I tried not to let my blood boil over, seeing them together again. I had a lot of bad memories there. And it certainly didn’t help that Chloe’s red nails were clutching Aiden’s tanned skin possessively.
“Hey, Tessa,” she said without looking at me. Then she reached out to brush at Aiden’s hair. “You look so grown,” she cooed. “Oh, did you know that Mrs. Foster mentioned you in class the other day? It was so funny. She…”
The remains of my Frappuccino melted in my hand as I watched Chloe ramble on, obviously excited about Aiden’s return. And even though she still looked gothy—black blouse, dark eyeliner, heavy boots—her cleavage had made a return. Hm…you’d think she’d known to expect him.
“Did you want to grab a coffee?” she asked him, motioning toward the barista. She glanced at the clearly empty drink in my hand but didn’t invite me. The claws were about to come out.
It didn’t matter if Aiden and I were technically broken up; he could not—absolutely not—drink any kind of beverage with Chloe. If he said yes to her, there might be a Kitten fight in here.
“Sorry,” Aiden said, running a hand over his newly shortened hair, looking uncomfortable. “I have to head back up to school. I was just stopping to see Tessa.” Aiden looked at me and my stomach stopped twisting.
“Sure,” Chloe said, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Well, I guess I’ll catch you next time you’re in town. Talk to you soon.”
She had started to walk toward the other side of the store when she paused and turned to me. “Hey, Tessa.” She smiled broadly, looking proud to have touched my ex-boyfriend in front of me. “Could you stop following me now? You’re really starting to creep me out.”
I squeaked with surprise, nearly too stunned to answer. I could feel Aiden glaring at me as I nodded. For the first time, I’d been busted while spying. It was humiliating!
With that Chloe spun toward the exit doors, looking completely pleased with calling me out.
“So,” Aiden said to me. I looked over, and he put his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his palm. “I’m not even going to ask what that was about.”
“Good.”
He shook his head. “You make me crazy, you know that, right? I couldn’t keep you out of trouble even if I tried.”
“Probably not,” I agreed. My entire body was tense with the situation. I couldn’t believe I’d been spotted. How was that possible? I’d been so careful.
“And you didn’t have to growl,” Aiden added. “I wasn’t going to get coffee with her.”
I laughed softly. So I actually growled? Even more embarrassing. “Aiden, you could have if you wanted. I’m not trying to hold you back.” But I was just saying that to sound less needy. Fact was, I was trying to hold on to him.
Aiden twitched his mouth, staring down at the table. “About that.” He paused, his green eyes not nearly as sparkly as before. “I was thinking…maybe you should consider dating a little. Other people, I mean.”
My entire body went rigid. I couldn’t respond; I just stared back at him, not moving.
“It’s just,” he continued, seeming to struggle with the words. “You’re so unhappy, baby. And I know I’m the reason—”
“Are you seeing other people?” Please say no. Please say no.
“No.”
I exhaled, completely relieved. But I couldn’t shake the stress rushing through me. “I don’t want to see anyone else, Aiden,” I whispered, trying to smile. “I like being with you.”
He pressed his lips together, reaching out to run his index finger down the skin of my arm. “I like being with you too. Sorry I brought it up.”
Well, glad that was settled. I would have pushed him to explain his thinking, or maybe the old Tessa would have, but I was completely stressed out. I needed to figure out (a) how to catch the copy-Kitten, (b) how to help the squad, and (c) what the hay was up with Aiden and me.
Aiden shifted in his seat. “All right, baby,” he said as he stood up. “I have to take off. You going to be okay to get home?” He glanced over his shoulder toward the books and, for a second, I thought of Joel. How he tried to swoop in and save me from a complete public meltdown.
“Yes,” I answered, climbing out of my chair to walk over and wrap my arms around Aiden’s waist, resting my head on his chest. He sighed, twisting my ponytail in his hand, and then he let me go, leaving me a little chilly.
“I’ll call you this week.” He smiled and turned around to begin walking toward the exit. He didn’t look back at me. Not once.
