CHAPTER TWELVE
ON SUNDAY, KIRA SHOWED UP WITH THE BLUE prints for the next assignment. She’d spent half the day in the library while she mapped out Mitch Angley’s house and charted our course. It was a rough one. Scaling walls, roof tie-downs. I hated second-story bedrooms.
I debated telling her about Christian, but Kira would get really shaky. That wouldn’t work if she was going to be supporting my weight as I snapped some photos. No. This was my problem to handle. After all, I was the captain.
The night was quiet and cool as I started descending the wall of Mitch’s house. The siding was slippery under my sneaks, and I tried my best to get a foothold.
“Tessa,” Kira whispered from the roof above me. “I’m losing my grip.”
Not good. If Kira (a very dependable base) did indeed lose her grip, I would end up in a pile on Mitch Angley’s rosebushes. Ouch.
“Just one more second,” I whispered. Placing my feet against the sill of Mitch’s second-story bedroom window, I tried to take some of my weight off of Kira’s short and compact frame.
I reached into my backpack, glancing down once to see that I would probably miss the rosebushes and instead land on the side yard fence. Silk pajamas! That would be painful.
“Hurry,” Kira grunted, the rope shaking under my weight.
I found the night scope for my camera and snapped it on. It didn’t take me long to find the figures in the dark room. Through the slats in the blinds, I aimed my camera at the bed. I swallowed the metallic taste in my mouth. There were some things a lady should never do, and one of them was to see another girl on her hands and knees and take a picture.
My stomach turned with anxiety. This was the part of the investigation I hated. The actual witnessing. It was worse than relaying the bad news, in truth because the bad news didn’t come directly from me. In fact, Leona wrote up all the reports. But this, out here, hanging from a bungee on the side of Mitch Angley’s house—this was me.
I snapped a few pictures, careful to make sure the shots would show their faces. It was a bit difficult at first, but thankfully, they eventually switched positions. After my last picture, I had turned to slide my camera into my backpack when I felt the first tug. I nearly dropped the camera.
“Kira,” I whispered. Thank goodness Mitch’s parents invested in those double-pane windows. The added sound barrier was essential right now, since getting caught dangling would be a very bad idea.
“I’m trying,” she grunted.
Suddenly, I dropped down about five feet. My backpack slid off my shoulders and landed on the bushes below. Huh. I guessed I could make the roses after all.
I looked up. I wanted Kira to ease me up or set me down, but … I wasn’t even sure where she was anymore. And I was just swaying.
Glancing around as I spun, I tried to find something to grab onto, but I was too far off the house now. I was afraid to swing on the rope because it might cause her to further lose her grip. Fiddler on the roof! I was going to break my leg.
“Drop down,” a voice whispered from below me. My eyes widened.
“Christian?” This could not be happening. I was so busted. Christian had concrete proof now. I looked down at him and he smiled. He was wearing a black beanie and a dark, long-sleeved tee. Was he in disguise too?
“Hurry up.” He laughed. “Just drop down. I’ve got you.”
Got me? Hm. I didn’t like the double meaning. Looking up the length of the rope, I considered trying to climb up it, but that was a physical fitness test that I had certainly failed. Rope climbing—not my thing.
“Tessa,” Christian whispered loudly, holding his arms up like he would catch me. Not likely. I was still at least a dozen feet up.
“Kira,” I called to the roof again. She squealed.
And then she dropped me.
“Holy shit,” Christian said as I tumbled on top of him and, indeed he did not catch me. But he did break my fall.
We’d been loud. I saw the bedroom light flick on as Christian grabbed me by the sleeve and pulled me against the wall under the bedroom window. I was breathing heavily, terrified and still pumping adrenaline. I could hear Kira’s sneakers scurry across the roof. Ouch. I might have sprained my ankle.
And there were Christian and I, panting, shoulder to shoulder against a house. I looked sideways at him.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered fiercely. He grinned.
“Saving your life.” He looked away. “Obviously.”
Well, that was sort of cute. But … peanut butter sandwiches! How did he find me? This was highly alarming.
I stepped away from the wall to glare at him. “Have you been following me?” Maybe that was how he’d found out about SOS in the first place. He was a flipping stalker!
