Gable

ThePowersThatBe,Book1

HarperBentley

SmashwordsEdition

Copyright2015Author'sName

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Dedication

Tomygrandmother

ThestrongestwomanI’veknown

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the book blogs who’ve reviewed my books and promoted them like crazy: Aesta’s

BookBlog,APairofOkies,BedroomBookworms,Cecily’sBookReview,Mrs.Leif’sTwoFangsAbout
ItBookReviews,SassySouthernBookAffairandSummer’sBookBlogarejustafewamonggobsand
I’msogratefulforthefriendshipsthathavegrownfromthis!Youguysrock!

TomygirlswhoarealwaysonstandbyandforeverwillingtoreadsomeofthesillinessthatIcomeup

with.WhenIwinthelottery,Lamborghinisforeveryone!;)Youladiesneverfailtoamazemewithyour
patienceandsupport.Thankyouforeverything!

ToAnneMercierwhoisthesweetestfriendeverandisalwaystheretoletmebounceideasoffher

eventhoughshe’sbusywritingkickassbooks.Thankyou,dollface!

ToMichelleLeewhogivesmecontinuoussupportandalwaysmakestimetohelpmeouteventhough

sheherselfisbusywritingaway.Thankyou,sweets!

ToTCMatsonwhosefriendshipisoneItrulycherish.Andsinceyoursenseofhumorisonparwith

mine,Ilookforwardtomanylaughstocome.Keepwritingamazingstories!<3youhard!

Andfinallytothereadersbecausewithoutyou,Iwouldn’tsmilenearlyasmuchasIdo.Thankyoufor

that!

TableofContents

*Summer:Twoweeksbeforeclass*
*Firstsemester:FirstWeek*
*WeekTwo*
*WeekThree*
*WeekFour*
*WeekFive*
*WeekSix*
*WeekSeven*
*WeekEight*
*WeekNine*
*WeekTen*
*WeekTen—PartyNight*
*WeekEleven*
*WeekTwelve*
*WeekThirteen*
*WeekFourteen*
*WeekSeventeen*
*Epilogue*
AbouttheAuthor-SneakPeekofDarkEdges

*Summer,twoweeksbeforeclass:*

Youknowthatfeelingyougetwhenyoumeetsomeoneandfeelasifyou’veknownthemforalifetime?
Asifyou’rejustconnectedinsomeway?

Yeah,thatdidn’thappenthefirsttimeImetGablePowers.Matteroffact,Ididn’tlikehimonebit.
Oh,IknowaboutallthePowersboysnow.Iactuallyknewaboutthembythefirstdayofschoolsince

it seemed as if every woman on campus couldn’t stop talking about how each brother was just as
gorgeousasthenext,andthingslike,“Omigod!ThePowersbrothersaresohot!”or“Aren’ttheyjustthe
cutest you’ve ever seen?” were proclaimed almost everywhere I went the entire first week of school.
Fromlisteninginonthesechickswaxrhapsodicoverthesebrothers,iftheywereanythinglessthanNick
Batemanclones,well,thenI’dbehighlydisappointed.Butfromtheirconversations,IlearnedthePowers
were from Seattle, all of them went to Hallervan, Zeke was a senior who played on the football team,
Lochlanwasafreshmanwhowassomekindofcomputergenius,Rykerwasasophomorewrestlerand
Gablewasajunior.Ihadyettofigureoutwhathissuperpowerwas,butIcanhonestlysaythatwhenI
firstmethim,Icouldn’thavecaredless.

Myup-close-and-personalwithGablePowersleftmelessthanthrilled,andwhenIfinallyfiguredout

whohewasandsaidsomethinglateraboutittomynewroommate,Igotastareofdisbeliefwhichmade
merollmyeyes.

Sohere’showitallwentdown.
I’dansweredanadintheSeattleTimesforaroommate.OnmywaytomeetAmy(fellowsophomore

who’deventuallybecomemynewroomie),I’dhadaflattireandhadtopulloverinanareaofthecityI
was unfamiliar with—hell I was unfamiliar with the entire friggin’ place—and, of course, it’d been
raining. As a farm girl, I knew how to change a tire, had no problem changing a tire, but per Dad’s
instructions,IcalledAAAandstayedinmycarwaitingforsomeonetoshowup,kindoffeelinglikea
wuss for doing so. I knew I could’ve done it and been on my way in no time but I decided to let Dad
parentmeforachange.Notthathewasn’tagoodfather;it’sjustthatIwasmajorlyindependent.

Needlesstosay,Iwasalittlesurprisedwhenablackpickuptruckstoppedbehindmeandaguygot

out,almostimmediatelyafterI’dhungupwiththeautoservice.Imean,I’dheardAAAwasfast,butcome
on.Theguyhadcometothedriver’ssideandwhenhe’dtappedonthewindowofmylittleHonda,I’d
seenthefullsleevetattooonhismusculararmandmyeyeshadbuggedout.

See,I’mfromasmalltowninIdahowhereeveryonethinkstattoosareSatan’smarkings,whichIknow

is ridiculous and is one of the many reasons I couldn’t wait to leave that shitty little place, but I regret
sayingthatwhenI’dseenhisarm,I’dbeenalittleonedge.Theguyhadstoodthereinthepouringrain
whileIcontemplatedwhattodoasIcheckedouttherestofhim.Heappearedtobeoversixfeettalland
hisentirebodywasripped.Dang.Icouldseehisabsallbumpyanddefinedthroughthewetwhitet-shirt
thatclungtohim,andhisrain-soakedjeanswerestucktowhatappearedtobemuscularthighs.I’dthen
feltbadforoglinghimashestoodtheregettingdrenched,soIfinallyrolledmywindowdownaninchand
he’dbenttoaskifIneededhelp.

And,myGod,washebeautiful.
I stared at him as rain dripped from his straight nose to the ground. It drizzled down his high

cheekboneswhereitmethisstrong,stubble-coveredjaw,tricklingtohischinbeforefinallyslippingoff.

Thelongcurlsofdarkhairthatframedhistannedfaceweredrippingwetalso,butitwashislightbrown
eyesthatheldmyattention,soexpressiveandsoulful,linedinlong,sootylashesthatwerespikedfrom
therain.Damn.Hewasatotalfriggin’hunk.

“I’vecalledTripleA,sono,thankyou,”I’dyelledovertherainthroughthecrackedwindow.
He’dgivenmeasexyhalfgrin,whichmadebutterfliesbounceoffthewallsofmystomach.“Icould

probablyhaveitfixedbeforetheyevengettheirtruckstarted.”

I’dtwistedmymouthtothesidenotreallyknowingwhattodo.Imean,ifIagreedtolethimfixit,I

mayaswelljustdoit.“Uh,that’sokay.”

“Seriously.Youwouldn’tevenhavetogetout,Rebecca.JustpopthetrunkandI’lltakecareofit.You

won’tevenhavetoliftoneofyourpretty,littlefingers.”Thesmuglookhe’dgivenmemademefrown.A
lot.

“Rebecca?”Iaskedwonderingwhathewastalkingabout.
“OfSunnybrookFarm.Youknow,allcleanandwholesome.Prissy,”he’drepliedwithatwinkleinhis

eyeashegrinnedfullynow,hisstraightwhiteteethmakinghimevenmoreattractive.

What the hell? I’d grown up with two older brothers and I was anything but prissy. I could drive a

tractorforchrissakes!“No,really,it’sfine,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.

“Oh,c’mon.Can’thaveahelplesslittleladylikeyourselfouthereallalone,youknow.Whatareyou,

likefifteen?”

IblinkedathowrudehewasbeingwhichwaswhenKimKardashian,Jr.hadwalkedupholdingan

umbrellaandwearingtheshortestshortsI’deverseen.Thecropt-shirtsheworehadsomuchcutoffthat
Icouldseeherbralessboobshangingoutfromunderitandcouldn’thelpbutgapeathowprovocatively
shewasdressed.Thenshe’dwhined,“What’sgoingonnnnnn,Gable?God!ThesehelplesslittleDaddy’s
Girls are so annoying! I could’ve changed the tire by nooooow! Leave the rich bitch alone and come
onnnnnn!”

AndthatwastheprecisemomentIthinksteamhadshotoutofmyears.Ireacheddownandjerkedup

onthetrunkreleasebecausefuckthat. Then I’d thrown open my door and saw the guy jump out of the
way.Iwalkedtothebackofthecar,raisedthetrunk,pulledbackthecarpetandremovedthejackthen
wenttothesidewherethetirewasflat,putthejackdownandstartedlooseningthelugnutswiththetire
iron.

“Whoa!Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”Jerkfaceasked,havingcomearoundtothesideofthecar

whereIwas.

“Well,PrissyRichBitchhereischanginghertireifyouhaven’tfigureditout,”Imutteredglaringupat

him.AndmyeyesgotgreatbigwhenIsawthatbothhisarmswerecoveredintattoos.Whoa.Andwhy
thatmadehimevenhotter,Ihadnoidea.

ThatwaswhenKim,Jr.huffedandcalledtheguyanasshole(withwhichIcouldn’tdisagree),thenshe

calledmeastupidcunt(withwhichItotallytookoffense)andmymouthfellopenasIwatchedherstomp
backtothetruckinherstrappywedgesandals,herasscheekstotallyhangingoutfromunderhershorts.
Wow.Classybabe.

“Atleastletmehelpyouwiththat,”TattooGuysaid,ignoringhisgirlfriend.
TheglareI’dgivenhimhadhimholdinguphishandstohissidesinsurrender,hiseyebrowsraisedas

hegrinnedatme.IknowImust’velookedlikeanidiotwithmylong,blondhairsoakedandhanginginmy
face,mycute,whitecottonromper,whichwasstickingtomeeverywhereandwasnowprobablyruined
asI’msureweremyveryawesome,whiteankle-highgladiatorsandals,butI’dbedamnedifIwasgoing
tolethimhelpmenowafterhe’dmademeouttobesomehelplessfemale.

Whenhehungaround,Imuttered,“Goaway,”asIpositionedthejackandtwistedthehandle.OnceI

gotthecarjackedup,Irealizedhestillhadn’tleftsoIstoodandturnedtohim,puttingmyhandsonmy
hips.“What?”

Theperusalhegavememadethebutterflieskickupagain.Stupidfuckinghalfgrin.Ifrownedathim

thenmovedbacktothetireandproceededtotakeoffthelugnuts.WhenIwenttoremovethetireitself,he
stepped in, took it off the wheel and rolled it to the trunk as I followed, telling him I had things under
controlandthatheshouldjustleavenow.

“Can’thaveyougettingyourselfalldirty,nowcanwe?”He’dlookedmeupanddownappreciatively

andthat’swhenIrealizedhecouldseeeverythingthroughmyoutfit.

Shit!Ihadn’tbotheredwearingabrabecausetheromperhadabuilt-inshelfbra,andI’msureIwas

givinghimquitetheshow,knowingmynippleshadgottenperkyathisheatedgaze.ButnowIhadtoown
it.Sotakingadeepbreath,Ileanedintothetrunktoremovethespare,buthepushedmeasidegentlyand
reachedinforit.And,God,hesmelledgood,allfreshrainandhotman.Damnit.

“Icanhandleit.Really.Whydon’tyouandLuscioustakeoff?”Imumbled.
Hesetdownthetire,appearingconfused,thenasked,“Luscious?”
“Your girlfriend. Isn’t that her stripper name?” I smiled sweetly at him hoping that’d make him mad

andhe’dfinallyleave,butinstead,he’dbarkedoutalaughthenproceededtorollthetiretothefront.I
sloshedthroughtherainbehindhimthenwatchedashefinishedchangingit,nonetoohappyaboutit.

“That’sit,”hesaidwhenhefinished,puttingeverythingbackinitsplaceinthetrunk.Thenhiseyes

landedonme,onceagainmovingupanddownmybodymakingmewanttocovermyselfwithmyarms
butrefusingtodoso,andafterwipinghishandonaraghelditupformetogivehimahighfive.“Nice
workingwithyou.”

Ahighfive?Really?MaybehedidthinkIwasfifteen.“Uh,yeah,”Irepliedmovingmyhandslowlyup

totouchmypalmtohis.

Heendedupgrabbingmyhandduringthehighfive,andIswear,thisissocliché,sostupidchicklit

banal,butIhonestlyfeltadamnedjoltgothroughmewhenwetouched.Ithinkhefeltittoobecausehe
lookedatourhands,scowledforasecondbeforescrutinizingmecloselythenletmyhandgo.

Hishoney-browneyesstaredinthoughtintomygreenonesforamomentbeforethatsexygrinhithis

gorgeousfaceagain.“Well,MissPriss,Imightbeseeingyouaround.”

“I’llbewaitingbreathlesslyuntilthatmoment.”Atmysarcasm,hegrinnedagain.Irolledmyeyesand

said,“So…thanksforthehelp.”I’mprettysureheheardthemuttered,“Jerk”Itackedon,buttohiscredit
hedidn’tsayanythingasIclosedthetrunkandroundedthecartogetinside,butbeforeIcouldpullmy
doorclosedhewasthereholdingitopen.

“YougotoHallervan?”he’dleaneddownandasked,and,God,thoseeyes,thatface…thatbody.My

lordhewashot.

“Startingthissemester,”Iansweredstilltryingtopullmydoorclosed.
“Maybeyou’llgetluckyandseeme.”Hewinkedthenwalkedaway.
“Onecanonlyhope,”I’dmumbled,rollingmyeyesagain,beforeclosingmydooranddrivingaway.
ItwasthenIlookeddownandsawmyruinedoutfitandsandalsonlythenrememberingIhadanold

pairofKedsandaraincoatunderthepassengerseat.Great.

*FirstSemester:FirstWeek*

I was excited for school, ready to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. I’d played a year of
basketball at Southwest Idaho University, but I’d won a coveted scholarship that would pay for a huge
hunkofthecosttoattendHallervan(whichhadabetterjournalismdepartment)thenextthreeyears,so
Dadcouldn’tcomplaintoomuchaboutmywantingtogohere.He’dbeenproudofmebuthadalsobeen
worriedbecauseSeattlewasagoodtwelveandahalfhoursawayfromthesmalltownofStoneSprings,
Idaho, where I’d grown up. But one of my brothers had helped with that since he was attending law
schoolinMoscow,Idaho,whichwasclearacrossthestatefromourhometown,andhe’dtoldDadthat
he’d only be five hours from me and that had finalized it. Kind of. Dad had still made me promise to
checkinwithhimonaregularbasis.I’dagreedbecauseIlovedmydadandalsobecausemyfamilywas
closeandIcouldn’timaginenottalkingtoanyofthematleasteveryfewweeks.

My brothers were four and seven years older than I was, which made me the baby, hence Dad’s

reluctance to let me go. Heath was the oldest, (his full name was actually Heathcliff) my other brother
wasHoldenandIwasScout.Asyouprobablygathered,ourmotherhadbeenanavidreaderandnamed
usafterherfavoriteliterarycharacters.I’dneverknownherbecauseshe’ddiedwhenIwasthreebutI’d
alwaysfeltherabsenceinourlivesduetoallthepicturesofherinourhouseandespeciallywhenDador
oneofmybrothersbroughtherup,sharingstoriesoftimesI’dneverknownordidn’tremember.WhenI
wasseven,I’daskedmydadwhyhe’dneverremarried.He’dgottenafarawaylookinhiseyesandtold
methatonceyoufoundyourreasontobreathe,nooneelsecould“passmuster.”Ihadn’tunderstoodatthe
time,butitsoundedromantic,soI’dletitgo.

So,backtoournames.AlthoughIthoughttheywerecool,Heathdespisedhis,eventhoughhisbroody

spellssaidthenamefithimperfectly.Buthe’dtakenalotofcrapfromtheotherkidsforitwhenhewas
little,sowhenIwasoldenoughtoknowwhatitmeant,Itoldhimhisnamesoundedprestigiousandit
wouldlookgreatonbusinesscardssomeday.He’dlaughedatthatsayinghehopedthatallthehellhe’d
gottenforitwouldeventuallypayoff.HewasnowasoftwaredeveloperinBoise,ajobforwhichhewas
gettingpaidbank,soI’dsayhe’dmorethanvindicatedhimselfforbeingpickedon.Matteroffact,hewas
makingsomuchmoney,heevenco-signedforaloanwithDadforourfarm.Dad,ofcourse,hadbalked,
butHeathhadinsisted,tellingDadthemoneywouldlikelyjustgotomorebeer,soDadhadhalf-jokingly
giveninforthesakeofHeath’ssobriety.MyotherbrotherHolden,wholiveduptohisnamesakeinthe
factthathewasadeepthinker(andalsoquitethepartyboy),wastwenty-four,ahugeladiesmanandwas
theoneinlawschoolwho’dconvincedDadtoletmecometoSeattle.AndI’mScout.IthinkI’vedonea
decentjoblivinguptomynamebecauseI’vealwaysbeenatomboyandDadsaysI’vealsoalwaysbeen
fairlyprecocious.

So there I sat in psychology class on the first day, when to my utter shock (and annoyance), Tire

ChangeDudewalkedin.And,damnit,hewasevenbetterlookingoutoftherain.

Hehadonagrayshort-sleevedGodsmackt-shirtoveralong-sleevedblacktee,hidingthefullsleeves

oftattoosthatIknewhehad,butIcouldstillseepartofatattoopeekingoutattheleftsideofhisneck.I
sawthathishairwasactuallyadarkcaramel-color,notquiteasdarkastherainhadmadeitappear,and
heworeitinafadecutwithlongbangsspikedupinthefront.Hisfadedjeanssatlowonhishipsandhe

worebrown,lace-upboots.Healsohadonblackreadingglasses,andjumpingJesusonapogostick,he
lookedgood.

I immediately turned my head away, scratching myself on the neck nonchalantly, hoping he wouldn’t

recognizeme.Ithenheardaguyseveralrowsbehindandafewseatstotheleftofmeholler“Yo!”andI
turnedslightlytoseeTattooDuderaisehisheadinanodathimthenhecameupthestairsandpassed
rightbymeand,damnit,Icouldn’tnotlook.Hiseyescaughtminebuttheylookedrightthroughme,no
recognitioninthematall,whichIoddlyfoundwaskindofdisappointing.

AsIsatwaitingforclasstobegin,Ilistenedtothetwoguystalkingand,boy,didIlearnalot.Firstof

all,tiredude’snamewasGable.Ihadn’trememberedwhathisgirlfriendhadcalledhimthatdayinthe
rain,butnowitclicked.Secondly,Ifoundoutthey’dhadapartytheweekendbeforeandGablehadgotten
sowastedthathe’dwokenupinbedwiththreegirls,soIguessedtheclassybabewithhimwhenIhada
flatwasn’thisgirlfriendafterall.Thirdly,Inowknewhewasthinkingofgettinganothertattoo,probably
“Luctoretemergo”onhisrightpec,whichIknewwasLatinbuthadnocluewhatitmeant.Theguywith
him was just as clueless, asking about it, but Gable had remained close-mouthed. Fourthly, their poker
gamehadbeenchangedfromWednesdaynighttoThursday.Andfifthly,whothefuckwasthehotblonde
pieceoftailsittinginfrontofhimwithlegsthatwentonformilesthathewouldn’tmindhavingwrapped
aroundhishead?

Hehadtobekidding.Whosaidstufflikethatinpublic?Anddidhereallythinkthat’dlandhimagirl?

Wow. I inspected the classroom for the poor blond girl he was talking so rudely about, but most of the
girlsIsawhaddarkhair.ThenIfeltsomethinghitthesideofmyhead,andfrowning,turnedtoseehim
andhisfriendoglingmeasthewaddedpaperoneofthemhadthrownlandedinmylap.

The friend jerked his chin up at me. “What’s up? Hey, did you fall from the sky because let’s have

sex.”

Istaredathimforamomentbeforescrunchingupmyfaceandsaying,“Seriously?”Really,whotalked

thatway?

Gable’seyesnarrowedthen.“Iknowyou.”Isquintedmyeyesrightbackathimthenhesnappedhis

fingersandpointedatme.“Tiregirl.MissPriss.”Andhegavemethatlopsidedgrin.

I rolled my eyes and turned away because I was embarrassed by the whole encounter. I was also

flustered at the fact that my heart was beating ninety-to-nothing and my nipples had gotten hard at just
seeinghimgrinatme.God.

Theprofessorhadnowcomeinandstartedtakingroll,soIkeptmyattentiononher,ignoringthefact

thatIcouldfeelGable’seyesburningaholeintothesideofmyhead.Iwantedtoturntohimandfrown,
maybe even give him the finger, but I knew that’d just get me another nipple-hardening grin so I stayed
facing forward. But as I sat there, using every ounce of restraint I could to keep from looking at him, I
realized I was actually flattered by what he’d said about me, and it horrified me that I’d feel that way
aboutbeingobjectifiedandIwantedtosmackmyselfintheheadasItriedfiguringoutwheremyself-
respecthadgone.

Duringrollcall,IlearnedthathislastnamewasPowers.Oh,boy,hewasoneofthem.Thethem I’d

beenhearingaboutsincesteppingontocampus.Andhewasflirtingwithme.Well,wasn’tItheluckyone.
Unable to help being curious about this latest bit of info and wanting to know if he really was as good
looking as everyone had been saying (I mean, I’d seen him but hadn’t known who he was so I hadn’t
really seen him seen him), I risked a glance over my left shoulder at him only to find him gazing right
backatmewithalazygrin.Holycrap!Iturnedaroundquicklyandpromptlyswallowedmygumonthe
breathI’dsuckedinatgettingcaught.AsIchokedoutacough,Idecidedhewasashotaseveryonehad
been saying, and I also decided I was an idiot to mess with him. Although very handsome, he was

uncouth,rudeandtoowildforthelikesofmeandIneededtostayfar,farawayfromhim,whichItold
myselfI’ddo.

Sowhythehelldidthatmakehimevenmoreintriguing?

~*~*~*~

Class finally ended with the professor stating that she was going to have us participate in an

experimentwhichhadusbeingpenpalswithanotherpsychologystudentfromanyofherclasses,allin
thenameofscience.Shesaidtheexperimentwastoseeifouremailsboostedtheotherperson’sacademic
performancebecauseweweretobeencouragingwhenwewrote.Wewerenottotellwhowewereor
givetoomuchpersonalinformationaboutourselvesandattheendofthesemesterwe’dberevealedto
eachotherthenwe’dwriteathesisoverourexperience.She’dpostedourstudentIDnumbersonthewall
andwhowewerematchedupwith,andonourwayout,weweretowritedownthenumberthenemail
ourpersonthatdayifpossible.

ThissoundedlikefunandsinceIknewnooneinSeattleotherthanAmy,IhopedImightbeableto

makeafriendforthesemesteratleast.AsIstoodwaitingforthecrowdtodissipate,Ifeltsomeoneright
behind me, and it was like my body knew it was him. My breathing instantly sped up, my heart started
thumpinghardinmychestandIcouldfeelthehaironthebackofmyneckrise.

“Goodtoseeyouagain,Priss,”Gableleaneddownandwhisperedintomyear,hishotbreathonmy

neckmakingmeshiver,and,ofcourse,mynipplesgetrockhard.

Goodlord.I’dneverexperiencedareactiontoaguylikethisbefore.Iclosedmyeyesforamoment,

wantingtoleanmyheadbackagainsthishardchestandbeghimtotalkmore,tosayanything,ormaybe
nothingaslonghestayedclosesoIcouldfeelhimagainstme,feeltheheatthatseemedtoradiatefrom
him burning into my skin. Instead, I said breathlessly, “My name’s not Priss,” and heard him chuckle
softly,hismouthstillatmyear.

“I miss the white outfit,” he stated then put his hands on my hips, moving them down to where his

fingers skimmed along the hem of my shorts then started moving them slowly back toward my bottom.
“Butthesehotpinkshortsmakeyoulookcompletelyfuckabletoo.”

ThatbroughtmeoutofmystuporandIspunaround,glaringupathim.“Youcan’ttalktomelikethat!”

I hissed under my breath, glancing around self-consciously to make sure no one was watching our
exchange.

Hepeereddownatmychestwheremynippleswerestandingatfullattentionundermyt-shirt.“From

thelooksofit,Ithinkyoulikemetalkingtoyoulikethat.”Thenheleanedincloser.“What’sthematter?
Neverbeentalkeddirtytobefore,Priss?”Whenhepulledback,Isawthatthehalfgrinwasnowgoing
strongandhisluminousbrowneyesweredancingwithhumorathishavingriledme.

Holyhell.
AsIkeptgloweringathim,havingnoresponsetothat,Inoticedagirlnexttousgawkingatus,and

embarrassed,Ismiledshylyather,tuckingapieceofhairbehindmyear,tryingtoactnormal.Whenshe
turnedaway,Iwhisper-hissedathim,“Areyoukiddingmerightnow?Justwhodoyouthinkyouare?”

