CHAPTER SIX
MY POM-POMS RUSTLED ADORABLY OVER MY ribboned ponytail as the crowd quieted. The gym was packed, and the smell of perspiration hung thick in the air. The Wildcats were winning at halftime. I saved a very special basket toss for moments like this, mostly because up until this season, the team had rarely won.
“We’ve got the spirit!” I called, backing up and stepping on Kira’s thigh as I climbed the length of her body. “We’ve got the soul!” Izzie pushed my elbow as I moved from one shoulder to the next, now three cheerleaders high.
“Let’s beat the Beavers!” Leona hoisted me up so that my foot fit in her palm while I held my other sneaker close to my face. The crowd was in awe. “What is our goal?”
“Playoffs!” the crowd shouted back.
Showtime. I took a deep breath and with a boost from the squad, I twisted up in the air, shaking my pom-poms before crossing my arms over my chest and landing in the weave of arms.
Phew. That was a rush. I was a little shaky as they stood me up. The entire gymnasium was on its feet. Leona had set up the sign that my parents had made before they left near the scorer’s table. It read, “The Wildcats Are Grrrrrreat!” in maroon and gray puff paint. They were so dedicated.
My sneakers squeaked as we crossed the wood floor back to the sidelines just as the buzzer sounded. We plopped cross-legged on the floor, and the players trotted in from the locker room. Aiden winked at me as he ran past, and I felt little butterflies. I loved him after a game. All sweaty and panting. My body tingled. I couldn’t wait to get out of here.
“Psst.”
I sat a little straighter on my rear.
“Hey, Tessa,” someone called from behind me. I turned. It was Christian, just a few rows up, wearing a maroon Wildcats T-shirt. His sister was next to him in a black tube top, watching me with a bored expression. I tried to smile politely.
“Hi,” I said, not sure what other sort of greeting was appropriate.
“You were great out there,” Christian said. “Like … amazing. I’m impressed.”
Oh, now that was just too sweet. “Why, thank you, Christian. It’s awfully kind of you to say so. Wasn’t Kira great, too?” His attention was on the wrong Kitten.
“Uh … yeah,” he said. “Nice.”
Uncomfortable with his seemingly reluctant compliment for Kira, I darted a glance to Chloe. She gave me a thumbs-up, but she didn’t smile. In fact, I think she was mocking me. I turned around.
They made me uneasy. Very uneasy.
“He said I was nice,” Kira quietly squealed from the floor next to me, rustling a pom-pom in her lap.
I nodded, trying to be enthusiastic. “He sure did. You two are so strawberry smoothie.”
She shrugged. “Well, I think he might have a little crush on you….” She reached up to twist one of her curls as she looked down at her lap. Then she looked sideways at me and grinned. “But it’s not like he has a chance with you when Aiden’s around. And that boy sure isn’t going anywhere.”
“Nope,” I said, glancing out over the court to where Aiden was standing on the sidelines, talking to Coach Taylor. “My boyfriend is total Elmer’s glue.”
“Definitely.” She winked and then turned to look where Christian was sitting and waved to him. I didn’t see if he responded, but by Kira’s little clap and giggle, I assumed he had.
Still, I didn’t feel that Christian had been nearly enthusiastic enough about Kira’s cheer. I was going to have to use SOS tactics to find out his deal. And then find out how to get Kira shuffled in his deck.
“Honey,” my mother yelled from the front door on Sunday night.
Yay! They were home. I left my calculus book open on my bed and jogged out of my room into the brightly lit kitchen, happy my parents were back.
“Hi,” I said, kissing her cheek and reaching out to take her carry-on bag off her shoulder. “Where’s Daddy?”
“Oh, he’s getting the suitcases.” She smoothed my hair back toward my ponytail. “You here alone?” She looked past me into the living room as she set her keys on the granite counter.
“Yep.”
“No Aiden?” She frowned.
“He left earlier. Some basketball stuff.”
“Oh, darn.” She snapped her fingers. “We brought him some gifts from Seattle. We saw a basketball game and bought him a T-shirt.”
