The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(28)
Author: Suzanne Young

“Borrowed Darren’s.” Aiden’s fingers slowly traced up my spine, feeling it through my silk pajama top. But when he got to my shoulders, he braced me and held me back to look at my face. He stared at me for a minute, his eyes uneasy. Then he pulled me gently into a hug and rested his chin on top of my head. “I missed you, baby,” he murmured. “Didn’t you miss me?”

Did he feel it too? The strangeness of us? “I always miss you,” I breathed.

He shifted, pressing closer to me, clearly liking my answer. “I can’t stay tonight,” he said.

My stomach turned. “Oh.”

“But I’ll give you a foot rub before I leave,” he whispered seductively.

Was that it? Was he just here to hook up? I pulled back from him, my eyes beginning to tear.

“What?” he asked, looking alarmed.

“You came here for that?”

“For what? Tessa, what is going on? You’re seriously freaking me out.” Aiden put his palms on my cheeks, watching as a few tears trickled down them. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

But I couldn’t. How could I tell him that SOS had trained me to scout out cheaters, and now he was showing the classic signs? How could I say that to the guy I loved?

“It’s nothing,” I said, sniffling. “Just tuck me in, okay?”

I thought Aiden might cry too. He looked so frustrated. Helpless. So I just took his hand, kissed it, and then held it in my own as I pulled him toward my bedroom.

SOS CHEATER INCIDENT REPORT

CASE: 050

CLIENT: Desiree Tucker

SUBJECT: Rueben Monroe

FINDINGS: At approximately 7:30 a.m. on February 28, Mr. Monroe was observed getting out of the car of a person other than the client in front of Washington High. It was later determined that the driver was his mother, Claire Monroe. She looks very young for her age.

However, Mr. Monroe was picked up from the building by a different vehicle. The car was registered to a Mrs. Yvonne Gallagher, his mother’s best friend. Mr. Monroe and Mrs. Gallagher were followed back to her house on Sycamore Drive, where the enclosed photos were taken. You will notice that they confirm sexual intercourse.

Phone records also indicate a consistent relationship dating back several months, or since Mr. Monroe turned eighteen. It is our determination that the subject is cheating.

We trust that this report will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.

SOS is sorry for your loss, and we offer our deepest sympathies. We hope that we will not have to assist you again in the future, but please keep us in mind for referrals.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

LOW-KEY? AIDEN HAD TOLD ME HE’D KEEP THE party low-key. Hm. Was that why half of the graduating class was having a bonfire in his backyard barbecue pit? There had to be close to a hundred and fifty people here! And even though Aiden’s grassy yard was great for playing volleyball in the summer, right now it was scattered with red plastic cups and cigarette butts. His mother would flip if she saw that.

Inside, Aiden’s professionally decorated house had become a mass of jocks, cheerleaders, and upperclassmen. In fact, most of his furniture was pushed to the wall to make a dance floor. I kept my eye on the entrance waiting to see who else would show.

Just then another group came in the door, and my heart skipped a beat. Christian and Chloe. Chloe saw me immediately and smiled. I was ashamed to admit that I was a little jealous. Her long blond hair was pretty, blown out pin straight and smooth. Her frayed denim miniskirt and braless tank top were way more revealing than anything non-uniformed I’d wear. But she wore it well. She looked very desirable.

I glanced around for Aiden. He was in the corner by the pool table, watching Darren tell an animated basketball story. At least it looked like a basketball story. Not sure what else those hip-thrusting movements could stand for.

“Ew,” Leona said, coming to stand next to me. “She showed up.” I grinned before looking sideways at her. Leona’s hair was in a high ponytail, and she had extra-big hoops in her ears. She was super-stylish. Just then Kira came bouncing over, nodding emphatically as she snapped her gum.

“Well, well,” she said, blowing a bubble and then sucking it in with a loud pop.

“Chloe’s outfit is totally tawdry. She reminds me of that Yvonne lady that Rueben Monroe’s been doing.”

“She does!” Leona said, turning to her and laughing.

Even though I was happy to see Leona and Kira getting along for once, talking so carelessly about a scandal was hardly becoming of a Smitten Kitten.

“We don’t discuss assignments outside of practice,” I said quietly, leaning back on my heels as I spoke.

“Sorry,” they both mumbled.

“Besides,” I said, looking worriedly at Chloe. “We really should be more polite.” I folded my hands behind my back, wishing Christian’s sister would change her mind and leave.

Kira stepped forward, fluffing her curls, and then turned back to me, grinning. “For sure, Tessa. It is the Smitten Kitten way.” She winked and walked through the crowded room, looking perkier than usual, her pink skirt fluttering up with her movements.

“Uh-oh,” Leona said. “Seems she’s found her next victim.” Guess their truce hadn’t lasted long.

I was about to scold Leona for picking on Kira again, but she turned to leave before I could. Then Kira’s high-pitched voice carried over the crowd.

“Hi, Christian,” she said with exaggerated enthusiasm, putting her arms around his waist and hugging him. Chloe shot her a dirty look.

“Oh,” Christian said, looking surprised by her attention. “What’s up, Kira?” He shot a quick look around, found me, and then went back to staring at her.

“Chloe,” Kira said, turning to her, just as loudly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Christian’s sister seemed thrown off. “Me … too?”

Kira giggled, releasing her grip on Christian to embrace his sister. I snickered. Chloe looked freaked out by Kira’s hospitality. My counselor had once told me that children of divorce sometimes lack self-esteem. Hm. I might have believed that about Chloe if she weren’t scouting the room, totally looking for my boyfriend.

“Let me show you around,” Kira said, taking her by the elbow. “Aiden’s pretty busy.”

Nice. Kira was a clever Kitten sometimes. The last thing I wanted was for my boyfriend to give Chloe a personal tour. Not when she was dressed like that. I looked back for Aiden, but he was gone. My stomach turned.