Hebentagaintogetclosetomyear.“I’mtheguywho’llhaveyoucominghardbeforethesemester’s

over,”heansweredevenly,hiseyesshimmeringwithcockinessastheyburnedintominewhenhestood
straightagain.

Mesmerized,Igazedbackathim,lostinhim,wantingwhathewasselling,God,howdidhedothat,

untilithitmethatIshouldbeoffendedbyhisboldnessandIsuddenlyfrowned.“Whatisyourdeal?”I
screechedmakingseveralstudentslookatmeandfeltmyfaceburningevenhotterthanitalreadywasat
hisinappropriatecomments.Iturnedtogetawayfromhimmumbling,“Oh,myGod,”buthegrabbedme
bythearmpullingmeinclose.

“Youdon’thavetocallmeGod.Gableworks,butI’msureI’llbemakingyouscreambothsoon,”he

whisperedclosetomyear.

Ipushedagainsthischest(ofcoursehedidn’tbudgeatall)andjerkedmyarmfromhisgraspwitha

scowl then moved as far away from him as I could, going to the back of the line to wait until he left.
Standing there, I closed my eyes trying to get a hold of myself but could still see his seductive gaze
searing into mine as he smirked while saying those things to me, as if he was so confident that they’d
happenregardlessofwhatIhadtosayaboutit.

And the really bad thing about it? As I stood there, a complete emotional mess from what’d just

happened,IfoundIactuallywantedthosethingstohappen,whichservedtoembarrassmeevenmorenot
tomentionjusttotallybaffleme.Imean,I’donlysleptwithoneguy,Hayden,myfirstandonlyboyfriend,
andthat’dbeenafterwe’ddatedforalmostayearsoitwasn’tlikeIgotaroundmuch,sowhatwaswrong
withmethatIwasallinforhavingsexwithsomeoneIbarelyknew?Someonewho’dbeenanasstome
fromdayone.SomeonewhoobviouslyhadwaymoreexperiencethanIhad.

As I stood behind everyone, I swallowed thickly, my cheeks still on fire, wondering who the hell I

was,andwhenImovedmyeyestothefrontIsawGablewritehisperson’snumberdowninhisnotebook,
smileatagirlwhowasgazingupathimlikehewasadamnedrockstarthenheleftwithoutevenaglance
backatme.

WhenIfinallygottothefront,Iwrotemyperson’snumberdownquicklyandgottheheckoutofthere

because a few people were still watching me curiously. As I walked outside the building, I cautiously
surveyedtheareamakingsureGablehadn’thungaroundwantingtotormentmesomemorebutsawthathe
wasofftomyrighttalkingtohisfriend,Mr.Tactful,andtheywereneartheparkinglotwhichwasagood
twentyyardsaway.IalsosawthatGablewassmoking.Well,totalturnoffrightthere.Good.Atleasthe
hadsomethingabouthimthatrepulsedme(otherthanhiscockyattitude,thatis),andwhenIsawthecoast
wasclear,IletoutthebreathIwasholding,relieffloodingovermealongwithabitofdisappointmentat
hisunhealthyhabit,andheadedawayintheoppositedirectionfromhim,goingtomynextclass.

~*~*~*~

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Hi!

Date :

August28,3:32p.m.

To:

9543254<

[e-mail]

>

Hi9543254!
It’snicemeetingyou!
Um,totellyouafewthingsaboutmyself,I’masophomoreandfemale.I’mnotfromWashingtonState.I’vegottwoolderbrothers,and

was raised by my dad. My mom died of cancer when I was three, so I was raised by three guys so I guess I’m kind of a tomboy. I love
chickentacos,AlterBridgeismyfavoriteband(MarkTremontiisTHEbestguitaristever)andIhaveahugecrushonAlexTrebek.Weird,I
know.

Ihopeyourweekhasgonewellsofar.Howareyourclassesgoing?Great,Ihope!Minearegoingfine.Iknowwe’renotsupposedtotell

eachotheranythingtoopersonal,butIhavetotellyou,I’malreadylovingmyFrenchclass,well,exceptforwhentheprofessorcalledonusto
seehowmuchweknewandIaccidentallyaskedifthechickenwasinmysize.Iwasgoingforsweater,butasyousee,Iscrewedthatup.

Anyway,Ihopethisassignmentisfun.I’veneverhadapenpalbefore,butifitgetsmeanAinpsych,thenI’minlol
Talktoyoulater!:)
9565876

Mypenpalansweredthatnight.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hi!

Date :

August28,10:36p.m.

To:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Yo9565876—
I’m a dude from the Seattle area. I’ve got 3 brothers. Jimi Hendrix, enough said. Not much of an Alter Bridge fan, although I haven’t

reallylistenedtothem.TremontiwasgoodwhenhewaswithCreed,though.Chickentacosarecool.You’reintooldergameshowhosts—
nice.Myclassesaregood.

Whatdoyoulooklike?
---9543254

______________________________________

~*~*~*~

“How’ditgo?”Amyaskedwhenshecameinthatnightfromthefast-foodplacewheresheworked.

Shestillworeherworkuniformthatconsistedofkhakipantsandacrazycolorfulstripedshirt.Shehated
itbutIthoughtshelookedcuteinitandcouldn’thelpsmilingathereverytimeIsawherwearingitwhich
alwaysmadeherscowlatme.ShewasaboutthesameheightIwasbutalittlethickersinceshe’dbeena
gymnastformostofherlife,soshewaslikeawalkingmuscle.Herskinwasgorgeous,thecolorofcoffee
withcream,andhereyeswereastartlingseafoamgreen.Sheworeherdarkbrownhairshort,similarto
HalleBerry’s,andIthoughtshewasbeautiful.

“Good.Howaboutyou?”Iwassittingatthekitchentableworkingonapaperforpoli-sci.
“Okay. I’ve already got a paper due Friday in my advanced comp class. There goes summer.” She

rolledhereyesandploppeddownonthecouch,pickinguptheremoteandclickingthroughchannelson
theTVlikecrazy.

Ichuckled.“Theydon’twastetime,that’sforsure.I’mworkingonapaperrightnow.”
“What’syourtopic?”sheasked,peekingoverthebackofthecouchatme.
“We have to read something about the American Dream and argue how it impacts different ethnic

groups.”

“Yawn,”sheanswered.“OursissomethingaboutHamletandself-awarenessanditsmeaning.Double

yawn.”

Ichuckledagain.“Goodtimes.”
“Yeah,”shemutteredturningbacktotheTV.
“Hey,doyouknowaguynamedGablePowers?”
Herheadwhippedaround.“EveryoneknowswhoGablePowersis.Why?”
“RemembertheguywhohelpedmewithmyflatwhenIcametomeetyou?”
“Nuhuh!”sheanswered,staringatmeindisbelief,hermouthhangingopen.
Irolledmyeyesandnodded.“Yeah,andnowhe’sinmypsychclassandisjustasbigajerkashewas

thefirsttimeImethim.”

“He’shot,Scout.”
“Hemightbehot,butaftertoday,Iknowhe’sstillajerk.”
“Whathappened?”
Itoldherwhathe’dsaidandshesquealed.“Holyshit!Hewantsyou!”
“MaybeinaCro-Magnonsortofway.”
Shelaughed.“Still,”shesaidgrinningatme,wigglinghereyebrows,whichmademesnort.“Keepme

postedonwhatelsehesays.”SheturnedbacktotheTVandIfrowned,nothavingthoughtthatheandI
wouldhaveanotherencounter.

“God,Iwashopingthatwasit…”Imumbled.

“Fromthewayitsounds,Idon’tthinkit’sover,”shesaidasshecontinuedturningfromonestationto

thenextwiththeremote.Ibitmylipandfrowned,staringatmylaptopandwonderingwhatelsehemight
havetosaytome.“Okay,onthat,I’mgonnatakeashower,”shesaidasshestood,mutteringonherway
outofthelivingroomthatshecouldn’ttakesmellinglikeagiantFrenchfryanylongerwhichbroughtme
outofmyruminatingandmademechuckle.

I’dluckedoutthatAmywasagoodroommate.I’dbeenalittlewarybecauseHeathandHoldenhad

toldmesomescarystoriesabouttheirformerroomies,butthankGodthatwasn’tthecaseforme.

*WeekTwo*

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hello=)

Date :

September3,8:03a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Dear9543254,
WhatdoIlooklike…I’mabout5’7”andweigharound125.Ihavelong,blondhairandgreeneyes.Howaboutyou?
Youonlyhavebrotherstoo?
IagreethatHendrixwasprobablythebest,thoughI’dsayTremontiisaclosesecond:)
Seattlehasproducedsomeamazingmusiciansandbands.You’reluckytohavegrownuphereifyoulikemusic.

Ihopeyou’reenjoyingyour2

nd

weekatHallervan.

IthinkFrenchclassisgoingtokickmyass.
Talktoyoulater,
9565876

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hello=)

Date :

September4,5:49p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,
Yousoundhot.Areyouhot?
I’m6’2”withbrownhairandeyesandIhavetattoos.Youhaveanytattoos?

Yep.3brothers.I’m2

nd

oldest.

Nirvana.PearlJam.AliceinChains.SeattleistheMeccaofallthingsgrunge.

School’scool.SorryaboutFrench.

.

~*~*~*~

Mondayafterclass,IappliedatacoupleplacesforajobbecauseIneededtheextracash.Dadwas

giving me money for gas and groceries, but I wanted to help some too, so I’d made the rounds around
town, going in and filling out applications then coming home and filling out others on my laptop. I’d
already gotten a call from a sports bar at which I’d applied and they’d scheduled me to come in
Wednesdayforaninterview.

Ialsoappliedforthecampusnewspaperandwas“hired”toreviewmovies,whichwasthestarttomy

journalism career. Whoopee! My column would provide a weekly critique of a movie every Friday,
givingitonetotenBulldogpawsinhonorofHallervan’smascot.Thegoodthingwas,Icouldreviewany
movieIwanted,notjustnewonesandsinceIwasahugemoviebuff,Iwasexcitedaboutthisgig.

Ihadn’tseenGablesincethefirstdayofpsychclass,butIhadn’treallybeenlookingforhim,either.

No,letmerephrasethat.IhadbeenlookingforhimbutonlytomakesureIavoidedhim.ButI’dseenhis
friendafewtimesandhadmadedangsurenottomakeeyecontactwithhim.

I sat in the student center on Thursday eating a hamburger for lunch as I reviewed some notes for

Frenchwhensomeonesaid,“You’reinmypoli-sciclass.”

Looking up I saw a guy I didn’t recognize with a tray of food standing there smiling down at me. “I

am?”

Hechuckled.“Yeah.Youmind?”heasked,noddingatthetable.
“Oh,no,gorightahead,”Isaid,clearingmybooksoutofhiswayandhopinghewasn’tajerkwho’d

ruinmyday.

He set his tray down then pulled out a chair and once seated, held his hand out to me. “Bodhi

Matthews.”

Ishookhishand.“ScoutPatterson.”
“Scout?”
“Yep.” I was used to people repeating my name since it was unusual but it didn’t bother me at all

becauseIlikedmyname.

“Cool.”Hetookaplateoflasagnaoffhistrayalongwithapieceoflemonmeringuepieandabottleof

water.Oncehewassettled,heloweredhisheadinprayerandseveralsecondslaterdugin.

“So,you’reinmyclass…”Istatedhavingnocluewhattosaytothisguy.Hewasverytallandslender

with curly brown hair and big, blue eyes. The wire-rimmed glasses he wore gave him a somewhat
academic,ifnotnerdy,appearance.

“Yeah,”hesaid,chewingonhisfood.Whenheswallowed,headded,“Yousittworowsinfrontof

me.”Hecontinuedscarfingdownhisfood.

“Whatyearareyou?”
Afterseveralsecondsofchewingthentakingadrink,heanswered,“Junior.”
We sat in silence for several minutes. “So where’re you from, Bodhi?” Maybe he’d get tired of my

questionsandleave.Imean,he’dinitiatedthingsandtherewereatleasttwentyothertablesopenthathe
could’vesatatbuthe’dchosenmine,interruptingmystudytime.

“Coeurd’Alene.”
“Really?I’mfromIdahotoo.StoneSprings.SmalltownnearIdahoFalls.”
“Cool.”
Allrightythen.Sinceourconversationwasn’tgoingveryfar,Idecidedtoignorehimandcontinued

lookingovermyFrenchnotes.

“So,youlikeithere?”hefinallyasked.
“Yeah,”Ireplied,stillstudyingmynotes.
“Wannahangoutsometime?”
Iglancedupathimandfrowned.“Well,you’renotthemostvociferousperson.”
Helaughed.“Sorry.Iwasjustreallyhungry.IworkthegraveyardshiftstockingatWalmartandwent

righttoclassfromthere,soIdidn’tgetbreakfast.”

Inodded,givinghimasmallsmile.Hewaskindofweird,butIalwaysthoughtweirdwasinteresting.

Whenhefinishedhislasagna,hestartedonhispie,whichtookaboutfivesecondsforhimtoinhale.Then
hedownedhiswaterandletoutabigsigh.

“Okay, brain’s fully functioning now.” He grinned. “Let’s start over. I’m Bodhi and you’re Scout.

What’swiththename?”

I laughed. “I have the same question about yours. But my mom loved books. To Kill a Mockingbird

wasoneofherfavorites.”Ishrugged.

“That’sawesome.Well,I’mBodhibecausemyparentsareBuddhists.”Iraisedaneyebrowathimand

he snorted. “I know. Tall, gay, white boy who’s a Buddhist.” He shrugged. “My parents were hippies.
TheyalmostnamedmeMohandasKaramchandafterGhandi.ThankGod,theywentforBodhi.Mysister
is Dharma Nirvana. She’s a junior in high school back home. She and I were both glad Mom and Dad
stoppedhavingkidsafterus.OurnextlittlebrotherorsisterwasgonnabenamedSanskrit.”

Icouldn’thelpbutgiggle.“You’reafunnyguy,Bodhi.”

“Yeah,well,it’sthegaything.”
Thismademelaughevenmore.“Oh,that’sbad.”
Hechuckledandwipedhismouth.“Yeah,Iknow.”
“SowhatbroughtyoutoHallervan?”Iasked.
“Myparentswenthere,soIthoughtI’dtryit.”Heshrugged.“Whatbroughtyouhere?”
“Iwonascholarshiptothejournalismdepartment,soItookthemuponit,”Iexplained.“What’syour

major?”

“Well,IwentbackandforthforawhilebutthinkI’vefinallynaileditdown—education.Highschool

socialstudies.SonowI’mbacktrackingsomeandpickingupsomeclassesImissed.Whatyearareyou?”

“Sophomore.Oh,good.Imightneedyourhelpwiththepaperwewereassigned,”Iinformedhimwith

agrin.

“It’dbemyhonor.”Hesmiledwidely.Ilikedthisguy.“Well,itwasnicemeetingyou,Scout.Nowdo

youwannahangoutsometime?”heasked,puttingallhistrashonhistray.

Ismiledbackathim.“Sure.Maybeyoucanteachmehowtobemorezen.”
“Icandothat.‘Kay,I’llseeyoutomorrowinclass,”hesaidstillsmilingashestood,pickinguphis

traybeforeleaving.

IsmiledforalongtimeafterheleftknowingI’djustmadeanewfriendwhichwasawesome.

*WeekThree*

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Meagain!

Date :

September9,7:54a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Hey(shouldIcallyouFoursinceyoucalledmebythelastnumberinmyID?)
AmIhot?Hm.Myex-boyfriendusedtosayIwas,somaybe?Howaboutyou?Areyouhot?lol
No,notattoos,butifIdidgetone,I’dprobablyhave,“Hegaveustwosoapdolls,abrokenwatchandchain,apairofgood-luckpennies,

andourlives…”putonthebackofmyrightshoulder.Silly,Iknow.

Alsoareyouathletic?IwasanAll-IdahobasketballplayerandplayedoneyearincollegebutIwonabigscholarshiphere,soIdecidedto

useitinstead.

You’reamiddlechild,huh?Doesthatmeanyou’retheblacksheep?;)I’mthebabyandmyolderbrothersareveryprotective.I’veonly

hadoneboyfriendandtheyhadhimsoscaredatfirst,it’sawonderhestuckaround.

Don’tforgetFooFightersandHeart.
Thanks.Ithinkmygoalofa4.0cankissitselfgoodbyebecauseofFrench.
Ihopeyou’restilllikingyourclasses!
Seeya!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Meagain!

Date :

September9,5:49p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Youcancallmewhateveryouwant,Six.
Everknowofaguywhodoesn’tthinkhe’shot?
All-State football player but blew out my knee in the championship game senior year. Quarterback. Had scholarships too but lost them

becauseofmyknee,soIdecidedtofollowmybrotherhere.Mytwoyoungerbrothersareherealso.

ToKillaMockingbird,huh?Favoritebook?
Yeah,I’mthebigscrew-upblacksheep.Haven’tdeclaredamajor.Alwaysgettingintrouble.Mybrothersfuckwithmeaboutitallthe

time.Bastards.ButIlovethem.

Classesaregood.MaybeI’llhaveamajorfiguredoutsoon…

______________________________________

Allthreeofhisbrotherswenthere.
Holyshit.
WasmypenpalGable?Oh,God,please,no.
But several things matched up to what I knew of him so far: My pen pal was cocky. He had three

brothers.Tattoos.Whoelsecoulditbe?Timetoputmyinvestigativeinstinctstoworkandfindout.Then
I’dhavealittletalkwithmypsychologyprofessorandseeifshecouldchangeusifitreallywashim.

~*~*~*~

I got the job at O’Leary’s Sports Bar and Grill and started training the next week. I’d worked as a

waitressatRosie’sCountryKitchenwhenIwasinhighschool,soIwasfamiliarwiththistypeofjob,
andIalreadykindofknewtheropes,soIhopedtopickthingsupquickly.

AgirlnamedAlyssawasmytrainerandshewaskindofabitch,butwhatever.Ifollowedheraround

foranhourthinkingmyonlyproblemwouldbememorizingthemenu,butIknewthatwouldeventually

come.

“Andafteryourshiftisover,youhavetorollsilverwareandfillsaltandpeppershakers.Ifyoudon’t,

Jackwilldockyourpaysoyou’dbettermakesureyou’repayingattention,”shesaidaftermytrainingwas
overandrolledherbig,blueeyesatmeasifI’dbeenahugeinconveniencetoherbeforesheflippedher
long,brownhairoverhershoulderandwalkedofftocheckonatable.

“Don’tmindher.She’sbeenstuckinbitchmodeeversinceoneofthebartendersblewheroff.She’s

gotthehotsforhim,butthere’snowayshe’sspecialenoughtolandhim.I’mNataliebytheway.”She
wasanotherwaitressandshegavemeagorgeoussmile.Shewastallandhadshort,brownhairthathit
herattheshoulders,andherbrowneyeshadtwinkledwhenshe’dgivenmetheinfoaboutAlyssa.Iliked
Natalierightaway.

“Hey,Natalie.I’mScout.Thanksforthat.Ithoughtshejustdidn’tlikeme,”Isaidwithachuckle.
Shelaughed.“Shedoesn’tlikeanyonewhocan’tdosomethingforher.Butshe’sagoodwaitress.I’m

sureyou’veseenherfakenessinactionallnight.”

Isnickered.“Well,Iwasn’tsure,butatleastitgothersomegoodtips.”
I left thirty minutes later after rolling silverware with Alyssa who griped the entire time about the

bartendershewasdatingwho’dstoodherupforapokergame.BythetimeIgothome,Iwasreadyfor
somesilence.

*WeekFour*

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,10:39p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Hi,
Sorrytohearaboutyourknee.Thatsucks.Doyouhaveafavoritequarterback?
ToKillaMockingbirdisdefinitelyafavorite.
Blacksheep,huh?Beentojail?Bustedfordrugs?Brokenanyhearts?
Myfamily’sreallyclose.Mydad’safarmerandweallhelpedout.IcoulddriveatractorbythetimeIwas7.
What’syourbiggestgoalinlife?
Talktoyoulater

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:02p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Thanks.Yeah,itdidsuck.Twoofmybrothersplaysportsincollegeandit’ssometimestoughwatchingthemplaywhenIwanttobeout

theretoo.ButI’mgladthey’regettingtolivethedream.Myyoungestbrotherwasagoodathletetoobuthe’smoreofacomputergeek,sohe
doesn’tplaysportsanymore.

SteveYoungwasmyfavoriteQB.
Yes.Yes.No.Yes.
Myfamily’sprettyclosetooalthoughwetrytostayoutofeachother’sbusinessmostofthetime.MomrunsadaycareandDadworksas

amechanic,soyes,Iknowhowtochangeadiaperandoil.

Damn.Drivingatractoratage7?That’sprettybadass.Everwreck?;)
Mybiggestgoalinlifeistobehappy.AndwhileI’matit,ifImakeothershappy,that’dbegoodtoo.
What’syours?

xx

.

I was lying in bed when my phone dinged. When I looked at it, I was surprised to see that he’d

answeredbacksoquickly.Ireadthroughwhathe’dwrittenandwhenIgottothebottom,Istaredatthe
twoX’s.IfIwasn’tmistaken,theystoodforkisses.Hewassendingmevirtualkissesnow?Yesterday,I’d
askedoneoftheguyswhoworkedforthenewspaperwhowasprettycomputersavvyifhecouldaccess
studentfilesandhewascheckingintowhetherthiswasGableornot.Ifthisreallywashim,atleastInow
knewhehadasweetside.

AfterreadinghisresponsesIwascurioussoIwrotehimbackrightaway.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:07p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

So,forclarity’ssake:
Yes,you’retheblacksheep.
Yes,you’vebeentojail.
No,you’veneverbeenarrestedfordrugs.

Yes,you’vebrokenhearts.
DidIgetthatright?
NowrecksonthetractoralthoughIdidbackmybrotheragainstabarbed-wirefencewithitandheldhimtherefortenminutesbecause

hekeptteasingmeaboutaboyinmyclasswhenIwas11.Heneverteasedmeaboutboysagain.

Thosearesomeverynicegoals.Mine?TogetasmuchinformationtothepeoplethatIcanevenifitmeanssteppingontoes.WhatcanI

say?I’mafighterfortherightsofpeopleeverywhere=)AndI’mprettysureit’llmakemehappy,andIhopeotherswillbehappytoobecause
they’llbewell-informed.

xo

Oh,God.Ididn’tknowifIshouldleaveexesandohsornot,butIdecidedtogowithit,cringingabit

whenIhit“Send.”IguessI’dseewhetherI’dmadeacolossalmistakewhenhewroteback.Andthathe
didafewminuteslater.
______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:13p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Blacksheep,yes.
Jail,yes.
Drugs,no.
Brokenhearts?Yes.Lots.Notbragging,butI’vehadalotofgirlfriends,andbyalot,Imean,alot.Doesthatintimidateyou?Haveyou

onlyhadtheoneboyfriend?Justcurious.

AndjustasIthought.You’rebadass…
xx

Wow.Hewasbeingsoopenabouteverything,soIthoughtI’dstrikewhiletheironwashot.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:20p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Whatmakesyoutheblacksheep?
Jail?Caretoexplain?Lol
Goodonnodrugs.
Alot,huh?Arewetalkingdoubledigits?Triple?Howmanyisalot?20?Andyou’vebrokenalltheirhearts?
Haveyoueverhadyourheartbroken?
Yes,onlyone“real”boyfriend.Wedatedfortwoyears,butaftergraduatinghighschooltwoyearsago,hewenttoJohnsHopkinspre-

medandIwenttocollegeclosertohome.Wetriedthelong-distancething,buthadtocallitquitsaftersixmonths.Itwastoohardkeepingup
witheachother.Besides,hewastwohoursaheadinBaltimore,sothatmadeittoughtoeventalkbyphonebecausehewasalwaystiredfrom
studying.Sowhenitwastenmytime,itwasmidnighttheresowerarelyconnected.Nowherecomesthehardpartofitall.EventhoughI’d
plannedonbreakingupwithhim,itwasn’tuntilafterIfoundoutthatheandmybestfriendhadbeen“talking”(whichiscodeforscrewinglike
rabbits)foroverayearthatwedid.Iwassohurt.Imean,ourrelationshiphadprettymuchrunitscourse,soitwasn’treallythat.Itwasjust
thebetrayalofitallthatgotmethemost.I’vehadsometrustissueseversince.I’msureyoucanunderstand.

ThethingthatreallypissedmeoffaboutitallwaswhenIfoundoutandconfrontedhimonthephone,hetriedtellingmehewas“fucked

up”andthatIshould’vestayedawayfromthestart.Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,otherthanitwasjustanexcuseforhisbeingacheating
scumbag.God,suchacopout.

But,yeah,Inotonlylostaboyfriend,Ilostmybestfriendofthirteenyearstoo,whichwaswhatreallysucked.I’vedatedacoupleguys

overthelastyearbutnothingserious…

Haveyoueverbeenseriouswithagirl?
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:23p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

I’mtheblacksheepbecauseI’mahellraiser(accordingtomyoldestbrother).