I smiled. My parents were so good to him. “He’ll be back for dinner,” I said. “I didn’t think you guys were coming in until Monday morning.” Although Aiden really liked my parents, he’d certainly be disappointed that we couldn’t finish what we’d started this morning. Oh, well. We had the rest of our lives to love each other.
“There’s my girl,” my father called as he walked in the door, dragging two huge suitcases behind him, his glasses wet with sprinkles of rain.
“Daddy!” I trotted over and hugged him.
“I got you presents.” He grinned, taking off his eyewear to dry it on his shirt.
“You guys know you don’t have to get me something every time you leave. I’m not five anymore.” My father pretended to pout as he put his glasses back on. I shook my head at him.
It was hard to remember the times when we weren’t like this. When I was in junior high, my parents had split up. In fact, they’d gotten divorced. I swallowed hard just thinking about it. Luckily, they made up and moved back in together. I had the most happily unmarried parents in the world.
“Fine,” my father said, lifting his chin. “If you don’t want it—”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want it.” I laughed and took one of the suitcases from him, wheeling it into the kitchen next to my mother. My father pecked her on the lips as he passed.
“We sold out the club, Tess,” my mother said, stepping behind the counter slab to look through the stack of mail. “Sold out the whole place. They booked us again for the end of the month.”
“Wow.” I sat down at the kitchen table. “Things are really taking off.” After twenty years of playing together, my parents had finally begun to see the success they had wanted—no more private lessons to make ends meet.
It was nice to know that things could work out. In all that time, they’d only quit playing once. When they were divorced.
Shifting uncomfortably at the table, I began to pick at the linen tablecloth. Their divorce wasn’t something I liked to think about. It was one of the few things I couldn’t see the bright side of.
I had been in seventh grade when it happened. Up until then, I’d always thought my parents were happy. But then one day, my dad moved out. It was awful. The house felt so empty without him here—without the sounds of his saxophone.
My mom began crying a lot. She dropped her music students and spent all of her time writing really sad love songs. Some of which have now become their most requested sets.
When I started splitting my time between my house and my dad’s downtown apartment, I found that my parents still had something in common. Me.
So I tried to make them proud and keep them both positive. I led by example. Aced my tests, joined cheerleading, and most importantly, I was upbeat. Shiny.
It seemed to work. They both got really into my cheerleading, going to all the games and events, and soon, they were sitting in the bleachers together, sharing a box of popcorn.
After a year of being apart, my dad moved back in. And even though they never technically remarried, they were happy. We all were.
My dad came over and pulled out the wooden chair next to me. I dropped my hands into my lap and looked over at him. He took off his glasses to rub at his eyes and then put them back on.
He smiled at me. “Hey, maybe you and Aiden can come with us next time. I know you two like to watch us play. It might be nice to take a weekend trip together.”
“That’s a great idea,” my mother said excitedly from the sink. She walked over to pull a cup out of the white cabinet and filled it with ice from the freezer. “Seattle is so beautiful at night!”
I nodded. “I’m sure Aiden would love to go. He has fun at the shows.”
“Great,” my mom said, filling her glass with water. “We’ll ask him tonight.”
It was nice how perfectly Aiden fit in with my family. And yet I still had the nagging suspicion that I was missing something.
It was seven fifteen, the pasta was on the table, and no Aiden. My parents sat patiently, waiting to eat. The rooms smelled like garlic bread, and my father was practically drooling.
“Did you call him?” he asked, smoothing out the napkin on his lap.
“Yep. His mom said he wasn’t home.” My boyfriend didn’t own a cell phone, and usually he didn’t need one. I was always with him.
“I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” my mother reassured me, patting my hand. She looked at my father. “Have some salad.” She pushed the yellow ceramic bowl, overflowing with romaine, in his direction.
My father scrunched his nose and took a sip of his iced tea instead.
The house phone rang out, startling me.
I jumped up, bumping the table with my thigh, nearly knocking over my glass. I apologized before dashing to the phone and snatching it off the counter. “Aiden?” I asked, rubbing my leg.
“Sorry, baby.” He was breathing heavily. “We just finished some drills and shit.”
I tsked.
“Stuff,” he corrected.
