Chapter Eight
Ava
“We stopped having nap time in Kindergarten, Miss Prince,” Coach Long barks from the front of the classroom.
I jolt upright and stare at him helplessly. “Sorry, Coach.”
When he turns his back to the class to continue writing formulas on the board, I rub the sleep out of my eyes and try to focus. Problem is, I can’t focus. All I can think about is Quinn.
Saturday night, we had the closest thing to a real date I’ve ever known. The French movie was romantic. Then, he kissed me for hours. I’d expected sex like Friday night, especially when he carried me to the guest room. But all he did was tuck me in before retiring to his own room.
Sunday, I spent all day at my own house. Mom was curious about the details of my new job but then another ER nurse called in sick so she bolted.
Someone pushes a slip of paper onto my desk and I turn to see the new girl River. She’s friends with Olivia but I haven’t spoken to her much. My gaze falls to her swollen stomach and a twinge of jealousy ripples over me. River seems happy.
I take the paper and unfold it.
You okay?
My eyes meet hers and I nod. Then, bravely, I scribble out a reply.
Man troubles.
When she reads the note, her eyes widen before a wicked grin has her lips turning up. She writes something down and passes the note back to me.
Do tell. But not here. Lunch?
Her phone number is written beneath it. It warms me because I don’t make friends easily. I’m too focused and worried about my future. All these kids around me focus on the present. But as River rubs her stomach, I can tell she might be mindful of her future as well.
As soon as the bell rings, I check my phone. I’m elated to see Quinn’s name.
We never discussed transportation. How will you be getting home with the boys?
I frown because I’d hoped for a playful flirty text or something that even indicates we did what we did this weekend.
I’ve got it taken care of.
My lie comes a little too easy and guilt instantly eats at me. I go on a hunt to ask Olivia if she can run us home again when someone crashes into me, sending me and my AP Pre-Calculus book slamming to the floor.
“Holy shit,” Chad says as he kneels beside me. Concern makes his brows knit together and it feels genuine. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him and don’t tell him my ass will be bruised for days. He’d probably turn it into a crude joke. Besides, I can’t complain about one bruise when I have hundreds of them sprinkled all over my chest. When I’d seen the purple marks Quinn had given me staining my flesh, I’d simply stared for a long while. It was beautiful. And weird.
Chad rises to his feet while I collect my books. His hand is outstretched and waiting. I accept it as he easily pulls me to me feet. Instead of releasing my hand, his blue eyes search mine. I don’t know what he’s looking for.
“You’re so pretty,” Chad blurts out and then his cheeks turn slightly pink. He plucks my glasses off my nose and then hooks them in the collar of my shirt. When he tugs at the pencil in my hair, my silky light brown locks spill down around my face. “Who knew all of this was hiding?” He seems genuinely astonished. “Let me take you out, Ava,” he pleads, his voice husky with regret. “I fucked up back then. I want to fix it.”
I stiffen because I don’t trust anything when it comes to Chad. I’m not suddenly beautiful because my hair is down and my glasses are off. If he’d taken the time to look at me, he’d have seen I’m the same person. And because I don’t have my glasses on, I don’t see him leaning in until it’s too late. His lips brush against mine softly in a bold hallway kiss in front of everyone. He slides his fingers into my hair and deepens his kiss. Had he done this a week ago, I’d have fallen head over heels for him.
Unfortunately for him, I’ve kissed Quinn Blakely.
There’s just no comparison after that.
I press a hand against Chad’s chest to push him away but he doesn’t break our kiss until someone whistles. He leans his forehead against mine, intense need blazing in his eyes. I don’t know what’s come over him or if I even like the sudden attention.
“Can you give me a ride to my job again?” I ask, my voice soft.
He beams as he breaks away. “Of course. Will you let me take you out one day this week?”
“We’ll see.” I don’t want to lie to him but I also don’t want to crush the hopeful look in his eyes, mainly because I need the ride. Maybe he is trying to be a better person. It still doesn’t change the fact that I lost my virginity to the hottest man on the planet and poor Chad doesn’t even compare one bit.