Jail for DUI my sophomore year in high school, breaking and entering (a friend and I broke into our high school just to be dicks), and

possessionofstolenproperty(jealousexhadgivenmeanoldiPhoneofhersthencalledthecopswhenI’dbrokenitoffwithhersayingIstole
it.Igaveitback,chargesweredropped,Ispreadarumorthatshehadherpes,allwaswell.Hey,Iwassixteen).

Alot.Hm.IfItoldyouitwasover30wouldyouthinkbadofme?
Yourexsoundslikeafuckingprickandyourfriendsoundslikeacunt.Theydeserveeachother’sfuckedupselves.
Yes.I’vehadmyheartbroken.Yes,Iwasseriouswithher.NotsureIwanttotalkaboutit.
Soareyouavirgin?
xx

Uh.Wow.Thatescalatedquickly.
DidIreallywanttotalktohimaboutthis?He’dbeenprettyopenwithmeanditwaswaytooeasy

tellinghimthingsbehindanemailaddress.Iguesseditcouldn’thurtanythingsinceI’dhaveourprofessor
changeourpenpalsifthisreallywasGable,sohe’dneverknowitwasmeanyway.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:30p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Yousoundalotlikemymiddlebrother.Iguesshewasahellraisertoo.HealmostgotaDUIhisjryearinhs,butsincemydadwasgood

friends with the sheriff, he talked him out of it telling him he’d put my brother to work. And he did. My brother was grounded almost all
summerandworkedhisassoffonthefarm.He’saheartbreakertoo.Ithinkhehadatleast50girlfriendsduringhsoritseemedthatway.

WhydoesitmatterifIthinkbadlyofyou?Youcantalkaboutanythingyouwantwithme.Iwon’tjudge.Butonlyifyou’recomfortable.
Andthanks.They’redefinitelynotmytwofavoritepeoplebyalongshot.
No,I’mnotavirgin,butmyexhasbeenmyoneandonly.IguessI’moldschoolbecauseIthinkyouneedtocareabouteachotherbefore

youtakethatstep.That’sprettylame,huh?

xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Trouble-makingscrew-up

Date :

September18,11:34p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Notlameatall.Iagreethatit’smuchbetterwhenyouhavefeelingsfortheotherperson.Butasaguy,well,you’vegotbrothers,soI’m

sureyouunderstandsomewhatthatit’sjustdifferent.Notsurehowtoexplainit.Itjustis.Callmesexistifyouwant.Imean,ifIhadasister,
I’dkickaguy’steethinifheeventriedtouchingher.Weird,right?

Idon’tknowwhyitmattersifyouthinkbadofme.Itjustdoes.
I’mgladyoudon’t.
xx

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Misogynistictendencies

Date :

September18,11:39p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

HiSexist,
Howareyou?
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Misogynistictendencies

Date :

September18,11:41p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Funny.
xx

I left it at that. I had class in the morning so I needed sleep and just as I was drifting off, my phone

dingedagain.
______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Thanks

Date :

September19,12:11a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

I’mgladIhaveyoutotalkto…thanksforlistening.YoumightbethefirstchickI’veeverbeenjustfriendswith.
xx

Oh, wow. Now what was I going to do with this? Gable really did have a sweet side (if this was

actuallyhim).Itookadeepbreathandblewitoutknowingifhekeptbeingnice,itmightspellouttrouble
forme.Imean,Iwasalreadywildlyattractedtohimphysically,butifontopofthatheturnedouttobea
decent human being, I knew I’d be in danger of possibly falling in serious like with him. Definitely
neededtobecarefulhere.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Thanks

Date :

September19,12:13a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’mgladyou’reglad;)I’mgladtoo.
Goodnight
xo

IclosedmyeyesandsmiledthathemightnotbeasbadasIthoughthewas.
Boy,wasIwrong.

*WeekFive*

I’dfinishedmytrainingatO’Leary’s,gottenmypermittoservealcoholandhadbeenonmyownfora
weeknow.I’donlyworkedshortshiftsfromfivetoseven,buttonightIwasontheclockuntileleven.It
was Monday, but working that late wasn’t too bad because my apartment was only about ten minutes
away,soI’dbehomebeforemidnightandmyfirstclasswasn’tuntilteninthemorning,soI’dhavetime
tostudysomeforthetestIhadinFrench.

Thingstonighthadbeengoinggreatsofar.I’dmadesomeprettygoodtipsbecauseNFLfootballhad

started and since there were five TVs in the place, it seemed as if every guy in town had shown up to
watch and have a couple beers. And if I’d learned anything from working at Rosie’s, it was that beer
madeguyshappyandiftherewasaballgameon,theywereevenhappier,whichmeanttheytippedwell.

SoImademyroundsagain,grabbingbeermugsandpitchersforrefills,makingmywaytothebarand

thatwaswhenmynightstartedgoingnotsogreat.

“Priss!When’dyoustartworkinghere?”
Oh,God.Gablewasabartenderandhewasgrinningfromeartoearatme.And,damn,didhelook

good. He had on a football jersey too, but his was a full jersey that he had tucked into the front of his
jeans.Hishairwasstyledhowhe’dwornitinclassandhehadhisglasseson.Histattooswereonfull
displayandmystomachflutteredasIstoodlookingathim.

“You’vegottobeshittingme,”Ifinallymumbled,placingmytrayofthreemugsandtwopitcherson

thebar.Iglancedupathimandgavehimmybestindifferentface.Ilikedthisjob,I’dnowmemorizedthe
menuandIreallydidn’twanttoquitevenifhewasgoingtoactrudelytowardme.

“So… I like the jersey.” He kept his grin and nodded at the 49ers half jersey I was wearing.

Waitresses’ wore half jerseys as their uniform during football season that showed our bellies, and I
realized that Gable and I wore the same team and we both had the number forty-nine. Yay. I honestly
didn’tknowanythingaboutproball,soI’djustgrabbedacouplejerseyswhenJackhadtoldmetopick
lastweek.ButIthoughttheywerecuteandIdidhaveaflatstomachsinceI’dbeenanathlete,soalthough
they’dtakenalittlegettingusedtoatfirst,IfoundIreallywasn’tthatself-consciousaboutthem.Ialso
thinkIgotbettertipswearingthem,sowhatever.InDecember,we’dswitchtobasketballjerseyswhich
werethefulljersey,thankGod,thenwe’dwearbaseballjerseysuntilfootballbeganagaininthefall.

Ismiledweaklyathimthentoldhimwhateachorderwas,watchingasheturnedtofillthem.Damn.

Evenhisbuttwasnice.Andthewayhecarriedhimself,soconfident,wasfreakin’hot.

“Thanks,”Imurmuredafterhefilledthelastpitcher,settingitonthebar.Hestoodwatchingmefora

momentasIloadedmytray.Irritatedwithbeingscrutinized,Iglaredathimwithascowl.“What?”

Hegrinned.“Nothing.Justmakeseverythingeasiernow.”Iwasstillscowlingwhenhewinkedthenhe

turnedawaytotakeacustomer’sorder.

Easier?What’dthatmean?Washetalkingabouthookingupwithme?Nothappeningifhewasgoingto

beajackasstomeallthetime.Ididn’tcarehowsweethewasinhisemails.Well,Iwasn’tgoingtolet
himbotherme.IneededthisjobsomyplanwastojustignorehimasbestIcould.

AnditwasagoodplanuntilaroundthethirdtripImadetothebar.
“Ilikeblack,”hesaidwagglinghiseyebrowsatme.

It took me a second to realize he was talking about my bra that I’d made the mistake of wearing

becauseitshowedthroughthelittleholesinthewhitejersey’sfabric.Igavehimaboredlookthenputthe
drinksonmytrayandwalkedaway.

Onthefourthtrip,hesaid,“Likethejeans,Priss.”Istillgavehimnoreaction.
Fifthtrip,heleanedoverthecounterandmumbled,“Reallylikethosejeans.”
Bythesixthtrip,I’dhadit.I’dbroughtfourpitchersandwhenhe’dfilledthemall,he’dleeredatme

andsaid,“How‘boutweaddtwentyandgoforit.”

When I’d frowned and seemed puzzled, he’d pointed at my jersey then back to his slowly. When he

sawmyeyesgetbig,he’dgrinnedwickedly.Forty-nineplustwentyequalssixty-nine.Whatanass.

“Areyoualwaysthisimmature?Whatareyou,likethirteen?”Istatedgivinghimanapatheticlook.
He narrowed his eyes at me and I could tell I’d offended him. Good. “I’m twenty-one,” he replied

indignantly.IthoughthewasfinishedandIwasmentallychalkingupatallyformyselfwhenheopened
hismouthagain.“Inmyprime,sweetheart.Can’twaittoproveittoyou.Overandoverandover.”

Despite the fact that my body was now fully alert and reacting to what he’d said, butterflies in my

stomachgoingnutsandnipplesallfreakingperky,damnit,Igrittedmyteethandsnapped,“Youdoknow
there’sathingcalledsexualharassment?”Iglaredathimthenadded,“Anddon’tcallmesweetheart.”

Hesnorted.“Goaheadandreportme.WhathaveIsaidthatcanbeconstruedasanythingsexual?You

mayhavetakenitthatway,buttome,itwasprettyinnocent.”Hethensmiledimpishly.

Ifrownedandthoughtofthethingshe’dsaidandhewasright.Itwasallprettyinnocentonthesurface;

Iwasjustinferringthatwhathewassayingwassexual.Crap.

“Besides,Jack’smyuncle.I’mhisfavoritenephew.HeknowsIwouldn’tdoanythinglikethat.”He

shrugged and the damned smirk he sported was begging to be slapped right off his beautiful face. He
wipedhishandswithasmalltowelandthrewittothesidethencrossedhisarmsoverhischest,leaning
backagainstthecounter.AsIpickedupmytrayandstartedtowalkaway,hetackedon,“Oryoucould
justquit.”Iturnedbacktoseehimwatchingme,hiseyeschallenging,daring.

“Wh—what?”Isputtered.I’dneverquitanythinginmylife.Itwasn’thowIwasraised.Ashestared

atmewiththatdamnedsmugexpression,Ifinallygavehimascowlthenturnedandheadedtomytables
knowingtherewasnowayIwasquittingnow.StubbornnesswasineveryPatterson’sblood.Andalsoa
competitivenature.Andbullheadedness.Nope.Notquitting.

Sostupid,stupidmesuckeditup,knowingI’dneverbethefirsttowavethewhiteflag.Fantastic.

~*~*~*~

MyshiftwasalmostoversoIwasrollingsilverwareintheback.Alyssahadthenightoffbutcamein

togetherpaycheckandhadbeenherusualcharmingself,givingmeasnottylookasshe’dwalkedthrough
totheofficetotalktoJackwhichmademerollmyeyes.I’dgonetothebacktocompletetheinnocuous
littlechoreandhadnoticedthatGablehadn’tbeenatthebarsoIassumedeitherhisshiftwasoverorhe
wasonbreak.

“Hey,takethisouttotheback,wouldyou?”Glen,oneofthekitchenguys,asked,handingmeaboxof

slimy,wiltedvegetableleftovers.

“Sure,”Imuttered,grabbingthenastythingfromhimandheadingoutthebackdoorintothealley.AsI

walkedtotheDumpster,IheardgigglingandturnedtoseeGable,whohadAlyssapinnedagainsttheback
wallofthebarandIfroze.

“Thattickles!”shesaidwithanothergiggleashenibbledonherneck.
“Mmm,youtastegood,”hemumbled,pullinghisheadawaybutkeepinghishandsagainstthewallon

eithersideofherface,hishipspinnedagainsthers.Imust’veletoutagaspbecausehesuddenlyturned
hisheadtowardmethensmirkedwhenhesawwhatIknewwasawholelotofastonishmentonmyface.

Startledoutofmyreverie,Isaid,“Justtakingoutthetrash!Didn’tmeantointerrupt.”Myfaceburned

asIopenedthelidtotheDumpsterandthrewtheboxinside.

“Like the show, Priss? Jealous?” he asked when I turned around, which made Alyssa giggle some

more.

IshotalookathimasIwalkedbacktothedoor.“Canyouforoncenotbeajerk?”AsIgrabbedthe

doorknob,Iglaredathimandadded,“Whyisthatsohard?”

“That’swhatshesaid,”heansweredwithasnortandaleerbeforeturningbacktoAlyssawhowas

nowlaughinglikesomedamnedhyenabutstoppedwhenhepressedhismouthtohersandkissedherhard.

Ugh.
Whydidseeingthatmakemewanttothrowup(otherthanthefactthatshewasaheinousbitchandhe

was a complete douche)? I went back inside quickly, washed my hands and finished rolling up my
silverware.AfewminuteslaterAlyssacamein,herhairappropriatelymussed,andgavemeasmuglook.
SheflirtedwithGlenonherwaythrough,doingherhyenalaughagainwhenheflirtedrightback,which
made me want to punch a puppy. A moment later, Gable came in, walking through as if I didn’t exist,
noddinghisheadatGlenbeforegoingbackouttothebar.Itwasn’tlostonmethathe’dprobablyhadto
stayouttherelongertoadjusthimselffrombeingaroused.God.

When I finished with the silverware, I clocked out then left through the back, not wanting to walk

through the place and see Alyssa and Gable flirting or in another heated lip lock, or hell, she could’ve
beenonherkneesbehindthefuckingbargivinghimheadforallIknew.WhenIgotinmycar,Islammed
thedoor,starteditandpeeledoutoftheparkinglotthenheadedtomyapartment.

And,man,Iwassofuckingangry!AndwhatmademeevenmadderwasIdidn’tknowifIwasmore

pissedatmyselfthatI’dletwhatI’dseenaffectmeorthatIwasinfuriatedatGableforflirtingwithme
allnightlongthenturningaroundandactinglikesuchaprick.

Butyouknowwhat?WhythehelldidIcare?Hewasnothingtome.Nothing.Ifhewantedtomakeout

withrudebitchesthatwashisbusinessnotmine.I’dknownhewasbadnewsfromthestart,sothiswas
allonmebecausestupidmehadtogetallcaughtupinthefactthathemayhavehadaniceside.Well,
fuckhim.IwassooverGablePowersandIwasmovingonandneverlookingbackbecause,andIrepeat,
hemeantnothingtome.

Sowhydidthishurtsobad?

~*~*~*~

WhenIgothome,Amywasalreadyasleep,soafterIshoweredthenwenttobed,Ilaythereinthedark

andgotevenmorepissedoffaboutwhat’dhappened.God!I’dbeensohumiliatedatcatchingthemback
there.It’djustbeenso…gross.

AsIlaytherestewingovereverything,Isuddenlysatupandsuckedinadeepbreathatmydiscovery,

totally wanting to scream because it finally came to me that my problem wasn’t that I was repulsed at
catchingthemmakingoutoreventhatIwasdisgustedthathe’dembarrassedme.

No, I was pissed because I realized that I was jealous and wished it’d been me out there with him

insteadofAlyssa.

Oh,myGod.
ItwastimeslikethisthatIwishedthatIvyandIwerestillbestfriends.Shewould’veunderstoodwhat

wasgoingonandtoldmewhattodo.ButshewasinBaltimorewithmyex-boyfriend,goingpre-medtoo,
justasthey’dplannedbehindmyback.ThelastI’dheard,theyweregoingtogetanapartmenttogether
andliveoutthedream.Whatever.

So,feelinglost,Igrabbedmyphoneandshotoffanemailtomypenpalwhomayormaynothavebeen

theprickIwasupsetover.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Pissedoff

Date :

September21,12:15a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Everhavenightswhereyouwantedtostranglesomeone?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Pissedoff

Date :

September24,12:20a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Yep.Allthefuckingtime.What’sup?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Pissedoff

Date :

September21,12:22a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

JustaguyIknow.Whydoeseverythinghavetobesohard?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Pissedoff

Date :

September21,12:24a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six…you’remakin’thistooeasy…
That’swhatshesaid…;)

AndIknewrightthenithadtobehim.Bastard.

*WeekSix*

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October1,9:54p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,
Youokay?

xx

~*~*~*~

Atthebeginningoftheweek,ChrishadinformedmethatmypenpalwasindeedoneGableStephen

Powers,andIwasn’tquitesurewhattodo—gotoDr.Hornerandasktobeswitched,orrideitout.I’d
talkedtoAmyaboutit(nottellingheraboutthelovelyrevelationI’dhadabouthowI’dwishedhe’dbeen
makingoutwithmeinsteadofAlyssa,ofcourse)andshe’dadvisedmetogiveitaweek,tellingmethatif
he was rude either in person or through email, then I should ask to be changed. So even though I was
giving it another chance, that still didn’t mean I was gung-ho to write to him, having not sent anything
sincethenightI’dseenhimandAlyssabehindthebar.

~*~*~*~~

OnWednesdaymorningIgotoutsomepaperandapentotakenotesinpsychologyasDr.Hornerbegan

herlecture.

“EveryoneknowsFreudisthefoundingfatherofpsychoanalysis,”shebeganandthatwaswhenGable

cameinlate,walkedupthesteps,stoppedatmyrow,crossedinfrontofmeandhadaseatrightnextto
me.

“Mornin’,Priss,”hesaidwithagrinashegotouthisownpaperandpen.Hearrangedhispaperonhis

desktopthensatthereallstudiouslypayingattentiontothelectureasifIwasn’tthere,andallIcoulddo
thewholewhilewassitandfume,wantingtosmackhisstupidface.

Wow.Whatanass.
Ifinallyturnedmyattentionbacktothelectureandimmediatelyregrettedshowingupforclass.Jesus,

whyhadn’tIjuststayedhomeinbed?

“Freudbelievedthatourlivesconsistedoftworealms:tensionandpleasure.Hefeltthatalltension

wasgroundedinthelibidoandifitwasrepressed,depressionensued,meaning,whenwedenyourselves
sexualpleasure,wecannevertrulybehappy.That’sonethingonwhichmyhusbandagreeswithFreud,”
Dr.Hornersaidandgotasmatteringoflaughterfromtheclass.

Gableleanedoverandwhispered,“See,Priss?Letithappen.I’llmakeyousohappyyouwon’tstop

smilingfordays.”

Ibattedhimawayandheardhimchucklingatme.Douchebag.
“Thepsychosexualstagesofdevelopmentcoincidewithourages,accordingtoFreud.Thefirststage,

ageszerotoone,isoral:licking,sucking,swallowing,anythingtodowiththemouth.”

Gable’skneeknockedintomineandIgrittedmyteethbutdidn’tdarelookathimbecauseIknewhe’d

bedonninghisnipple-hardeninghalfgrin.

Again,whythehelldidIshowuptoday?

“Agesonetothreeyearsistheanalstage…”
DearGod.IsteadfastlyfocusedonmynotesandnottheidiotwhoIknewwasnowgrinningfromear-

to-earatmyside.

“The phallic stage is where masturbation becomes a new source of pleasure and the Superego

develops…”

Gable’shandcameoverandhestartedwritingonmypaper.Whenhemoveditaway,myeyesdrifted

downtoseewhathe’dwritten.Wouldlovetowatchyoumasturbatesometime,Priss.

I sucked in a breath upon seeing that, my face flushing as I felt a dip in my freakin’ womb which

immediately made my panties soaked, fully aware that my nipples had hardened despite my mental
protest,asmyentirebodyreactedtohiswords.Goodlord,hewasevenunsettlingusingadamnedpen.

Afterforcingmyselftorelax,underneathwhathewroteIpenned,Nevergonnahappen.
Hereachedbackandwrote,Itwill.Youcan’tresistme.
Iwroteback,Watchme.
Iheardhimchucklingquietlybesidemeasifresistancewerefutileorsomething,likewewereliving

inaStarTrekmovieorsomeshit.Ijustshookmyheadandkepttakingnotes,puttinghimonignoreas
bestIcould,regardlessofhowmanykneeknockshegavemetherestofthetime.

Whenclasswasdismissed,Iturnedandglaredathim.
“What?”heasked,hislipstippingup.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?” I hissed under my breath, so tired of him keeping me off

balancewithhisstupid,sexyself.

“I’llbedoingyousoon,”heresponded.
Oh,myGod.
“You’reahugejerk,”Isnapped,shovingmynotebookintomybag.
“You’rerightaboutmebeinghuge,Priss.”
“God,why’dIevencometoday?”andIknewmymistaketheminuteIsaidthis.
“Ijustseemtohavethateffectonwomen,”heanswered,grinning.
Ihuffedoutalaugh.God,hewasannoying.“You’retoomuch.”Istoodandstarteddownthesteps.
“That’sdefinitelywhatshesaid,”herepliedfrombehindme.
This all just pissed me off because, God help me, I was totally into him and I knew he was just

messingwithme,soonceoutside,Ispunaroundtofacehim.“Thishastostopnow,Gable.Youcan’ttalk
tomelikethat.”

Hiseyesdancedwithamusementthenheleaneddownandwhisperedinmyear,“Apparently,Icanand

youloveit.YouthinkIcan’tseehowyourespondtome?”

IpulledmyfaceawayfromhimasItookastepback.“That’scalleddisgust.”
“It’scalledlust.Youknowyouwantme.”Hishoneyeyesburnedintomine.Ishookmyhead,throwing

inaneyeroll,andwalkedawayonlytohearhimcallafterme,“Assoonasyouadmitit,things’llbealot
morefun.”

That’swhatIwasafraidof.

~*~*~*~

Thursday night I sat at the kitchen table staring at my phone knowing I should just reply to Gable’s

email and ignore my dumbass feelings for him when Amy came in with a bag of hamburgers and fries
fromwork.

“Hey, thought you might be hungry,” she said, setting the bag on the table. A bag whose contents

assaultedmynosewithallthingsdelicious,thatis.

“Just when I think you can’t get any better…” I said, reaching a hand in and pulling out a paper-

wrappedburgerandacartonoffries.“Ihaven’teatenallday.Thissmellsamazing.”Itoreopenthepaper
andstuffedmymouthfullofglorious,juicybeef.Yum.

Amylaughed.“Calmdown,Hoover.You’repracticallyinhalingit.”
“I can’t help it. So… good…” I answered, mouth full. When I swallowed, I asked, “You’re not

eating?”

“Alreadydid.And,onceagain,IsmelllikeagiantFrenchfryandneedashower.”Shestarteddown

the hallway then turned and informed me, “There are two more burgers and fries in there if that one
doesn’tdothetrick.”

“’Kay,”ImumbledasIchewed,knowingthatsincetheburgerswerehuge,Iwasn’tevensureIcould

finishtheoneIwasmunchingon.Whenmyphonerang,IsawitwasBodhicalling.“’Lo,”IansweredasI
stuffedsomefriesintomymouth.

“What’sup?DidIinterruptdinner?”Hechuckledathearingmygarbledvoice.
“Yeah,butit’sokay.Amybroughtsomeburgersandfrieshomefromwork.”
“Some?”heasked,hisinterestpiqued.
Isnorted.I’deatenlunchseveralmoretimeswithhimanditwassafetosaytheguycouldseriously

throwdownsomechow.“Gottwoofeverythingleft.You’remorethanwelcometothem.”

“Bethereinten,”andhehungup.
Iwalkeddownthehallwayandknockedonthebathroomdoor.
“Yeah?”Amyyelledovertheshower.
I opened the door and stuck my head inside. “Bodhi’s coming over to eat the other burgers. That

okay?”

“That’sfine.Justmakesuretotellhisgayasstostopandgetsomebeer.I’vefedhimtwicealready

thisweek.”

“Gotcha,”Isaidwithasnort,closingthedoorandgoingbacktothetabletogetmyphoneandtexthim.
TextMessage—Thurs,Oct3,9:34p.m.
M e: Amy says to bring beer because she’s already fed you twice this week. And she also won’t

giveyouherbrother’s#ifyoudon’t.

Ithrewthatlastpartinjusttomesswithhim.
TextMessage—Thurs,Oct3,9:34p.m.
Bodhi:Damn.Tellhertostopbeingsobossy.AndwhosaysIwanttomeetherbrotheranyway?
TextMessage—Thurs,Oct3,9:35p.m.
Me:Longeyelashes.Hazeleyes.Muscles.Cutebutt.
TextMessage—Thurs,Oct3,9:35p.m.
Bodhi:Shit.I’llgetacase…
Thismademelaughoutloud.
Bodhi and Amy had met two weeks ago when I’d invited him over to help me with my first movie

reviewandthey’dabsolutelyhititoffbyinstantlythrowinginsultsateachother.Whenshe’dtoldhimthat
herolderbrotherwhoattendedUDubwasgayandsingleandthatBodhiwastotallyhistypethenshown
himsomepictures,webothcouldtellhewasinterested.Ithinkitmayhavebeenthewayhismouthhad
hungopenwhenhe’dseenthepictures.Ormaybethathe’dgrabbedherphoneandsentthemtohisown
phone which made Amy warn him that he’d better not be adding them to his spank bank. Bodhi had
blushedprofuselyatthatwhichhadmadeuscrackupathim.