Slowly I began to cross the patterned carpet toward the glass doors at the front. Oh, wait. My book? I stopped, thinking about my lavender book and where I’d left it. I was about to go back to the checkout counter when something caught my eye.
I turned toward the figure leaving the store, her face ducked and her hands empty and without books. She was wearing a khaki skirt, and by the toned muscles in her legs, I was sure I knew her. I jogged after her, her thick brown hair pulled back into two short ponytails, her pink T-shirt tight enough to show off her athletic frame.
But the minute I was able to get out into the darkened parking lot of the bookstore, she was gone. I swung my head from side to side, looking for her, trying to remember what her car looked like, but she wasn’t there. Neither was Aiden’s car.
I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out if she’d seen me and if she did, why she hadn’t come over.
Because I was pretty sure that I’d just seen my ex-captain. I’d just seen Mary Rudick.
ASSIGNMENT 1
9:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 18
The operative looked in her hand mirror and slicked on the Midnight Red lipstick that had become her personal trademark. When it was set, she pressed her lips together, smiling.
She’d been getting a ton of cases lately, but this one, this one was special. It was like watching the anatomy of a cheat—something that could easily be a Dateline investigation. She was privy to everything, and now, she just needed to catch the final act.
After slipping a black stocking cap over her head, the operative slid on leather gloves and watched the front of the motel intently. Originally she’d planned on tracking Jenn and Tate tonight, but then she’d intercepted a text from Megan. She’d asked Riley to meet her here, at the Sunset Inn at 9 p.m. She was still amazed that Megan would do that; from her observations, she’d seemed so much classier. Still, the operative knew that this was the moment she’d been waiting for. Finally.
She swallowed hard and narrowed her eyes, looking at the red-painted front door of the motel room. Riley had gone in there close to ten minutes ago, but the operative hadn’t seen Megan arrive. She couldn’t decide if Megan had beaten her there or if Riley was waiting.
With a sigh, the operative reached back into her car and grabbed her satchel. She’d filled it with the night-vision camcorder and an audio recorder, although she’d known it’d be difficult to hear much from outside.
As she strode across the loose gravel of the parking lot, the ground crunched under her black, high-heeled boots. The sound relaxed her and made her feel powerful, even in this cheater-filled world.
When she stepped onto the walkway in front of the door, she paused. The curtains were drawn tight; there was no way to get video. She narrowed her eyes.
Quietly she reached out to try the motel door, but it was locked. She’d figured it would be. With a glance toward the office window, she considered her next move. She pulled the knit hat off her head and shook out her hair. Armed with her deadly shade of red, her secret weapon, she made her way over to the management.
“Excuse me,” she said sweetly through the Plexiglas window to the man inside. He smiled at her, his front tooth missing.
“Hey, there,” he said, a little too friendly.
The operative smiled, trying to hide her revulsion. “I hate to bug you,” she cooed. “I got locked out of room twelve, and my boyfriend must be in the shower because he’s not answering. Do you th
ink I could get another key?” She bit her lip suggestively.
At first, the dirty old man just watched her, but then he looked toward the walkway and smiled. “Okay, but make sure you turn in all the keys when you leave.” He walked over to the key rack, taking a second to locate the peg numbered 12. When he turned back around, he grinned. “Tell your boyfriend he can thank me later.”
The operative’s stomach turned, but she tried to maintain a pleasant expression as she took the key. “Yeah, I’ll let him know,” she mumbled, turning back toward the room. She hated that this was taking so long, that it was so hard to confirm. She just wanted to make SOS successful. She wanted to be the best.
The operative stopped. No. This was about more than just her. Riley needed to learn that he couldn’t dangle Megan along, and Megan needed to learn how to be a loyal friend. They couldn’t just cheat with each other. They needed to be taught a lesson.
When she got to the room, the operative leaned her ear against the door and listened. She was disappointed to hear talking and not moaning. She couldn’t complete her mission until they sealed the deal. But she could hardly break in with both suspects so alert. She chewed on the side of her lip and began to think. Then she smiled.