“I can accept that answer,” he replies with a grin before walking backwards away from me. “Gives me more time to woo you.”
At this, I actually do laugh. “Boys aren’t supposed to say woo.”
He winks before disappearing into the crowd.
Could my life get any weirder?
* * *
“So let me get this straight,” I say slowly as I poke at the slice of pizza I ordered at lunch. “You’re pregnant with...” Holy shit. “His baby?” Wow. My mind is whirring. “He’s way older than you. And he’s your...”
Her eyes darken and I immediately hate the judgmental tone my voice carries. As if I have any room to talk.
“Do you think love follows rules?” she asks. “Oh, God. Don’t look. It’s Lacy and that druggie she’s been hanging around. He totally gives me the creeps.”
I follow her stare to see Lacy, a girl who I’ve tried to get to know a couple of times, being led by the elbow. The druggie’s grip is tight enough that she winces. Her blue eyes have lost their luster and she seems lost. My heart aches for her. When he jerks her, she stumbles. I can’t help but glare at him. His dark, dilated eyes meet mine and he glowers back. He flips me off while maintaining eye contact as they walk past.
“Wow,” River says. “What a fucking freak!”
“Maybe we should help her...”
River shakes her head. “How? She looks perfectly happy.”
Druggie dude starts making out with Lacy and she seems into it. Maybe she doesn’t want help. I dart my gaze to my plate, avoiding their make-out session, and blurt out my confession. “I just lost my virginity to an older man on Friday. Way older.”
“What?” she exclaims. “You bitch.” She laughs and slaps my hand. “Here I was feeling like the only naughty girl at this school. I knew I liked you.”
Cracking a smile, I meet her gaze before quickly scanning the lunchroom to make sure nobody is looking. “He’s the father of the boys I babysit for.”
Her electric blue eyes widen. “That’s hot. I need the details.”
I’m not sure why I’m confiding in her. Maybe because I have nobody else? Regardless, I’ve watched River the entire school year. She has a don’t fuck with me attitude and basically does whatever she wants. River isn’t a gossip or a snotty bitch. She’s a rebel and for once in my straitlaced life, I’m feeling a bit rebellious.
“He’s so hot,” I say, my voice nearly a whine. “I was crushing hard over him.” I bite on my lip and my cheeks burn. “I just didn’t know he liked me like that.”
“Oh, the men in this town love them a young one,” she confides with a wicked grin.
“He came into my room the second weekend I stayed over and...”
“What?” she screeches.
“Touched me. Kissed me. Made me orgasm. Then he was inside me.” I close my eyes as I remember the way he seemed to tear me in half. “He was so big. It hurt but...”
“It felt as though he filled you up with him? Totally fucking consumed you?”
I blink my eyes open and nod. “Exactly that. The sex was interesting and scary. It felt good. But it was more than that.”
“I completely understand,” she assures me.
My mouth opens to discuss it more when someone plops down beside me and slings an arm over my shoulder.
“Miss me, babe?” Chad asks.
River’s eyes are wide as she darts her gaze over to Chad. I let out a nervous laugh when he slides his palm down my side and settles his hand at my waist. He’s casually side hugging me as if we’re a couple.
“Hi,” I squeak out.
“We were having girl talk,” River sasses at him. “You interrupted.”
He laughs and hugs me tighter to his side. “I’ll be quiet. Carry on, ladies. Don’t let me interrupt your conversation about how hot I am.”
River snorts and I giggle. When he’s not being a jerk, he’s not so bad. He launches into a hysterical story that has both River and me laughing until we cry. For the first time in a long time, I feel included. My heart does a little flop in my chest. I have friends.
* * *
“There they are,” I say to Chad as I point to the gate by the football field.
I wave to Anthony and Aiden. Anthony ignores me, his eyes on the ground. Aiden waves back. When they start our way, Chad takes my backpack and tosses it in his trunk. Then, his arm is back around my waist. His posture stiffens when the boys reach the car and I don’t miss the possessive way his palm splays at my waist.
