by L A Cotton
Meet him? That would not be a good idea, but I found myself nodding because what else could I do?
“Thanksgiving is coming up, so maybe then? We could go out, get food or whatever it is you’re supposed to do with your girlfriend’s parents.”
“Girlfriend, huh?”
We still hadn’t had the ‘chat.’ It seemed unnecessary—labels didn’t matter to me or how I felt about him. But I couldn’t deny it felt nice hearing the word.
“Well, you are, aren’t you?”
“Am what?” I was teasing him now.
“My girlfriend?”
“Maybe.”
He captured my lips, showing just how much his girlfriend I was. When I was breathless, he pulled away. “You’re mine, Becca. Get used it.”
His.
The word sunk into me, filling me with hope and happiness and all those good feelings normal people experienced when they were in love.
Crap. I loved him. Somewhere along the line, I’d fallen in love with Evan Porter.
Evan
“We don’t have to go; we can hang out at my place. Mom is taking Eli to my aunt and uncle’s, I think. We’d have the place to ourselves?”
Becca leaned into me, tilting her head to give me full access to her neck. “We should go. I promised Lilly.”
There it was again. The hitch in her voice. A sign that although she kept reassuring me everything was fine, I knew it wasn’t. But after the other night, I didn’t want to fight with her again, so I acted like nothing was wrong.
Coward.
“Hey, room for a clinger?” Malachi stood over us with his lunch tray in hand.
“Sure thing.” Becca sat straight, swinging her leg over the bench to tuck fully underneath.
“Thanks. You guys headed to Rogues tonight?”
“Yes,” Becca said as I said, “Maybe.”
Malachi looked at us and barked out a laugh. “I guess I’ll see you there. Hopefully, the storm will hold off.”
“Storm?”
“Yeah, it’s blowing in from the east, apparently. But some of the guys are rigging up one of those party gazebos. You know, the ones with sides?”
Becca was quiet, her brain no doubt working overtime. I hugged her closer. “It’ll be fine. I’ll drive.”
She nodded, popping a chip into her mouth.
Something caught Malachi’s eye, and I followed it. “I wish those two would sort it out. Jay is worse than a girl. It’s painful.”
“He misses her,” Becca said. “Been to Teller’s lately?”
“I stopped by Tuesday. Jace says hi.”
My jaw clenched.
“Whoa, easy. He’s good people.”
He could have been the president for all I cared; I didn’t want him anywhere near my girl.
We sat in easy silence, watching the world go by. He wasn’t wrong about the storm. Thick angry clouds rolled overhead. Winter had well and truly arrived in Credence.
“I’m freezing,” Malachi complained.
“It’s either sit out here or sit in there.” I motioned to the cafeteria windows where Kendall and her crew were seated.
“Point taken. What are you guys doing next week for Thanksgiving?”
Becca shrugged, but I said, “I’m working on meeting her parents.”
He let out a low whistle. “That’s serious.” Something flashed over his face, and I wondered what that was about. I couldn’t imagine Malachi being the kind of guy to meet the parents. Not since Ami, but it had been all one-sided. Poor guy.
I laughed, my hand sliding over Becca’s knee and squeezing gently. “She’s worth it.”
“Evan.” She groaned, a sound I’d heard a lot over the past few days. I wanted to meet her parents, and she wasn’t convinced. But I figured, the sooner it happened, the sooner we could all move on.
“I’m out.” Malachi rose from the bench. “This sounds like a conversation I don’t need to stick around for. Catch you guys later.”
Hooking an arm around her waist, I pulled Becca closer. “Say yes. It doesn’t have to be anything serious but I want to meet them. They’re important to you.”
She turned her head, eyes clouded with confusion. “I don’t know. Mom is—”
My lips cut her off. Becca twisted one hand into my jacket, closing the space between us. I didn’t know why it was so important to me, but I wanted her to want this. Needed her to stand up for me and show her parents we were serious about each other.
As if she could hear my thoughts, Becca pulled away. “Why is this so important to you?”
“Do you really have to ask?” I held her gaze.
“Fine. I’ll see what they say. But don’t blame me if it all goes horribly wrong.”
I kissed her nose. “It won’t. They’ll see how much I …” I cleared my throat, heat creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. “How crazy I am about you, and I’ll win them over with my sharp wit and humor.”
She rolled her eyes, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “That I’d pay to see.”
~
“I never thought I’d see the day. Loved up looks good on you.” Peters joined me next to the Funhouse as I watched Becca talking to Lilly.
“I’m not …” The words trailed off. There was no point in denying it; Peters knew me better than that.
“She know about your little sidejob?”
My eyes snapped to hers. “No, and she isn’t going to know. Got it?”
“Geez, chill the fuck out. If it makes you feel any better, I agree you need to keep her as far away from that shit as possible.”
It didn’t.
I folded my arms across my chest and searched for Becca in the crowd. It was cold out. Some of the guys had started a fire in one of the old trashcans, and flames flickered into the night’s sky, the heat radiating out. Becca and Lilly were huddled together toasting marshmallows.
Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out the baggie and slid it down to Peters' hand. She replaced it with a roll of bills. “Thanks,” she said. “The pain is getting worse. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
“She’s your mom. You’ll do it as long as she needs you.”
Becca glanced over, and I thrust my hand behind my back.
“We need to be more careful.”
“Hey,” Peters replied. “It was your idea to do it here.”
“Do you know anyone else who might need a hook up?” The words sounded dirty on my tongue.
“Porter,” she warned.
“You think I want to do this shit? You and Malachi are different. You’re friends, kind of. But he’s pressing me, Peters. I need to keep him off my back.”
She gave a grunt of disapproval. “I know a couple of guys. Trustworthy. I am not getting in the middle of this, though. I can’t risk another black mark if Principal G finds out. I’m already on thin ice.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Just hook me up?”
“Fine.”
I tipped my head back against the wall. “It’s a fucking mess.”
“Welcome to life. Same shit, different fucking day. One day, I’m going to leave this hell and never look back. One day, Porter.”
We all had the same wish—to get out of Credence. But for most of us, it would never happen. Only the lucky ones escaped. The ones who managed to get full scholarships or who still had parents who gave a crap. The reality for me and Peters was different.
Becca hugged Lilly before making her way over to us. “What are you two doing over here?”
I pushed off the wall and hooked an arm around Becca’s waist. “Come here.”
“And on that note, I’m out.” Peters saluted and headed back over to the party.
“Evan?”
Dipping my head to hers, I said, “Want to sneak into the office?”
She suppressed a laugh, her cheeks flushing a vivid crimson. “With everyone out here? No, we’ll get caught.”
“Spoilsport.”
“Come hang out with everyone. I c
an’t believe how many people showed up.”
“It’s kind of a tradition. Thanksgiving sucks for most of these kids.”
“Do you always come?”
I shot her a quizzical look.
“Okay.” She tried to suppress a giggle. “Stupid question.”
“Did you ask them?” I changed the subject.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“They want you to come over next weekend … for dinner.”
“Fancy.” I pressed a kiss to her exposed neck, but Becca pinched my sides.
“Don’t be a jerk. You were the one who wanted to come. I can always cancel.”
“No.” Kiss. “I’m coming. And after I’ve dazzled your parents and eaten their food, I’m going to sneak you upstairs into your room and—”
Becca reared back, arching away from me. “What has gotten into you?”
“You,” I said with conviction. “You have completely ruined me.”
“Don’t be such a drama queen. I’m just a girl, Evan. I’m nothing special.” Something flashed in her eyes. The same look she’d worn more than once this week.
Didn’t she realize? Couldn’t she see? Becca was so much more than that. A beacon of light in the dark … a ray of sunshine in a storm. Being with Becca didn’t just make life bearable—it made it worth it.
“Bastard!”
Our heads whipped around to where the shriek had come from. Becca tensed in my arms as we watched Lilly pound her fists into Jay’s chest.
“Do something. Oh god, we have to do something.” Becca broke out of my arms and started running in their direction. Peters got there first, trying to drag Lilly away, but she was like a woman possessed, hitting and screaming. The girl had lost it.
“I didn’t do it. Why won’t you believe me? Someone is trying to sabotage us, Lil. I DIDN’T DO IT.” The roar of Jay’s voice silenced the crowd. Everyone was watching now.
Vin and Malachi were behind him, ready to tear him away if things got too brutal. Peters hovered close to Lilly, trying to calm her, but it didn’t work, and she lunged for Jay again just as Becca reached them. Peters managed to grab Lilly, yanking her back as Becca slipped between them.
I was running, no longer watching the scene play out. Jay was saying something to Becca, the muscles in his neck corded. He was close to losing his shit, and my girl was right in the middle of it.
“Becca,” I said, calmly keeping one eye on Jay. “You need to let them handle their own shit.”
Jay didn’t take his eyes off her, his teeth grinding together in his mouth.
“Jay, you need to leave her alone. You’re scaring her.” Becca’s voice was quiet.
“Scaring her? She just came at me like a wild thing. I didn’t do it, Becca. It’s a fucking lie; I would never touch anyone else, and she knows it.”
I inched closer, aware of the heads turned in our direction. “Guys, maybe we should do this somewhere else.”
Jay’s head whipped around to me, desperation in his voice. “Tell me you wouldn’t be standing here if it was Becca?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. He was right; I’d do whatever it took to get her back.
“Look, man,” I said. “Give her time. This isn’t the way. Not here, not like this. Come on; we’ll give you a ride home.”
His eyes flickered back to where Peters and Lilly stood huddled together behind Becca. His body sagged, the fight leaving his body. “Fine.”
Jay barged past Vin and Malachi, and Becca followed. I went after them, glancing back to make sure Peters was okay with Lilly. She nodded. Shit. I didn’t do this—I didn’t get involved in other people’s drama. But Becca was changing me; she was making me see things differently. And the second she’d stepped in front of Jay, I knew I wouldn’t linger on the sidelines.
Maybe, in the past, I’d done that too often.
