Tainted Love

by Addison Moore

  * * *

  “Ça Plane Pour Moi” by Plastic Bertrand radiates throughout Joel Miller’s game room, which tonight has been transformed into nothing short of a dance party thanks to his brilliant girlfriend, Melissa. It seems all of Glen Heights has squeezed into this tiny space.

  “What are they saying?” Russell looks like he’s itching his back against the wall as I try my best to get him to dance with me.

  “Something in French.”

  His lids hood over as he comes for me. “I like French.” He explodes a kiss into my mouth that exemplifies just that.

  It’s Joel’s surprise birthday party, and we’ve already screamed our heads off and given the poor guy a heart attack about an hour ago. Melissa waited until the celebration with his family was over, then challenged him to a game of Ms. Pac-Man—which she always wins because she kicks ass like that. Of course, she cleared this little shindig with his mom before inviting half the kids from school, the right half. And by that, I mean there’s not a sign of Amanda or the terrible two that follow her around like lost puppies.

  “Should we get this party started?” Russell takes a gentle bite out of my ear.

  “That’s what we’re here for—and for Joel.” I giggle through my teeth. I can’t help but act like a loon whenever I’m around Russell. He brings out the giddy in me.

  “All right!” Russell shouts as he jumps up onto a chair, and half the people in the room howl at him. “I just wanted to say a quick happy birthday to my buddy—Joel, you’re getting old, dude, but you’re still cool, and that’s all that matters.” A few of the guys give a riotous howl. “I really want to say that you’re the man, and thank you for helping me get through some rocky moments this year.”

  Joel steps up and high-fives him.

  “Also, since you and Melissa have had such an epic relationship—the envy of all Glen Heights High, that is, until Heather and I stepped up and stripped you of that title”—an audible round of oohs circle the room, but Melissa and I laugh it off—“the yearbook would like to borrow from your playbook. Heather and I are including a picture of a mixed tape as a part of our layout design, and we wanted each of you to help us fill out an acrostic spelling out Glen Heights High with your favorite songs.”

  The room breaks out in another round of howls.

  “And—I’ll make the real deal and distribute a bunch of copies at the end of the year.”

  He hops back down, and I plant a kiss on him. “Sounds like you’re going to need some serious help.”

  “Are you offering?” His arms glide around my waist.

  “Of course.”

  “Then I’m accepting. It sounds like we’ll be spending a lot of time together in my room.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to get used to that waterbed of yours.”

  “I meant working on the mixed tape, but I like the way your mind works.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “All right.” Melissa comes over with Joel and Jennifer. Jessie Fox closes in on our midst, and I can tell by that glazed look in Jen’s eyes that she’s more than aware. “I’d say get a room, but I’m afraid you’ll leave the party.”

  “Very funny,” I tease. She’s right, though.

  “Thanks for coming, guys.” Joel slaps everyone five. “You’re the best. I mean it.” He nods to Jessie. “Fox, you’re it. Now that Russ is taken, you’re the man of Glen Heights High.”

  Jessie tips his head back and laughs. “Dude, I’ve always been it.”

  We break out in a shared laugh, but I watch Jen as she swoons. He might be teasing, but she is sure he’s just spoken a hard truth. I’ve never seen a girl crush so hard. It’s true, though. Jessie is literally the fox of Glen Heights High. He won Best-looking, beating out Russell by one vote. And if I hadn’t been so pissed at Russ that day, he would have been the winner. I guess it’s good the way it worked out. It throws all those other girls off his scent. Russell is, after all, my man.

  Someone turns the music up just as “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League comes on, and Jennifer, Melissa, and I dance and sing along at the top of our lungs.

  Senior year may have had a rocky start, but it’s shaping up to be the best year of my life. And, thanks to Russell, I’m feeling more alive than I ever knew possible. Love is an amazing thing, whether it be through family, friends, or the one you swear is your soul mate. Love is what got me through these rocky last few months—the love from my mother and siblings, from Jen and Melissa as they went through hell with me, and the love that Russell gives me that assures me I’m perfect just the way I am—that in a lot of ways he and I are exactly alike.

  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.

  “So, what do we have?” I ask, pulling Russell closer to the tree.

  It’s Christmas Eve, and since Russell’s family doesn’t celebrate until tomorrow, I’ve invited him over to experience a real Knowles’s Christmas. Mom extended the invitation to his father, who was recently paroled, and she hasn’t stopped talking his ear off yet. You would think they were on their first date by the way she’s posturing and blushing. I’m embarrassed for pretty much everyone involved, but mostly for Russell—both Senior and Junior—for having to witness the event.