With purpose, the operative marched forward to the nearest fire alarm, glancing around once to make sure no one could see her. When she was certain the coast was clear, she slipped her fingers around the little white handle…and yanked it down.
Sirens filled the air, and the operative moved quickly toward her car, ready to grab her camera. Seeing Riley and Megan run out in their underwear (or less) would be all the proof she needed, especially given their location.
The operative ran across the lot, her boots crunching on the gravel. She slipped into the front seat of her car, grabbing her zoom lens and aiming it at the red door just in time.
Within seconds, the door swung open, and Riley popped his head out to look around. The operative clicked off a few pictures, stopping only when Riley opened the door the rest of the way. He was fully dressed. Behind him, Megan walked out, looking confused. And she was dressed too. As a maid (a real one).
“Shit,” the operative mumbled, lowering her camera. This was where Megan worked, not a steamy late-night rendezvous. Megan and Riley headed toward the glass window of the office, apparently intending to ask about the alarm.
That was the operative’s cue to get the hell out of there. Once again, she didn’t have proof. And now it was really starting to piss her off.
CHAPTER NINE
AS I GLANCED AROUND THE BOOKSTORE PARKING lot for Mary’s car, I pulled my pink phone from my jeans pocket, hesitating only as I remembered that Aiden didn’t own a cell. It had never really bothered me when we were dating, but then again, we’d been attached at the hip. Or lips. Whichever was closer.
I got to my car and sped away from the store, my mind twisting around the situation. Mary Rudick? What was she doing in town, and why would she come here without calling me? Something was suspicious about that. I’d need to consult the squad.
Call me ASAP!! I sent out a multiple text to Leona, Kira, and Izzie. Nearly five minutes went by without an answer. Dang it! Where were they?
I tossed my phone onto the seat, pressing a little harder on the accelerator as I climbed the hills toward my house. My insides turned with uneasiness, all stemming from my experience at the bookstore. And that was terrible. It used to be a safe place.
When I pulled into my driveway, the headlights illuminated the wood siding on my house. My parents still weren’t home. For a second, I thought about the break-in and how I’d be vulnerable alone. But then I pictured Mary Rudick and how she had bolted out of that store. What did it mean? I couldn’t waste time sitting in my car, scared. I needed to get to the bottom of this.
As soon as I got inside, I locked the door and dialed up Kira. She didn’t answer, and I remembered that she was meeting Joel for dinner. Hm. I didn’t want to involve too many Kittens. This was top-secret stuff.
I decided to try Leona, only her line went directly to voice mail. I hung up without leaving a message and began to pace my living room. Izzie’s mother told me that she was out with her “good-fornothing” boyfriend, and Aiden’s dorm voice mail was too full to take messages. I felt lost. Completely alone.
I collapsed on the couch and flipped channels, spotting an ad for a psychic hotline. “Secrets exposed.” I wondered if Madame Corrine would be able to tell me the identity of the copy-Kitten. Well, it was worth a shot. I was just about to dial her number for the free trial when my phone vibrated in my hand.
It was an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”
“Hey, Tess. It’s Joel. Sorry to call you so late. I—”
“Joel? How did you get my number?” I clicked off the TV and sank back into the sofa cushions. I was just happy to have someone to talk to.
“Oh…I, um, I got it from Kira’s phone earlier.”
I furrowed my brow. “You’re not still with her?”
“No.” He exhaled. “She said she was tired and that she’d grabbed something to eat with Leona earlier.”
“Rude,” I said, before I caught myself. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“No worries,” Joel said, his voice quiet. “You’re right.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Actually, Tessa. I was wondering if you were up for giving advice? You have…a unique outlook on life.” He chuckled and I wasn’t sure if he was complimenting me but decided he was too nice for veiled insults.
“Thanks, it’s sweet of you to say.” I sat up, my bare feet pressing against the floor. “But is everything all right?”
