The Replacement Crush

by Lisa Brown Roberts

  “You don’t have to worry about that.” I wasn’t going to get in trouble doing payback on his locker. Who knew what he might do?

  She nodded. “I’m sorry, Vivian. You can be sure he’ll have a serious consequence.”

  She hesitated. “Would you be interested in restorative justice mediation with him? If he admits he did it?”

  Much as I liked my hippie school, sometimes I wished they’d punish offenders like normal schools. Maybe put him in a stockade.

  “Probably not. Just, um, send him to the brig or whatever.”

  Dr. Blake frowned as she wrote on her legal pad. “Noted.”

  ...

  I handed my tardy slip to Ms. Kilgore, consciously avoiding eye contact with everyone. I felt Jake’s eyes on me, and Toff’s. Had he seen my locker? And what about Dallas? I slid into my seat, heart racing, willing myself not to cry. I couldn’t let Jake see how he’d impacted me. When I thought of how he’d touched me, kissed me…how could someone do that and then turn on me, threaten me?

  As soon as Ms. Kilgore released us, I flew out the door, ignoring Toff as he called after me. I spent the rest of the morning head down, ignoring the whispered comments and giggles aimed my way.

  I ignored texts from Amy and Toff, Amy offering chamomile tea and Toff offering to kick some ass. When it was time for lunch, I thought about skipping so I wouldn’t have to retrieve my lunch from my locker, but I told myself I needed to be brave.

  At my locker, I was shocked to discover the graffiti had been graffiti’d. Instead of SLUT, it now said:

  SLUvT

  T R

  A E

  R K

  I stepped back, trying to decipher it. Star Trek Luv? Who would…I spun around, looking for Dallas, but he wasn’t there. He’d been here, though. I could feel it. For the first time all morning, I smiled.

  ...

  The rest of the afternoon I stewed about my locker, chewing my nails down to the quick. I wanted to confront Jake, but I was afraid to. He’d turned into such a jackass. If I was honest with myself, I’d admit that he’d always been a jerk; but my stupid hormones had made me overlook that important fact.

  I lingered in the hall as everyone swarmed around me, jostling and laughing on their way to the final class of the day. As I started for the library, I spotted Jake leaning against a wall of lockers, watching me with a smirk. His smug expression fueled a fire I didn’t even know I had. I stormed down the hallway, shouldering my way through the crowd, headed right for him. His eyes widened as I approached, but he didn’t move.

  “You need to back off.” My voice shook and I knew he heard the tremor because his smirk deepened. Anger stampeded through my veins like wild horses, spinning me into a rage strong enough to overcome my fear. I thought of Claire in tears in the store. Of how humiliated I’d felt when he’d dumped me, saying we were never a thing.

  “I mean it, Jake. You can’t treat people like…like trash you can just throw away when you get tired of them.” I glared at him, standing my ground even though I was shaking. I reminded myself I was doing this for Claire, too, and for every other girl he’d lied about because I knew we weren’t the only ones.

  His eyes narrowed. “I warned you, but you couldn’t just let it drop, could you? Just because you were jealous of Claire, you had to get even and tell her some bullshit to make her hate me.”

  Shocked, it took me a moment to come up with a comeback. “I told her the truth, Jake. Are you crazy? You really think every girl wants you, don’t you?” Laughing bitterly, I shook my head. “Newsflash, Jake: You’re an ass. And you can’t keep using people and lying about it.”

  This time he was the one to laugh. “Who’s going to stop me? You and your little gang of loser friends?”

  I was dimly aware that several people had slowed, eavesdropping on our argument. In my peripheral vision, I saw a tall blond figure approaching. Fast.

  I took a breath. “I want you to stop lying. About me. About Claire.”

  He took a step closer, clamping a hand around my wrist. “Maybe Vespa guy would’ve stuck around if you did put out, Galdi—”

  The blond figure appeared next to us, breathing heavily and looming over Jake.

  “You don’t want to do this, Fontaine,” Toff growled.

  “Fight!” Voices chanted around us, then a classroom door swung open and Mr. Yang bore down on us.

  “Gentlemen. Is there a problem?”

  Jake released my wrist.

