The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(24)
Author: Suzanne Young

Christian stretched his arms over his head and then exhaled. “Fine, I’ll answer the one I’m sure you’re dying to know.”

“And which one is that?”

He widened his eyes as if it was a stupid question. “Whether or not I have a girlfriend. ”

There was an uneasy turn to my stomach. No. Actually, I hadn’t been wondering that, but if he did have a girlfriend, I would be very disappointed. I wasn’t sure Kira could take another heartbreak.

“You look worried, Tessa,” he said, completely misreading my expression. “I don’t have a girlfriend. I don’t even have a psychotic ex. So you’re in the clear.”

Me? Why was I in the clear? Maybe I needed to be more direct.

“Christian,” I said simply, touching his arm. He flexed. “Christian, I’m not sure if this is accidental or not, but it seems like you’re hitting on me.” My face was beginning to redden. This was much easier to say in my head. I dropped my hand.

“It is accidental,” he said smiling, looking embarrassed. I sighed with relief. He leaned closer to me. “I wasn’t supposed to seem like I was. I am hitting on you.”

Shake and bake!

“But … Kira …”

He pursed his lips. “To be honest, I’m not really into blondes. I like you.”

“But … why?” What made him think that he was at all my type? He didn’t even play a sport!

Christian adjusted in his seat and looked thoughtfully at me. “You’re just different. Sweet. Beautiful. You’re … perfect. You’re just perfect.”

I swallowed hard. Was I perfect? Did he believe that? Did I?

There was a low whistle, and I looked toward the doorway out into the hallway. My chest swelled. Aiden. Like a tall drink of lemonade on a hot day, my guy stood there in a tracksuit with his hair a perfect mess. Thank goodness he was here. I knew he’d come for me.

He winked before striding into the classroom, pretending not to look my way. Christian groaned next to me. He might not be as elated as I was.

“Mr. Wilder,” Mr. Powell said, sounding amused. “What can I do you for, son?” My teacher flicked his eyes to mine. I shrugged.

Aiden sounded sweet. “Sorry to bother you, sir, but Tessa has my lunch in her locker and I’m so hungry.” He clutched his stomach. “We have practice after school, and if I don’t get something to eat—”

Powell waved him off. “Just take her,” he said. He looked at me. “Ms. Crimson, I expect you won’t be late again?”

I smiled and shook my head. He motioned for the door. I jumped up, shooting Christian one last glance before walking away. He sucked at his teeth.

“See ya,” he said. He looked up at Aiden. “Thanks for the invite, by the way.”

Aiden raised his chin to him. “No problem, Chris. I’ll see you Saturday.” Then he held his hand out to me. I jogged up to take it, thrilled to finally see him. His fingers squeezed mine, and they were warm, protective. We began walking out.

“Cool,” Christian called to us. “And it’s Christian.”

“Sorry,” Aiden said, not looking back. “See you later, man.” And we left.

I debated telling Aiden about Christian’s failed attempt to woo me but decided it would only cause more friction. And friction was not something I needed. Not when I was overflowing with assignments.

The minute we got in the empty hall, I tugged on Aiden’s hand. He looked down at me and batted his eyelashes dramatically. Wow. He looked fantastic, and my anxiety began to ease as I stared back at him.

“You missed me, didn’t you?” he asked expectantly.

“Madly. Where were you?”

He let go of my hand and placed his arm over my shoulders as we headed down the empty hall to the cafeteria. We didn’t need to go to my locker—Aiden never brought his lunch to school. That was just a lie to get me out of detention fifteen minutes early. He knew Mr. Powell would let me go because he was a huge supporter of the Wildcats. That man had spirit.

Aiden exhaled. “I got to school late because my mother was bitching me out about some stupid phone call she got last night.”

“Phone call?”

“Yeah. Some ass**le called her last night and said that I was f**king around after practice or something—”

I slapped him in the stomach. His language was atrocious today. “Sorry.” He shook his head. “Well, anyway, they told her I was drinking and driving. So she took my car. She wouldn’t even let me use the phone to call you.”

I stopped walking, letting his arm fall off of me. “What in heaven’s name? Who would do that?”

“Seriously,” he agreed. “I wouldn’t drink after practice, and I definitely wouldn’t drive if I did.”

As I stared up at Aiden, my heart was racing. Nobody messed with him like that. Aiden was very well liked. Ping-Pong and pogo sticks! This was weird.

“Do you think …” I paused. I didn’t want to say it.

“Christian?” he asked for me.

I twitched my nose, sort of embarrassed for accusing without evidence. That was not the SOS way.

“Already thought of that,” Aiden said, reaching out to put his arms around my waist to pull me to him. “But my mom said it was a girl.”

My mouth fell open. Oh, I did not like that. Not at all. “A girl?” It came out as a squeak. My fur prickled. Aiden’s mother probably loved that. Someone other than me calling the house.

“Aw, baby,” he said, and chuckled. “They were throwing me under the bus, not asking me out.” He bent down and kissed my forehead. “Retract the claws.”

I swatted him and backed up. “Well, I still don’t like it,” I said.

“Yeah, me either. I’m not allowed to have the car for a week.”

Jeez Louise! That was harsh. “I’ll drive you,” I said, taking his hand and tugging him down the stairs to the cafeteria. I was still starving.

“Thank God she’s gone this weekend,” Aiden said, lifting my fingers to his mouth to kiss them.

Right, I had a question about that. “Why did you invite Chloe?” I asked, not turning around. I didn’t want to tell him I’d forgotten about his party, even though I wasn’t entirely sure he’d told me about it.

“Who’s Chloe?”

“Christian’s sister.” I smiled a little. I was happy to hear that he didn’t recognize her name. Even though she was clearly hunting him.