“What happened? We’ve been waiting for you.” I sounded whiny, but I’d missed him.
“I know. I can’t make it, Tess. Some things have come up.” My heart rate sped up. “Things?”
“Yeah. Just basketball stuff. You want me to come by after? I could tuck you in….” His voice got low and sexy, like he was whispering. I could hear the squeaking of sneakers on hardwood in the background. He was still with the team.
“My parents came home,” I said offhandedly because I knew they were listening.
“Already? Shit.”
“Aiden.”
“Sugar.”
I smiled. “You go play with your friends,” I said. “But pick me up for school?”
“Of course, baby.” I heard the phone shift. “I miss you,” he breathed. “I had a fun weekend.”
My body tingled, and I was glad my parents were behind me because my face was on fire. “Me too.”
“Like a lot of fun,” Aiden said.
“I know.”
“I love you, Tess.”
“I love you too.”
We hung up, and I took a deep breath before turning around. My parents were both staring at me, concerned looks on their faces.
“No Aiden?” my mom asked.
“Nope. Basketball.”
“Well, that’s all right,” my dad said. “He needs to practice. Aiden has a good work ethic.”
I nodded, but I was depressed as I plopped down in my kitchen chair. “Can you pass the salad?” I asked in a quiet voice.
My mother watched me but didn’t say anything. Instead, she put some greens on my plate as I set my napkin on my lap.
Monday morning, Kira was waiting for me in the hall outside of history. She looked excited. She started hopping the minute I came into view.
“Tessa,” she called, waving to me. It was sort of silly. I was only a few lockers away.
“What’s going on?” I asked, looking around at our fellow students, all of whom were staring at us. And not because we were shaking our pom-poms either.
She put her hand on my elbow and led me into the class. “It’s the new boy. He’s been asking everyone about the Smitten Kittens. Like full-on background checking.”
My belly did a somersault. I faced her. She was ecstatic at the news, but I didn’t think she realized how bad it could be if Christian dug a little too deep.
“Don’t get your curls twisted, K. We don’t want him knowing everything.”
She tilted her head like she didn’t understand and then widened her big blue eyes. “Oh, right! Well, from what I’ve heard”—she got close to whisper—“it’s more about our dating lives than our spying lives.”
“Really?” I twitched my nose. In a way, that made me even more uncomfortable. “What did he want to know?”
“Dating stats, ex-boyfriends, class schedules—all sorts of stuff.” She paused and adjusted the charm on her necklace. “Especially about you,” she said.
I watched her, not really sure what to say. I knew Kira had a crush on Christian, and I was 100 percent behind their soon-to-be relationship. But I couldn’t help if he’d asked about me. Still, I felt guilty.
“Sorry,” I said.
Kira looked over at me and shook her head. “No bigs, Tess. He’s a total pup. He just needs to be trained. Like Aiden.” She smiled, deepening her dimples, then winked before spinning on her heels and walking through the classroom. She plopped down at our table, leaving me still standing in my flip-flops, sort of stunned.
I’d thought Christian understood the situation. I was with Aiden, and I certainly wasn’t available. Now, Kira, she was totally available. And willing. Maybe—
Someone cleared their throat behind me. I blinked quickly and turned. Oh, my.
“I brought your notebook,” Christian said, glancing at my feet. I followed his eyes. Red nail polish was smeared across my toes. It made me think about my weekend with Aiden.
“And I’m really sorry about calling you….”
“Tess,” Kira whispered from our table. I looked over, and she held up the cell and waved it at me.
Gingersnaps! Another assignment. I hadn’t even gotten the rundown on the last one. It seemed like they were coming nonstop lately. SOS was a full-time job.
I looked up at Christian. Poor thing, he was still trying to apologize for getting my phone number. I should let him down easy.
“Excuse me, Christian?” I said in my sweetest voice. I’d hate for him to think I was rude. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I really have to sit down and sort out my things for class.”
His eyes widened. “Sure. Sorry.” He motioned forward with his hands.