  Toff and Jake glared at each other. If looks could kill, they’d both be slit to ribbons.

  “No problem,” Toff bit the words out.

  “Right,” Jake snapped. “No problem.”

  Mr. Yang crossed his arms over his chest until Jake gave up and turned away. I watched him go, my heart beating erratically. Mr. Yang turned back to Toff.

  “Everything under control, Mr. Nichols?”

  Toff nodded. I could feel the raw energy pulsing out of him. I glanced down the hall just in time to see Jake turn around and raise both hands, flipping us off in stereo.

  Toff took a step forward, then stopped when I pulled on his arm.

  “You two need to get to class,” Mr. Yang said. He pulled a pad of paper out of his pocket and scribbled tardy passes for us.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking both passes. Toff glared down the hallway after Jake’s retreating figure.

  “Get to class. Now.” Mr. Yang frowned.

  “Let’s go.” I pushed Toff forward, hurrying to match his long, angry stride.

  “What the hell were you doing, Viv? You need to stay away from him.”

  “You saw what he did to my locker.” I was practically jogging now, trying to keep up.

  He stopped short, and I knocked into him. His normally clear blue eyes were dark and stormy, reminding me of a thundercloud. “Yeah, I saw it, and I plan to do something about it.” He glared at me, like somehow this was my fault.

  “You can’t fight him. You’ll get suspended. Kicked off the surf team.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m not an idiot, Viv. There are other ways to deal with him.” He ran a hand through his messy hair. “Just stay away from him, all right?” He took a breath, and suddenly the storm in his eyes was replaced by pleading. “Please?”

  We stared at each other for a long moment. I remembered our night on the beach together, how he’d said he first felt sorry for me when I was teased as a little girl. Frustration wound through me, tightening my insides like a coil. I hated that he felt obligated to protect me.

  “I needed to stand up for myself,” I said.

  He huffed an exasperated sigh. “Yeah, I wish all girls would stand up to him. But he’s dangerous. You know what they say about poking snakes, right? Just keep away from him, Viv. You told him off, now let it go.”

  “But if nobody calls him out, he wins! He gets to keep being an ass, and using people, and…and—” My voice caught. My rage had cooled down and was threatening to dissolve into tears.

  Slowly, Toff reached out a hand, but I batted it away. His jaw tightened, and I saw the hurt in his eyes. I wanted to tell him I was sorry, but instead I stood frozen in my self-righteousness, frustrated that he wanted me to just ignore Jake.

  Spock wouldn’t ignore Jake; he’d do the Vulcan nerve pinch and paralyze him.

  “I don’t need a bodyguard, Toff.” I matched his intense gaze with my own. I worried he’d do something stupid to Jake and end up suspended or worse.

  His eyebrows shot up. “I’m your friend, Viv. I care about you. You’re practically my freaking sister. I’m not going to just let him—” He stopped, shoving his sleeves up his muscled forearms. His breathing was ragged. “Never mind. Do whatever the hell you want.” He spun away from me and stormed down the hall, slamming his fist against a locker before rounding the corner and disappearing from view.

  As the sound of his fist banging on metal echoed in the hall, I staggered back as if he’d slapped me.

  Why couldn’t I ever get
it right? Why did I keep hurting the people I cared about the most?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  HUNKALICIOUSHEROES.COM

  Romance Reviews for Ravenous Readers

  Book Review: END OF DAYS, Genre: horror

  Rating: ***Bare Feet

  Reviewed by: Sweet Feet

  Author Richard McAlister is a master of the scary-as-hell, nightmares-for-weeks stuff. I don’t usually read horror, but next week is Halloween, and I needed a break from the lovey-dovey stuff. Why? Don’t ask.

  Anyway, this book scared the holy heck out of me. I ended up sleeping in my mom’s room on her floor. No lie. So if that’s your thing, snatch it up. I’m not even going to tell you what happens in this book because then I’d have to relive it and have more nightmares.

  Highly recommended for people trying to kick the romance thing (in real life, I mean. Never the books.)

  ***This one’s out of my usual genre. Bare feet = run like mad.

  “Where there’s no emotion, there’s no motive for violence.”

