with the question, concern marring her pretty features.

  “Not really,” Collin replies. “McKenzie’s mom has been out of town and one of her neighbors keeps coming by to harass her. He was there when I went to pick her up earlier, then waiting outside her house when I went to drop her off,” His drawl sounds irritated, but nowhere near as vicious as it did either of the times, we encountered Derek today.

  “Oh Dear,” Mrs. Franzen replies, her gaze raking over the two of us as she removes the yellow dish washing gloves. She steps forward and wraps her arms around my shoulders. Her embrace is unexpectedly kind and motherly and warm, defying the cold and polite image I built of her in my mind. Part of me wonders if Collin learned to hug from his mom. Maybe it’s a family trait.

  My arms return the embrace, clasped around the middle of her back, overlapping each other over her slender form. I relax into the hug, allowing myself to imagine, just for a second, that this is my mom hugging me, comforting me because life can be hard… being a real mom.

  Mrs. Franzen continues speaking, “That’s atrocious. You must have been so scared. Why don’t you stay here? At least for a few days.” She doesn’t drop her arms until I nod against her shoulder. In her heels we’re about the same height, our faces almost even with each other.

  She steps back but keeps her hands resting on the tops of my shoulders, her pale gaze meeting mine. Whatever she sees in my eyes, visibly drains the tension from her body. I watch as her shoulders relax and her brow softens. She drops her hands and switches her attention to Collin. “Can you show her to the blue guest room?” She scans my body, still clad in my wrap dress. “Also, give her something to sleep in for tonight, whatever you have that she can borrow. We can go to her house tomorrow, or just pick up a few things. Whichever is easiest.”

  The matter settled—I’m staying with the Franzen’s for the foreseeable future—Mrs. Franzen pivots on her heel and returns down the hall in the direction she came.

  “I’ll show you to your room, madame,” Collin drawls. When I turn, he’s dipped in a low, dramatic bow like he’s a butler from the eighteen-hundreds, his arm wrapped around his middle, knees bent, and face turned downwards.

  His antics cause me to giggle and he lifts his face to meet my eyes at the sound. His emerald gaze is intense despite his upturned lips. He straightens and stalks forward.

  Not wanting to get caught making googly eyes at each other in the hall, I bolt up the sweeping staircase, evading his grasp, and admiring their luxurious house as it flies by me. At the top landing, I stop to catch my breath and wait for Collin to show me to my temporary accommodations.

  He’s significantly less out of breath than I, when he reaches me a second or two later. He snags my hand and continues walking to the left down a split hallway, pulling me behind him until we reach the last door down the long corridor.

  Collin pushes it open and I follow him in, my hand still clasped within his. Inside the room he whips the door closed, then backs me towards it. I don’t even have a chance to examine my surroundings before his bulky form looms in front of me, filling my entire view.

  The look in his eyes is fierce, possessive, and it takes my breath away.

  I inch backwards, retreating until my spine hits the solid wood behind me. Collin continues his advances until his chest presses against mine forcing me back even further. He tilts his head down, keeping his emerald eyes connected to mine.

  My heart pounds in my chest and my eyes scream “kiss me.”

  For once, Collin listens.

  His mouth descends on mine, claiming my lips. I gasp at the unexpected contact and he takes advantage of my open mouth, sweeping his tongue inside. Collins’s hands slide down my body, gripping the underside of my butt and he yanks me even closer as his lips continue their assault. Using every tool at his disposal—lips, teeth, tongue—he delivers a first kiss beyond compare.

  Every inch of our exposed skin is connected and his mouth devours mine. I release a lusty moan, but he consumes that too, his lips never leaving mine. I feel his hard length prodding my belly and wriggle in his hold wanting—no needing—to get impossibly closer. My skin feels on fire and my heart pounds a rapid staccato.

  He nips at my lips one more time, then his mouth retreats without warning or reason. My eyes pop open as I pant, trying to replenish the air he’s stolen with his kisses.

  “McKenzie Carslyle, you are Trouble,” he rasps his lips hovering above mine.

  You have no idea.

  Instead of replying, I close the gap between us, sealing my lips to his.

  Chapter 20

  Wake up!” an excited, high-pitched voice screams too-loudly next to my ear.

  My eyes fly open and I snatch the pillow from under my head, preparing to ward off someone, in case I’m being attacked. A happy guffaw reaches my ears and my sleep-bogged brain finally registers Katie’s red ponytail and pale blue eyes hovering above me.

  “Were you going to attack me with your pillow?” She asks between snorts of laughter.

  “I thought I was under assault after someone screamed in my ear at an ungodly hour,” I grumble back moodily. Personally, I’m not a morning person, but more than that I prefer to wake up in a relatively calm silence, sans ear screaming.

