So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(44)
Author: Suzanne Young

I would just have to be seen with him. We’d considered setting something up for Chris’s party on Saturday, but Kira had told us that Joel wouldn’t be there. I admit, I was a little disappointed. After seeing Aiden with Mary, the thought of another date with Chris made me slightly nauseous. It would have been nice to see a friendly face.

So we decided that the best place for Operation Knockoff would be at homecoming, with Joel and me in a compromised position. And even though Kira refused to participate in the sting or talk to me other than in short sentences, she was still up for going to Chris’s party on Saturday with us.

However awkward that might be.

SOS CHEATER REQUEST

CASE: 005

CLIENT: Kira Reynolds

SUBJECT: Joel Fletcher

Due to the sensitive nature of this assignment, we will keep this notice brief. SOS will be investigating Tessa Crimson, free of charge, in the suspected cheat of Joel Fletcher.

Although pictures were supplied already, from your sternly worded letter, we gather that you’re not ready to accept this crime.

Because of that, SOS will confirm the cheat and provide revenge tactics.

SOS will inform you of our findings as soon as possible. We would also recommend that you no longer associate with Ms. Crimson or the Smitten Kittens.

Keep kicking ass,

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“HURRY UP, LEONA,” KIRA CALLED FROM THE driver’s seat as Leona walked out the front double doors of her huge brick house. Her dad’s vintage cars were in the driveway, making her already-impressive house that much more eclectic.

We’d parked on her street, sitting at the curb for close to fifteen minutes while we waited for her. But the second I saw her, I knew why. She looked delicious. Her brown hair had been set in curlers, leaving it all wavy, with her fringed bangs brushed to the side. She’d gotten new contacts and lined her eyes heavily with liner, giving her that model-just-out-of-rehab look. Her black minidress with strappy heels was a total ensemble!

Izzie whistled from the passenger seat as Leona climbed into the back with me. I smiled.

“You look ravishing,” I said, reaching up to touch one of her curls.

She shrugged. “No big deal.”

“It certainly is,” Kira announced before checking her mirrors and pulling out into the street. “You finally look like a real Kitten.”

Not true. Leona always looked like herself, which was exactly right for a Smitten Kitten. But Kira and I were only speaking to each other when necessary, and contradicting her right now didn’t qualify as necessary.

“Shove it, Kira,” Leona said, reaching over to adjust the strap on her sandals. “I just wanted to put myself back on the market. Worry about your own boyfriend.”

“When were you off the market?” Kira laughed. “And don’t worry about Joel. He’s just fine.”

Leona shot me a glance, then turned to look out the back window at the passing trees. “Let’s drop it. I’m just ready to have fun. That’s all.”

After the week I’d had, I was hoping that Chris’s party would be more on the hook than off, but I was wrong. There were at least twenty people standing on the front lawn of his two-story, red Craftsman’s-style home. A few were playing horseshoes (which I’m sure the neighbors loved), and some were just sitting on the porch watching and drinking, occasionally calling out winners.

Kira bumped the curb as she parked in front, causing the crowd to taunt us.

“Nice,” Leona murmured. I could see the splotches of red appearing on her neck and chest. It wasn’t a common thing for Leona to look petrified.

Izzie sighed longingly from the front seat. “I bet Sam liked horseshoes.”

“He probably did,” I said, trying to be supportive. Then I leaned over and pushed open the door. As the rest of the girls filtered out, grouping around me, I became uncomfortably aware that I was underdressed.

Leona was in a minidress, and Kira and Izzie were both in short skirts and ballet flats. I, however, was wearing a white T-shirt with jeans and sandals. They seemed to notice my clothes too.

“Jeez, Tessa, could you have even tried to impress Chris?” Kira said, fluffing her blonde curls. “I could have let you borrow an outfit.”

I wasn’t sure if Kira was trying to be friendly or if she was putting me down because she was still upset about the Joel misunderstanding. Either way, I decided to just be polite.

“Thanks for the offer.”

“Let’s go,” Leona said, looping her arm in mine and heading across the soft grass and toward the party. A few people said hi to me as we walked. I sensed that just by being here, I was getting part of my reputation back. Although at this point, I wasn’t really sure how much I cared.

The music was loud. Really loud. We wandered in, Izzie and Kira immediately heading to the kitchen in search of cups while Leona and I decided to stake out the scene from the living room.

We stood by the fireplace and scanned the room.

“Do you think the copy-Kitten is here?” I asked, swallowing hard. It made goose bumps rise on my arms, just thinking about being watched. Again.

“Naw,” Leona said. “I doubt it, since Joel’s not here.” She turned to me. “But then again, you seem to be the flavor of the week, so there is a chance she’s tracking you.”

“Reassuring.” I felt my phone vibrate in my jeans pocket and held it up to check the number. I drew in a harsh breath. “It’s Mary,” I murmured.

“Shit.”

“Language.”

“Sorry, Tess.” But then Leona reached for my phone, plucking it from my hands and putting it to her ear. “Tessa’s phone,” she said into it, looking sideways at me.

Her carefully lined eyes narrowed. “Yeah, see, Mary, I don’t think Tessa’s all that keen on talking to you right now. Why?” Leona laughed, reaching up to switch the phone to her other ear. “Maybe because you’re a sneaky bitch? Maybe because we saw you kiss her boyfriend—ex, whatever. Doesn’t matter. You violated Smitten Kitten code.”

There was a mix of sickness and relief in my stomach. I didn’t want it said so bluntly about Mary and Aiden. Saying it made it real. But then again, I was just so glad to have Leona stick up for me. I hadn’t felt protected in a long time.

Leona sighed. “Sure,” she said. “I’ll tell her. Bye.” Leona pulled the phone from her face and looked at it as she clicked it off, averting her eyes.

“Tell me what?” I asked, my heart racing.