  —Spock

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Saturday, November 1

  Time slowed to a crawl, the days as gloomy as my mood as the date of the Surfer Ball crept up on me. Dallas hadn’t tried to talk to me or hadn’t sent any more apology texts after that night in the bookstore. Toff didn’t eat lunch at our table anymore, and I knew it was because of me. Jake left me alone, so I was hopeful his anger had finally abated since he’d defaced my locker.

  I hadn’t read a romance in weeks, but now that the night of the Surfer Ball had finally arrived, I needed to find something to distract me.

  After I locked up the shop, I perused a new stack of donations, lingering over an Austen sequel about Mary Bennett. Heck, if awkward Mary Bennett could find love… My phone pinged with a text from Claire.

  “Hey! We beat San Antigua! Now u have 2 come 2 the ball. At least to the party. I changed my mind & am going to the dance.”

  San Antigua High was the reigning surf team champions. They’d won state for several years in a row. For our small school to beat them in some of the league final events was huge. I pictured Toff doing his bicep curl pose and smiled. As if he’d read my mind, his text pinged my phone, with a photo of him celebrating. “Party on the beach after the dance, Wordworm. U better show.” We’d hardly spoken since the incident with Jake, so his text felt like an olive branch I couldn’t ignore.

  Texts from Jaz and Amy arrived in quick succession with the same basic message, telling me to at least come to the party even if I wasn’t going to the dance. I sank into one of the store’s overstuffed chairs, weighing my options.

  It would be a huge party. Lots of celebrating. Lots of hooking up, especially for the surfer gods triumphant in their victory. I wondered if there was any way I could get Toff to notice Amy. Really notice her. I rubbed my forehead. I’d done a horrible job of matchmaking for myself; why did I think I could do it for my friends?

  I should go. I hadn’t done anything fun in forever. But what if Dallas was there with Kylie? And Jake would probably be there. I sighed, curling into the chair. I couldn’t avoid everyone forever.

  I sent a group message. “OK. Not the dance, but the beach party. But I need a ride.” Mom had left earlier this afternoon with Paul, telling me she wasn’t sure if they’d be back tonight or tomorrow morning. I wasn’t going to ride my bike miles down the coastal highway in the dark.

  Three offers of rides pinged back at me. I smiled at my phone. Maybe my love life was a train wreck, but I had awesome friends.

  ...

  Before Amy and Jaz picked me up for the party, they peppered me with texts and Snapchat photos from the Surfer Ball. The girls from the surf team looked amazing in their rainbow of mermaid dresses, shimmering in the laser lights at the dance.

  Jaz Face-Timed me when it was time for the Poseidon award. I wasn’t at all surprised to see Toff crowned King of the Sea amidst a roar of cheers. He strutted across the stage waving his trident scepter, rocking a three-pointed golden crown, a smug grin plastered on his face. I knew Amy must’ve been swooning.

  Amy and Jaz still wore their ball dresses when they picked me up. I wore jeans and a bulky sweatshirt since I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. They chattered nonstop all the way to the beach, but I noticed they were careful not to mention Dallas, and I didn’t ask about him.

  The party was wild. Two huge bonfires lit up the beach and music blared from competing speaker systems. I could smell the beer and weed when I stepped out of Amy’s car.

  “Wow,” I said. “Looks like a rager.”

  “I wonder how long ’til the cops show?” Jaz said as she picked her way across the beach, her dress shoes clutched in her hands.

  “That’s why we’re so far out of town,” Amy said. “So they don’t show. At least not for awhile.”

  “How do you know that?” I asked.

  She slanted me a smile. “Toff told me.”

  Jaz and I stared at each other, each wondering the same thing.

  “Don’t do that,” Amy said. “Nothing’s going on between us.”

  “Oh, really?” Jaz said. “I noticed you two dancing a few times tonight.”

  Even in the dark, I could see Amy blushing. “That was nothing. He danced with everybody. That’s just how he is.”

  Before I could ask more probing questions, Claire ran up and hugged me. “You came! I’m so happy to see you.”

  “Congratulations.” I returned her hug. “I heard you smoked the short board division.”

  She grinned proudly. “It was sick. I still can’t believe I won.”