  “It’s right here.” Russ holds the mixed tape up and pulls it away just as I’m about to snatch it. He wouldn’t let me see the songs everyone wrote down last night at Joel’s party. He thought I should be the first to be surprised, so he’s giving it to me tonight as a gift. I think it’s romantic in a Joel and Melissa kind of way. “But first”—he nods to our parents getting cozy under the mistletoe—“what is up with that?”

  “God, I’m going to like barf a lung if they start making out.” They share a quick peck when they think no one is looking, and both Russell and I give an audible groan. “Well, in their defense, they’ve both just experienced a rather lengthy dry spell. Plus, your dad is kind of hot.” I shrug it off. “But you’re like way hotter.” I take a bite from his neck and pop back up before one of my brothers pumps him full of BBs.

  “Dude”—Russ winces—“if they ever get married, you’re going to be my stepsister.”

  “That sounds all kinds of wrong, and yet, a little kinky.”

  He breaks out in his signature killer grin as if he thinks so, too.

  “You’re so twisted.” I snatch the cassette from him and kiss it. “Can I see?”

  “It’s all yours.”

  I dive around the tree, out of sight to all in the room, as a colorful spray of light falls over the cassette.

  Girls on Film, Duran Duran

  Live Wire, Mötley Crüe

  Edge of Seventeen, Stevie Nicks

  Never Surrender, Corey Hart

  Holy Diver, Dio

  Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fears

  I Melt with You, Modern English

  God Save the Queen, Sex Pistols

  Heroes, David Bowie

  Tainted Love, Soft Cell

  Should I Stay or Should I Go?, The Clash

  Here Comes the Rain Again, The Eurythmics

  I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick

  Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.

  Heart of Glass, Blondie

  “Wow, I love it.” I peck a kiss to his lips. “What was your contribution?” I run my eyes over the list once again. I can hardly wait to listen to it.

  “‘Ghostbusters.’” He gives my ribs a quick pinch. “I got the videotape this morning, special delivery from Santa in my stocking a whole day early. How about tomorrow night you help me break that puppy in? My mom is pretty excited you’re coming to dinner.”

  “I’m excited, too. And, yes! I can’t wait to watch it with you. I’ll hold your hand during the scary parts, so you don’t freak out,” I tease as I go in for another kiss, and Seth growls as he walks by.

  We pause a moment until all signs of my siblings have dissipated.

  “I also may have added ‘I Want You to Want Me.�
�” He gives a sheepish grin. “Because I sort of need that.”

  “You already have it.”

  “That’s the best part.” His dimples dip in, and suddenly I very much wish we were alone. “I got you something else. I wasn’t sure if I was going to wait until tomorrow night, but it feels right. I think I’d like to give it to you now.”

  We head outside to the front porch in an effort to be alone for the first time in hours.

  Russell dips into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box, and I gasp.

  “Russell!” My next breath escapes me. “Wow, it was probably a real challenge for you to squeeze a record in there.”

  “I’ve always loved a good challenge.” A warm laugh trembles through him. “Go ahead, and open it.”

  My fingers shake as I split the tiny box in half, and once the light of the moon kisses it, the breath is knocked out of me.

  “Russell Gates James!” I squeal as I pull out the perfectly beautiful, perfectly dainty Jostens class ring—a gold band with a yellow cut stone set in the middle. In tiny script font, it reads Class of 1986 set over a black ribbon border that surrounds the gem.

  “I might have picked one up for myself, too.” He dips into his pocket and pulls out a thick gold ring with a yellow stone set in it like mine, same script font, same Class of 1986.

  “I love it.” Tears come, and I blink them away. “It fits perfect. I’ve never had anything this nice. Thank you.” I choke on the words.

  “You’re welcome.” He lifts my chin with his finger. “I hope you don’t mind, but I plan on spoiling you.”

  “Like I can ever get used to it.” I avert my eyes, and we share a quiet laugh.

  “So, what do you say we do this?” He holds up his ring even with mine.

  “Wonder Twin powers activate!” I peck a quick kiss to his lips. “Shape of forever.”

  He gives a brief nod, his own eyes glistening in the light. “Form of this kiss.”

  And we do. Russell and I share a kiss that says we made it, I’m sorry, I forgive you, and I love you all in one.

  With Russell by my side, I’m sure life is going to shape up to be pretty darn bitchin’.

  It already is.