“Get in, kiddies,” Chad says, his normally playful voice carrying an edge.
Anthony jerks his head up and glares at Chad. At nearly fifteen, Anthony is every bit as tall and fit as Chad. “I’m not a fucking kid.”
His tone and the curse word causes me to gasp. “Anthony!”
“Does Dad know we have to ride with this douchebag? I hardly believe he okayed this,” he bites out, his voice cold and hard. God, he sounds just like Quinn right now.
“I, uh,” I stammer, embarrassment overcoming me.
“Don’t be a snitch,” Chad threatens. “We all know what happens to little bitches who snitch.”
Aiden and Anthony both growl. Crap!
“Enough,” I breathe and break from Chad’s possessive grip. “We’re letting Chad give us a ride. Let’s go.”
The boys pile into the back and I take the front seat. Once the loud engine is fired up, Chad flashes me a smoldering grin before resting his palm on my upper thigh. I grip his wrist and the edge of the seat to hold on when he tears out of the parking lot. Chad laughs and Aiden hollers with excitement from the back.
I’m not sure how Chad wormed his way into my life but he’s here.
And when my gaze meets Anthony’s furious one in the side mirror, guilt surges through me.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I quickly retrieve it.
I have to work late. Make sure the boys are fed, do their homework, and get to bed at a decent hour. You’ll probably have to stay over. It might make sense to keep some clothes over at my house.
His text is innocent enough but it causes heat to surge through me. Where Chad sparks some normal teenage girl feelings, Quinn burns through me like a forest fire.
I’m about to reply when red and blue lights flash behind us.
“Fuck,” Chad complains as he removes his hand from my thigh and slows down to pull over.
Anthony snorts, earning an angry glare from Chad.
“Were you speeding?”
He nods shamefully and rolls down the window just as Sheriff McMahon walks up. “Acres,” Sheriff barks in greeting. “How many times do I have to bust your ass for speeding?”
Chad scowls and his cheeks are pink with embarrassment. “Sorry, sir.”
Sheriff bends over and places his forearms on the window ledge as he peeks in. His aviator glasses hide his eyes but he doesn’t seem pleased to see me and the Blakely boys.
“The ’Stang doesn’t have safety belts?” he asks, his jaw clenched in an angry way.
Chad stammers out his words. “I—I was going to have t-them installed this weekend, sir.”
Sheriff’s nostrils flare as he directs his words to Anthony. “Your daddy know you’re joyriding with Acres?”
Anthony sells us out. “Nope. Our babysitter here thought it was a good idea.”
Sheriff turns his head to stare me down. “That right?”
I’ve never been in trouble my entire life. And after one day of hanging out with Chad, I already have the sheriff breathing down my neck.
“I don’t have a car. I... I...” I burst into tears because I’m terrified he’s going to haul me off to jail or something.
Sheriff softens his features. “You’re Judy Prince’s kid, huh?”
I nod as tears roll out and hastily swipe them away.
“Listen,” he says, irritation seeping in his tone. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Prince and the twins are going to ride in the squad car. We’ll follow you to your house so I can make sure you arrive in one piece,” he says to Chad. “Then, you’re not to drive this vehicle until you get it fitted with safety belts that meet code. I’ll be checking soon so you better make it happen quickly.”
“Yes, sir,” Chad croaks.
“And for the love of God if I catch you flying through my town at that speed again, I’m going to haul you into the station. Deputy Adair loves it when I give him something to do. I think that boy goes stir crazy from boredom. He’d make you his special project,” he warns. “And Christ Almighty, you do not want to be Gentry’s special project. Last person we hauled in got the lucky task of cleaning every damn toilet in the station.” He slaps the top of the car. “You hear me, Acres?”
Chad nods rapidly before shooting me an apologetic stare.
“As for the rest of you,” Sheriff barks. “My squad car. Now.”