WhileIwaitedforhimtogethere,Isatatthetableresearchingacouplemoviesonmylaptop,hoping

he’dbewillingtohelpmeagain.IalsooncemorecontemplatedemailingGablebutdecidedtowaituntil

later.

AmyhaddressedandcomeoutofherbedroomjustintimetoanswerthedoorwhenBodhiknocked.
“What’sup,loser?”shestateduponlettinghimin.
“Not much, loserette,” he countered. He walked into the kitchen, setting the beer he’d bought on the

counterthentossedeachofusabottlebeforeputtingtherestinthefridge.

“Whatkindabeeristhis?”Amyaskedexaminingthelabel.“Neverheardofit.”
“Thegoodkind.Justdrink,”Bodhiansweredshakinghishead.“Burgerme,gorgeous,”hesaidtome

whenhecametothetableandsatdown.

AsIdugaburgeroutofthebag,Amysaidindignantly,“Shegets‘gorgeous’andIget‘loserette’?”
Bodhitooktheburger,immediatelyunwrappingitandjammingitintohismouthforahugebiteashe

noddedather.Whenheswallowed,hesaid,“You’dagreetedmewith‘hey,handsome,’maybeyou’dget
somethingnicer.”

“Dulynoted,”sherepliedwitharaiseofhereyebrowsasshetookadrinkofherbeer.
I set both boxes of fries and the other burger in front of him and as he devoured his meal, Amy sat

downacrossfromhimthengettingawickedgleaminhereyescontinuedthetalkthey’dstartedthelast
timehe’dbeenoverwhichmademegroanandrollmyeyes.“So,IstillsayBatmaniswaybetterthan
Superman.”Shelookedsmuglyathim.

“You’recrazy,”hesaidbetweenbitestotallytakingherbait.“Supermanispracticallyimmortalunless

he’sexposedtoKryptonite.That’stheonlythingthatcankillhim.Batman’shuman.He’skillable.”

“Killable?”Shesnorted.“Isthatevenaword,BuddhaBoy?”
“At least I believe in a higher power, Shabby Douglas,” Bodhi shot back making me raise my

eyebrowsimpressedwithhisnamecallingingenuity.

Ignoringhisgymnasticbarb,Amyretorted,“Oh,myGod!Arewegoingthereagain?Haveyouever

seenahigherpower?No!Therefore,itdoesn’texist.”

“Have you ever seen a thought? Does that mean they don’t exist? Jeez, examine every religion and

you’llseethateachworshipsagod-likecreator.”

“Whicharemade-upbeingsjustlikeSantaClausortheEasterBunny,”sheshotback.
“Justlikeyousaidzombiesaremadeup.”
“Theyare.HaveyoueverseenazombieotherthaninthemoviesoronTV?”
AfterabeatBodhisaid,“Well,onething’sforsure,”withasarcasticsmileashewipedhismouthwith

anapkin.

Amynarrowedhereyesathim.“What’sthat?”
“Ifonedaywedohaveazombieapocalypse,andweknowzombiesarescavengingforbrains,don’t

worry.You’llbesafe.”

JustasAmybowedup,eyesnarrowed,readytospewashittonofvitriolrightbackathim,Ishouted,

“Guys,stop!”

TheystaredateachotherinsilencebeforeAmymuttered,“You’dbetterbegladIlikethisbeer…”
“Andyou’dbetterbegladIliketheburgersyoubringhome,”Bodhimumbledback.
“CanyoubelievehethinksSuperman’sbetter,Scout?”Amyaskedme,startingupagain.Jeez.
“Andcanyoubelieveshedoesn’tbelieveinagod?”Bodhithrewout.
I held my hands up in surrender. “Don’t even try putting me in the middle of your ridiculous

arguments.”

TheylookedatmethenAmymuttered,“Wimp.”TheybothsnickeredthensheandBodhibumpedfists,

bondinginanunlikelyunitedfrontagainstme.Lord.

Ishookmyheadatthem,notunderstandinghowtheirarguinghadsuddenlycementedtheirfriendship

butgladthey’dstopped.“Okay,Ineedhelpwithmymoviereview.I’mgoingforcomedythisweekand
wasthinkingAnchorman,”Itoldthem.

“I’minaglasscaseofemotion,”Bodhiquoted.
“Ilovelamp,”Amyaddedandwewereoff,throwingeveryquoteweknewoutthere,whichwasgood

becauseitmadethemstoptheirstupiddebating,althoughthequote-festwasnowonandcouldturnugly
betweenthematanymomentiftheysochose.

They both helped with the review and after I finished, we ended up watching the movie continuing

trying to beat each other by saying the quotes first and arguing over who beat whom. Talk about a
competitivegroup.Wealsoalmostfinishedoffthewholecaseofbeerbecausewe’dthrowninhavingto
takeadrinkifwemessedupaquote.I’dmessedenoughuptomakememorethantipsyandfeelingpretty
good,aswasthecasewithbothofthem,andwhenhe’dstooduptogotothebathroomandhadalmost
wiped out, I’d informed Bodhi that he was staying. I made up the couch for him by throwing a pillow,
sheetandblanketathim,andwhenIfinallyfloppedintobed,Iwasatthepointofnotgivingashitand
thoughtit’dbeafabulousideatoemailGable.

~*~*~*~

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,12:54a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Yep.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:00a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Yep?That’sit?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:02a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Whatelsedoyouwabt?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:05a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Well,Ihaven’theardfromyouinalmosttwoweeks,soI’dlikealittlemorethanjustYep.Istheresomethingwrong?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:07a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Definewtong

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:08a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Hassomethinghappened?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:10a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Whydoyouevencare?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:11a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

IguessI’mjustworriedaboutyou.

Yeah,he’dbeensoworriedaboutmewithhistonguecrammeddownAlyssa’sthroat.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youthere?

Date :

October4,1:13a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’tsallgood

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:14a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Areyoudrunk?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:16a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Dingdingding!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:17a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Damn. You’re unusually hostile. I’m guessing you’re a mean drunk. Wish I was there getting trashed with you. I’d put you in a better

mood.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:18a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’mnotameandrunkjustalittlemadandhowcouldyouputmeinabettermoood

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:19a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

What’reyoumadabout?I’dtellyouhowsmart,prettyandsweetyouare.Youcouldn’tstayinabadmoodafterthat.Fuck,you’retotally

mytype,Six.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:22a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

JustamandIdon’tthinkI’myourtypebuutIthinkyoucouldbemine

Iwastotallyblamingthatadmissiononbeingdrunk.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:23a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

IknowI’myou’retype.Youdon’tthinkso?Whatdoyouthinkmytypeisanyway?

CockySOB.IknewwhathistypewasandhadtobecarefulnottoinformhimthatitwasCunt-yBitch.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:25a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

WhatdoYOUthinkyourtypeis

Howbrilliantwasthattoputitbackonhim?Iwasgrinningatmyingenuitywhenhewroteback.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:26a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Mytypewouldbeintelligent,beautiful,funny,confidentlikeyou…stillcuriouswhatyouthinkmytypeis

Wow.Hewasanythingifnotcharming.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:31a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

mybrotherwentoutwithalotofgirlslikeyou,Idhavetoguessprollymaybesomeonewhoskindaskankyandeasymaybe.Idon’twant

tobemean.I’msuresomearereallynice

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:33a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

I’mlaughingrightnowbecauseyou’reright.Butletmeclearsomethingupforyou,Six,sinceyoudidn’tseemtolearnthisfromwatching

yourbrother.Guysmightgooutwithgirlslikethatbutinthelongruntheyendupwithgirlslikeyou.You’rethekindofgirlI’mlookingfor…
I’llPROVEyou’remytype

IsnortedatthisbecausesuuureIwasthekindofgirlhewantedsincehewasanasstomeatevery

turn. Whatever. I knew better than to trust his sincerity anyway because it was easy to say things when
hidingbehindtheInternet.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tipsy?

Date :

October4,1:35a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Wowyourearealcharmerarentyou

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

PrinceCharming

Date :

October4,1:37a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

IthinkIcanholdmyown.Tbh,I’dreallyliketomeetyou.Iwanttoseewhatyoulooklike.It’sdrivingmecrazy.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

PrinceCharming

Date :

October4,1:40a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

No!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

PrinceCharming

Date :

October4,1:40a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Comeon.Thisiskillingme

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

PrinceCharming

Date :

October4,1:42a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

It’sagainsttherules

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Rulesareforpussies

Date :

October4,1:42a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Bearulebreakerwithme

Nowaywasthatgoingtohappen.Timetogo.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Rulesareforpussies

Date :

October4,1:45a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

No…tirednow…night

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Rulesareforpussies

Date :

October4,1:46a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Sweetdreams,Six
xx

PrettysureIpassedoutstaringatmyphone,agoofysmileonmyfaceasItookinthekisseshe’dsent.

~*~*~*~

ThenextmorningIfeltlikeshitandknewIlookedittooasIwalkedintomypsychclass.I’dputmy

hairinamessybun,hadwornnomakeup,andtoppedmyjeanswithHolden’shugeGonzagahoodiethat
I’dstolen.Ireallywantedtokeepmysunglasseson,butIalwaysthoughtonlyassholesworetheminside,
soIreluctantlyslippedthemoff,immediatelysquintingattheglowofthefluorescentlights.Iclimbedthe
stairsandtookmyusualseat,putmyelbowonthearmrest,thenrestedmyforeheadinmyhand.

I think I drifted off because I startled when I heard a voice in my ear from behind. “Rough night,

Priss?”

Gable.Ofcourse.
I’dbeendoingareallygoodjobofavoidinghimthisweekoutsideofhavingtodealwithhimatthe

bar, but I guessed my luck just couldn’t hold up for long. I shooed him away with my hand and put my
headbackinmypalm,hopingifIignoredhimhe’dleavemealone.

“Whatwasyourpoison?”
I let out a deep breath and shook my head. I should’ve known he was one who couldn’t take being

ignored.“SevenSeassomething,”Iansweredwithagroan.

Hechuckled,stilltooclosetome.“Nice.7SeasBallzDeepistheshit.Goodchoice,Priss.”Heput

hishandonmybackandrubbeditupanddownacoupletimeswhichmademestiffen.Whenhemoved
hishandupovermyhoodandstartedmassagingmynecklightlythenplayedwiththestrandsofhairthat
had fallen out of my bun, I sat straight up pulling away then turning slowly to look at him over my
shoulder.“What?”heaskedwithaslightfrown.

“Why’re you being nice to me?” I asked, blinking slowly and squinting, the lights in the room still

screwingwithmyhead.

Hesmiled.“Iknowhowitfeels,babe.Hangoversaretheworst.”
Icouldn’tkeepthesurpriseoffmyface.Babe?
“Ifyouwant,afterclass,I’lltakeyoutomyhouseandmakeyoumyhangovercure.”Hesmiledagain.

Smiled,notgrinned,notsmirked.Smiled.

“Uh…Ihaveanotherclass…”
“Just let me know.” He winked then sat back in his chair because Dr. Horner had come in and had

startedherlecture.

Ican’tevenbegintorememberwhatthelecturewasoverbecauseallIcoulddowassitthere,headin

hand,feelinglikeshitandwonderingwhatwasupwithGable’sone-eighty.Wasitthathefinallyfigured
outIwashispenpalsohewasbringingtheflirtingintoreallifenow?Andifhehadn’tfigureditout,
well,hejustwasn’ttrying.Imean,hello,IdrunkemailedhimlastnightandnowIhadahangover.

ButIwascuriousaboutwherehelivedandwantedtoseeit,butIwasalsoafraid.Imean,whothehell

knewwhatwasawaitingmethereoncehegotmealone.Wouldhekeepbeingniceorrevertbacktobeing
anassholewhichwouldprobablyupgradetosupremeassholeoncehewasonhisownturf.Ifinallysaid,
Fuckit,becauseifhereallydidhaveacureforhangovers,Iwasallinbecausemyheadwaskillingme.

Whenclasswasover,IliftedmyheadgingerlytoseeGablecrouchingontheballsofhisfeetonthe

stepstomyrightwatchingme,waitingtoseewhatI’ddo,hiswhiskeyeyesfocusedsowarmlyonmine.I
hadtoclosemyowneyesforafewsecondsaftertakinghimin.God,sohandsome.Thencuriositywon
out.Iopenedmyeyesandgaveasmallnodatwhichhesmiledthenstoodandheldouthishand.Itookit
andfeltthesparkbetweenusagain,andgazingupathim,sawthatfromthebaffledlookonhisfacehe’d
feltittoo.Soweird.

Whatwasevenweirderwasthefactthathewasbeingsosweettome,whichofcoursejustmademe

fallalittlebitmoreforhim.

Andwasn’tthatjustwonderful.

~*~*~*~

Ever been hated by hundreds of women at once? That’s what it was like when Gable and I walked

outsidethepsychologybuilding,himstillholdingmyhandasheledmetohiscar.Iwould’vepulledmy
hand from his, but I was walking with my eyes half closed trying to keep as much sun out as possible
because I’d forgotten to put on my sunglasses, my head hurt too much for me to make any sudden
movements,andalsoIthinkImust’vestillbeenalittledrunk.

Yeah,we’lljustgowithallthat,shallwe?
Butitseemedthateverywomanwepassedwasglaringatmelikeshehatedmyguts.
“So, I get the feeling that I’m not the most popular person on campus right now,” I mumbled. He

glanced down at me waiting for me to explain. “Look at them. They’re all giving me the evil eye.” I
noddedatoneparticularlyvengefullookingvamp.

Helookedaroundaswewalkedthenchuckled.
“Sohowmanyofthemhaveyougoneoutwith?”Iasked.
Heknockedhisarmintomyshoulderplayfully.“Why?Jealous?”
“God,notthatagain.”Ifrowned.
Hesnorted.
“Seriously,howmany?”Ipersisted.Ihadtoadmititwaskindoffascinatingwatchingthesewomen’s

faceswhentheysawthatGableandIheldhands,theastonishment,theacrimonyandenvythattheyshotin
mydirectionatthinkinghewaswithme.

“Afew.”
“Hm.”
Iknewthatshould’vemadememorethanwaryabouthimandthatIshouldn’tletmymindgowhereit

wascurrentlygoing,butIwashonestlythrilledatjustholdinghandswithhimandletmyselfimaginefora
fewminutesthatwereallyweretogetherandIwastheenvyofeverywomanoncampus.

AsIstudiedhimoutofthecornerofmyeyewatchinghimwalkingsoconfidentlybymysidewithnota

care in the world, it just made me sigh, checking out how hot he was in his olive green military jacket
over a maroon Hallervan hoodie, faded jeans and the brown boots I’d seen him wearing before. He
wasn’twearinghisglasses,butthatjustmadehiseyesevenmorestriking.Hehadabouttwodays’worth
ofscruffcoveringhissquarejawandallIcoulddowasshakemyheadathowdamnedgoodlookinghe
was.

Aswewalked,Ikickedaroundthetheoryofhowpeopleseemedtotakemoreshitfromgoodlookingpeopleandhow,ifI

wasn’t so attracted to him, I’d already have written Gable off some time ago because of his rudeness. I decided this was
somethingIneededtoaskDr.Horneraboutbecauseitleftmefeelingalittleshallow.

Wemadeittotheparkinglotwheretherewerepuddlesofwatereverywhere,and,Godhelpme,IknewIwasinsomuch

trouble(and thatmy aforementionedtheory was shotto hell)when Gablepeered down atme withhis lazygrin thensuddenly
scoopedmeupinhisarmsbridalstylemakingmeyelpasIlacedmyarmsaroundhisneckandhecarriedmetohiscar.“Can’t
haveyougettingyourfeetwet,”hemumbledwithasmileashehimselfwalkedthroughthesmallpoolsofwatertherecentrain
hadleft.

Oh,myGod.Mostromanticthinganyonehadeverdoneforme.Myheartdefinitelytookahitwiththat

one.

Whenwegottohiscar,hesetmeonmyfeet,andaddingtothegiddinessIwasstillfeelingfromhis

carryingme,IsawthathedroveabsolutelywhatI’dpicturedhe’ddrive—acherryred1970Chevelle.
Badassmusclecar.Ofcourse.

“Myoldestbrotherusedtohavethesamecarbuthiswasblack,”Isaidquietly,stillreelingfromhow

sweethewasbeingtome.

“Hehasgoodtaste,”hesaidwithagrinasheopenedthepassengerdoorforme.Igotinandheleaned

acrossme,grabbingtheseatbeltandpullingitacrossmylap.“It’stricky,”heexplainedashemessedwith
itthenturnedtowardmeandhisfacewasrightthere,hislipsnotaninchfrommine.Westaredateach
otherforamomentandwhenmyeyessliddowntohismouth,Isawthesidesofittipup.Myeyesjumped
backuptoseehisdancingwithamusementasasmileformedonhisbeautifulface.Shit.Iturnedaway
quickly feeling the heat rising in my cheeks as he finished buckling me in then closed my door, going
aroundtogetinthedriver’sside.

“Stop,”Imutteredtomyselfbeforehegotin,remindingmyselfI’donlyendupgettinghurtifIwasn’t

careful.

Breathinginthesmelloftheleatherseats,Iwassuddenlyblastedwithabitofnostalgiaforhomeand

whenhegotinandfireduptheChevelle,tearssuddenlystungthebacksofmyeyesbecauseitreminded
mesomuchofHeathandmadememisshimandHoldenandDadterribly.

“Youokay?”Gableasked,glancingoveratme,hisbrowfurrowed.
A tear escaped and I brushed it from my cheek. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry. Your car just reminds me of

home.”

Hereachedoverandsqueezedmyhand,smilingatme,and,dearGod,ifhedidn’tstopbeingsonice,I

was going to fall to pieces right there and have a big boohoo-fest. But he did stop when he moved his
handtothegearshiftandputitinreverse,backingup,thenthrewitintofirstandwetookoff.

“Whereishome,Scout?”heaskedandmyheadswungtohimasIgapedathiminsurprise.“What?”he

asked.

“Ididn’tknowyouknewmyname,”Isaidstupidlyimmediatelywincingbecause,ofcourse,heknew

myname.Weworkedtogether.Wehadclasstogether.Goodgosh.

Hechuckled.“Yeah,thatstuffhasawayofgettingoutatO’Leary’s.Oh,wait,didIblowyourcoveror

something?” He grinned over at me and if I was any lesser a woman, I’d have completely melted right
there in my seat. But I was a strong, hardworking farm girl, so I only had a mild stroke taking in his
handsomefaceandthenjustateenyamountofarrhythmiaflaredupwhenhewinkedatme.

Holydamn.
“Yeah,thatwasdumb,”Imumbled,turningtoglanceoutmywindowthroughhalf-closedeyes,thesun

stilltoobrightformyhungoverself.

“So?”
Iturnedbacktohiminquestion.
“Where’reyoufrom?”herepeatedwithachuckle.

Oh.Duh.“StoneSprings.”
Helookedoveratmeagainandgavemehishalfgrinthrowinginaraisedeyebrowtryingtoslayme

even more, I supposed. “Stone Springs, you say… so, would that be in Alaska? Florida? Outer
Mongolia?”

Ilaughedinspiteoffeelinglikeanidiot.“Idaho.”
“Ah,”hemuttered.“Sowhat’stheretodoinStoneSprings?”
Ishrugged.“Notawholelot.Weownafarm,wehaveapondtoswimin,sothere’sthat.”
“Nomovietheater?Bowling?Quarterlypurges?”
Well,wasn’tGableafunnyguy.“Smartass.Wehavealittletheaterbutitonlyshowstwomoviesata

timeeverytwomonths,sothere’snotahugevariety.Ifwewanttobowl,wehavetogotoIdahoFalls.
Andpurgesareonlybi-annually,sowehavetomakethemcount.”

Helaughed.“Who’sthesmartassnow?”Werodeinsilenceforawhilebeforeheasked,“So,you’ve

gotabrother?”

“Two,actually.Botholder.”IknewIhadtobecarefulherebecauseI’dtoldhimquiteabitaboutmy

familyinouremailsandifhehadn’talreadyfiguredthingsout,Ididn’twanttogivemyselfaway.God,
thiswholepenpalthinghadtakenonanevillifeofitsown.

“Yeah?Whataretheirnames?TontoandLoneRanger?”Iwatchedashechuckled,and,boy,didhe

lookgoodchuckling.Theindentionsaroundthesidesofhismouthwereevenattractive.Dang.

“Good one. Never heard that before.” I rolled my eyes. “Heath and Holden. They’re seven and four

yearsolderthanIam.”

“Sisters?”heasked,glancingoveratme.
“No.”
“You’re the baby, huh?” He winked at me again and I had to concentrate on keeping my mouth from

hangingopen.

“Yeah.So,whataboutyou?Brothers?Sisters?”
“Three brothers. Zeke’s a senior, plays football. Ryker’s a sophomore wrestler and Loch’s a

freshman.”Hegavemeaquickglance.

“Wow.Yourpoormom.”
Helaughed.“Yeah.Alwayshadatleasttwoindiapersforyears.Believeme,sheletsusknowallthe

timewhatlittlehellionswewere.”

“Whataboutyourdad?”
“Whatabouthim?”Hesmiledashekepthiseyesontheroad.
“Whatdoeshedo?”Iknewhewasamechanic,butitwasfascinatinghearingitallfromhimforsome

reason.

“He’samechanic.Partownerofagaragewithmyuncle.That’swherewepickedupLucille.”
Ifrowned.“Lucille?”
“Lucille,”hesaid,pattinghissteeringwheel.“She’smygirl.HadhersinceIwasasophomoreinhigh

school.”

Inodded.Itotallygotthewholenamingyourcarthing.MyHondawasnamedAdamMorrisonforthe

starbasketballforwardfromGonzaga.AsIsatthinkinghowMorrison’sprocareerhadn’tquiteworked
out, I noticed that we’d entered a neighborhood and Gable had now turned onto a street then parked in
frontofacutecottage-stylehouse.Wewerebehindablackpickup,whichseemedtobethesameonehe’d
driventhedayhe’dstoppedtohelpmewithmytire.Therewasalsoabluepickupinthedrivewayalong
withwhatappearedtobeasixty-somethingorangeMustang.

“Homesweethome,”hesaidlookingoveratme.

“Gablelivesinahousewithfivegables,”Irepliedpeeringoutmywindow.
“Howdoyouknowthat?”Heputhisrightarmacrossthebackofmyseatandplayfullytuggedapiece

ofmyhairthat’dgottenfree.

Ishiveredwhenherestedhishandonmyshoulder,thenpullingmyselfoutofmyICan’tHelpGoing

GagaOverGablezone,shrugged.“GuessImust’veheardmydadtalkingaboutthematsomepoint.”

Henoddedwithhislipspoochedout.“Impressive.I’vebeenleaningtowardgoingintoarchitecture,

actuallytakingacoupleclassesrightnow,soI’mseriouslyimpressedthatyouknewthat.”Hegotoutof
the car and I watched him walk around moving so smoothly and I got so caught up in ogling him that I
jumpedwhenheopenedmydoor.Onceagainheleanedintounbucklemeandhisbeautifulfacewasright
there.Thoseperfectlipswererightthere.AllIhadtodowasleanin,like,twocentimetersandwe’dbe
kissing.God.WhileIwasstaringathismouth,Irealizedhe’dgottenmyseatbeltundoneandwasfacing
me at close range now. My eyes moved slowly to his and I found I couldn’t breathe. “Your eyes are
beautiful,Scout,”hewhispered.

Andthenhewasgone,standingupoutsidethecarandholdinghishandouttohelpmeout.
Holycrap.
IpulledinadeepbreaththroughmynoseandreachedouttotakehishandasIgotoutofthecaron

wobblylegs.Jeez.

“Zeke,RykerandIlivehere,”heexplainedwithagrin,stillholdingmyhandaswewentupthewalk.

“LochstilllivesathomewithMomandDad,buthehangsoutherealot.”

Oh,great.Ahousewherethreegrownmenlived.Ibracedmyselfforablastofyuckyman-smelland

what would surely be a mess when we got to the door, but once inside, it surprisingly smelled like
someonehadmadecookiesandthewholeplacewasratherneat.IlookedupathiminwhatIknowwas
surprise.

“Momcomesbyontheweekendsandputsustoworkcleaning,”heexplained,knowingexactlywhat

mylookwasfor.

RightoffthebatIsawthatthelivingroomhousedahugeTVthatwascurrentlyairingafootballgame

andtherewasasofaandtworeclinersfacingit,eachofwhichwascurrentlyoccupiedbyhugebodies
thatwerewatchingthegame.