Joel let out a sad laugh. “I don’t think so,” he said.
My lips pouted. He sounded so melancholy. “Hey,” I said. “My parents are late getting home, and I haven’t had anything to eat. If you want to come by, I can order a pizza or something. I have a coupon.” Truth was, right about now, I could use a friend too.
“That sounds perfect,” he said, sounding relieved. “And thrifty! See you soon.”
After the pepperoni (his half) and pineapple (my half) pizza arrived, Joel and I ate at the coffee table while watching some super-lame documentary on the solar system. It was sort of funny, considering the earlier mix-up about outer space he and Kira had had. But when I pointed it out, he didn’t seem to get the humor.
“Ugh,” I said, sinking to the floor and leaning my back against the couch. “I’m so full.”
“Probably shouldn’t have inhaled half a pizza, then.”
I snapped my head back to Joel, who laughed. “I’m joking, Tess! I mean, sure, it wasn’t as funny as your solar system joke.” He rolled his eyes. “But still a joke.”
I smiled and closed up the empty box, setting our plates on top. Then I climbed up to sit across from him on the couch. It was time to get down to business. “So,” I said. “What did you want to talk about?”
Joel flinched, almost like he was hoping I wouldn’t bring it up.
“I feel stupid now,” he said, closing his eyes. “I shouldn’t be bothering you with this stuff. You have your own problems.”
I sure did.
“But it’s Kira. I…I don’t know what’s going on with us.” When Joel’s soft hazel eyes met mine, I could see how sad he was. He truly cared about Kira. What was her deal? Didn’t she know how hard love was to come by these days? She was totally fouling out!
I rested my head against the back of the sofa, thinking. “What happened tonight?” I asked.
He exhaled. “Well, we were supposed to meet for dinner. Then she shows up late, all frazzled, and says that her cheers were completely ‘effed’ and that she had to meet with Leona tonight to go over them.”
The pineapples turned in my stomach. The squad was continuing to leave me out. I felt my own eyes sting with tears.
“So I asked her if she wanted to grab something from the drive-through, and she tells me she’s already eaten! I mean, I was waiting for her, Tessa!�
�� Joel’s voice took on an edge, and to be honest, it was kind of hot. It was a real moment—a moment where you could see someone’s passion. I blinked heavily.
“Tessa?” he asked softly, meeting my stare. “Do…do you think she’s cheating on me?”
Fudge ripple! Was he serious? “No way! Kittens don’t cheat!”
Joel tilted his head in complete confusion. “Uh . . . okay. Is that like part of your cheerleader pledge or something?”
Right. I sometimes forgot that people didn’t know we were SOS. “Yes,” I said confidently. “And Kira’s been through a lot. With a lot of guys.” Joel looked a little sick.
Oops. I also sometimes forgot that not everyone knew about Kira’s promiscuous past.
“What I mean is…” I paused, not wanting to do any more damage. I sighed. “She loves you,” I said simply. “She just does.” I smiled. “And I can see why. You’re an awfully nice guy, Joel. Kira’s a lucky girl, and she’s not likely to forget it.” There. That sounded much better.
Joel watched me carefully, his crooked tooth peeking out just a little beneath his parted lips. It was his little quirks—the tooth, the T-shirts, the…non-fishing—that made him that little bit of extra cool. “And you’re a nice girl too,” he said. “Despite what they say.”
“What?” My heart jumped in my throat.
“I’m kidding,” he said, laughing. “Wow, Tessa. You really need to work on your sense of sarcasm.”
I didn’t tell him that I found sarcasm rude.
“God,” he said, glancing down at the shiny silver watch on his arm. “It’s getting late. I should go.”
“Oh.” I was disappointed. I liked having the company.
He paused as he stood. “Unless there was something you wanted to talk about?”
Joel was such a mind reader! There was a lot I needed to talk about, but most of it was top secret. No. I needed to talk the Mary thing over with the squad, and only the squad. Or at least, I would if they ever decided to let me in their loop again.
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