“Following you?” he asked as if he didn’t understand the question.
Oh, right. It was just a coincidence that he showed up, all covert-like.
The second-floor window slid open. My stomach dropped. Suddenly, Christian grabbed me around the waist and covered my mouth with his other hand, pulling me against him, pinning us to the wall.
Not good. We were pressed together, face to face, and I was unable to move. We listened, and Christian moved his hand away from my mouth, making my lips much more accessible to him. His breath smelled like spearmint. I narrowed my eyes.
“Who’s out here?” Mitch called from the window.
Butterscotch! I pressed closer to Christian and tucked my head into his neck. He smelled really good. We couldn’t get spotted now. Mitch was just above us. Christian’s hand slid up my back to hold my neck under my hair protectively, inappropriately.
The night air was filled with the chirping of crickets, and I waited. I waited for the sound of the window, but all I could hear right now was the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I was in a very compromised position. And I did not like it.
There was a thump that I recognized as a pane closing, and I exhaled, straightening up. I looked up and saw the light flick out. Apple dippers! I thought I’d be against Christian for the rest of my life. I moved back, eyeing him.
He was smiling, no doubt still smelling my perfume. But he knew. Christian knew something about me that no one outside of the Smitten Kittens knew. Not even Aiden. We were spies. I’d have to find out how he’d compromised us, but first, I needed to skedaddle before Mitch found me hiding among his rosebushes.
“Now what?” I asked, jetting my glance around the property. My face was tingling. I hated that I needed to ask Christian anything, but I knew that boys didn’t unmask a secret society of snooping cheerleaders, catch one falling off of a roof, and then just keep their mouths shut about it.
“We should get out of here,” he said. “Let me take you home.”
I groaned. Sure, it sounded simple, but this Kitten wasn’t born yesterday. Christian wanted to offer me more than a ride home. Did I have a choice? That was the better question.
The SOS cell phone vibrated in my pocket. My eyes flicked to Christian’s. He was grinning madly. I turned away and put the phone to my ear. It was Kira.
“Tess.” She was frantic. “Oh, my, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” I whispered, although my ankle did feel a little sore. “You guys go to Leona’s, and I’ll meet you there later.”
“What?” She was freaked out. The second rule of SOS was never to leave a Smitten Kitten behind.
“It’s okay,” I said. “I have to take care of something. I’ll see you in an hour.”
I could sense her worry. Poor thing, she wasn’t good at making split-second decisions—like that time she let Mike Rambler get to second base.
“K, I have to go. Wait for me there.” I hung up. That was bad manners, not saying goodbye. But I needed to get this little rendezvous over with, and I couldn’t let my squad have a chance to talk me out of it. I was the leader. I needed to cut the red wire. Or was it the blue wire? Dang it!
“You ready?” Christian asked like he was picking me up for a date.
Right. Ride home, my rear. I felt sick. It felt unnatural to be getting in another boy’s car. I just wanted Aiden. I wanted my sweetie.
Instead, I nodded and led the way through the overgrown side yard to the street. Christian jogged ahead of me to the car and opened the door for me to get in.
Well, that was polite. But I wasn’t impressed. It only succeeded in making me uneasy. When he closed my door and ran around the front of the car, I closed my eyes. This might not go well. In fact, I might just have to do something I didn’t want to do: be rude.
I didn’t have to give Christian directions to my house. He already knew where it was. See, total stalker. When he pulled into my driveway, he cut the engine. Pirates of the Caribbean! What did he want now?
He exhaled. “Okay, so I know this may be coming off as a little frightening, but I swear I’m not a creep or anything.”
“You sure?” I was angry. I was angry that I’d let myself be so vulnerable to a stranger. I had to tell Aiden. He shouldn’t find out from Christian.
“Tessa,” Christian said. “I’m not, like, going to blackmail you or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I turned to him, feeling a little less terrified. I had been afraid of that. “What do you want, then?”
He smiled but stared down at his steering wheel. “Well, you already know I like you…”
I shifted uncomfortably.
“But more than anything, I just want to help you. You’re in over your head. You could have been killed tonight.”
