“What?” my baby sister says. Her eyes are swollen and her voice is scratchy. Middle school is fucking hell. I tuck my phone into my pocket and pull Belle against my chest.

  “I’m not going to screw things up. I plan to help Melody with her trig, finish school and go to college so getting involved with a girl at this point would be dumb and we both know I’m not dumb.”

  My sister rubs her nose against my chest. “Okay. Sorry I was a brat.”

  I ruffle her hair. “Nah. It’s all good. I’m going to make myself a sandwich. Want anything?”

  “No. I have some homework to do.”

  “Let me know if you need any help.”

  “I will,” she promises and then retreats into the bedroom. She leaves the door open, though, so I know she’s not mad anymore.

  My phone buzzes again. I pull it out to see a text from Melody.

  Having a problem. Mind if I call you.

  I curl my hand around the phone tight enough to turn my palm white. I want to talk to Melody. I want to apologize and explain but Belle’s door is open and if she heard me, she’d probably have a meltdown. Talking to Melody is too dangerous. I type a response.

  Just take a pic and send it to me. No need to talk.

  I don’t get a reply to that at all.

  Chapter 8

  Melody

  Why do I have to be the asshole? At least that’s what I feel like. Brad had gone from hot to cold so fast that I couldn’t keep up. It’s also one of the reasons that I didn’t get any sleep last night. I spent the whole night trying to figure out the rest of my homework. It took me forever to track down someone online to finally help me finish one last problem. By the time I was actually done it was three in the morning. There was no point in trying to get any sleep. Instead, I went to my studio to paint. My mind was racing with everything that had happened between Brad and me that afternoon. It had me feeling out of sorts and painting always seems to calm me.

  I stab at my eggs, taking another bite. “You’re in a mood.” Sarah raises an eyebrow at me. She probably knows me better than my parents at this point. While I love my mom, she gets so wrapped up in what my dad is doing that it can consume her. That means that there’s long periods of time that she’s absent from what’s going on with me. I’m lucky to have Sarah. She’s always a constant in my life.

  “You seen my mom?” I ask. I don’t think she or my father came home last night. I’m guessing they aren't together. My mom’s cupcake still sits in the box on the counter untouched. She hardly eats sweets but Milly's cupcakes are her weakness.

  “She went to the Springs.” I nod, taking another bite of my eggs. It’s where she always goes when she gets all worked up about my dad. It’s a healing center spa. I think they just suck money from you. She always comes back in a better mood, though, so it must do some good for her. It usually only lasts until my dad’s next indiscretion and then the cycle starts all over again.

  “Am I going to have to pull it from you?” I look back up at Sarah as she dries a pan.

  “Sleepy,” I admit. I’m hurt too but I keep that to myself. My mom is expressive enough for all of us. I think it’s why I picked up art at such a young age. It is how I express myself without opening my mouth. I spent a few hours in my studio this morning. It usually takes the edge off but today it didn’t work. Never rely on a man. My mom’s somber words repeat in my head. Lesson learned and rather quickly at that. I started to let Brad in just a little bit and already he’s disappointed me. I counted on him to help me with my trig but after his hasty text response, I took the hint and even though it cost me some sleep, I figured it out myself. I don’t need anything from him.

  “Nothing to do with you having people over? You never have people over.”

  “You just want someone to cook for,” I tease her. “I’m not enough for you? I can eat for three.”

  “That you can.” She laughs, putting the dishes away.

  “Thanks.” I grab my backpack, heading out the front door to my car. My father is pulling up as I’m pulling out. His suit is wrinkled and I don’t know if he stayed at his secret condo in the city or he’s been out all night. I don’t really care either way. I’m just happy that I don’t have to talk to him.

  He gives me a chin nod as if we are old buddies and not father and daughter. I fight not to roll my eyes because it would start a fight and fighting with him is pointless. I force a smile and return my chin up before pulling out and heading to school.

  My phone dings when I pull into my assigned spot. I grab it. A stupid part of me hopes that it’s Brad saying sorry for being a dick and giving me the cold shoulder. Maybe I deserved it. I was a dick to him when we first met but I tried to make it up last night. Look what that got me.

  When I see him today I’m going to tell him I’m finding someone else to tutor me. I have already checked online and one of the local colleges has students who do it for some extra cash. Then I am going to tell him not be the dumbest smart person and do shit for Mark. He’s going to get himself thrown in jail. Clearly he has a little sister that he needs to think about here. Then I will be done with Brad. I’ll wipe my hands clean and walk away.

  Well, until Belle needs her hair colored again. Then he can drop her off and pick her up. I’m not about to break my promise to the little girl. Her brother might be a dick but she isn’t. She is sweet with a nice side of I’m-trying-to-find-myself brat mixed in.

  A text lights up from Belle. I forgot I’d given her my number last night.

  Belle: Everyone LOVES my hair!

  Me: Obviously. It’s super cute and you can pull it off. Not everyone can.

  I smile that she’s so happy. Her age can be killer. All the confidence you can get at her age, the better.

  Belle: My brother says he tutors you? Is he doing it today after school? Maybe I can tag along?

