The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(16)
Author: Suzanne Young

“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.”