He was right on both accounts. “Can’t you just drop this?” I pleaded. “Forget that you know?” It was a long shot, but worth asking.
He shook his head. “No. I can’t.”
So it was blackmail. “And how do you propose you help me, Christian?” I felt prickles of anxiety crawl over my skin as I looked over the interior of his car. It was a Honda. Old, but clean. Such a sensible car. And yet I felt trapped. In this situation, I was trapped.
“I just want to spend time with you. And I think I can help with SOS.”
That couldn’t happen. My eyes glazed over with a sense of dread. “How did you find out about us anyway?” I asked, my voice monotone. I felt completely overtaken.
“I saw some of your notes to Cassandra Heart.”
I faced him. “What? She let you see those?” We’d helped Cassie! She knew all communication was top secret. How could she betray us?
“She didn’t really mean to tell me,” he said, as if he thought it would make me feel better. “It was sort of in the heat of the moment—”
“You hooked up with Cassie?” There was a tug in my chest. It wasn’t jealousy or anything, just surprise. Okay, maybe a small bit of jealousy. I thought I was the only one he stalked.
“I was with her once.” He shook his head. “Right after she found out about her boyfriend. She went on and on about these pictures, and then I remembered seeing you at Applebee’s. So I started following you. Then I spotted you at mini-golf and then later on some guy’s porch. I put two and two together, but I haven’t said a word to anyone. I swear.”
I met his dark eyes, trying to decide whether or not he was telling the truth. He looked honest, but didn’t I look honest? And I was a liar. Aiden.
“Aiden doesn’t know,” I blurted. Suddenly, I felt a tear run down my cheek. Jolly Green Giant! Now I was crying in front of Christian. I was so completely vulnerable.
Christian’s mouth opened, but he didn’t say anything. I wiped my cheeks quickly, embarrassed by my temporary lack of control. I pulled it together.
I sniffled. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I won’t tell him.”
That made me feel better. Relieved. “So that’s it?” I asked. “You’re not going to tell anybody?”
He smiled softly at me. “I won’t.”
“And you’re not asking for anything in return other than quality time.”
He paused. My heart stopped. “That’s all. Just time with you. Helping you.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“You fell off a roof.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re exaggerating.”
Christian shook his head and reached out to touch my knee. My body flinched. Oh, no. I would not stand for this.
“Don’t do that,” I warned. “I have a very good high kick.”
He chuckled, picking a leaf off my pants and holding it up to me. “Relax,” he said. “I’m trying to look out for you.”
I stared at him, confused. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Because I like you. I like how you make me feel. You’re just good, Tessa. I don’t know how else to explain it. And I think somebody should be looking out for you. Your boyfriend isn’t doing a bang-up job.”
“Don’t talk about Aiden like that,” I said quickly. But did I disagree? Aiden had been different lately. Distant. I … I was lonely.
“Besides,” Christian said with a smile. “I’d be good for stuff. Like for when you fall off buildings.”
I laughed. Yes. He did try and catch me, and that was chivalrous of him. I exhaled, still watching him carefully. I had no idea how to handle this. My gut was telling me that this was a terrible idea, and my gut was rarely wrong. But then again, I was in a very awkward formation. Not only was my reputation on the line, it was for the other Smitten Kittens too. I had to look out for my girls. I always looked out for them.
“One assignment,” I said, holding up my finger. “That’s it.” He grinned. “Three.”
I stared at him. I didn’t have the energy to apply my keen negotiation skills. “Two.”
“I can live with two.”
Could I? This was not a great thing. I had to tell Aiden. Somehow, I had to tell him before things got even further out of my control.
Christian seemed satisfied and restarted his car, reminding me that I had to go. I still needed to meet the girls at Leona’s.
“I’ll…” What should I say? Thanks for being my trampoline? See you on Tuesday at the movies to spy on Isaac Park? I opted to keep it simple. “Good night.” I reached for the handle.
“Tessa,” he said. I turned to him. “It was nice hanging out with you.”
Fudgsicle! How could he be polite at a time like this? “Uh … bye.” I got out. There was no need to respond when I wasn’t “hanging out” with him by choice. He just showed up to basket-catch me. I didn’t fall on purpose.
