The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(35)
Author: Suzanne Young

Aw. That was just about the sweetest thing he could have ever done. I saw the World’s Best Athlete mug on the side table and grabbed it, taking a sip. My eyes weakened as I looked at him.

“You…” I almost cried. “You put marshmallows in it?”

He chuckled. “You sounded down. I wanted to pick you up.”

I stared at him as he stood in front of me, his robe tied shut. I closed my eyes.

“Do you remember Mary Rudick?” I asked suddenly. This was it. My heart was beating so fast, I thought I might pass out. I was vaguely aware of the pulsating in my ankle.

“Kyle Turkowitz’s ex-girlfriend?”

I nodded. “She was a great captain,” I said. My eyes had begun to water. Orion’s belt! Please let me be brave enough to tell him.

“She was good,” Aiden agreed as he sat down next to me. “Why are you thinking about her? Doesn’t she live in California?”

“Yeah.” She was lucky. After starting all of this, she was able to have a life now. And she probably had a boyfriend she didn’t have to lie to.

We were quiet for a minute, and then Aiden reached out to take my cup, setting it back on the side table. “Come hug me,” he whispered. “I want to hold you.”

And I couldn’t say another thing. I practically collapsed into Aiden’s arms, crying softly as he stroked my hair.

“Oh, baby,” he murmured. “Is it your parents? Are they splitting up again?”

I sniffled, but I didn’t answer. Instead I pulled back, looking into his beautiful green eyes. All this time, I could have told him. But now it was too late. He couldn’t find out. I’d do what Christian wanted and soon, I’d be like Mary Rudick. Aiden would be away at college in a few months and after that, just one more year of SOS. One more year of lying.

“I love you,” I said. “I couldn’t even cheer without you in my life.”

He smiled. “Tess.” He put his palms on my cheeks and drew me close to him. “I’ll never not be in your life. You are my life, baby.”

Aiden kissed me softly, tenderly. Then he laid me down and tucked me between his flannel sheets as he curled up next to me. He stroked my hair, murmuring in my ear. Then, to the sound of his heartbeat, I drifted off.

SOS CHEATER INCIDENT REPORT

CASE: 054

CLIENT: Emily Hodges

SUBJECT: Wiley Penchant

FINDINGS: At approximately 2 a.m. on March 3, Mr. Penchant was observed leaving the Windmill hotel with a female other than the client. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the accomplice was Mia Hodges, the client’s sister. Mr. Penchant and Ms. Hodges left the hotel in different vehicles, but before leaving, Ms. Hodges was overheard saying, “You can’t tell her, Wil. She’ll be devastated. I love you too, but Emily can’t find out.”

Enclosed are the photos documenting the time the two spent in the hotel room. Surveillance captured footage of them kissing, along with other sexual situations. Mr. Penchant also gave Ms. Hodges a box and wished her a happy “one-year anniversary.” It was not clear what they were celebrating.

SOS is confirming this cheat, and considering the severity of the findings, we would also like to extend our list of reputable therapists. You will find it enclosed with the photos.

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 sympathy. We hope that we will not have to assist you again in the future, but please keep us in mind for referrals.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“QUEEN OF SHEBA!” KIRA GASPED, DROPPING HER maroon and gray pom-poms on the wood floor. “He knows?” She sat down, stunned.

I nodded. The squad was not taking the news well. Neither was I. I hadn’t even ironed my cheer skirt this morning. In fact, my braid had strands of hair dangling from it.

“Is he going to tell?” Leona asked, looking around the empty gymnasium. Poor thing. She was so nervous. She’d actually chewed off three of her fingernails. Her French manicure was ruined.

“Well,” I began, pacing in front of the bleachers as they sat watching me. It was hard to look composed when I felt so broken. “He said he wouldn’t. But he’s asked to help.”

“Help?” Kira squeaked with relief. “That’s so sweet!” She was beaming.

I tried to smile, but my belly turned. Christian had said he was worried about me, but I knew the score. All I had to do was indulge him in two assignments. It wasn’t like I had to hook up with him. Thank heavens he knew better than to ask for that. That would have earned him a swift kick to the groin.

“How did he find out?” Leona asked. I stared at her for a minute, unsure if I should tell. Cassie had messed up, it was true, but it was no reason to subject her to Leona’s wrath.

“I don’t know,” I said. “And it doesn’t matter now.” But there was something else I wanted to talk to them about. Something I’d realized as I snuck out of Aiden’s window in the middle of the night.

“After the Christian situation is resolved…” I paused. “I think SOS should take a break.”

They all gasped.

“What about the cheaters?” Izzie squealed. “We’re just going to let them get away with it? Look at what happened to Emily Hodges—her boyfriend was sleeping with her sister!” Izzie looked sick. We’d caught her boyfriend with her cousin just last month.

“Tessa,” Leona spoke up. “Can you imagine the cheater stats if we stopped tracking them? They’d be out of control.”

“They’re already out of control,” Izzie whined.

“Even more reason to keep on it,” Leona shot back.

Kira stood up, waving her hands wildly. “Be quiet and let Tessa have the court.”

I took a deep breath, glancing from face to face. Their expressions told me one thing. I’d be a quitter. If I didn’t stick it out, I’d be a quitter.

“Never mind,” I said quietly. “I’m just tired.”

“You look it,” Leona muttered. I was glad I’d never let her lead a practice. Her attitude was less than sparkly sometimes.

“Tessa,” Kira said, turning to me, looking serious. Her usual wide-eyed expression was gone. This was the real Kira, the one that kicked tush. She marched over and hugged me tightly.

“You’re choking me,” I said.

“Sorry.” She backed up and tilted her head. “If you want to stop SOS, I’ll follow your lead. After all, we’ll still be Smitten Kittens. Even without the spying.”