“Jay, wait,” Becca pleaded, jogging up beside him.
“This is bullshit, Becca. I was set up. I didn’t do it. She has to believe me; she has to.” The dude broke down, and I was relieved—for his sake—that it was out here and not back there in front of everyone.
Becca laid a hand on his arm and whispered something. I bleeped the Impala, and we all climbed inside. The ride back to Jay’s was quiet. He kept his head turned to the glass, only talking to give me his address, while Becca sat lost in her own thoughts.
When I pulled up outside his house, he said thanks and climbed out.
“That was intense.” I ran a brisk hand over my head as Becca moved from the back seat to the front seat.
“She’s hurting,” Becca said quietly. She seemed distant, and I didn’t like it. This wasn’t her fight. She couldn’t carry the weight of their relationship. “So is he.”
“You want to go somewhere? I bet I could help take your mind off things?” I kept my voice light, but disappointment flooded me when she said, “I’m just going to go home if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
We didn’t talk again on the ride to her house. She was lost in her own thoughts, and I was trying to figure out what the hell had happened since outside the Funhouse to now. Becca had promised she would come to me if something was bothering her, and she was already pushing me away.
But she couldn’t keep me out forever.
Becca
Every day that passed, the walls seemed to close in around me. Kendall was always there—around every corner—watching, baiting me. Daring me to come clean to save my sanity … and in the process, risk losing everything and everyone.
Evan wasn’t at school Monday or Tuesday. His mom had been sick, and with Mellie out of town, there was no one to watch Eli. This morning, he texted to say he had gotten sick too and wouldn’t be in.
I was in hell.
Lilly couldn’t even lay eyes on Jay without breaking down, and Jay wasn’t much better.
And it was all my fault.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, I’d received another text.
Second-floor bathroom. Now.
So here I was, walking against the flow of kids headed for lunch. I slipped inside only to be met with Kendall’s smug smirk. “What took you so long?”
“Lilly wanted me.”
“And how is the lovely Lilly?”
“Fuck you,” I snapped.
“You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
I released a heavy sigh. “What do you want, Kendall?”
“Round two. You game?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“I like you, Becca. Underneath all that Little Miss Prep School is a quick learner. Here.” She thrust out an envelope, and I took it from her, peering inside. “What is this?”
Kendall rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so stupid. You know what it is.”
“Yes, but what do you want me to do with it?”
“Funny story.” She started pacing the bathroom. “You were desperate to pee, you got excused from class and went to the first-floor bathroom, passing Scarlett Peters on the way in. You headed into the stall and found something that didn’t belong there, something that she must’ve left behind, and as an upstanding student of Credence High, you felt it your moral duty to inform the principal.”
The blood drained from my face. “Why?” I croaked.
She stopped pacing and stepped closer. “I don’t like people taking what’s mine, and I don’t like people thinking they’re better than I am. Besides”—Kendall tilted her head—“it’s just so much fun this way.”
“And if I say no?”
“Oh, I think we both know you’ll do it. Because in the end, protecting yourself is far more important.”
“How do I know you won’t share the photos anyway? That when this is all done, you won’t just ruin me?”
Kendall moved around me until we were shoulder to shoulder. “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
The door slammed shut behind her, but I couldn’t move. What she was asking me to do could get
Scarlett into so much trouble. Suspension from school, even expulsion, or worse. I dragged myself over to the row of sinks and splashed my face with water. She would never forgive me for this. If it ever came out, I’d lose everything. My friends. Evan. Any hopes of being able to have a normal life in Credence.
Kendall had me every which way.
Say no, and she’d reveal the truth.
Say yes, and I’d be forever in her debt.
What choice did I have?
I swallowed back the tears and slipped the envelope into my pocket.
~
“Oh my god, Becca, did you hear?” Lilly rushed over to me, her head low, voice quiet. She grabbed my arm and ushered me to the locker bank. “Scarlett’s in trouble.”
“Trouble?”
“She got called into the principal’s office and then sent home. She texted me not to worry, but something has happened. She can’t afford another strike; they could kick her out.”
“What?”
“Yeah. She has a colorful record. You know how she gets. She’s a lot calmer than she used to be, but … this is bad.”
What had I done? I wanted to march right back into Principal Garraway’s office and insist I had my facts wrong. But even if I did, it was too late. Scarlett got high, a lot. The chances of her not having pot on her at school were next to none. Even if I rescinded my accusation, they would only have to search her locker or her person—if they hadn’t already—and they would find something.
“Everything is going to shit. First Jay, now Scarlett.” Lilly’s voice cracked. “What am I going to do?”
“It’s a mistake; it has to be. Everything will get smoothed out.”
Liar.
Liar.
LIAR.
Lilly sucked in a sharp breath, and I didn’t need to turn around to know Jay had just walked by.
“You guys still haven’t worked things out?” I said.
“He swears he didn’t do it, but the letter said … Ugh. I don’t know what to think. Did you know that Kendall made a play for him once?”
“She did?” Thinking about it, I did remember Kendall saying something once when she’d cornered me in the cafeteria.