“What’sup?”aguyinoneoftherecliners,straininghisheadback,asked,and,goodGod,heappeared

tobeanolder,slightlylargerversionofGable,meaninghetoowashot.Heworejeans,ablackBulldogs
sweatshirtandrunningshoes,hislonglegsstretchedout,feetcrossedattheankleonthelegrest.

“Hangover,” Gable replied, still holding my hand and nodding toward me, which made my cheeks

flush in embarrassment. “That’s my older brother Zeke.” I waved lamely at him as he gave me a chin
raise.“That’sRyker,”hesaid,noddingtothemuscular,silentguy,anotherGableclone,lyingonhisback
onthecouchwearingagraysweatsuitandsocks.HenoddedatmeasIdidthelamewaveagain.Ugh.
“And that’s Loch.” He nodded at the other recliner where a younger Gable look-alike sat, who was
dressedsimilarlytoGable,andwhowasnowsmilingatme.“ThisisScoutPatterson,”Gabletoldthem
all.

“Hi,”Imumbled,wavingagainlikeadork.
“Ithinkyou’reinmybiologyclass,”theyoungestone,Loch,said,narrowinghiseyesatmelooking

justasGablehadthefirstdayofpsychwhenhewastryingtoplacewherehe’dseenme.

Iraisedmyeyebrowsathim.“Yeah?”
“Yeah.Yousitinthesecondrow,thirdseat,middlesection,right?”
“Uh…”
“Loch’slikeanidiotsavant,noticingstupidshitlikethat,”Gableinformedmewithachuckle.

“Fuckoff,”Lochretortedgoodnaturedly,flippingGablethebird.
GableletmyhandgoandwalkedtowhereLochwassitting.“Fuckoff?Fuck off?” he asked. “You

kissyourmotherwiththatmouth?”headdedthengrabbedhislittlebrotherinaheadlockandproceeded
toscrubhisfistedknucklesoverhishead.

“Dude!Thehair!”Lochcried,wrestlinghimselfawayfromGable,thenfrowningwenttothemirror

thathungbythedoortododamagecontrolonhishairasGablelaughedathimandcalledhimapussy
whichmadehimfrownevenmore.

“YougetthatbeltDadtoldyoutopickup?”theguylyingonthecouchasked.Ryker,thatwashisname.
“Yeah.It’sinthecar.WecanworkontheMustangtonightifyouwant,”Gabletoldhim.
“Gottameet.”
Ah,Rykerwasthewrestler.
“I’ll fix it myself then,” Gable said shrugging his shoulders. “Gotta work at six, though.” He turned

backtomeandsmiled,takingmyhandonceagainandleadingmeintothekitchen.Atthebar,hepulleda
stooloutforme.“HaveaseatandI’llfixyouup.”

ThethrobinmyheadhaddowngradedtoadullthumpandIwatchedasheopenedacabinetunderthe

counter and pulled out a blender then moved to the fridge to get some things out. While he did this, I
lookedaroundtheplacetoseethatthebeigewallinthelivingroomthatIcouldseehadacouplepictures
ofwhatIassumedwasSeattleatnightandafewframedphotocollagesofthebrothers.Lookingbackat
the kitchen I saw a big, round clock hanging over the rectangular table and some kind of hotrod pinup
calendarwasmagnetedtothefreezerdooroftherefrigeratorwithabikini-cladwomanonitlyingacross
thehoodofasilverCamaro.Thewallsinthekitchenwererobin’seggblueandthecabinetswerealight
oak.Icouldtellitwasanicehouseandhadbeenwelltakencareof.

“Okay,mightwannacoveryourears,”Gablesaid.
Ilookedathimandhenoddedattheblender.Oh.Iputmyhandsoverearsrightbeforehepresseda

buttononitthengrinnedatmebeforeturningtowatchwhateverhe’dputinitmixingaround.Amoment
laterheglancedbackatmeandnodded.Itookmyhandsawayfrommyearsandsmiledingratitudeat
him.Hepulledaglassoutofacabinetnearthesinkthentookthejaroutofthebaseoftheblenderand
pouredasemi-thick,reddishconcoctionintotheglass.

Walkingovertome,heplacedtheglassonthebarinfrontofme.“Workseverytime.”
Ieyedtheglassthengavehimasemi-skepticallook.
“Seriously.Drinkup,”hesaid,pushingtheglassclosertome.
I hesitated for a second, now questioning if this really was a good idea as my stomach churned. He

pusheditevencloser,soIpickeditupandtookasniffofitfirstthentookatentativesip.WhenIdidn’t
pukeimmediately,Iwentaheadandtookacarefuldrink.Hm.Notbad.

“Gatorade,vanillaicecreamandtwobananas,”hesaidproudly.
That made sense. The drink was loaded with potassium and electrolytes, well, except for the ice

cream, and since it didn’t sound or taste too bad, I drank the rest of it down as he cleaned up. “Thank
you,”IsaidwhenIfinishedandnoticedthatIwasalreadyfeelingalittlebetter,probablybecauseIhadn’t
eatenanythingthatmorningandnowhadsomethinginmybelly.“Yourrecipe?”

“Anoldfamilyone,”hesaidwithachuckleasheputtheblenderjarinthefridgeandthebaseaway

backunderthecabinet.“Better?”

Inodded.“Yeah,Ithinkso.”Ismiled.
“Good.” He walked over and leaned down on his forearms on the bar looking at me like a doctor

assessingapatient.“Needmore?”

“No,Ithinkthis’lldoit.Thanks.”Andasmyheadstartedclearing,Irealizedhowstrangethiswhole

thing was. Gable had brought me to his house, he’d introduced me to his brothers and he’d made me a
hangovercureandhehadn’tevenbeenrudetome.Crazy.

Speakingofrude,Irememberedsomething.“Hey,whathappenedtoyourfriendwhowasinpsychthe

firstday?”Iasked.

“Justin?Droppedout.”
Henowglancedattheclockabovethetable.“Well,I’vegotaclassatten,soIneedtogetback.”
“Yeah,metoo.French.It’sgoingtokickmyass.”Ichuckled.
I watched as he turned his head slightly to the side as he studied me, eyes narrowing. Oh, shit. I’d

talkedaboutFrenchinmyemails.I’dsaidalmostthesameexactthinginmyemail.Ack!Iheldmybreath
andkeptmyfaceasinnocentasIcoulduntilhefinallyreplied,stilllookingatmepensively,“Calculus
willprobablydothattomine.Ready?”

Okay.Iknewthisentirethingwasstupid.Imean,whydidn’tIjusttellhimwewerewritingtoeach

otherinsteadofactinglikeitwasacaseofnationalsecurity?ButIthinkmaybethereasonIdidn’ttellhim
wasthatit’dgoneonforsolongnowandhe’dbeensoniceinhisemailsthatIthinkIjustwantedthatpart
ofhimtomyself,andthattheintriguehefelttowardhisunknownpenpalwasflatteringandIsortofloved
theattentionfromhimeventhoughitreallywasn’tmehewaswritingto.Yeah,Iknow.Confusing.And
dumb.

So instead of confessing, I nodded and took the hand that he offered and stepped down from the

barstoolimmediatelynoticingthatmyheadachewasgone.“You’reamiracleworker.”Iplayfullyknocked
myshoulderintohisarm.

Hewasstilllookingatmespeculatively,buthedidn’tsayanythingashewalkedusbackthroughthe

livingroom.“We’reout,”hetoldhisbrothers.

“Itwasnicemeetingyouall,”Isaidshylyandheardtheirmumbledrepliesastheynoddedcursorilyat

mebeforetheirattentionwentbacktotheTVwhichIcould’vetakenasbeingrude,butthenIrealizedthat
theywereprobablyusedtoGablebringingmultiplegirlshome,soitwasn’tlikeIwasanythingspecial.
Tothem,theyprobablythoughtIwasjustanotherchickhewasgoingtobang.Andwasn’tthathumbling.

Hewalkedmeouttothecar,openedmydoorforme,leanedinandputmyseatbeltonbutdidn’tsaya

wordorevengivemealook.Afterclosingmydoor,hewentaround,gotinanddrovemebacktocampus
incompletesilence.Whenwegotbackoncampus,hedroveintothesameparkinglotsincetheliberal
artsbuildingwasnearOldNorthwhereourpsychclasswas,buthepulleduptothecurbsoIwouldn’t
havetostepinanyofthepuddles.“Myclassisacrosscampus,”hesaid,ashereachedovertoundomy
seatbelt,andIfoundIwasdisappointedthathe’dpassedoncomingaroundtoleanovermetodoit.When
Igotout,Ibentdowntolookathim,seeingthathewasstillwatchingmeclosely.

“Thanksagain,”Imutteredandathistroublednod,Iclosedthedoorthenwatchedhimdriveaway.
Yep.Prettysurehe’dfigureditout.

*WeekSeven*

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hi=)

Date :

October7,8:16a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Four,
Justwantedtotellyoutohaveagreatweek!
Seeya!
Six

xo

~*~*~*~

Gabledidn’twritebackthatweek.Hedidn’ttalktomeinclass.Hedidn’tdoanything.Isawhimall

threedaysandheactedasifIdidn’texist.Iworkedtwonightsandhefilledmyorderswithnosmartass
comebacksorrecklessflirting.Nothing.

Andthisreallygottome.
“He’s got to know I’m his pen pal. I mean, he’s stopped talking to me both in real life and through

email,”IsaidtoBodhiFridayatlunchinthestudentcenter.

Hefinishedhisfirstgrilledcheeseintwobitesandpickeduphissecondone.“Soundslikeit.”
“Imean,whyelsewouldhebeignoringme?”
“Maybehehasissueswithgirls.”
Ihuffedoutahumorlesslaugh.“Idon’tthinkthat’shisproblem.”
“Imean,yeah,he’sprettyhotandthegirlsflocktohim,butwhatI’msayingismaybehisissuesarethat

he’s afraid of getting close to girls. Perhaps he felt he was getting too close to you.” He shrugged.
“Could’vehadabadbreakuporsomething,”hesaidasanafterthought.

Itappedmypencilagainstmylips.“You’reprobablyright.Wewereemailingaboutexesawhileback

andhedidn’twanttotalkabouthis.That’sgottabeit.”Inowchewedontheeraserofmypencil.Thenit
hit me. “So you’re saying the reason he’s avoiding me is because he started getting close to me and it
scaredhimoff?”

Bodhiheldafingerupwhilechewingonamouthfuloffries.Whenheswallowedhegrabbedhisbottle

ofwaterandtookabigdrink.“You’reasharpone,Scout.”

Ifrownedathissarcasm.“Areyousure?Whywouldhesuddenlybecomeafraidthatweweregetting

too close?” I looked off in the distance as I mulled that over before looking back at him. “Unless he
knows I’m his pen pal. So it’s not that we were getting too close in real life, it’s just that if he knows
we’rewritingtoeachothertoo,thatmadehimbackoff.God,thisissoconfusing.”Ishookmyhead.“I
should’vejusttoldhim.”

“Itisconfusing.”Heshovedmorefriesinhismouth.“And,yeah,maybeyoushould’vetoldhim,but

look,ifIhadtoguess,fromwhatyoutoldme,I’dsayhe’sdefinitelysuspiciousaboutitwhichmayhave
scaredhimaway.Butitstillsoundsasifhe’sinterestedsincehesaidyou’rehistype.”Hethoughtabout
thisforafewsecondsashetookadrink.“ButIguessthatwastopenpalyou.”Hefrowned.“ButIstill
thinkhelikesreallifeyoubuthe’sstayingawaysincehesuspectsyou’realsohispenpal.”

Wow.Thiswassototallyconfusing.
“Andhe’spissedbecauseheopeneduptomethroughemail?”Isaid.
“I don’t know. It’s easier to hide behind the Internet and talk to someone because you can always

disappearatanytime.”Hetookabigbiteofhisbrowniethenwithhismouthstillfullsaid,“Bottomline
is,he’ssharedsomepersonalthingswithyouinhisemailsandifhethinksyou’rehispenpalthatmight
bealittlethreateningtohimbecausehedoesn’twanttogetclosetoreallifeyou.”

Itookadeepbreathandletitoutinabigsigh.“Thisisridiculous.Ihatethisassignment.”Ireached

overandtoreapieceofhisbrownieoffwhichgotmeahandslap.AfterthrowingthepieceinmymouthI
said somewhat deflated, “I told him in my email that he was my type too.” I shook my head at my
stupidity.

Bodhigaveahalfshrug.“Nothingwrongwiththat.You’reattractedtohim.Igetit.Theheartwants

whattheheartwants.”

And that made me feel not so stupid. “God, I love you.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You

alwaysmakemefeelbetteraboutbeinganidiot.”

Hegrinnedashedownedtherestofhisbrownie.
“But do you think what I’ve done is deceitful? Knowing who he is and all? Would you be mad?” I

asked.

“Youfigureditouttobeginwith,right?Yourfriendatthepaperjustvalidatedyoursuspicions.Nah,I

wouldn’tbemad,Idon’tthink.IthinkI’dactuallyuseittomyadvantageandfuckwithyousome.”

“Youthinkhe’sgonnafuckwithme?”Iwastryingnottothinkabouthimfuckingwithmeinanyway

because it was very distracting when my phone dinged that I had an email. I pulled it out of my jacket
pocket and almost fell out of my chair. “It’s him!” I whispered, peering up at Bodhi, kind of scared
shitlessforsomereason.

“What’dhesay?”
“Hesaidagainthathewantstomeet.Butthat’sagainsttherules!WhatdoIdo?”
Bodhilaughed.“Answerhim,dork.Why’reyoufreakingout?”
“We can’t meet! If he knows it’s me and he knows that I knew it was him, he’ll know I knew and I

knowhewillbemadandhe’llnevertalktomeagain.Butthatmightbeagoodthingbecausenothing’s
evergoingtohappenwithusanywaybecauseinreallifeIdon’tthinkhe’sreallyinterestedinme.”My
eyesstartedfillingwithtearsasIrefutedeverythingBodhi’djustsaid.“Oh,God.”Igrabbedanapkinand
dabbed at my eyes. How ridiculous was I? “I guess I didn’t think he’d talk to me again. What’s wrong
withme?”

Bodhishookhisheadthenreachedoverandtookmyphone.“You’rePMSing.”
MyheadshotupandIscowledathim.“What?How’dyouknow?”
“Amyistoo.Shewasparticularlymeanlastnight,soIthoughtthatmustbeit.Youtwoareprobably

syncednowsinceyoulivetogether.”

Iblinkedathim.ThenIblinkedagain.“Uh.Kindacreepy,Bode.Andhowthehelldoyouknowthis

stuff?”

Hegavemea“getreal”look.“Ilivedwithmysisterandmom.Believeme,DadandIalwaysmade

ourselvesscarcewhentheywerebothhormonal.”Hestartedtypingsomethingintomyphone.

“Bodhi!Whatareyouwriting?”Ishriekedtryingtograbmyphonefromhim.
HehelditawayfrommeashetypedthenfinallyhandeditbackwhileIhadaminipanicattack.“Gotta

gettoclass.I’llseeyouthisweekendsometime,‘kay?”

Inoddedabsentmindedly,pokingaroundonmyphonetryingtoseewhathe’dwritten,barelynoticingit

whenhebentandkissedmyforeheadbeforeheleft.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Rendezvous

Date :

October11,12:33p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Wehavetofollowtherules.Ifwedidn’thaverules,theworldwouldbeamessyplace

Oh,goodone,Bodhi.Ilookeduptoseehimdumpingthecontentsofhistrayintoatrashcannearthe

door, and when he twisted his head to look back at me, I gave him a big smile and a thumbs up which
madehimgrinandshakehisheadbeforeheturnedandleftthestudentcenter.

Thenmyphonedingedagain.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Againwiththerules

Date :

October11,12:36p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Rulesweremeanttobebroken

Ididn’trealizehowmuchI’dmissedtalkingtoGableandIclosedmyeyesinreliefthatthestalemate

hadended.And,damnit,Iwasn’tgoingtobeacowardanylonger.Ifhewasavoidingmebecausehefelt
hewasgettingtooclosethenhe’djusthavetogetoverit.Iwasinterestedinhim,asin,Ireallylikedhim,
andhe’dsaidpenpalmewashistype,evenifhedidn’treallymeanitaboutreallifeme,butmaybeifI
keptthingslight,he’dgetpastthenotwantingtogetcloserpartandmoveforwardwiththiswhichcould
continueovertoourreallives.

Ugh.I’lltakeashotofbafflingwithasideofbefuddlement,please.
IrolledmyeyesathowridiculousI’dletthingsgetasItypedamessageback.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Cliché

Date :

October11,12:38p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Saideveryclichéuserever

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Cliché

Date :

October11,12:41p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

That’sme,awalkingcliché

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Doubtful

Date :

October11,12:43p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Ihighlydoubtthat.Sowhere’veyoubeen?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Doubtful

Date :

October11,12:43p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Hadsomeshittosortout

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Doubtful

Date :

October11,12:44p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Yeah?Caretoshare?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Doubtful

Date :

October11,12:44p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Justsomepersonalstuff

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Doubtful

Date :

October11,12:44p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Oh,okay

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Curious

Date :

October11,12:45p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Sowhat’reyoudoing?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Curious

Date :

October11,12:45p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Eatinglunchinthestudentcenter

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Stillcurious

Date :

October11,12:45p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

What’reyouhaving?

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Stillcurious

Date :

October11,12:45p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Burritosurpriseo_O

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Stillcurious

Date :

October11,12:46p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Myfavorite;)

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Um

Date :

October11,12:46p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Uh.Youdoknowwhatthesurpriseis,right?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Um

Date :

October11,12:46p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Hellyeah,Ido.Theyputahotdoginthemiddleoftheburrito.Thatshit’sfuckingawesome

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Gross

Date :

October11,12:47p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

OMGIt’sdisgusting.Myfriendtriedtowarnme,butIwascurious.Youoncampus?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Delectableshit

Date :

October11,12:47p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Yourtastebudsmustbeontheblink‘causethatshit’stheshit.Yep.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Delusional

Date :

October11,12:47p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Tell you what. I’ll leave my tray on the table. There are two burritos untouched. Well, the first one’s a little mutilated because I kinda

hacked it open trying to find what the surprise was. Anyway, I’m leaving, so it’s all yours. They’ll be on one of the tables closest to the
windows

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Lucidashell

Date :

October11,12:48p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Sweet.I’llbetherein5

Shit!Ihopedhewaskidding.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Lucidashell

Date :

October11,12:48p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Kidding.Headedhomeforlunchwithmybros

ThankGod!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Lucidashell

Date :

October11,12:48p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

ButIAMtemptedtogototheSCtoseewhoyouare…;)

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Seaofwomen

Date :

October11,12:49p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Jsyktherearetonsofgirlshereenjoyingthisfineentrée.It’dbekindatoughtoknowwhichone’sme

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sixradar

Date :

October11,12:50p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Oh,IthinkIcouldpickyouout

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sixradar

Date :

October11,12:50p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

How?!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Obvious

Date :

October11,12:51p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

You’dbetheoneemailingwiththegoofygrinonyourfaceandguardingafulltrayofdeliciousness

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

I’drathereatmyshoe

Date :

October11,12:51p.m.

To:

9543254<

[e-mail]

>

Hadeliciousnessmyass

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Beautifulbackside

Date :

October11,12:51p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

I’lljustbetyourassisdelicious

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Beautifulbackside

Date :

October11,12:53p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

---

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hot

Date :

October11,12:53p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

C’mon,Six.Iknowyou’vegottahavearockin’body

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hot

Date :

October11,12:53p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

HowamIsupposedtoanswerthat?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Hot

Date :

October11,12:53p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Bytellingmewhatyou’rewearing

Isurveyedthestudentcenter,abitparanoid.Whatifhewasinherewatchingmebecausehe’dfigured

itout?Afterscouringtheplaceandnotseeinghim,Idecidedtogivehimabitofhisownflirtymedicine.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Youasked

Date :

October11,12:55p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

A black bustier, thong and garter belt with black stockings under a black pencil skirt, white button down shirt tucked in and my black

stilettos

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Fuck…me

Date :

October11,12:55p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Fuck…me

Uh,yes,please.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Toomuch?

Date :

October11,12:55p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Youlike?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Perfect

Date :

October11,12:56p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Hellyeah.Tellmeyou’renotreallywearingthat…ifyouare,I’mturningaroundandcomingbacktofindyouintheSC

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Kidding

Date :

October11,12:56p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

lolJustmessingwithyou

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Damn

Date :

October11,12:56p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Thatwasonehelluvavisual

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Wait

Date :

October11,12:56p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Wait.You’renotemailinganddrivingareyou???

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Guilty

Date :

October11,12:57p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

…

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Lawbreaker

Date :

October11,12:45p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

STOPrightNOW!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Dominatrix

Date :

October11,12:57p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Iloveitwhenyou’rebossy.Thatshit’shot…

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Notfunny

Date :

October11,12:57p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’mnotansweringyoubackuntilIknowyou’renotdriving.It’sillegaltobeonyourphoneanyway.You’llgetpulledover

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Igotthis

Date :

October11,12:58p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Notme.I’mkindofacoolcharacter,Six.Haven’tyoufiguredthatoutyet?

I didn’t answer and I wouldn’t until I knew he wasn’t driving. And, yes, I knew he was a cool

character.He’dprovenittimeandagain.

~*~*~*~

Gablewasbacktohisoldselfatworkthatnight.AndIkindoflikedthathewas.Itwasbetterthan

beingignoredbyhim.

Damn.Iwassickinthehead.
“We’remortalenemies,Priss,”hesaidwithaslysmilewhenIsetmytrayonthebar.
Ifrownednotknowingwhathewastalkingabout.Henoddedatourjerseys.
“You’rewearingtheGiants.I’mwearingthePatriots.Justwon’twork.”
“Well,darn,sinceweweresuchgreatfriendsbeforethis,thatjustbreaksmyheart,”Irepliedwitha

rollofmyeyes.“MaybeIshouldchangeintoadifferentjerseysowe’llbefriendsagain.”Ifhecouldbea
coolcharacter,Icouldaswell,soI’djustcontinuebeingmysmartassedselfwhenitcametohim.

“Technically, everyone’s a rival of the Patriots so it wouldn’t matter what you changed into.” He

chuckled.

I had no idea about pro football so I shook my head and watched as he filled my order. I might’ve

watchedhisbuttalittletoo,butIcouldn’thelpmyself.

After setting the beers on my tray, he leaned over the counter and said low, “Your ass looks

particularlydelicioustonight,Priss.”

MyeyesgothugeasIstaredathim.He’dsaidprettymuchthesameinhisemail.Hehadtoknow!He

gavemeanimpishgrinthenturnedaway,goingtowaitonacustomerleavingmestandingtherewithmy
mouthhangingopen.

Alittleunsettled,Ipickedupmytrayandwalkedawaytodeliverthedrinkstomycustomers.Okay,so

the jig was up. No big deal. We were both now culpable for keeping it secret. But because I was as
stubbornasIwas,Iwasgoingtoleaveittohimto‘fessupfirst.

Oh,andmaybebecauseIwasahugecoward.

~*~*~*~

Itookabreakattengoingoutbacktogetsomeairwhenthedooropenedafewminuteslater.Gable.
“Youstalkingme?”IaskedgivinghimasneerfromwhereIstoodleaningagainstthewallanddrinking

abottleofwater.

“Maybe,” he answered, the half grin making an appearance as he walked toward me, his beautiful

browneyesonmine.

“Wh-whatareyoudoing?”Istammeredwhenhestoppedrightinfrontofme.Isetmywaterbottleona

milkcratenexttomeandwonderedwhathewasuptoasIlookedupathim,halfpanicking.

Helookeddownatme,hiseyesdancingwithmirthatseeinghowuncomfortableI’dgrown.“Youfeel

itasmuchasIdo,Priss.Thesexualtensionbetweenuscouldbecutwithafuckingknife.”Hislipscurled
upashewatchedthealarmflashacrossmyface.

Oh,myGod.Washeplayingwithme?Ifso,I’dkillhim.
He pressed me back against the wall and the next thing I knew his hands came up to hold my face.

“Whydon’twejustgivein?”BeforeIknewwhatwashappeninghismouthwasonmine.

Holyshit!
And,wow,hislipswereassoftasIknewthey’dbe.Andhetastedwonderful,allmintyandfresh.And

hisbody.DearbabyJesus.ItwasashardasIthoughtit’dbe…andhewashardeverywhere.Wow.When

hethrust his tongueinside my mouthto tangle with mine,I found myselfgripping his shoulders, pulling
himcloserasIemittedahugewhoremoan.It’dbeenawhilesinceI’dbeenkissed,andrightnowIwas
kissingGablePowersandjustcouldn’thelpmyself.