“No worries,” I said. “Maybe I’ll see you at lunch or something.” There was a pang in my belly. Suddenly his sister’s scowl popped in my head. I wondered if it was just because she was sour at her parents’ divorce and switching schools. Or—I bit the inside of my cheek—maybe it was because she was interested in Aiden. She wouldn’t be the first girl. Luckily my guy didn’t notice silly things like that. I swallowed hard.
“Lunch would be great,” Christian said, beaming and brushing a lock of his hair behind his ear.
Uh-oh. I wasn’t really inviting him. I’d better not do any more damage. I twirled and walked to my table, sitting down in my seat. Pulling my bag into my lap, I grabbed out my history book as I looked over Kira’s shoulder at the cell phone screen. Wait.
I turned. Christian was at the end of our table, smiling. I raised my eyebrow. He stared back for a minute.
“Right,” he said, holding up his finger like he’d forgotten to tell me something. “I …” He laughed to himself and shook his head. “Never mind. See you girls later.”
I watched him walk away, feeling a little uncomfortable, and then looked sideways at Kira.
She stared down, tapping her fingernails on the table. “My word,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Looks like I have a lot of work to do with that one.”
I laughed as she turned around in her seat to smile and wave at Christian. Kira was excellent at keeping a positive attitude. Even though Darren had just cheated on her a few days ago, she was already picking herself back up and moving on. It was brave, really. I was impressed with her tenacity.
“So how did the last assignment meeting go?” I asked when she’d settled down.
“Shit! I forgot.” She slapped her hand on the table.
“Kira, language!”
“Sorry, Tess. It just slipped out.”
It wasn’t like I was the purest soul on Earth, but there was something to be said for old-fashioned manners. And cussing like a sailor was unbecoming of a Smitten Kitten. We were supposed to lead by example.
“So no meeting?” I asked. I should’ve just come to school on Friday. The girls of Washington needed me. SOS needed a strong leader, and lately, I’d been failing.
“I got sort of sidetracked,” she said apologetically.
I exhaled. “By what?”
“Um …” Her eyes wandered around the room. Mr. Powell got up, walking to the podium, and opened his oversized teacher’s book. I plucked the phone out of Kira’s hands.
“Never mind,” I whispered. “We’ll talk about it later.” The bell rang, and I quickly scrolled through the SOS message.
911! I think my BF, Marcus Billings, is cheating! I can’t catch him, and I’ve been told SOS is the best. If that bastard hooked up wl someone else, I will be so pissed blc we had sex for the first time this wknd. Thx, Cassandra
I cringed. Sometimes TMI was a given. I handed the phone to Kira and let her read.
“Ew,” she said, looking at me with her lip curled. “Too much information.”
“I know.”
Mr. Powell cleared his throat and told us to open our books to page ninety-six. Kira leaned over to whisper to me, “So when do you want to start this assignment?”
“I can’t tonight,” I said. “I’m going to Aiden’s for dinner. His mother is demanding it.” My stomach turned. She did this every few months, mostly to scare me away. But it never worked. I had some very sharp claws for a Kitten, and they were firmly planted in her son’s backside.
“Sorry for you,” Kira said, pretending to gag. She was so sweet.
“But this weekend,” I said. “We need to catch up on these assignments. We’re falling behind.”
“I know, Tess,” she groaned. “But there are just so many. I mean, Darren told me that part of the reason he cheated with Charlie was because I was never around.”
“Wait,” I whispered forcefully as I touched her arm. “When did you talk to Darren?” Oh, Kira.
She bit her lip. “Late Friday night.”
“Gross, K. Breakup sex? You’re so above that.”
“I know.” Her shoulders slumped. It hurt my heart to see her sad, so I gave her a quick hug. When I pulled back, I furrowed my brow.
“But why Darren when you’re trying for Christian?” I’d hate to think of Kira going back to her old ways. We’d worked so hard to restore her rep!
She shrugged. “It just happened. Darren sent me a text message, so I called him and … Gosh, Tess. I feel awful.”
“It’s okay,” I said, squeezing her hand. “If anything ever happened with Aiden, I would totally still go after him too.” My stomach turned. I’d never thought of anything happening to me and Aiden before. I straightened my posture and turned on the captain voice. “Just be careful, K. You’re more than a piece of tail. Smitten Kitten slogan.”