  Shit. What do I say to that? I have to think about it for a second before I respond. Another text pops up before I can think of one.

  Belle: Unless it’s right after school. You guys get out before me. Maybe we can get a cupcake again or something?

  Me: I just got to school but I’ll check to see if it’s possible. I’ll text you on my lunch break.

  I fire back a quick text. She wants a friend. If anyone knows what that’s like, it’s me. Before Ally showed up on the scene I kept to myself. On purpose. I’d been burned a few times with girlfriends wanting to use me for one thing or another. Sarah told me I have a kind and giving heart. I could try and fake it all I wanted that I didn't with my smart mouth but it was all a façade. That shit hurt when I found out I was being used. Little Belle isn’t trying to use me. She is only a little girl likely having problems feeling like she belongs at her school. I don’t know much about Brad but from the way Belle’s eyes lit up when she saw my house, I can tell they don’t have much. I’m guessing that’s the reason why Brad does what he does. For money. It’s the root of all evil. It’s easy for me to say that because I have it.

  I decide to get the Brad situation over with first thing so I head to the GT lounge. I know that’s my best bet to see him. I might as well say what I have to say and then it will be finished. A part of me doesn’t want it to be done. The way he kissed me flashes through my mind. I’d never been kissed before. My mom's words run through my mind, reminding me of what men are capable of. My mind goes back and forth. My throat grows tight.

  “Mel.” Ally grabs my arm. “You okay?” I didn't even see her come up. Owen stands behind her looking concerned.

  “I’m fine.” I try and shake it off. Was I about to have a freaking panic attack? Oh God, I’m my mother. I love her but I don’t want to be like her. Being unable to control my emotions is one of my biggest fears.

  “Liar. What is wrong with you?”

  “I don’t know.” I shake off her hold. “I have some crap to handle.”

  Ally, being Ally, grabs me again. “You can talk to me. You know that.” My resolve fades.

  “I know but first I’ve got to handle someone else.” Then all these weird emotions I can’t process will be done with. I can stop obsessing over them and move on. I won’t be my mom and let these thoughts over a man consume me.

  “Lunch?”

  “You know I’ll be at lunch,” I say, making her laugh. She doesn't let me go but pulls me into a hug because Ally is a hugger. I think of myself as a non-hugger but last night I wanted more than a hug. I hug her back because you can’t not hug Ally. Plus I needed it.

  “See you later.” I let her go as I head toward the GT lounge still not a hundred percent sure what I am going to say to Brad. Either way, Mr. Hot Shot is going to get a piece of my mind. I never should have given him that extra cookie. I hope he enjoyed it because that’s the only cookie he’ll be getting from me.

  Chapter 9

  Brad

  The air in the GT lounge drops ten degrees when Melody walks through the door. Not that I blame her for being pissed. Still, I pretend like there’s nothing wrong. “How’d class go?”

  “I got a 70. Thanks for nothing.” She chucks her backpack on the table with enough force that it would’ve slid off had I not put a hand up to stop it.

  A twinge of guilt spirals through me. I should’ve answered her call last night. “Why don’t you show me what you’re struggling with?”

  “Oh, so now you’re interested in helping me.”

  Defensively, I cross my arms over my chest. “I told you to text me.”

  “I wanted to talk it out. My brain doesn’t work like yours, obviously, because if it did, I wouldn’t need your help.”

  I rub a knuckle across my forehead. You’d think growing up in a household of women, I’d be better at dealing with Melody, but I keep fucking everything up.

  “Okay. Fair enough. We’re here together so let’s work it out.”

  “I don’t want to work with you at all.” She marches over to Ms. C’s desk and slaps an envelope on the desk.

  I don’t have to have x-ray vision to know that’s a request for a tutor change. This is my only chance to see Melody on a daily basis. Maybe I can’t have her like I want, but at least I can see her regularly. At least, I can be with her even a little bit. Moving faster than I ever have before, I leap from my seat and snatch up the envelope. I tear it in half and toss it aside.

  Melody screeches and lunges for the trash. “What in the hell are you doing?”

  “Nothing.” I block her path.

  “That was my tutor change request.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why did you tear it up?”

  “Because I’m your tutor.”

  “Not anymore.” She tries to snake past me but I kick the trash can out of reach.

  “Look. I don’t like you. In fact, I sort of hate you so why should I have to use you as a tutor?”

  “You didn’t act like you hated me last night when your tongue was down my throat.”

  She throws back her head and releases a bitter laugh. “Men are so dumb. You can kiss people you don’t like. You can have sex with people you don’t like. I know from personal experience.”

  The thought of her with another guy, having sex with someone that she doesn’t like or that doesn’t like her when I’m here ready to throw myself over any holes in the ground so that she doesn’t stumble even once is enraging. A fury grabs hold of me and burns through my good sense. The words fall out before I give them another thought. “Then you can fuck me, too.” I stand up, hands on the fastenings of my jeans.

  She slams two hands on the table and leans close. “I’d rather fuck a cow,” she spits.