Hishandsmoveddownmyneckandovermyshouldersthenslidaroundtomybackthenlowerwhere

hegrabbedmybuttpullingmeflushagainsthimasoursmokinghotkisscontinued.Oh,God,Iwassowet
forhim,feelinghimsohardagainstmybarestomachandIknewIwaslosingmyselfinhimwhenmyleg
cameupandcurledaroundthebackofhisasIgroundmyselfagainsthisthighwantingmore.More.More!
Oh,myGod,I’dneverwantedanyoneasmuchasIwantedhim.

His lips moved over my jaw to a spot below my ear that he sucked lightly, making me shiver in his

arms. One of his hands slid around to my belly, the backs of his fingers smoothing sensually across my
exposedskinthenheturnedhishandtowherehispalmwasflatagainstmeandIfeltitglidedownwhere
thetipsofhisfingersslippedjustinsidemyjeans.Oh,God,yes!

“ Mmm,youtastegood,”hemutteredagainstmyneckandIfroze.
Wait.What?
Andthatbecamethemomentofmygettingafuckingclue.
MyhandssuddenlymovedfromhisshoulderstohischestandIshovedhimawayfrommehard,and

glorybetoallthingsholy,heactuallywentbackonafoot.

“Areyoukiddingme!”Ispat.
Hejerkedhisheadbackinsurprise,narrowinghiseyesatme.
“I’mnotAlyssa!”
“Didn’tsayyouwere,”heanswered,hisbrowcreasedasifhehadnocluewhatIwastalkingabout.
“I’mnotoneofyoureasylayseither!”Iturnedmyheadaway,pissedthatI’dgottensocarriedaway

withthatdamnedkiss.

Heputahandagainstthewalltothesideofmyheadandgrippedmychinwiththefingersofhisother

turningmyheadback,makingmelookathim.“Didn’tsaythateither.”

I jerked my chin out of his hand and ducked under his arm, spinning to face him, hands on my hips.

“You’reunbelievable!ThenightyouandAlyssawereouthere,yousaidthesamethingtoher!”

IsawtheshockonhisfaceforasecondbeforeitdisappearedbuthejustkeptwatchingmeasIglared

athim,mylipsstilltinglingfromthatfabulousfreakin’kiss.Damnhim.

“Iknowyou’renotlikethem,Priss,”hereplied,takingasteptowardme.
Itookastepback,holdingmypalmupinwarningforhimtostayback.“Yeah?Well,sincethatseems

to be what you’re looking for, you need to stay the fuck away from me,” I hissed then turned and went
backinsidequicklymakingmywaytothebathroomwhereIlookedatmyselfinthemirror,wipingaway
the tears that’d made their way down my cheeks. How could I have been so stupid to think I was
somethingspecialtohim?God!

TherestofthenightwasjustfabulousasIcontinuedhavingtogetordersfilledbyhim,ignoringhimas

hetriedatfirstapologizingthengettingangrierbytheminutewhenheactedasifnothinghadhappened
betweenusandhewasbackinflirtyassholemode.

“Notgonnalie,Priss,”hesaidthelasttimeIcametothebarforthenight.WhenIcontinuedgivinghim

thecold-shoulder,heleanedtowardmeashesetthelastpitcheronmytray.“Youfuckingdidtastegood.”

Myeyesmethis,andhardasItriedtogivehimmybestapatheticlook,Iknewtherewasstillhurtin

thembecauseIsawtheconcerninhisbeforeIspuntodelivermyordershearinghimmutterouta“Fuck,”
asIwalkedaway.

Whenmyshiftwasfinallyover,IgotthehelloutofthereasfastasIcouldanddrovehome,andinthe

shower,Icriedabitoverwhathadhappened,absolutelyhurtaboutitall.WhenIwenttobed,Ilaythere

thinkingaboutwhatanasshewasandthatwaswhenmyphonebeeped.
______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Truetoform

Date :

October12,12:26a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Evermakeacompleteassofyourself?

Yeah,Ihave.WhenIletmyguarddownwithyou,Ithoughtasonelasttearslippeditswayoutbefore

Ifellasleep.

*WeekEight*

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October17,11:16p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Hey

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October17,11:20p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Youaround?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October17,11:41p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Guessnot

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October17,11:59p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October18,12:09a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Youokay?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Quiet

Date :

October18,12:15a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Pleaseanswermewhenyougetthis&letmeknowyou’reokay

.

~*~*~*~

IavoidedGabletheentireweek,cominginlatetopsychclassMonday,WednesdayandFridayjustas

Dr.Hornerhadstartedherlectures,andsatonthefrontrowthenleftquicklyafterclassbeforehecould

approach me. I didn’t reply to his emails and I even managed to change shifts with Natalie so I didn’t
havetoworkwithhim.

MaybethiswasstupidbecauseitseemedthatheandIdidnothingbutplayhideandseekfromeach

othereveryotherweek,butIwassoangryandhurtaboutwhathadhappenedbetweenus.Anditdidn’t
helpanythatIcouldn’tstopthinkingaboutthatkiss.It’dbeensoperfectandhe’dtastedsogoodandfelt
so amazing that I couldn’t help but want more of him. I’d even woken myself up a couple times, hand
betweenmylegsandmoaninglikeapornstarsincehe’dbeenstarringinmydreamsallweek.Butthen
I’drememberthatitmeantnothingtohim.ThatImeantnothingtohim.Iwasjustthesameasalltheothers
beforemeandthatjustpissedmeoffevenmore.

Soknowingallthis,IknewIneededtogetagrip,letitgoandfacethefactthatheandIwouldonlybe

friendsbecauseIwasn’tabouttobecomeamemberoftheRevolvingDoorBrigade,akathewomenthat
lineduptogetapieceofthemanhimself.

Andthatmademesadderthansad.

~*~*~*~

“Priss.Longtimenotalk.”
Iplacedmytrayonthebar.ItwasFridaynightandI’dmanagedtostayoutofhispathallweek.“Yeah,

I’vebeenbusy.”Iwasn’tgoingtobehatefultohim;whywouldIwhenIreallydidcareabouthim?SoI
tightenedmyresolvewhenhegrinnedatmeandgavehimasmallsmileback.

“Hi, handsome,” Alyssa crooned as she stepped up beside me, setting her tray down as she made

googlyeyesatGablewhichmademewanttopunchher.

Heturnedandjerkedhischinupather,prettymuchblowingheroffashefilledherorder.
Awkward.
“So,baby,weonfortonight?”sheaskedhim.
HestoodatthebeertapandIsawhisspinegostraight.Whenheturnedandsettwobeermugsanda

pitcheronthecounter,heleanedinandsaidtoher,“I’mnotyourbaby.Look,Alyssa,wehadfunafew
times.It’srunitscourse.Nothingpersonal.”

Shestaredathimwithhermouthhangingopen.
Itakeitback.Thiswasawkward.
Iwatchedherfacetwistintosomedemonicentitywhichmademestepawayfromherthenhandson

herhips,sheleanedrightbackandspitathim,“Youthinkyou’resobigandbad,GablePowers.Butlet
metellyouthis,myboyfriendissomuchbetterthanyou!SoyoucangofuckyourselfforallIcare!”She
picked up her tray and spun around so fast that a new waitress would’ve spilled everything, but not
Alyssa.Shewasaveteranatthisandhandleditprettydamnedgracefully,Ihadtosay.

IturnedandregardedGablewithraisedbrowsonlytoseehiseyesdancingwithhumor.
“Wow,”Imumbled.
Heleaneddownplacinghisforearmsonthecountergettingrightupinmyface.“That?Hugemistake,

Priss.Tobehonest,Ionlyhititonceanditwasdonebeforeitwasover,andthatwastwomonthsago.I
alsodidn’tknowshehadaboyfriend.”

Ipulledback,lookingskepticallyathim.Ialsothrewalittleindifferenceinthere.
Heshrugged.“WhatcanIsay?Notlookin’tobetieddown.She’shot.Madesenseatthetime.”
Ishruggedoffhandedly.WhydidIcare?Iwasstickingtothe“justfriends”ruleI’dsetanyway,sohe

owedmenoexplanationswhatsoeverasfarasIwasconcerned.

Hefilledmyorderandhelpedmeputitallonthetray.“So,what’reyoudoingafterwork?”heasked,

hishoneyeyeslockingontomineandholdingmehostage.

IblinkedmyselfoutoftheGable-inducedstuporIwasinandfrownedathimwonderingwhathewas

upto.“Probablyjustgoinghome.”

“Comeoutwithme,”hesaid.
Ihuffedoutasmalllaughofdisbeliefthenshookmyhead,stillfrowning.“Gable…Ican’t…”
“Please?IwanttoshowyousomethingthatIthinkyou’dlike.”Andbelieveitornot,hedidn’teven

turnthatstatementintoanythingsexual.

Helookedsosincerelyatme,sohopeful,thatIcouldn’thelpmyself.Iclosedmyeyesandtookadeep

breath.WhenIopenedthem,Inoddedathimwhichgotmeastellarsmile.God.Hewassomethingelse.
“I’llsee,”Ianswered.Wewerefriends.Friendsdidthingstogether,right?

“Goodenough,”hereplied,stillsmiling.
“Andwherewouldwebegoing?”Iasked.
“It’sasurprise.”Hesmiled.“Yougetoffateleven,right?”heinquired.
AllIcoulddowasnodagain.
“’Kay.I’msupposedtobehereuntilmidnight,butwe’reslowandI’msureUncleJackwon’tmindif

Aaroncoversforme.Thinkyoucouldstickarounduntileleven-fifteen?”

“Iguess.”IhopedIwasn’tbeingahugepushover,but,again,itwasn’tlikewecouldn’tbefriends.
Ireachedtopickupmytrayandhegrabbedmyhand.Theclichésparkbetweenuswasstillthereand

myeyessliduptohistoseehimlookingatmeasifhewastryingtoconveyseveralmessagestomeat
once,maybe,I’msorry.Or,You’redifferentthantheothergirls.Givemeachancetoproveittoyou.
OrmaybeIwashopingthatwaswhathewastryingtosay.

Notlookin’tobetieddown.
That.ThatrighttheretoldmeIwasdelusionalandhewantednothingmorethantohangout,soIgave

himanothersmallsmilethenpickedupmytray,headingtomytablestofillorders,allthewhileknowing
whatI’dreadinhiseyeshadonlybeenwhatIwantedtosee.

SoIpulledupmybig-girlpantiesandputtorestanythoughtsthatGableandIwouldeverbeanything

morethanfriends.

~*~*~*~

IwassittinginadazewrappingsilverwaremooningoverwhathadoccurredearlierwhenI’dcome

back here to perform the mundane chore. I’d gone to grab more napkins when I’d seen the most
spectacular thing ever. Gable had been in the bathroom with the door open changing his shirt, and holy
GodIalmosthyperventilated.Goodlord,themanwashot.Isawthathispecsweresculptedanddefined
andmagnificent.Thentherewerehisabsthatwereabsolutelyamazing,socutanddefinedandIswearI
drooledalittleasIwatchedhim.Andallofthathadn’tevenbeenthecoupdegrâce.Hisentirechestwas
coveredintattoos,acolorfulconglomerationofpatternsanddesignsthatIknewrightthenandtherethatI
wantedtospendhoursstudying,gazinguponandlickingeverylastbitofeach.I’dcontinuedstaringashis
biceps bunched beautifully as he pulled on another shirt, my mouth hanging open in awe. When he’d
turnedtoseemelookingathim,hegavemealazysmirkthenslowlyclosedthedoor.Itsclickbroughtme
out of my trance and realizing I’d been gawking at him, my face instantly heated. Shit. I immediately
grabbedthenapkinsandgottheheckoutofthere,mentallyreprimandingmyselfforbeingsuchasucker
forahotbodyandforgettingmyvownottothinkofhimcarnally.Ugh.

“Ready?”
IjumpedwhenGablewhisperedinmyearfrombehindbringingmeoutmymusingsofseeinghimhalf-

naked. I turned to tell him I’d be ready in a minute but his face was still right there so that our cheeks
brushedandIfelthislightscruffagainstmyskin.IfIturnedjustabitmore,ourlipswouldbetouching.At

that alarming thought, I moved away from him quickly, standing up from the stool I’d been sitting on to
wrapsilverware,almostknockingitover.God.Ihadtostoplettinghimgetmeoffbalanceallthetime.

“Yeah,givemeaminute,”Irepliedbetweengrittedteeth,angryatmyselfforbeingsuchafoolforhim,

asIplacedmylastrollofutensilsinthebin.IthenglanceddownatthehalfjerseyIwore.“I’dreallylike
tochangefirst.”

“Okay,” he answered with a nod, helping me on with my coat that I’d grabbed from the hook on the

backwall.“Youwantmetofollowyoutoyourplacesoyoucanchangethenyoucanridewithme?”

Hm.DidIwanthimtoknowwhereIlived?Istoodtherethinkingaboutthatandbitingmylipforso

longhefinallytookmyhandandledmeouttheback.HewalkedmetomycarandafterIdugmykeysout
ofmypurseIlookedupathim.

“I’llberightbehindyou,”hesaidthenwaitedformetogetinmycarandstartitbeforehejoggedto

his.

Iglancedinmyrearviewmirrorseveraltimesashefollowedme,wonderingwhatthehelltheevening

held for me and if I was being a dumbass. “Just friends,” I reminded myself as I pulled up to my
apartment,parkingandopeningmydoortoseethathewasalreadythereholdinghishandouttome.Itook
it guardedly and got out then he shut my door behind me. As we walked toward my apartment, I tried
taking my hand from his but he held strong, not letting mine go; therefore, I was internally freaking out
because I knew Amy would die if she saw it and would probably say something inappropriate,
embarrassingthehelloutofme.AndGodforbidifBodhiwasover.He’dprobablyaskGableouthimself.

SinceIhadn’tseeneitheroftheircarsinthelot,IwashopingIwasintheclear,yetIknewstranger

thingshadhappened.AndsinceitwasaFridaynight,IknewAmywouldn’tbeinbed.Iwasprayingthat
shewasoutwithfriendsandnotinsidedrinkingbeeranddebatingwithBodhiasIwarilyputthekeyinto
thelock.ButwhenIopenedthedoor,tomyrelief,theapartmentwasemptyandIletoutahugebreath.

“You okay?” Gable asked with a chuckle as we walked inside. “Got a jealous husband you were

hopingwasn’thereorsomething?”Heraisedaneyebrowashelookedatme.

I chuckled. “No. I was just hoping my roommate wasn’t here.” He kept the eyebrow up and I

explained.“Well,you’reyou and everyone knows who you and your brothers are.” As he still kept his
eyesonme,Icontinued.“She’dgivemeshitaboutitthenwannaholdathree-hourQandAsession.Ijust
didn’tfeeluptoittonight.”

He frowned but nodded as if he understood, studying me like he was trying to figure me out which

wasn’talittleunsettling.

“I’lljust,uh,gochange.Makeyourselfcomfortable.Notsurewhat’sinthefridge,butifyou’rethirsty,

I’msureyoucanfindsomething.”HenoddedandIlefthiminthelivingroom,headingtomyroomand
closingthedooronceinside.Ithengrabbedmyphoneoutofmypocket.“Hey,”IsaidquietlywhenAmy
pickedup.“Gable’shereandhe’stakingmesomewherebutwon’ttellmewhere,”Iwhispered.

I listened first of all to her scream over loud music, suddenly remembering that she and Bodhi had

plannedtogotoouttonight.AmyhadmetaguynamedChadinthelibraryawhilebackandthey’dbeen
flirting for the past couple weeks and now she and Bodhi were at his place for some bash he was
throwing.I’dreallywantedtomeethimbutworkhadmadememissout.NowIheardherinformBodhiof
what was going on, then he was suddenly on the line asking excitedly, “Gable Powers is at your
apartment?”

“Yeah.Don’tgetyourpantiesinatwist.We’rejustfriends,”Iremindedhim.
“Yeah,buthelikesyou,Scout.Iknowhewantsmorewithyou.”
“Howcanyouknowthat,Bodhi?”Imean,Ireallywantedtoknow.Bodhiwasaguy.He’dknowthis

stuff.

“Becausehe’strying.Ifyouwerejustsomeonehewantedtofuck,doyouthinkhe’devenbegivingyou

thetimeofday?”

Ithoughtaboutthatforamomentbutfeltitwasn’tenough.Hm.Bodhiwasreallyfallingdownonhis

dude intuition. “Well, he just said earlier that he wasn’t looking to be tied down. So, again, we’re just
friends.”

“Friendsschmeinds!AndI’msurehe’dlovetobetieddownbyyou.”Hegiggledmaniacallyatthis

makingmerollmyeyes.“Havefun!Don’tdoanythingIwouldn’tdo!”IheardhisvoicefadethenAmy
cameontheline.

“Don’tlistentohim,Scout.Doeverything.Thatboy’shot!”Shegiggledalittledrunkenly.
“How’stheparty?”Iasked.
“God,Scout!Chad’ssohot!”shesquealed.
“Good!Youthinkitcouldgetseriouswithyoutwo?”
“Maybe!Ithinkhe’sgonnabemynextex-boyfriend!”
Isnortedoutalaugh.“You’recrazy.Okay,havefunandcallmeifyouneedaride.”
“Bodhi’s friend Max is with us and he’s the DD, so we’re good. But you have fun too! Full details

later!”

“Same!”Isaidbeforethelinewentdead.
Iscrambledaroundfindingashirttoputonthenchangedmyjeansfinallyhustlingoutofmyroomto

thebathroomwhereIfixedmyhairabit,putonmorelipglossandspritzedmyselfwithsomebodyspray.
WhenIcameoutandwalkedintothelivingroom,IsawGablelookingatpicturesAmyandIhadjustput
up on the wall. I walked to him then just about died. The collage of pictures was of us from when we
werelittlegirlstonow.I’dhadDadtextmeafewpictures,oneofwhichwasofmedrivingourtractor
whenIwasyoungerandGablewasnowstaringatit.

“Thatyou?”heasked,pointingatthephoto.
Istaredatitandclearedmythroat.“Yeah.”God,hehadtoknownow.
IcouldfeelhimwatchingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyeasIwaitedforhimtoyellatme,butthenhe

asked,“Ready?”

Well, he was either an extremely good actor or just plain naïve. How many more clues did the guy

need?

“Yeah…”HetookmyhandandledmeoutsidewhereIlockedtheapartmentdoorthenwewalkedto

hiscarandhedidthewholeseatbeltthingagainwhichatoncethrilledmeandannoyedme.

“Might wanna get this fixed,” I mumbled as he leaned over me buckling me in. I mean, not that I

minded,butitwasgoingtobehardtojustbefriendswhenhewasrighttherewithinliplockingdistance.

Hechuckled.“Yeah.”Hemovedawayandshutmydoor,andasIwatchedhimwalkingaroundtogetin

hisside,Irealizedthathewasdoinganincrediblejobofkeepinghisdistance,probablytryingtoshow
mehewasinterestedinmeasapersonandnotjustforsex,whichIhadtoadmitIsuddenlyfoundrather
irritatingandIhuffedoutasmalllaughthinkingIjustcouldn’tbesatisfied.

WhenGablegotin,Iasked,“Nowwillyoutellmewherewe’regoing?”
Hegrinned.“You’llsee.”
He started the car and “Cry of Achilles” by Alter Bridge blared from his speakers until he reached

quicklytoturnitdown.Whatthehell?He’dsaidinhisfirstemailthathedidn’treallylikethem!

“AlterBridge?”Iasked,shocked.
Heglancedoveratmewithasexyhalfgrin.“Yeah.”
“Myfavoriteband.”
Heglancedatmeagain.“Yeah?”

I nodded a couple times again still wondering if he knew. Ugh. All this tiptoeing around shit was

drivingmenutso.IfIdidn’tendupintheloonybinbytheendofthesemester,I’dbesurprised.ButIletit
go and we made small talk as he drove, ignoring the obvious, or at least I was. Ten minutes later we
pulledintoaparkinglotnearanoldbuilding.

WhenIlookedathimalittleconfused,heexplained,“Midnightmovies.”
Awesome!Icouldn’thelpthesmilethatcametomyface.“Really?Ilovemovies!”
Hesmiledbackthengotout,comingaroundtomysideandopeningthedoor.Asheworkedongetting

myseatbeltoff,hesaid,“Sawyourcolumninthepaperandthoughtyoumightlikethis.”

HesawmycolumnandthoughtI’dlikethisplace.Thatwasseriouslythesweetestthingever.And

despite the “Just friends” mantra I had running through my head, I now wondered how the hell I was
supposed to rein in my feelings for him when what I wanted to do was jump his bones for being so
thoughtful.Heheldhishandoutformetotake,helpingmeoutofhiscarandIcaved,tiptoeinguptokiss
hischeek.Hisarmsimmediatelywentaroundmywaistandhepulledmeintoatighthug,buryinghisface
intomyhairatthesideofmyneckasheletoutadeepsighlikehewasrelievedthatI’dforgivenhim.

God.HowwasIsupposedtodealwiththis?Itookadeepbreathofmyownandlettingitout,made

myselfpullawayfromhimasmyconsciencescreamed,JUSTFRIENDS! inside my head. I gave him a
smile then turned to face the theater. “What’s showing?” I asked as we started walking toward the old
building.

“Casablanca.”Hetookmyhandagain,smoothinghisthumboverthebackofmineaswewalked.
Oneofmyfavorites.Huh.Didheknowhewaskillingmeslowlywitheverythingrightnow?
Onceinside,wefoundourseatsbutthenhetoldmehe’dberightback.Whilehewasgone,Iinspected

thetheater,admiringtheantique-lookingsconcesonthewallsandthearchedceilingthatwasseparatedin
panelsandpaintedwithvariousscenesfromfamousmovies.Verycool.

Gablecamebackholdingabucketofpopcornandtwosoftdrinks.Oh,hewasreallypushingitwith

allthenicenessnow.

“IhopeyoulikeMilkDuds,”hesaidwhenhesatdown,handingmeasodaandputtingthepopcorn

bucketonhisthighsoIcouldreachit.

“Unfortunately for my ass, I happen to love Milk Duds, especially with popcorn,” I replied with a

chuckle.

“Ah, Priss, you know what I think about your ass,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows and making me

blushwhichmademyresistanceflagforaminute.

Justfriends!
BeforeIcouldreply,thetheaterlightsblinkedoffandonthenthemoviestarted.Andeverythingwas

fineuntilhalfwaythroughwhenhereachedoverandtookmyhand,bringingittohislipsforasmallkiss
beforeherestedourclaspedhandsonhisthighandmyheartmelted.

~*~*~*~

Twohourslater,wesatinanall-nightcoffeehousediscussingthemovie.
“Iwould’vestayedwithRick,”Isaid.“Ijustdon’tknowhowIlsacouldleavehim.”Itookabiteof

theamazingDanishpastryI’dordered.

“ShewasmarriedtoVictor,”Gablereplied,eyebrowraisedandpointinghisownpastryatmewhen

hesaidthat.

“Well,yeah.ButIthinkeveryonehasthatsomeone…well,thatsomeonewhomakesthestitchesworth

it,andRickwashers.”Ishruggedashoulder.

“Stitches?”heasked,hiseyesnarrowingonmine.
Well,crap.I’drevealedsomethingtohimthatIdidn’tsharewithtoomanypeople.

Whenwewereinhighschool,IvyandIhadsatuponenighttalkingaboutlove,andI’dtoldheritwas

like having someone rip your chest open, take your heart out and hold it in their hand as they tore off
piecesofit.Thentheyreturneditandstitchedyoubackup.I’dfinishedbysayingthatonlyafewpeople
wereworthyofyourstitches.She’dfrownedatmelikeIwascrazy,butthat’sexactlyhowIthoughtlove
felt.I’dtoldherthatitmadeyourhearthurtevenifitwasgood.Shehadn’tunderstoodandIhadn’ttried
expoundinganyfurther.Ifsomeonedidn’tgetit,theyneverwould.

“It’skindofsilly,”Irespondedsheepishly.
“Tellme,Priss.”Hiseyeslookedcuriouslyatme.
Sowithasigh,Iexplainedmytheorytohimwhilehelistenedintently.
WhenIfinished,Isaidshyly,“Stupid,huh?”Iglanceddownatmycoffeewaitingforhimtolaughat

me.

“Notatall.Igetit.”
I looked up at him to see if he was playing with me but when I saw that he was serious, I asked

carefully,“You’vehadstitches?”

“Yeah…”heanswered,shiftinginhischairandseemingalittleuncomfortable.
“Don’twannatalkaboutit,”Isaid.
Heranahandoverhismouth,hisfingersthengoingtohischintoscratchthescruffthatwasthere.“It’s

notsomethingItypicallydiscuss.”Ilookedthoughtfullyathimwonderingwhatorwhocould’vehurthim.
Inoddedinacceptanceofhisanswerbutwassurprisedwhenhecontinued.“Let’sjustsayIgothurt.By
her and…” He looked at me so conflicted, the hurt showing clearly in his eyes as his hand went to the
backofhisnecktorubit,thatIjustwantedtogivehimahug.“Byherand,a,uh,friend.”