I paused in my driveway and waited until Christian’s car pulled away before I took out the cell phone. Kira needed to know what was going on with our newest addition. But I paused. I put the SOS phone back in my purse and pulled out my cell to dial Aiden.
He answered on the first ring. “Hello.” He’d been sleeping. I closed my eyes.
“Hi,” I said.
“Tess? What’s up, baby?” There was a rustling of sheets.
“Can I come over?” I asked. Tears were stinging my eyes. He would be so angry with me when he found out. I was so scared to tell him. But I had to. Then I wouldn’t have to do anything with Christian, and there’d be no more sneaking around. Ever.
“Of course,” Aiden said, sounding more alert. “You need me to come get you?”
“No.” I opened my eyes and looked at my car, parked off to the side. “I’ll come in the window.”
“I like when you sneak in my window,” he whispered.
My body ached. All I wanted was for SOS to uncomplicate itself. I should’ve told Aiden from the beginning. I could barely remember now why I hadn’t.
“Tess, you okay?”
No. I wasn’t. I was very not okay. “Yeah. I’ll see you in ten minutes.”
I closed the phone and paused, thinking back to the night Mary told us her idea for SOS. Everyone had thought it was crazy. But I hadn’t. I’d liked it. I wanted couples to stay together, but to stay together honestly. The idea was a slam dunk as far as I was concerned. Because I’d always wondered why my dad had left for so long. I always wondered if it was another woman.
A breeze blew through my hair and I shivered. Our first assignment. I wrapped my arms around myself, thinking of Caleb Perkins. Two years ago, he was Aiden’s best friend. He’d also been cheating on his girlfriend.
That was it. That was why I hadn’t told Aiden. Wow. I hadn’t thought about it in years. When Caleb’s girlfriend saw those pictures of him hooking up with another girl, she freaked. She was the senior class homecoming queen, and she proceeded to destroy his rep. In fact, it’d gotten so bad he’d had to transfer schools. Aiden had been distraught.
And yet I’d let him stress over it, never telling him that it was me—that it was me who’d taken the pictures. Now it seemed so stupid for that to be the reason I’d kept the secret for so long, but what could I do now?
I put my palms over my face, trying to gather myself. In this moment, I wished I’d never heard of SOS. Or cheaters. Looking down at my clothing, I realized I was still dressed like a ninja. Aiden couldn’t see me like this. I readjusted my pack and turned to go inside my house to change.
I called Kira and set up a meeting before school. I didn’t mention Christian. I’d tell them tomorrow. He was my problem, and I’d deal with him. But the squad needed to know that he’d be around.
Over the last two years, not one client that we helped had outed us. It was total girl-code: a survivor’s bond. But Christian wasn’t obligated by any set of female ethics, or possibly by any ethics at all. I just hoped he could keep a secret; otherwise, the Smitten Kittens would be toast.
My adrenaline carried me up the wooden slats of Aiden’s lattice quickly. He’d left the window open, and he sat up when I swung my legs over.
“Hi, baby,” he called from the bed, looking all Hugh Hefner in a robe. I quickly wondered what he had underneath it. I was happy his mother’s bedroom was on the first floor. I might need more than a foot rub tonight.
I smiled. Just smelling his room, perspiration with a hint of soap, felt so natural to me. So much better than the smell of Christian’s cologne, which still lingered in my nose. Stop. I didn’t want to think about him. Not here.
“Where were you?” Aiden asked, getting up to meet me at the window, closing it quietly behind me.
“Tonight?”
“Uh …” He nodded. “Yeah. I called you like five times.”
Shoot. Where had I told Aiden I was going to go? I blanked. Great Scott! This was already going badly.
“Tessa?” he asked.
I met his gorgeous green eyes, and I could see they were so concerned. But he was too adorable to have his brows pulled together like that. I used my thumb to smooth out the wrinkle between them.
“Let’s not talk about me,” I said, trying to channel my inner perk. “What have you been up to? I missed you.”
“Really?” He grinned, leading me toward his bed. He smoothed out the plaid comforter and then patted it. “Sit down,” he said. “I made you hot chocolate.”
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.