  A Note from the Author

  *Be sure to PRE-ORDER Jennifer and Jessie’s story, Hold Me Now!

  *And listen to the Tainted Love playlist on Spotify!

  http://hyperurl.co/x2km4u

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Tainted Love. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase. Even a sentence or two makes a difference to an author. Thank you so very much in advance! Your effort is very much appreciated.

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  *The Melt with You playlist is also available on Spotify!

  http://hyperurl.co/2r6s6p

  Books by Addison Moore

  Young Adult Romance

  Melt With You (A Totally ’80s Romance 1)

  Tainted Love (A Totally ’80s Romance 2)

  Hold Me Now (A Totally ’80s Romance 3)

  Ethereal (Celestra Series Book 1)

  Tremble (Celestra Series Book 2)

  Burn (Celestra Series Book 3)

  Wicked (Celestra Series Book 4)

  Vex (Celestra Series Book 5)

  Expel (Celestra Series Book 6)

  Toxic Part One (Celestra Series Book 7)

  Toxic Part Two (Celestra Series Book 7.5)

  Elysian (Celestra Series Book 8)

  * * *

  Ephemeral (The Countenance Trilogy 1)

  Evanescent (The Countenance Trilogy 2)

  Entropy (The Countenance Trilogy 3)

  * * *

  Ethereal Knights (Celestra Knights)

  Season of the Witch (A Celestra Companion)

  * * *

  Romance

  3:AM Kisses (3:AM Kisses 1)

  Winter Kisses (3:AM Kisses 2)

  Sugar Kisses (3:AM Kisses 3)

  Whiskey Kisses (3:AM Kisses 4)

  Rock Candy Kisses (3:AM Kisses 5)

  Velvet Kisses (3:AM Kisses 6)

  Wild Kisses (3:AM Kisses 7)

  * * *

  Burning Through Gravity (Burning Through Gravity 1)

  A Thousand Starry Nights (Burning Through Gravity 2)

  Fire in an Amber Sky (Burning Through Gravity 3)

  * * *

  Beautiful Oblivion (Beautiful Oblivion 1)

  Beautiful Illusions (Beautiful Oblivion 2)

  Beautiful Elixir (Beautiful Oblivion 3)

  * * *

  The Solitude of Passion

  * * *

  Someone to Love (Someone to Love 1)

  Someone Like You (Someone to Love 2)

  Someone For Me (Someone to Love 3)

  * * *

  Celestra Forever After (Celestra Forever After 1)

  The Dragon and the Rose (Celestra Forever After 2)

  The Serpentine Butterfly (Celestra Forever After 3)

  Perfect Love (A Celestra Novella)

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to all who made it this far! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading Tainted Love. I hope you enjoyed Heather and Russell as much as I did. The ’80s hold a special place in my heart and reliving those precious memories has been pure magic. Thanks for joining me for the ride!

  The biggest and brightest thank you goes to my street team, Addison’s Angels, and the Angels in Addison’s Reader Corner. You all seriously rock. Your support and hard work blow me out of the water each and every day.

  A special thank you to Lisa Markson for your enthusiasm and tenacity with this project. You are such a great friend. Thank you for always being there and for making me laugh when I need it most!

  A super huge thank you to Heather Love King, the best sister ever. I so enjoyed your input and am forever grateful that you took the time to comb through my manuscript. Thank you for sharing your insights and your music with me!

  Tabby Coots! You are amazing, sweet, and kind—and I am forever thankful, and grateful that I get to call you friend! Thank you for scrutinizing plot-points, pacing, and intensity. Your input is beyond helpful, and I’m thrilled to keep you “flipping the pages.”

  To Kaila Eileen Turingan-Ramos, a colossal thank you for your extraordinary proofing skills. You seriously have the eyes of an eagle! I’m so very glad to know you. You are an amazing friend. I’m humbled that you would take the time to sift through countless words for me. Hugs!

  An exceptionally huge thanks to the ever-amazing Kathryn Jacoby, word ninja extraordinaire. Your superhuman powers never cease to amaze me. Thank you for being in my life!

  To the masterful, patient, and ever spectacular Paige Maroney Smith! Thank you from the bottom of my beating heart for all of your hard work. A million thank yous for putting up with all of my lunacy, and my hyperactive nature. I am so very blessed to have you. I hope I never scare you away! You’re the best, girl!

  And last, but never least, thank you to Him who sits on the throne. Worthy is the Lamb! Glory and honor and power are yours. I owe you everything.

  About the Author

  * * *

  Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

  * * *

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