IblinkedasIwatchedhim,somewhatsurprisedthathe’dsharedthatmuchwithme.
Hepursedhislips.“ReasonwhyI’llneverhave‘stitches’again,”hemumbledalmostasiftohimself

ashelookeddownathisdrinkhewasspinningslowlyonthetableinhisfingers.Westayedsilentfora
bitbutwhenhefinallylookedupatme,Iknewthemomenthadpassediftheshit-eatinggrinonhisface
wasanyindication.“Wouldn’tmindlookin’atyourstitches,though.”

Ihuffedoutalaugh.“God,everytimeIthinkyou’renormal,youneverfailtoremindmethatyou’rean

asshole.”

Iwatchedashisgringotbiggerthenheshruggedasiftosay,“Missionaccomplished.”
AllIcoulddowasshakemyheadasIchuckled.“So,Ishouldprobablygetback.MakesureAmy’s

okayandnotpukinghergutsout.”Itwastwo-thirty,soIthoughtshe’dprobablybehomefromtheparty
unlessshe’ddecidedtotakethingstothenextlevelandstaywithChad.

Gable nodded then stood and held a hand out, helping me out of the booth. Dang. He’d certainly

learnedsomewherehowtobeagentleman.Ilethimholdmyhandonthewaytohiscartellingmyselfnot
toputtoomuchintoitbecauseIknewifIdid,he’donlyhurtmeintheend.

HewassoquietonthewaytomyapartmentIaskedifhewasokay.
“Yeah.Justthinking,”heanswered.
I knew my stitches theory had opened up old wounds for him which made me feel kind of bad for

bringingitup.

Whenwegottomyapartment,hecamearoundtounbucklemeandhelpmeoutofthecar.“Thankyou

forgoingwithme,”hesaidafterwalkingmetomydoor.

“Thankyoufortakingme,”Isaidwithasmile.
Helookeddownatmeasiftryingtomakeadecision,soImadeitforhimbytiptoeingupandkissing

hischeekagain.“Goodnight,”Isaidbeforeunlockingthedoorandgoinginside,watchinghimwalkto
hiscarbeforeIclosedthedoor.

I went to Amy’s room to see if she was there, which she was, so I guessed she was holding off on

makingChadhernextex,whichmademechucklequietly.Hersoftsnoresindicatedthatshewasfine,soI
slowlyclosedherdoorandwalkedbackintothelivingroomthenheardalowknockonthefrontdoor.I
wenttoitandthroughtheeyeholesawitwasGableandIfrownedwonderingwhathe’dforgotten.

“Hey,” I said when I opened the door. He was standing with his arms raised above him, his hands

holdingontothetopofthedoorframeandhelookedatmeforabeat,hiseyesnarrowedonmine,before
he stepped inside quickly and, taking my face in his hands, bent down and smashed his mouth to mine
proceeding to give me the kiss of a lifetime. I was stunned for a few seconds but recovered quickly,
bringingmyarmsuptolacearoundhisneckandtanglingmyfingersintohishairasthekissgotdeeper
andhotter.Whoa.Hesomehowendedupinsidetheapartment,kickingthedoorclosedbehindhim,then
turnedus,backingmeagainstitandpressingthehardplanesofhisbodyintomysoftones.Hishandsslid
downandcuppedmybuttbeforehepickedmeupmakingmewrapmylegsaroundhiswaist,and,sweet
Jesus, I knew right then all my inner babblings of encouragement to stay the hell away from him were
wastedbecauseinthatmomentIwantedhimmorethanIwantedmynextbreath.

Wemadeoutforwhatseemedlikeever,whichwastotallyamazing,andtheinstantIwassothoroughly

workedupthatIwasreadytoleadhimtomybedroomwhereIcouldhavemywickedwaywithhim,he
pulledaway,andrestinghisforeheadagainstmine,gazeddownatmeandmuttered,“Fuck,”thentouched
hismouthtominebriefly,setmyfeetbackonthefloor,kissedmyforehead,said,“Goodnight,Scout,”
andwasoutthedoorandgonebeforeIcouldevencatchmybreath.

Ileanedbackagainstthecloseddoor,throwingmyheadbacktobangagainstitasIlookedupatthe

ceiling.Oh,Gable,howyouexciteme,thrillme,andtotally,completelyandthoroughlyconfuseme.

*WeekNine*

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sorry

Date :

October22,3:52p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

DearMr.Four,
IjustwantedyoutoknowI’mokay.I’vejustbeenbusy.SorryImadeyouworry.
Hopelastweek&thisweekwereawesome&yourclassesaregoinggreat!
Justaquestion…ifsomeoneknewsomethingaboutyoubutdidn’ttellyou,whatwouldyoudo?
Six
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sorry

Date :

October22,4:02p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Mr.Four.Ilikeit.
Gladyou’reokay.Thanksforlettingmeknow.Iwasworried.
Classesaregood,somebetterthanothers.
Hm. If someone knew something about me and didn’t tell me? I’d think of it as lying and, well, I hate liars. I can’t help it, but I hold

grudges,soifsomeoneliestome,I’mprettymuchfinishedwiththem.Why?

xx

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sorry

Date :

October22,4:10p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Justwondering.Evenifitwassomethingminor?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Sorry

Date :

October22,4:12p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Alieisalieisalie…

~*~*~*~

Shit.WouldGablethinkmyknowinghewasmypenpalandnottellinghimwasalie?Iwasafraidto

findoutbecauseIdidn’twanttolosehisfriendshiporwhateverthiswasthatwehadgoing.

In“reallife”thingshadbeengoinggreatwithhim.He’dsatbymeMondayandWednesdayinpsych

class.He’dheldmyhandwhenwewalkedoutthengivenmeasweetkissbeforeIwenttomynextclass
both days. This weekend we were going on a ghost tour of Seattle, which I was really excited about,
especiallysinceHalloweenwasjustaroundthecorner.Ontopofallthat,he’daskedformynumberand
we’dbeguntexting.SonowInotonlyhadtokeepupwithhimthroughemail,Ihadtodealwithtexting
himtoo.ThedoublelifeIwaslivingwithhimwasweighingonmeandIdidn’tknowhowmuchlongerI

couldkeepitupwithoutspillingitall.ItwastooconfusingtryingtorememberwhatI’dtoldhimthrough
emailsandinperson,soI’dmadethedecisionthatI’dbemoredistantinmyemails,thinkingthat’dsolve
things.

Ishould’veknownitwouldn’t.

~*~*~*~

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Can’ttakeit

Date :

October22,11:09p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,
Ifantasizeaboutyou.Can’tgetyououtofmyhead…

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

AreYOUdrunk?

Date :

October22,11:34p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Um…

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Perfectlysober…

Date :

October22,11:35p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Iwanttotasteyourlips…wanttotouchyou…wanttobewithyou…

~*~*~*~

Holy shit. He was being really bold in his emails and I wasn’t sure what to do about it. On the one

hand,whathewassayingwasflattering,nottomentionhot,butontheother,ifhedidn’tknowIwashis
penpalandhewaswritingthosethingstoagirlhethoughthedidn’tknow,well,thenthatwasjustagiant
holeofsuck.

“Youshouldjusttellhimwhoyouare,”BodhisaidThursdayatlunch.
“You think? I mean, this has grown into some huge fucking monster now.” I shook my head at how

absurdit’dallbecome.“IfItellhim,he’llthinkIwaslyingthiswholetimeandhateme.”

BodhistuffedhalfofhisgenericPizzaPocketintohismouth,chewedtwiceanddownedit.I’dnever

understandhowtheguycouldstaysoskinnywhenheateasmuchasaherdofelephants.Hethrewthelast
halfofitinhismouthandsaidbetweenchews,“Hecouldn’thateyou.Helikesyou.”

Ifrowned.“Iforwardedtheemailtoyou.Yousawwhathesaidaboutlying.”Itookadrinkfrommy

bottle of water. This was making me miserable, even to the point that I felt guilty for having fun when
GableandIweretogether.

Bodhidranktherestofhissoda.“Yeah,butIstilldon’tthinkit’dchangehismind.”
IjustshookmyheadandrolledmyeyesbecauseIthoughtitwould.
“You could just pretend when you guys do the reveal that you didn’t know it was him and act all

surprised.”

“Yeah,andthatsurelywouldn’tbealie,wouldit?”Iansweredsarcastically.
Bodhishrugged.“Don’tknowwhatelsetotellyou.Sorry,Scout.”
“Thanksanyway,Bode,”Imumbled,watchingasheputallhistrashonhistray.

Hestoodthenbenttokissmeontheforehead.“It’llbeokay.Promise.”Hepickeduphistrayandleft

forhisnextclass.

Ihopedhewasright.

~*~*~*~

TextMessage—Thurs,Oct24,11:34p.m.
Gable:What’reyoudoing?
Me:Studying,asusual
Gable:You’resodedicated
Me:Gottakeepthescholarship;)
Gable: I know. Hey, remember when I told you about Justin asking my dad about that part he

neededforhiscar?

Me:Yes
Gable:Yeah.HeliedtomydadandsaidItoldhimhecouldpickitupforfree.Hecamebythe

shop this morning and got it. Dad called and asked what was going on. So I called Justin and he
fuckingliedtomeaboutitsayingDadgaveittohim.ToldhimIknewhewaslyingandwasdone
withhim.

Me:Butyou’vebeenfriendsfor,what,fifteenyears?
Gable:Idon’tgiveashit.Helied.That’snotcool.Hetoldmehewassorryandeverythingbut

that’sonethingIcan’tstandisaliar.Fuckhim.Idon’tneedthatshitinmylife.

Great.He’dendedafifteen-yearrelationshipandallbecausetheguylied.Iwassoscrewed.
Gable:Readyfortomorrownight?
Me:Yes!Iloveghoststuff!
Gable:I’mkindafascinatedbyittoo
Me:Whatifwegetattackedbyapoltergeistorsomething?
Gable:YouHAVEseenthoseghosthuntershows,right?Nothingevergetsthem
Me:Oh,somethingdefinitelygetsME‘causethatonehasareallyhotguywho’stheheadghost

hunter…

Gable:Huh…
Me:What?Youwantmetotellyouhe’snotashotasyou?
Gable:That’dbenice
Me:Oh,Gable,you’reSOmuchhotterthanthatZacguy!Hedoesn’tevenbegintocompareto

you…yourtattoosarewaybetterthanhis…you’resomuchstrongerthanheis…I’llbetyoucan
out-ghosthimanyday

Gable:Smartass.Hehastattoos?
Me:Yep
Gable:Hm.That’scool.Hey,whatifyougetpossessedorsomethingandstartspewingpeasoup?
Me:I’dbepossessedtoknockyourblockoff…
Gable:That’dbecooltoo
Me:Itcanbearranged
Gable:Knowwhat?
Me:What?
Gable:You’recute
Me:Okay,Ihavetocallyouhotbutyoucallmecute?
Gable:Oh,you’rehottoo…butyou’realsocute
Me:IthinkI’mblushing

Gable:Icandosomethingstoyouthat’llmakeyoublush
Me:NowIknowI’mblushing
Gable:Can’twaittoseeyoutomorrow…wanttotasteyourlips…
Allright,now,seriously,Ididn’tknowwhethertobethrilledorpissedthathewastellingmethesame

thingshewastellinghispenpal.God.Iwastotallylosingitbybeingjealousaboutmyself.

Me:Iloveyourlipsonmine…
Gable:I’dlovemylipsanywhereonyou…
Me:Wow…
Gable:Yourlips…neck…shoulder…
Me:Wait.Arewesexting?
Gable:Onlyifyouwanttobe
Me:Well,Ireallyneedtogoputaloadoflaundryin
Gable:Chicken…
Me:I’membarrassed
Gable:Nothingtobeembarrassedabout…it’sjustme
Me:Iknow.Givemesometimetogetusedtothis?
Gable:Yeah.K,godoyourlaundryxx
Me:Seeyoutomorrowxo
Ididn’treallyhavetodolaundry.Ireallywasachicken.
AfterbrushingmyteethandjustasIlaydowninbed,myphonealertedmethatIhadanemail.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:03a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,
Seriouslycan’tgetyouoffmymind…
xx

Damnit.Nowitfeltasifhewerecheatingonmebyemailingher.Whowasme.ButIdidn’tknowif

heknewit.Arrgggghhh!
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:05a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Mr.Four,
Why?
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:07a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

.

Idon’tknow.Ican’tstopthinkingaboutyou.
xx

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:07a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Youdon’treallyevenknowme

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:08a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Iknow,butIwantto
xx

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:08a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Maybeafterwemeetattheendofthesemester?

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:09a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Iwanttofuckyou
xx

HolyMoses.Therehewentwithhisescalatingquicklybitagain.
Astheshockworeoff,onceagain,Icouldn’tfigureoutifIshouldbejealousornot.Imean,herehe’d

just tried to sext real me and now he was suggesting intercourse via Internet with pen pal me. I really
hopedheknewIwasboth.Ugh.

AsIthoughtaboutit,IfiguredIcouldgooneoftwowayswiththis.IcouldignorehimnowandwhenI

next emailed him I’d just keep things at an impersonal level and not egg him on. Or I could go for it. I
mean,whatwouldithurt,well,otherthanrealmeifhewasreallyintopenpalmeanddidn’tknowIwas
her.

God,Iwasonesickbitch.
MycuriositywonandImovedforwardthinkingthatwhenhefoundoutatsemester’sendthatitwas

mehe’dbeenwritingandthatI’dbasicallyliedtohimandheneverwantedtoseemeagain,atleastI’d
hadalittlefunwithit,right?

Yeah.Alittlefunandatonofheartbreak.
Itookadeepbreathandreplied.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:15a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Idon’tthinkI’dbeopposedtothat…
xo
EEP!

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:15a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Baby,I’dmakeyousohot,oppositionwouldbethefarthestthingfromyourmind…you’dbebeggingformore

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:15a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Tellme…

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:16a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

First I’d kiss you so hot and deep your head would spin… my fingers in your hair… your arms around my neck… I’d kiss your jaw…

down your neck… in the hollow of your throat… then I’d take your shirt off… your bra… and see your gorgeous tits… I’d suck on your
nipples…makeyoucomejustfromthat…

Oh,myGod.
Thiswashot.
Gabledidn’tmessaround.
WhenIwaswithHayden,hisemailshadbeenamateurcompared.Goodlord.Suddenly,Iwasn’tso

sureIwasuptothis.I’dalwaysbeentheboldonewithHaydenbutGablehadtakenthistoawholeother
level.

Itookadeepbreath,gavemyselfasexpeptalk,tookanotherdeepbreathandforgedaheadhopingI

couldkeepupwithhim.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:18a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Oh,God,Ilovethat…I’dwrapmyfingersinyourhair,knowingyou’dmakemecome…I’dbesowetforyou…I’dtakeoffyourshirtto

seeyourstrong,muscularchest…runmytonguealloveryourpecs,biteyournippleslightly…teaseyouwithmytongueasIranitdownover
yourabs…

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:21a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

God,that’shotasfuck,Six…
Next,I’dlayyouonmybedthentakeyourjeansoff…seeyouinyoursexypanties…thenpullthemdownyourlegsandoff…kissupthe

inside of your thighs until I got to your beautiful pussy, then I’d kiss you there… run my tongue all over you… taste your sweetness going
downmythroat…fuckyouwithmytongue…thenwhenIhadyoupanting,rightwhereIwantedyou,I’dsuckyourclitandI’dfuckingloveit
whenyouscreamedmynameasyoucameharderthanyoueverhave…harderthanyoucamethefirsttime…

Wow.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:24a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

God…youmakemesohot…I’dunzipyourjeansandreachinandpullyourbigcockoutthenworshipitwithmytonguenext…lickingit

frombottomtotop,myhandcuppingyourballs…makingyougroanformore…I’dtaketheheadintomymouthandsuck…thenI’dtakeall
ofyouinmymouth,goingdownonyouuntilyoutouchedthebackofmythroat…thenI’dslidemymouthup,suckingyourrockhardcock
untilIgottothetipthentwirlingmytonguearounditI’dlookatyouwatchingmesuckyouoffasImovedmylipsbackdownagain…

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:27a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Jesus…Iwanttofuckyousobadrightnow…I’dgrabyouunderyourarmsandpullyouuptome,kissingyouagainhardthenturnover

withyouunderneathme…pullyourlegup,holdingitbehindyourkneethenI’dthrustmycockinsideyousofuckinghard,you’dscreammy
nameasyoucameagain…God,I’dfuckyousofuckinghard…drivinginsidethatsweetpussyofyoursoverandover…turnyouonyour
stomachandfuckyoufrombehind…goingsofuckingdeepmakingyoumoaneachtimeIthrustinsideyou…

Fuck,Six…I’mgonnagofuckingjackoffinthebathroomnow…

Isattherepantingwantinghimtodoeverythingtomethathe’djustsaid.
ThenIrealizedwhatI’ddone.Crap.Therereallywasn’tanygoingbackfromthisnow.Imean,how

thehellcouldwejusthavecasualconversationsthroughemailanymore?Damnit.WhatwasIthinking?

Withashakyhand,Iputmyphoneonmynightstandandtriedgoingtosleep,butthepictureofusthat

Gablehadcreatedwastoodamnedhot,soslippingmyhandinsidemypanties,Imademyselfcome,and,
believeme,itdidn’ttakelong.AsIlaytherebreathinghardmyphonebeepedagain.
______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:40a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,Ihavetomeetyou.TheSigEpsarehavingtheirmaskedHalloweenpartynextThursday.Canyoubethere?
xx

Okay,thepartycouldbetheperfectopportunitytolethimknowIwashispenpal.Ifhegotmadwhen

hefoundout,it’dgivehimtimetogetoveritbysecondsemester.Butwhatifhewasn’tonlymad,hewas
disappointed?God.Thatwouldbedevastating.

As I hit “Reply,” I smacked myself in the head knowing I’d dug myself into a deep, deep hole. I so

should’vetoldhimitwasmewhenIfoundoutIwaswritingtohiminthefirstplace.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:44a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Um,maybe.IfIcangetmyroommatetogo,I’llbethere.
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

You

Date :

October25,12:46a.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Good.Ineedtoseeyou…
xx

~*~*~*~

“AreyoufreeonHalloween?”IaskedAmythenextmorning.
Sheglancedupfromwhereshesatatthetable,elbowproppedonitandheadinherhandassheate

her cereal. She wasn’t a morning person by any means. “Probably.” She yawned. “Why?” she asked,
slurpingaspoonfulofCheeriosintohermouth.

“PenpalGableaskedmetotheSigEps’HalloweenpartyandItoldhimI’dgoifyouwentwithme.”I

gavehermywinningestsmile.

“PenpalGable.SorealGablestilldoesn’tknowit’syouhe’semailingbutyou’regoingoutwithhim

in real life, and now he wants to meet pen pal you. Do I have this right?” The look she shot me
unmistakablyrelayedthatshethoughtIwasamoron.IthinkIheardhermutterthatIwassofuckedbutI
didn’taskhertorepeatherselfbecauseIknewshewasright.

Isatdownatthetableandsighed.“Iknowit’sstupid,butIreallylikehimandIthinkhereallylikes

meandhewantstomeetmeatthisparty.”

“Measinpenpalyou.”
Inodded.Yep.Shewasright.Thiswastotallycrazy.
“Scout, you know if he doesn’t know it’s you and he finds out it’s you, all hell could break loose,

right?”

AmyandIhadtalkedaboutthisseveraltimesandtruetoform,shehadtheoppositeopinionofBodhi.

WhilehewasencouragingsayingthatGablewouldn’tbemad,Amythoughthe’dbepissedandenditall.
SheandBodhihadevenhadaknock-down-drag-outoveritacouplenightsbeforewhichhadmademe
whollyuncomfortablethattheirtopicofdebatehadbeenthedirectionmyrelationshipstatuswithGable
wouldtakewhenthingsfinallycametoahead.Ihadn’tevenbeenabletoyellatthemtostopbecausethey
bothhadvalidpoints.

“Iknow.”IlookedathersheepishlyasIbutteredmybagel.“Butlookatitthisway.EventhoughI’m

prettysureheknowsit’sme,atleastit’llallfinallybeoverandwe’llknowwhowonbetweenyouand
Bodhiinthegreat‘Scoutisadumbass’debate.”

Shesighedasshescoopedanotherspoonfulintohermouth.Afterswallowing,shesaid,“Ijustdon’t

wanttoseeyougethurt.ButI’llgowithyoutopickupthepiecesifitdoesn’tpanout.Besides,Chadsaid
something about going.” She shrugged as she focused on eating her cereal. Definitely not a morning
person.

I thanked her and as I sat eating my bagel, I couldn’t help thinking how screwed up everything was.

When I finished, I went to my room to get dressed for class but couldn’t even be happy that Amy had
agreedtogowithmebecausejusttalkingaboutithadmademystomachchurn.

~*~*~*~

ThatnightGableandIwentontheghosttourwhichhadbeenablast.It’dbeenmoreofahistorical

expeditionthanahauntedone,butIlovedhistorytoo,soitwasstillfascinatingtohearthestories.

“Irememberbeingscaredshitlesswhenmydadhadtakenmybrothersandmeonthiswhenwewere

little,” he whispered to me as the guide told us about a building that had once been a brothel. “Nice.
Haunted whores,” Gable murmured which made me elbow him in the side as I giggled quietly. “Priss,
whatmorecouldamanwant?Facelesschickgivingyouheadforfree?”

I elbowed him even harder that time, making him utter an “Oomph!” not bothering to laugh as I

rememberedoursexyemailexchange,notknowingifhewashintingthatheknewIwasthefacelesschick
who’dbeenwritingtohimaboutgivinghimheadorifIwasjustreadingmoreintowhathesaid.God,I’d
besogladwhenthissemesterwasoverandheknew.

Afterthetour,westoppedatanespressobarwithmanyoftheothersthat’dbeeninourgroup.

“So?” he asked as we walked back to his car, sipping on his drink. I looked up at him in question

beforetakingadrinkofmylatte.“What’dyouthink?Wereyouscared?”

“OnlyofthecompanyIwaskeeping,”Isaiddryly.
Hechokedoutalaugh.“Damn,Scout.That’sharsh.”
Notbeingabletokeepmycynicalattitudegoing,Ilaughedwithhim.“Kidding.But,yes,itwasfun.I

learnedmoreaboutSeattlethanIevercaredtoknow.”

Helaughedagainthenthrewhisarmacrossmyshouldersandpulledmetohim,hisforearmcrossing

overmythroatasheheldmeclosetohimaswewalked.“Someone’swantingaspanking,”hemumbledin
myearmakingmeshiverforsomedamnedreason.Iknewhefeltitwhenhechuckledintomyhairthenhe
kissedthesideofmyhead,thenmovinghisforearmfrommythroattowherehishandcuppedthesideof
myshoulder,wecontinuedwalkingtohiscar,sippingourdrinksaswewent.

“Thankyoufortakingmetonight,”Itoldhimwhenwepulleduptomyapartment.
“Mypleasure,Priss,”herepliedwithasexysmileasheturnedoffthecar.Thenheleanedoverand

kissedmesoftly,butaswithallourkisses,thingsheatedupquickly.Hepulledbackandunbuckledhis
seatbeltasImessedwithmineuntilheendeduphavingtotakeover.AssoonasIwasoutofit,Ilaunched
myselfathimpracticallypushinghimbackintohisdoor.

Oh,damn.Icouldkissthismanfordays.
HescootedaroundabitbeforepullingmeintohislaptowhereIwasstraddlinghiminhisseat,our

mouthsneverleavingeachother’s,andwhenhishandsslidundermysweaterglidingsmoothlyacrossmy
backwherehewrappedonearoundmywaistandtheothermadeitswayupandoutoftheneckwherehis
fingerstwistedinmyhair,Icouldn’tevenfinditinmetocarethathewasprobablystretchingitout.I
onlyknewIwantedhim.Oh,God,Iwantedhimsobadly.

“Come inside. Stay with me tonight,” I mumbled against his lips, after many hot, wet, deep, panty-

meltingkisseslater.

“Can’t,” he muttered back, hands on my hips and pulling me down to grind against the considerable

bulgeinhisjeanswhichmademegaspandwanthimthatmuchmore.“Butletmemakeyoucome.”

BeforeIcouldsayaword,maybeaskhimwhyhecouldn’tstaywithme,hemovedbackandliftedmy

sweater in the front with one hand, yanking one of the cups of my bra down with the other then his hot
mouthwasonmyme,suckingmynipplein,makingmecryoutloudly,myhandsonhisheadholdinghim
tome,myfingerstwistinginhishairpullinghard.Whenhemovedtomyotherbreastdoingthesame,I
threwahandout,hittingthewindowandnoticeditwasfoggedoverandI’dleftahandprintonit.