She nodded. I’d really hoped she’d get together with Christian, but now I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea. Not when she was obviously still lusting after Darren. Hm. Maybe I should talk to Aiden. Have him see what Darren’s intentions were.
The SOS phone vibrated again. My mouth fell open, and Kira met my stare.
“Another one,” she whispered, her dimples deepening with worry.
“Don’t respond. We’re getting seriously dunked on over here.”
Kira leaned back and touched her chest, staring at me. “But … you’ve never purposely not responded to a message.”
She was right. What was I thinking? “Okay,” I whispered. “Check it, then schedule an emergency SOS meeting for tonight. We’ll meet up after my dinner.” That was if I made it out of Aiden’s house alive. “Can you message the other girls and let them know?”
“On it, Tess.” She held the phone under the table out of Mr. Powell’s view and began texting. Kira loved when I trusted her with top-secret communications. And even though she messed up the last briefing, I still believed in her. One day, I might even let her lead a practice or two. She’d been trying so hard.
After she put the phone back in her purse, she twirled the gum from her mouth around her finger, staring vacantly ahead. It was easy to see why she always got the attention of the boys at Washington High. She was very orally fixated.
I felt a tingle on the back of my ponytailed neck. Blinking quickly, I turned around. Christian sat up straight as my eyes met his. He beamed. I tried to smile politely, then swung to face front. He was making me self-conscious, but I wasn’t sure why. I just had the sneaking suspicion that I needed to keep my distance from him.
Oh, applesauce! I’d have to start after our lunch date.
Veggie burgers. Sigh. Although I appreciated our school’s attempt to promote the vegetarian society, I would have been more appreciative if it tasted even remotely like a burger. Besides, it was served with Tater Tots. I wasn’t sure what food group they fell under.
“So Tessa,” Chloe asked from across the table, tucking her bra strap under the fabric of her tank top. “How long have you been a cheerleader?”
I had hoped when Christian joined us, he’d ask his sister to go to another table, and he did. Only she refused. And took the seat directly across from Aiden. I had my eye on her. And I didn’t want to answer her question. I didn’t start cheering until seventh grade, the month my dad moved out. In fact, I was a late bloomer. Most of the former squad captains had cheered since Pop Warner.
Kira spoke for me. “Tessa was born in the skirt. She’s a natural-born leader. Pure Sex Kitten.” Chloe choked on her milk.
I straightened up. “It’s Smitten—”
“Holy shit.” Chloe laughed in her low, gravelly tone. “Did you just say Sex Kitten?” I clenched my jaw.
“Yeah,” Aiden said, leaning toward her. “It’s a pretty funny story. Everyone calls them that because a few years ago, the Ducks came to town to play us and the point guard found the squad irresistible—especially Tessa.” He turned to me and winked. “So, since they cheer for the Wildcats, he started calling them the Sex Kittens. The name sort of stuck.”
“Ew, it came from my old school?” She laughed and then looked at me. “You know that name is completely offensive, right?”
My jaw was beginning to hurt.
“Yeah,” Leona said from the end of the table. “If I was here then, I would have kneed that Duck in the balls.”
“Inappropriate,” I whispered.
“That’s the thing.” Aiden laughed and turned back to Chloe. “Tessa said if she didn’t let it bother her, it took away the Ducks’ power. That was from Oprah. Right, baby?”
I nodded.
“So she took their power. And I don’t know if you’ve ever seen one of our games, but when the Ducks are here, it’s pure entertainment. As soon as the girls stand up on the sidelines, their starting five have all sprung hard-ons.”
“Aiden,” I said, slapping his leg. There was no need to talk like that. Especially in public. Dressed.
“I’m sorry, Tess. I just think it’s hilarious when any guy thinks he has a chance with you.” He grinned mischievously.
Christian coughed and shifted in the seat next to me.
My face tingled. Was Aiden acting possessive? I’d never heard him say anything like that before.
“Don’t be mad,” he whispered, looking over at me. “I’ll be a good boy.” He licked his lips, taunting me. Daring me to be mad at him. Not possible.
