“Thank—”
He hung up. At first I didn’t move, but then I crawled back into my bed and set my phone on my side table. I stared at it. That was a very disconcerting conversation. I had half a mind to call him back and ask him about his parents. Maybe tell him about mine and why I understood.
I chewed on my lip and folded my hands under my cheek as I nestled into my pillow. Even though it wasn’t my fault that Christian had called me, I still felt guilty for talking to another guy. Maybe it was the SOS in me. The inner sense of right and wrong. Or maybe I was just really, really disappointed that Aiden hadn’t called.
There was another sharp pain in my head. I pulled my blankets up to my chin and tried to think things over. Divorce explained a lot … like Chloe’s scowl, for example.
And I shouldn’t really be mad about the notebook thing. Sure, it was presumptuous of him to think he could call, but maybe that was just his lame pickup attempt. I couldn’t fault him for that. Not all guys knew how to properly woo a girl anymore.
I closed my eyes. Aiden had been pretty smooth at winning me over. We were at a school assembly my freshman year, and he’d had to give a speech about recycling. Instead, he got up on the stage in front of all of Washington High, set up a flowchart, and listed “The Reasons Tessa Crimson Should Go Out with Me.” He had handouts and everything!
Yeah. Aiden was my guy. He was my perfect, whipped cream boyfriend sundae.
SOS STOP ORDER
CASE: 044
CLIENT: Becky Roth
SUBJECT: Corey Panchilla
Dear Ms. Roth:
Per your request, SOS shall suspend the pending investigation of Corey Panchilla. This is an official withdrawal from the case.
Although we are pleased that you feel Mr. Panchilla “would never do anything like that,” we caution you against engaging in any unsafe practices that may compromise your well-being.
It is also our duty to inform you that Mr. Panchilla will not be able to be reinvestigated because of the laws of double jeopardy.
We trust that this report will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.
SOS wishes you and Mr. Panchilla continued happiness and hopes that our services will not be needed in any of your future relationships. Have a great day.
CHAPTER FIVE
“UH …” I MOANED FROM MY BED, MY STOMACH twisting in knots.
“Baby,” Aiden said, standing at the edge of my bed and resting his hands on the wrought iron frame. “You can’t go to school like this.”
“I can’t miss practice again,” I mumbled, putting the pillow over my head to block out the sunlight streaming in my window. “And if I don’t go to school, I can’t very well show up in the gymnasium at three thirty.” I wished Aiden hadn’t pulled up my blinds. My well-dusted furniture was highly reflective, and my room was filled with prisms. They were making me dizzy.
My gut took a sharp turn. “Good golly.” I sat up, dazed, nauseous. “I’m going to be sick again.”
Aiden walked over, holding my elbow out to help me out of bed. “Let’s try and make it to the bathroom this time,” he said.
I’d made it as far as the hallway twenty minutes ago. My parents were setting up for a big show in Seattle and wouldn’t be back until Monday, so Aiden had to take care of my mess. I bet when he showed up for breakfast, he hadn’t expected to find me in this condition. In fact, I don’t think Aiden had ever seen me sick, let alone cleaned my upchuck.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I hung over the toilet. I looked back to see Aiden sitting on the edge of the tub, his elbows resting on the knees of his long nylon shorts.
“You’re sick, Tess. Nothing to be sorry about.”
I felt a little better. Moving across the blue slate floor, I slid against the wall and looked at him. He stared back at me and smiled softly, but something was bothering me.
“Why didn’t you call me last night?” I asked. My eyelids felt heavy, and my fingers were trembling, but my gut wasn’t twisted anymore. That was a vast improvement.
Aiden furrowed his brow. “Last night?”
I swallowed, feeling my throat burn, and rested my head against the cool wall. “Yeah. I was sick, and I called you, but you didn’t call me back.”
“I didn’t know you called.”
Aiden stood and walked over, climbing down onto the floor in front of me. He reached out to rub my thigh. “I’m sorry, baby,” he said quietly. “Figured you were sleeping.”
I watched his eyes. They looked honest, worried. I had to remind myself that I wasn’t in SOS mode. I shouldn’t be looking for signs of guilt, like twitching mouths or upturned eyes.
I exhaled and then got to my knees, trying to stand. “Help me get dressed?”
“Tess, I’m not taking you to school. I’m going to call your mom.”
“Don’t! They’re probably sleeping at the hotel.”
Aiden took my hand, helping me to my feet. Then he put his arm around my waist and led me back to my room. “Fine, I won’t call her, but you have to get in bed. Now.”
“No.” I turned, putting my hands on his chest as I tried to make my way to my closet.
Aiden chuckled, taking me by the wrists. “Stop being so f**king stubborn, Tessa.”
I shot him a look.
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so effing stubborn.”
“Better.” And I knew he was right. There was no way I could function in an academic setting at this point. I needed a day in bed. Chicken soup. Possibly a foot rub.
“Will you come over after school?” I asked. Aiden smiled.
“Baby,” he whispered, wrapping me up in his arms and burying his head in my hair. “I’m not going without you. I figured I could stay here and take care of you.” He kissed my ear softly, making a little growl.
It felt good. Even though I’d been throwing up all morning, Aiden had a way of still making me feel beautiful.
“You need to go to class.” But I put my hands under his shirt against his hot skin, hugging him. Snuggling with Aiden sounded like the best medicine ever. But we couldn’t. He was barely passing Language Arts as it was. “Just come back at three.”
“Of course I’ll come back,” he murmured, gently nibbling my neck. “And you better not be sick anymore. I have plans for this weekend.”
I grinned, squeezing him a little tighter. “Oh, yeah? What about your mom?” I tilted my head up to give him better access to my skin.