  “Good thing you don’t have to. I’m right here.” Our noses are about an inch apart when Carter strolls in.

  “Am I interrupting something?” He arches his eyebrow.

  “Only Melody trying to scrape the inside of my guts out, so go ahead.”

  “Maybe we can talk later.”

  “Nah. I got nothing to hide.”

  “Fine.” He shrugs. “Principal Sweeney called my old man last night and said that the school has had a number of mainframe break-ins. They think they know who is behind it and are bringing in a white hat hacker to lay a trap.”

  I maintain a bored look but my mind’s racing. I haven’t done Mark’s grade yet and I need his cash. I already ordered Belle’s shoes and something else along with it. If I don’t have the money, I’m going to be in the hole.

  “Sounds like the system needs it,” I say laconically.

  Carter gives me a skeptical look. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  He turns to leave but stops at the door and glances back. “Also, be nice to Melody. She’s a friend of a friend.”

  “What about me?” I declare. “Who’s gonna tell Melody to be nice to me?”

  “You don’t have friends so probably no one,” Carter replies as the door shuts behind him.

  “Why are you guys so mean to each other?” Melody says. Her anger seems to have left her. She sags against the table.

  “He’s not wrong.” It’s never bothered me before. I don’t like FU High and its stuck-up airheaded kids who are here because their parents fell into some cushy job or married well or were born with a gold spoon in their mouths, but I also don’t like looking like an outcast because Melody’s not the type to go for guys that her social circle doesn’t like.

  “Maybe if you weren’t an asshole and you came to school and stuff, you would have friends.”

  “Sounds like a lot of work and not very much fun.” I pull out a chair. I knew that trying for Melody was trying to bat in the major league when I didn’t even belong in the minors.

  “What are you going to do about Mark?” she asks.

  I jerk upright. “How do you know about that?”

  She rolls her eyes. “It’s not like you’re a super spy. You guys were talking about it on the sidewalk outside of Missy’s yesterday. Anyone could have heard you.”

  Fuck. I guess I should’ve been more careful.

  “So?” she prompts.

  “So what?”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Then why are you asking?”

  She thrusts two hands into her cotton candy, unicorn hair and screams quietly. “Why are you so difficult? No wonder you don’t have any friends!” She snatches her backpack up and marches for the door. “You’re dumb to do anything to help Mark. He’s an asshole and deserves to fail. If you save him and get caught, you’ll be as dumb as him.”

  That sounds suspiciously like concern. My heart beats a little faster. “And if I don’t get caught? Will you give me a prize?”

  Instead of a smart retort, though, a slightly sad smile crosses her lips. “No. You’ve gotten the last of my cookies.”

  Chapter 10

  Melody

  My phone vibrates as I exit out of the side door of school. I’m supposed to be heading to my tutoring session with Brad but I’m skipping out. I ultimately decided to go a different route and find someone else to help me. I checked with one of the local colleges and they found someone. They are actually meeting me at my house in fifteen minutes. I know I’m being a little bit of a brat but I can’t deal with Brad. Even more so now after the you can fuck me comment. Whatever. It’s easier if we stay away from one another at this point.

  I look at the screen thinking it’s the tutor sending another email but see it’s Belle.

  Belle: You hanging with my brother after school? If so we should all do something after.

  Me: Shouldn't you been in class?

  The middle school gets out about an hour after the high school so my guess is that she’s texting during class.

  Belle: Walking to stupid French now.

  I love French. It had been one of my favorite classes. I didn't get to take it this year because I’d already done all of the levels. I can speak it fluently now.

  Me: Nous devrions faire vos ongles pour assortir vos cheveux

  Belle: I’m terrible at it! I have no idea what you’re saying.

  I laugh as I open my car door, tossing my bag into the passenger seat. I need to get home so that I’m not late for my new tutor. My teacher is letting me redo the problems I messed up on my homework from last night. The thought of Brad ditching me still ruffles my feathers but I don’t have to deal with him anymore so I have to put it behind me. After my teacher saw the effort that I am trying to put in, he decided to give me another chance. Him allowing me to correct it will help bring my grade up. Something I desperately need.

  Me: Well, you’ll have to ask your French teacher and then we can hang. Tell Ms. Caron I said hi.

  I fire off the text before dropping my phone into the cup holder, heading toward my place. It’s not a far drive. When I pull in the driveway, I see a car already parked outside. I glance at the clock to see that I’m not late, they are just early. I have a thing for being on time. I think it’s rude to expect someone to spend their free time waiting on you. Unless they have it coming like Brad did. He can find someone to fuck while he waits for me to show up. My stomach clenches at the thought. This tutor is off to a great start already at least.

  I pull around the side, parking my car and grabbing my bag as well as my phone and head back toward the front of the house. When I come back around the tutor is getting out of their car. I pause for a moment because it’s a male. I’d assumed the name Taylor was for a girl. Damn it.

  He looks like your typical jock. Great, another jerk to deal with. This time, I put a smile on my face because if I’ve learned anything from meeting Brad, it’s to not judge a book by its cover. His eyes go wide when he sees me. He looks from me to my house then back to me again.

 

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