“And how long have you lovebirds been together?” Chloe asked, sounding annoyed. My eyes darted to her. I didn’t like her tone.
“Two years,” Aiden said, leaning over to kiss my arm and look up at me devilishly. I could see his hands slowly inching down his thighs toward me. He was so naughty.
“Stop,” I mouthed to him.
He made a face, scrunching his nose. Then he pulled up, kissed my cheek, and went back to his veggie burger.
“That’s a long time to date,” Chloe said, looking down and picking through her lunch tray. “You must be so sick of each other.” She glanced up at my boyfriend. And smiled.
I gasped. Kira dropped her spork. “Chloe?” she asked. “That is not a nice thing to say. Are you effing with Tessa?” Finally. The voice of reason. And it belonged to Kira. Go figure.
Chloe looked around innocently, touching dramatically at her throat. “God, no. I’d never f*ck with a Sex Kitten. You guys are obviously badass.”
Okay. My heart was racing. I didn’t fight and I didn’t swear, but I would raise my voice if I had to.
“Goodbye, Chloe,” Christian said forcefully.
I didn’t look at him; I had his sister’s brown-eyed glare locked in my own. She was right about one thing. Nobody effed with a Smitten Kitten.
“Whatever,” she said, standing up and pushing her tray to the center of the table.
Her attitude needed to be seriously adjusted. In fact, her overall personality needed a makeover.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “See you around, prez.”
My lip curled for a split second, but I caught it. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know she’d gotten to me. I batted my eyelashes at her and smiled. “Have a nice day.”
Chloe flinched like she’d been slapped. Take that. She thought she’d break me. Fat chance. I was a tougher cookie than I appeared. It would take a lot more than a crude word to get me to stoop to her level.
“Goodbye, Aiden,” she said sweetly to him, reaching out to touch his arm when she walked by him.
My. Blood. Boiled.
I dropped my head, taking a deep breath before looking back up at the table. No one saw my temporary loss of perkiness. But when I shot a sideways glance at my boyfriend, he was rubbing his arm. The spot where he’d been touched. There was a dull ache I couldn’t identify. Cap’n Crunch! Was it doubt?
I felt a hand on my back. I swung around.
“I’m really sorry,” Christian said quietly, squatting down behind me. “My sister can be a real bitch—”
I rolled my eyes. Come on with these cussers!
“Brat,” he said quickly. “She’s a real brat sometimes. I’ll talk to her. Make her apologize.”
“Thank you, Christian,” I said cordially, not unaware that his fingers were massaging my vertebrae. I looked nervously at Aiden, but he was staring down at the table, still rubbing his bicep. I swallowed hard and stiffened my back, waiting for Christian to unhand me. He didn’t move.
“Let’s go,” Aiden said to the entire table just as the bell rang. He was up and staring down at Christian and me before the ringing had even stopped. He didn’t look jealous. He looked fine. I blinked quickly. Maybe he should be a little jealous.
“Nice seeing you again, Chris,” Aiden said, grabbing my backpack off the cafeteria floor. I stood, letting Christian’s hand fall from my body. My fingers were trembling from the altercation with Chloe. Coupled with Christian’s need to touch me, this had been a very odd lunch.
“Yeah, you too,” Christian said, eyeing my boyfriend.
I slid my hand into Aiden’s as we began to weave through the tables on our way to the hall.
“By the way, it’s Christian,” Christian called from behind us.
“Right. Sorry,” Aiden replied, but didn’t turn around.
I smiled. Maybe he was jealous. I held his hand a little tighter.
SOS INTENT TO INVESTIGATE
CASE: 045
CLIENT: Mandy Morgan
SUBJECT: Travis Murray
This is the SOS official notice of intent to investigate Travis Murray. The client has accused Mr. Murray of “stepping out with his ex.” It is unclear whether the subject had terminated his previous relationship or “gone back for seconds.” The investigation will begin in 48 hours.
If you wish to cancel this investigation, please text a stop work order to 555-0101. Stop orders must be placed within 24 hours of this written notification.
We trust that this notice will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.
Thank you for thinking of SOS, and we truly hope that our investigation ends with positive results. Have a great day.