  A loud roar caught our attention, and we all turned toward the source. The guys on the surf team had formed a human pyramid, dressed in their tux jackets and board shorts, with Toff on the top, waving his scepter.

  We laughed and cheered, especially when the pyramid collapsed, sending all of them sprawling. Toff spotted us and jogged over, grabbing me in a sideways hug. “Wordworm. I’m shocked and honored you made an appearance.”

  “I’m here for Claire, not you,” I teased.

  He grinned down at me. “Liar.” He reached out to tug on my curls. We looked at each other for a long moment, then his mouth curved into his easy grin, and I knew he’d forgiven me for our argument about Jake.

  “Is, um, Jake here tonight?” I asked, apprehension coiling through me.

  Toff shook his head. “Haven’t seen him. Probably because I warned him not to show.”

  Relieved, I returned his grin. “Excellent. Take us to the food, Flipper.”

  We trailed along, laughing and joking as we made our way through the huge crowd. Jaz handed me a plastic beer cup. “Live a little, Viv. Don’t worry, I’ll be the DD tonight.”

  I took a sip. I didn’t drink much, but maybe she was right—I should try and have fun tonight.

  I turned to look up the beach and my gaze landed on Dallas, who stood by himself, looking right at me. Even though it was windy and cold on the beach, I was suddenly flooded with heat. His eyes locked on mine, and I felt as if the Enterprise’s tractor beam had latched onto me, pulling me in.

  He wore a tux, but his bow tie hung loose and his pants were rolled up. He was barefoot, holding his dress shoes in one hand. Everything in me wanted to run toward him, but I knew that was the crazy hormones talking. He was here with Kylie. I broke eye contact and turned back to my friends.

  I danced with my friends, pretending to have fun, but my heart wasn’t in it. My eyes kept searching for Dallas. Occasionally I’d spot his silhouette, but then I’d turn away, not wanting him to catch me staring. After awhile I decided to walk up the beach by myself to clear my head and try to shake off my sadness. I had to let go of my McNerd obsession. Whatever could’ve happened between us was in the past. He’d moved on. So should I.

  The sounds of the party faded as I strolled along the beach, letting the cold waves lap over my feet. I loved the beach at night with the canopy of stars overhead.
Nights like this I pretended I was a visitor from another planet, that I’d just beamed down from my spaceship like a Star Trek explorer, the only form of sentient life. At least if that were true I wouldn’t have to worry about my love life.

  “Hey!” a voice called after me and I pivoted. I couldn’t make out the figure in the darkness but as he jogged closer I was shocked to recognize Jake.

  My pulse thudded in my ears as he caught up to me. Apparently he’d ignored Toff’s warning and decided to crash the party. When I saw the anger slashing across his face, my internal warning system activated. Panicked, I looked around, but we were the only ones on this deserted section of the beach.

  “What’s up?” I asked, forcing lightness into my voice. Could I defuse this somehow? Convince him to leave me alone?

  He stood so close he could have kissed me. Or hit me. He glared down at me and my eyes darted around again, searching for witnesses, but there weren’t any.

  “Who the hell do you think you are, Viv?” His voice echoed in the night air, and he stepped even closer.

  I took a step back. “What are you talking about?”

  His eyes narrowed, but before I could react, he grabbed my sweatshirt, pulling me in close. “You’re the reason Claire dumped me. You and your frigid bitch bullshit. Then you ratted me out because of your locker. Now everyone’s pissed at me because Toff made it sound like I practically raped you or something.” His hands twisted in the fabric of my shirt, and my heart hammered in my chest.

  “Let go of me, Jake.” I wanted to scream, but fear tamped down my volume and the words came out as barely a whisper.

  “Why should I?” He pulled me in. In his drunken belligerence, he tried to kiss me, but ended up slamming his forehead into mine. My head spun, and when my vision cleared I could see the anger in his eyes. “You bitch. You’re just a scared little whore, but I know what you want.”

  I tried to shove him away but he’d wrapped a leg behind me and I was trapped. Terror tore through me as I struggled against him. I turned my face away from him, but he yanked it back, hurting my neck and scratching my face. Far in the distance, I heard shouting. I thought I saw shadowy figures running toward us in the darkness, but they were far away.