  She laughs again at my attitude, hopping off the bed with way too much energy so early in the morning. Katie’s out-of-control pep before sunrise doesn’t honestly surprise me, it’s just who she is.

  “I brought over some clothes for you! Collin texted me last night and told me you were staying here while your mom was out of town. I didn’t want you to be late for tryouts, so I brought you a workout set you can wear, and a couple outfits for school, in case you don’t end up returning home for a few days. I don’t know what your plan is. Also, I’m a little bummed you didn’t tell me you needed a place to stay, I totally—"

  I raise my hands in the air to cut her words short. My head is already pounding with the barrage of information immediately after gaining consciousness. “I just need a minute… to process all that
.”

  Katie mimes locking her lips and throwing away the key, then busies herself arranging the clothes she brought on the desk across from the bed.

  Swinging my feet over the edge, I stretch my arms above my head and swivel my neck back and forth. My eyes scan the pale blue walls and I’m relieved yesterday wasn’t a dream. Mrs. Franzen said I should stay here and… Collin and I kissed.

  And boy, are Collin Franzen’s kisses worth waiting for.

  My thoughts are interrupted by more chatter from Katie, who is apparently no longer able to handle silence after thirty-seven seconds. “So, I don’t want to ruin your peaceful morning routine, like at all, but also we need to get going soon. Like in the next ten minutes soon.”

  She shoves a stack of clothing into my lap and I slowly clasp my arms around them, still bogged down by the last vestiges of sleep and thoughts of Collin. I stand from the bed reluctantly, but Katie isn’t having any of my sloth-like movements. She pushes against my shoulder, corralling me out the door and I pick up the pace, hustling towards the bathroom just to stop being jostled.

  After the door shuts, I quickly brush my teeth, tie my hair into a sloppy pony, and then douse my face in cool water, eliminating the last traces of grogginess. Feeling more awake, I step out of the giant t-shirt and boxers that Collin gave me and unfold the items Katie handed to me. Once everything is laid out on the countertop, I groan.

  The only normal thing she brought for me was a regular sports bra. The rest of the pile consists of a Victoria’s Secret “sports thong”, according to the label on the back, a pair of spandex bike shorts, and a cropped tank top.

  I’m still eyeing the pile when a bang on the door causes me to jump. Katie shouts, “Come on Kenzie!” Then bangs again before leaving a few beats of silence.

  I grumble but move to get dressed under her added pressure. I don the slightly revealing workout clothes, then gather up my discards from the floor and exit. Katie is waiting in the hall holding a backpack, a messenger bag, and a duffle.

  She glances up from her phone when my first sneaker-clad foot hits the carpet. She whistles, then catcalls, “Oooooh, girl. Those shorts make your legs look straight fire. Whoa nelly!”

  I laugh at her antics, then dramatically strut past her, acting like I’m on a catwalk as I traverse the hall to deposit my pile of used clothes in the corner of my temporary room. I glance around wondering what to put my school outfit in, then realize I don’t even have a backpack.

  I literally have nothing with me.

  “Already got you covered,” Katie says from the hall. When I turn, she holds up the backpack, her arm extended outwards for me to grab it. “Spare pack. School clothes are in here, and a few pencils and notebooks. Oh, and your little purse with your ancient celly. Now let’s go, Collin’s waiting downstairs.”

  Collin.

  Little butterflies compete in my belly. An entire swarm committing tricks and flips, fighting for my attention as I hustle down the hall. Katie skips down the stairs and I follow closely behind her, barely skidding to a stop before hitting her back when we reach the foyer.

  Collin.

  My massive crush has grown exponentially larger since our kiss last night. I wanted to take things further, all the way to be precise, but Collin was a perfect gentleman and excused himself without progressing any further than kissing. He returned a few minutes later with a pile of clothes, pecked my forehead, and wished me goodnight.

  Now, I imagine a small trickle of drool must be running down my chin as I drink in the golden-haired Adonis standing in front of the door. He’s clad in a pair of gym shorts and a muscle-tee that shows off his well-developed arms to perfection. My eyes travel up his body and connect with his vibrant, green gaze.

  A sparkle in his eyes, informs me that he saw me checking him out. I shrug in return, quirking a brow as if to say, “so what”. He’s unfairly attractive and he must know it. I’m not ashamed to take advantage of a few free looks.

  Collin’s face breaks into a wide smile and he joins me where I stand, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. He tilts his face down, closer to mine. I angle my head at just the right second for his lips to meet my nose.

  “Oops,” I say with a giggle.

  He chuckles with his face near mine and whispers, “Let’s try that again.”

  After a few beats the words process, then my attitude immediately sobers. The second my lips close, he places a brief peck against them. I feel him beginning to retreat and on instinct, I open my mouth, sliding my tongue against his sealed lips.

  Collin groans, then pulls me against his chest, deepening the kiss immediately per my unspoken request. He devours my mouth like I’m his last meal and I cling onto his shoulders, reciprocating the best I can.

  I move to slide my hands down his chest when Katie’s loud voice breaks through my lusty haze. “Ugh guys. Seriously? I’m still here. I’m HERE IN THE SAME ROOM AS YOU. I’m your friend that you’re ignoring. Geez, you are the worst. C’mon just go get a room already.”

  As she speaks, I separate my face from Collin’s, intent on twisting in her direction, but he keeps his arm snug around my waist, locking my body against his. After a wicked look, he turns to Katie and drawls, “Okay, see ya.”

  He pushes me towards the stairs as if we’re going to skip practice and tryouts, in order to listen to Katie’s advice and get our freak on. I follow his lead, jokingly placing my foot on the first step and grabbing onto the handrail.

  “Wait, wait,” Katie yells. “Bring me to school first. Oh, and Kenzie needs to try out. Get a room later!!”

  Collin and I laugh in unison, over her quick change of heart. Our mirth spills over to Katie as soon as she realizes we were teasing her, and the three of us chuckle together. Once we collect ourselves, Collin wraps an arm around each of our shoulders and we exit the house as a unit with Collin steering us towards his SUV.

  I’m grateful for Katie’s fast friendship and Collin’s easy-going attitude (and his uber sexy body and fantastic kissing skills). Despite the abrupt wake-up, this is one of the best mornings that I’ve had in a while. And now it’s time for the icing on top of the cake…

  It’s time for me to make the cheerleading team.

  Chapter 21

  Okay!” Summer’s chipper voice screams, her voice echoing over the gymnasium. “All of you ladies showed up today with hopes of making the cheer squad, but we only have three spots. If we could take you all, we totally would…”

  “But we can’t,” Isabelle cuts in.

  Summer shoots her an annoyed glance, but Isabelle ignores it. Instead, she appears intent on taking over the instructions, apparently done with Summer’s enthusiasm and general happiness to be alive. She steps in front of her to be center stage.

  Behind Isabelle and Summer stand two middle-aged females, and one male, all dressed in athletic wear and holding clipboards. These must be the people choosing who makes the squad with the input from the captains and their own observations. I can’t remember which one is the coach, and based on their outfits, it could be any of them.

  Isabelle’s words resume, cutting through my distraction, and I unwillingly drag my gaze back to her. “We’ll start with a basic cheer. Pom poms are provided in a pile to your left, go grab a set. After that we’ll call out the names of the girls we want to see tumble, then we’ll convene to determine who we want to join the squad. Before you leave today, we will announce the three girls that made it. Any questions?”

  After Isabelle’s speech, I eye them curiously, wondering if they plan to interject. The adults seem content to permit the captains of the squad to conduct the tryouts and remain quietly standing in a line.

  Following a brief silence where no one raises their hands, or asks a question, Summer claps her hands again. “Okay girls, grab your pom poms and line up on the mat.” Her instructions are a stark contrast in tone and pep to Isabelle’s.

  Girls begin jogging off to the side and I hustle with the crowd to a stack of vibrant
blue and deep black pom poms. Grabbing one of each, I return to the middle of the gym floor and find a decent spot, front and center.

  Isabelle and Summer watch as the other girls fill in spaces on the floor, stepping in to offset a few of us. Once they’re satisfied with our placement, the two take their spots at the front of the group. One of the adults presses a button on the wall panel behind them and music pounds across the auditorium through the speakers. Unlike the practice session, the captains of the squad don’t join us in the cheer. Standing side by side, Summer smiles at the group and Isabelle crosses her arms over her chest, her lips turned downward.

  The music picks up and Summer’s peppy voice calls out, “Five, Six, Seven, Eight.”

  Her count off is the only instruction my body needs to fall into the easy motions and words of the short routine we learned three days ago. A smile splits my face as muscle memory takes over and I have… fun.

  As a group, we shout and jump, waving our arms and moving our bodies through two cheers, in time with the music. It’s easy to spot the girls that didn’t practice or just weren’t cut out for cheerleading. From the corner of my eye I see Isabelle looping through and removing the girls off beat or just plain bad.

  I force myself to focus and ignore her eyes on me, as I finish up the last few movements. The routine portion passes quickly and afterwards, my body is limber and my adrenaline pumping.

  This time when Summer claps her hands, she shouts, “Return your pom poms, it’s time for tumbling!”

  I hurriedly obey her instructions, attempting to discreetly survey the girls that are left. One girl from my stunt group the other day was cut, but the rest of us remain. I smile at the three familiar faces and then scan the rest. There’s no one else I recognize specifically, from the other day or from my classes, probably because it’s a little late in your high school career to be trying out for cheer during senior year.

  “We need to pull out the mats,” Isabelle demands, interrupting my wayward thoughts.