Oh,man.
He leaned back and pulled my sweater up and over my head and off, throwing it into the passenger

seat,andwhenheturnedback,hefroze,sittingstillforseveralseconds,hiseyesscanningeverylastbitof
skinofminehe’dexposed.

“MyGod,Scout.”Hiseyeslanguidlymadetheirwaytomine,thewhiskeycolorflaringinthemasthey

burnedintomine.“You’restunning.”Hishandwenttothebackofmyheadwherehisfingerstangledin
myhairandhepulledmedownintoahotterthanhotkiss.

“Gable,”IsaidbreathilyagainsthismouthwhenIfelthisotherhandattheflyofmyjeans,tuggingon

buttons then his hand was inside, his fingers expertly moving over me, and when he pushed aside my
pantiesandslidafingerinside,Icriedout.

“Sofuckingsweet,”hesaidleaninginandtakinganippleintohismouthbeforemovinghiswayupto

my neck, nipping, sucking, licking and tasting along the way. When he pressed his thumb in circling it
againstmeandthenhisfingerstartedmovinginsideme,Icouldn’thelpmyselfasmyhipsstartedmoving
andIrodehishand.

“Jesus,Scout,”hesaidgrufflyagainstmythroat,pullingbacktowatchmeasIsoughtmyrelease.
Iglanceddownathimandsawhewaslookingatmeasifhewantedtodevourme,andeventhough

he’dtoldmehecouldn’tstaywithmeforwhateverreason,Iwantedthat,wantedhimtowantme.Andthe
lookinhiseyessaidhedid.

Andthat’sallittook.
I threw my head back and arched my back when it hit, my fingers digging into his shoulders as a

millionhotspikesofpleasureclaimedeveryinchofmybodyandIgaspedouthisname.

Holywow.
WhenmyheadcameforwardandIcollapsedagainsthim,hewrappedhisarmstightlyaroundmeand

whispered,“SexiestfuckingthingI’veeverseen,”intomyearashesmoothedmyhairdownmybackwith
hishand.

My breathing finally slowed and while this was happening my senses also returned. It was then I

realizedwhat’djustoccurred.

Oh,myGod.Howembarrassing.
Pullingbackslowlyfromhim,IfelttheblushcomingtomycheeksandasIbitmylipIrefusedtolook

athim.

“Hey,”hesaidsoftly,squeezingmyhipswithhishands.
I couldn’t look at him. Wouldn’t. What kind of judgmental bitch was I to think badly of the women

who’d thrown themselves at him when here I was having done the same damned thing, naked from the
waistupsittinginhislap,stillbreathinghardfromtheexceptionallyamazingorgasmhe’djustgivenme?
Iwassuchahypocrite.Ikeptmyeyesfixedtothesideuntilhetookmychinandgentlyturnedmetolook
athim.Whenmyeyesfinallymethis,Isuckedinabreath.Oh,my.Therewassomuchemotioninthose
honey-coloredeyesofhisitblewmeaway.

“Hey,”hesaidagain.“Fuckingperfect,Scout.You’re,”hishandholdingmychinmovedtothebackof

myheadandhepulledmedowntohim,kissingmelightly.“Fucking,”hekissedmeagain.“Perfect.”The
kissthengothotter,deeper,wetter,goingfromsweettoswelteringinamatterofsecondsandIrealizedhe
wasstillhardundermewhichmadememoanandgrinddownonhimagain.

The guttural sound he expelled against my neck almost made me come again as I moved my hips

forward and back over the hard bulge under his jeans, instinct, I guess, or really just me, wanting,
needing,achingtohavehiminsidemybody.

“Gable,”Imurmured.“Please.”
Andthenitwasover.
Hestilledthemovementofmyhipswithhishands,pullinghismouthfrommyneckandsittingback

againsthisseat.Ilookeddowntoseehiseyesclosed.

“Comeinsidewithme,”Iwhispered,gazingathisbeautifulface.
Hebreathedinslowlythroughhisnosethenletitout.“Can’t,”hestatedflatly,hiseyesstillclosed.
Rejectedtwiceinlessthanthirtyminutes.Wow.
Imovedoffhislap,settlingbackinthepassengerseatasIrightedmybrathengrabbedmysweater,

pullingitonovermyheadthensatthereforseveralsecondschewingonmylipasItriedtofigureout
what was going on. I mean, God, I’d literally thrown myself at him and he still didn’t want me. A man
who’dprobablysleptwithhalfthewomenoncampusatschooldidn’t…want…me.

“It’snotwhatyouthink,”hestated,breakingthesilenceandmakingmejumpalittle.
I looked over at him to see a small scowl on his face as he stared straight ahead, his jaw muscles

pulsinginagitation.

“Whatisitthen?”Iaskedsoftly,notknowingifheevenheardme.

Heturnedthescowlonmethen,narrowinghiseyesasifheweresizingmeup,maybewonderingifI

couldhandlethetruthorsomething.Thenheshookhisheadafewtimes.“Nothing.I’llwalkyoutothe
door.”

And that’s exactly what he did, and after telling me he had a good time tonight and me thanking him

onceagain,hebrushedhislipsagainstmine,waitedformetogetinsidetheapartmentthentookoff.

When I made it to bed, I lay there staring at the ceiling my brain on overload. Gable didn’t want to

sleep with me, but he wanted to sleep with his pen pal and I knew he had to know I was his pen pal.
There’dbeentoomanysigns,toomanycoincidencesforhimnottoknow.Buttherejectionoftonightstill
hurt.Whatthehellwasgoingonwithhim?Idecidedtodigalittle,usingmyinvestigativeskills(although
to this point they’d been to use Tony to do all the investigating), and see if maybe I could get some
answers.Ifnot,HalloweenwasaweekawayandeverythingwouldbeoutintheopenandIknewI’dget
answersthen.

Andthatscaredtheshitoutofme.

*WeekTen*

Textmessage—Sun,Oct.27,4:48p.m.

Me: Hey, just wanted you to know I loved the tour Friday night. My treat next time. I’ll look up
somethingSeattle’ishtodothatyoudon’tknowabout;)xo

Gabledidn’treply.
Hewasn’tinclassMondaynorwasheatworkthenexttwonights.
Buthedidreplytohisfuckingpenpalthenextday.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Halloweenparty

Date :

October28,11:25p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Hey,

Justwantedtoletyouknowmyroommate’sgoingwithmesoI’llbethere.Um,we’resupposedtowearcostumes,right?
Six
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Halloweenparty

Date :

October28,11:27p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,
Can’twaittomeetyou.Costumes,yes.Masks,yes.YougonnabewearingwhatyoudescribedtomewhenyouwereintheSCsansthe

skirtandshirt?Fuckinghopeso.

xx

Seriously?Thiswasreallypissingmeoffthathewasansweringher,beingnicetoherandnotme.
HolyHayseussChristo.Iwasjealousofmyownfuckingself.Unbelievable.Andwhatwasevenmore

unbelievablewasthatasIsattherebeforereplying,allIcouldthinkaboutwasifIreallycouldweara
bustierandallthatwentwithittothepartywithoutgettingarrested.

Ugh. Stupid me. Also, stupid me and my big mouth for ever teasing him about wearing it. Dang. I’d

havetoaskAmytoseeifit’dbetoomuch.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Bailmoney?

Date :

October28,11:28p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’massumingyou’dbailmeoutwhenIgotarrestedforindecentexposure?
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Aucontraire

Date :

October28,11:28p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Six,ifyouweretowearthatsexyasfuckoutfitjustforme,YOU’DhavetobailMEoutbecauseI’dbeattheshitoutofanyonewho

lookedatyou.

xx

______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Parlez-vousfrançais?

Date :

October28,11:29p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

DoyouspeakFrench??
xo

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Parlezwhatever

Date :

October28,11:30p.m.

To:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Baby,I’llspeakwhateverlanguageyouwantaslongasIgettoseeyouinthatoutfit…
xx

Wow.IshookmyheadbecauseIwashonestlyhurtoverhisflirtingwithme.Yeah,ridiculous,Iknow.
Okay,ifhecouldflirtwithhispenpalwhilesupposedlydatingme,thensocouldI,soIdecidedto

suckitupandjustgoforit.Imean,itwasHalloweenandIcouldprobablygetawaywithwearingthe
stupidoutfit.Andifthingswentbad,atleastI’dlookhot.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Nopromises

Date :

October28,3:50p.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’llseewhatIcando
xo

~*~*~*~

“Blacklace,huh?”Bodhiaskedashelookedthroughvariouspantiesinabin.
“Yep,”IansweredasIdugalongsidehim.
We were in Victoria’s Secret in the mall the next day and I had to laugh at how casually he was

searchingforapairofpantiesformy“costume.”

“Perfect!”heyelled,holdingupapairoflacyhipster-typepantiesmakingseveralwomeninthestore

turntheirheadstoseehimtwirlingthemintheairwithhisfinger.

Isnatchedthemoutofhishand.“Keepitdown,”Isaid,duckingmyheadandbuggingmyeyesoutat

him.

Helookedaroundtoseeafewwomenstillwatchinghim.“It’sokay!I’mgay!”heexplainedandthe

funnythingis,theoneslookingathimraisedtheireyebrows,nodded,seemingtoaccepthisexplanation,
andwentonabouttheirshopping.“Workseverytime,”hemumbledwithasnort.“Nowforabustier!”he
allbutyelled,andIwasloathtoshushhim,possiblykillinghisexcitementintheprocess,soallIcould
dowasshakemyhead,rollingmyeyesatthewomenwhowerenowchucklingatus.

Aftershopping,wesatatatableinthefoodcourteatingChinesethatBodhiboughtsincemychecking

accounthadtakenahugehitwithmylingeriepurchases.

“Ilikeit.Therobeisperfecttotopitoff.”Bodhisaidbeforesuckinginamouthfuloflomeinnoodles.
“Youdon’tthinkit’stoomuch?Toorisqué?”Iasked.

“It’srisquéallright,butthat’swhatmakesitawesome!Iespeciallylikethestockingswiththeseamin

theback.”Heshovedasmallcrabrangooninhismouth.

“Whatifhe’s,like,inlovewithhispenpalthenwhenIrevealit’sme,hefreaksbecausehe’snotin

lovewithmemebuther?”

“Thenyoudealwithit.Areyouinlovewithhim?”Bodhiaskedcarefully,narrowinghiseyesatmeas

Itookasipofeggdropsoupfrommyspoon.

Ishruggedashoulder.“Idon’tknow.”AndIdidn’t.Imean,howconfusingwasitthattheguyIthought

Imightbeinlovewithmaybeinlovewithmyalteregowhomhemightnotknowwasme.

“Butyousaidhe’sgivenyoulotsofhintsthatheknowsit’syou,”hecontinued.
“I think he has but maybe it was just me hoping that he knew. God. When this semester’s over, I’m

gettingafriggin’spatreatmentandpossiblyhiringashrink.”Ishookmyheadthentookabiteofmyspring
roll.

“You’llbefine,Scout.AndAmyandIhaveyourback.”
“SpeakingofAmy,shesaidshe’sgonnadressintheCatwomansuitsheworeacoupleyearsago.She

saidit’sprettysexy,soit’llmakemenotfeelsonaked.”

“Youknowwhat?Fuckthis.IknowItoldyouIworkthatnight,butI’mgoingwithyou.I’llaskBobifI

cancomeinanhourlate.I’vegotagreatZorrocostume,whipandall.”Hegrinned.

Igrinnedback.Itmademefeelbetterthatmyfriendswouldbewithmeincasethingswenttoshit.
Beforeweleftthemall,BodhiandIstoppedatashoestorewhereIboughtsomesexyblackstilettos

thenwehitthecostumestorewhereIboughtablack,lacyMardiGras-typemaskthatcamewithaspray
adhesive.Itwentperfectlywithmyoutfit,andwhenIheldituptomyface,Bodhisaidifhedidn’tknowit
wasme,he’dhavenoideawhoitwas.Awesome.JustwhatIneededincaseIchickenedoutanddidn’t
tellGablewhoIreallywas.

Wedrovebacktomyapartmentwherewehungoutforabit,meputtingeverythingonandgivingBodhi

afashionshow.

“Damn, Scout. You’re kinda making me rethink this whole gay thing,” he muttered when I jerked my

robeopenathimlikeIwasaflasher.“IthinkI’mpoppin’achubby.”

Idiedlaughing,fallingonthebedwithhimwherehe’dbeenlying,headproppedinhishand,elbowto

themattress,watchingmemodelforhim.Iliftedmyheadandlookedathim,wigglingmyeyebrows.“It’s
never too late if you wanna go straight,” I said, sitting up then opening my robe again showing him my
bustierwithagrin.

“God. You’re beautiful,” he answered, staring at me for a moment. Then he sat up. “But sorry. No

chubby.Ijusthavetopee.”Hejumpedoffmybedandleftmyroomleavingmelaughinginhiswake.

IchangedandwewatchedalittletelevisionthenBodhihadtoleaveforwork.Beforegoing,hebent

andkissedmyforeheadtellingmeitwouldallworkoutintheend.

I smiled at him hoping he was right. Now if I could make it for two more days without having an

anxietyattack,everythingwouldbegood.

~*~*~*~

I was probably making a mistake, but the next morning, I put my investigative skills to work and

stopped Gable’s brother, Lochlan, after biology class needing some answers as to why Gable was
avoidingme.

“Hey, Lochlan, remember me?” I asked with a smile when I caught up to him on his way out of the

building.

“Hey,”heanswered,stoppingandsmilingback.“CallmeLoch.Yeah,you’reScoutPatterson,Gable’s

girlfriend.”

Well,thatmademepullmyheadbackinsurprise.
“Uh,Iwouldn’tsayIwashisgirlfriend…”
“Why?You’redatingeachotherexclusively,right?Imean,Ihaven’tseenhimgooutwithanyoneelse

inoveramonthandthat’shugeforhim,”heinformedmewithachuckle.

Hm.Interesting.
“Doyouhavetimetogogetacoffee?”Iinquired.
Helookedathiswatch.“Sure.Mynextclassisn’tforanotherhour.”
“Great.Doyouwanttojustgotothestudentcenterthen?”
Henoddedandwetookoffwalkingtothecenterthatwasnearby.Heinsistedonbuyingmylatteand

wesatdownatmyusualtable.

“Sowhat’sup?”heasked,takingasipofhisdrink.
Iwasnervous,notsureifthiswascoolofmetodo,butIhadtogetsomeinformationbeforegoinginto

thepartytomorrownightblind.

“Well,thisiskindaweird,butIhadafewquestionsaboutGable.”Ibitmylipwonderingifhe’dtell

metofuckoff.

“Okay.Nothingsexual,Ihope,‘causethat’dbeprettygross.”
Ilaughed.“No,nothinglikethat.I,uh,wasjustwonderingabouthim.Yousee,we,um,startedgetting

close a couple times.” I saw his face scrunch up as if he thought I meant sexually. “No!” I said with
anotherlaugh.“Idon’tmeansex-wise!”

“ThankGod,”hemumbled.Heranhishandthroughhishairwhichmademeshakemyheadbecause

hismannerismsweresolikehisbrother’s.

“I mean, just close, you know? But each time, he’s pulled away for a while. Do you have any idea

why?”

“Notreallymystorytotell…”
Ibitmylipsandraisedmyeyebrowsathim.Aha.TherewassomethingtoGable’saloofness.
Hefrowned.“ButIthinkyoudeservetoknowbecauseIknowhowsecretiveheisontopofbeinga

broodybastard.”Hiseyeshadahintofhumorinthembeforehetookanotherdrinkthenlookedaroundas
if he was making sure Gable wasn’t anywhere near. “Gable had a girlfriend, Mia, who he met in high
school. They started dating when they were seniors. Dated at the beginning of their freshman year in
collegetoo.ShewenttoUDub,though.”

Inodded,lookingaroundnowtoo,alittleparanoidthatGablemightcatchustalkingabouthim.
Lochsighed.“Thingswerealwaysupanddownwiththem.Theywereprettyintense,youknow,fought

alot,youngloveandall,Iguess.Imean,he’dgetanewtattooandshe’dgetmad.Shewasprettypreppy
andIguessshedidn’tlikeitthatherboyfriendwasn’t.Ihonestlydidn’tknowwhytheywentoutinthe
first place. Anyway, he got tired of it all and finally broke things off. A week later, she died in a car
wreck.”

Isuckedinabreathathearingthat,knowingexactlywherehewasgoingwithit.
“Gableofcoursefelthorrible.Seemedlikeittookhimforevertogetoverit,theguiltandall.”
“Yeah,”Iwhispered,myeyestearingupasIstaredintomycup.
“Healsolosthisbestfriendthatnight.”
Myheadshotupathearingthis.Oh,God,no.PoorGable.
Loch nodded then sighed again. “Riley Cooper. He and Gable had been best friends since, like,

seventhgrade.Coopwasdriving,itwasraining,theythinkheswervedtoavoidananimalorsomething,
heovercorrectedandthecarrolledatleastthreetimes.Killedbothofthem.”

Ah.Coop.I’dseenan“RIPCoop”tattoooverGable’sheartwhenI’dcaughthimatworkwithhisshirt

off.Butwait.Both?IfrownedatLoch.

He looked at me grimly pursing his lips together. “They were together, Mia and Coop. They’d been

seeingeachotherbehindGable’sbackforawhile.Hedidn’tfindthatoutuntilamonthaftertheydied
then it all hit him hard.” Loch leaned back in his chair and took in a deep breath letting it out slowly.
“Makessense,though.Rileywasmorehertype,clean-cut,studyingtobealawyer.HewenttoUDubtoo,
soIguessitwasconvenientforthem.”Heshrugged.

“God,” I whispered. Oh, Gable. When I’d written to him about Hayden and Ivy cheating behind my

back,he’dknownexactlywhatI’dbeentalkingaboutsincehe’dlosthisgirlfriendandbestfriendallat
oncetoo.Oh,God.

“Yeah.Hewasprettytornup.”Hestretchedoutmoreinhischairandlookedatmeanditwasuncanny

how much he looked like his brother, but I noticed that his eyes were a little darker than Gable’s. “So
that’swhyIsaidthathisonlyseeingyouisabigdeal.Hehasn’tdatedanyoneseriouslysincetheydied.I
mean,hisbedroomhashadarevolvingdooronitforawhile.MybrothersandIusedtomakebetson
whathaircolorwouldcomeoutofhisroomeachmorning.”

Myeyebrowscametogether.“Haircolor?”
“You know, the girls and whether they’d be blond, red, brunette. Long, short. I made fifty bucks one

week.”

DearGod.
HechuckledatthelookImust’vehadonmyface.“He’scalmeddownalotthisyear,though.”
Thisyear?DearGod!
“Butheseemstoreallybeintoyou.Talkedaboutyousome.Zeke,RykerandIwerehopinghe’sfinally

settlingdownsome.”

“Hetalksaboutme?”Iasked.“Whatdoeshesay?”
“Idon’tknow,justthingslikeyouwenttoamovieandontheghosttour.”Heshruggedashoulderthen

satupinhischairputtinghiselbowsonthetableandclaspinghishandstogether.“ButI’mtellingyou,
that’shugeforhim.”Helookedathiswatch.“Hey,Ineedtogettoclass.Look,don’ttellhimwetalked.
He’dkickmyassifheknew.”HestoodandsodidI.

“Thank you, Loch. I really appreciate it. I won’t say a word,” I promised. He smiled then left me

standingtherekindofinshock.“Hetalksaboutme,”ImumbledasIwalkedtowardthedoor.

AccordingtoLoch,thatwasabigdeal.Huge.AnditmademefeelgoodthatGabledidcareforme,

thatmaybeIwasn’tthepatheticdoormatforhimthatI’dfeltlikeattimes.But,God,he’dbeenthroughso
muchpain.MyheartachedforhimasIwalkedacrosscampusheadingtomycar,knowingthatthereason
heprobablydidn’twanttogetclosetomewasbecausehedidn’twanttogethurtagain.

AndIknewI’dhavetomakesurethatdidn’thappen.

~*~*~*~

Oh,butMr.GablePowerswasinfineformthatnightatwork.
OnthisawesomeWednesdayevening,thenightbeforetheparty,hewasbacktohisoldassholishways

when all I wanted to do was give him a big hug for all he’d gone through with his girlfriend and best
friend.Wonderful.

I brought my first order to him and saw he was leaning on his forearms on the counter seemingly

flirtingwitharedheadwhoworeanemeraldgreendressthatshowedlotsofcleavageandhitheratmid-
thighasshesatatthebarwithherlegscrossed.Shehadonfour-inchexpensivelookingemeraldgreen
suedestilettosandshelookedtobeinherforties.Don’tgetmewrong,shewasgorgeousandall—big

boobs, shapely legs—but what the fuck? When I walked up, Gable popped a cherry in his mouth as he
pushed off a forearm and stood, grinned at her, a little too suggestively for my taste I might add, then
lookedatmewithasmirkandsaid,“WhatcanIdoyoufor,Scout?”Thenhechuckledathiscommentand
winkedatme.

Asshole.
Ihandedhimmyorderticket,tryinghardtokeepthehurtoffmyface,butI’mnotsureifIsucceeded.I

washurtbecausehehadn’ttalkedtomesincelastFridaywhenhe’dgivenmeaspectacularorgasm,hurt
becausehehadn’twantedtostaythenightwithme,hurtbecausehehadn’tbotheredtoanswermytextI’d
sentonSunday,but,hurtworsebecause,byGod,he’dtakenthetimetotalktohispenpalwhowasreally
therealmebutnot.Oh,hell,youknowwhatImean.Shit.

AndnowIwashurtbecausehewastalkingtothiswoman.
“Scout?”theredheadsaidglancingoveratme.“That’sanunusualname.”Thenshesmiledatme.
Great.Shewasnice.Couldn’tbeabitchsoIcouldbeonerightbacktoher.Ofcoursenot.SoIgave

herasmallsmileinreturnthenturnedmybacktohersoshewouldn’tengagemeanymorebecauseIwas
afraidI’dsaysomethingrude.

WhenGablehadfilledmytraywithmyorder,heflashedhislopsidedgrinatme,winkedagainandas

Ipickedupthetray,thewomanspoketohim.“Okay,soyouweretellingmeaboutthecorbelledarchon
yourgrandparents’courtyard.Areyousureit’snotbonded?Whatkindofstoneisinthevoussoir?”

Andshewassmartandintoarchitecturesotheyhadsomethingincommon.Greatagain.
I walked away going to different tables to fill their orders, the whole time trying to reign in my

jealousy at the fact that he could go five days without talking to me but could chat away with some
gorgeousrandomwomanatthebar.

Andthatpissedmeoffbutgood.
ButIguessedhedidn’towemeanythingbecausewhateventhehellwerewe?Weweren’tboyfriend

and girlfriend (or does climaxing on a guy’s hand automatically make it so?). I huffed out a frustrated
laughatthatmakingmypatronslookatmestrangely.Whatever.

AsIcontinuedsettingdrinksdown,IwonderedifGablewasseeingotherwomen.Lochsaidhewasn’t

buthowdidheknowforsure.Imean,wehadn’tsaidwewereexclusivesohecould’vebeenseeingthem
justnotbringingthemhomeforhisbrotherstowitness.

AndthelastthingIthoughtaboutasItookordersfromafamilyoffivewasthatifGabledidn’tknowI

washispenpal,thenhekindofwascheatingonmesincehewantedtomeether,whowasreallymebut
not,andhesaidhewantedtofuckherbutheobviouslydidn’twanttofuckme.

Oh.
My.
God.
Forgetaboutthespatreatment.Iwasallinforseeingashrinkthencheckingintoapaddedroomwhen

thesemesterwasover.

SotherestofthenightstunktohighheavenbecauseRedstayedatthebartheentiretimechattingGable

up,andeverytimeIhadanorderfilled,heandIdidn’thaveachancetotalk(whichwasprobablygood
becauseitwouldn’thavebeenprettyonmypartanyway),buthewouldgivemesexylooksandwinkat
me.Whatdidthatmean?

Thirtyminutesbeforemyshiftwasover,IdecidedIwasdone,soovereverything.IfiguredI’dstillgo

tothepartytomorrownight,revealmyselftoGable,haveafewdrinkswithAmyandBodhithengetthe
hell out of there, writing Gable off as a loss. Yep. I’d just go back to my original plan which was not
gettinginvolvedwithhiminthefirstplace.Soundedgood.

Tenminutesbeforemyshiftwasover,IsawRedgetuptoleaveandwatchedasGablewalkedherout,

andforgettingmyawesomeplanofwritinghimoff,Ifeltmyheadexplodeatseeinghimgowithher.I
lookedaroundforNataliebuthadtowaituntilshefinishedtakingordersatatablethenIwalkedwithher
tothekitchenandsaid,“Watchmysection,please.I’llberightback.”

“Everythingokay?”sheasked.
“We’llsee,”ImutteredasIsemi-stompedthroughtheplacetowardthefrontdoor.
WhenIgotoutside,Ilookedaroundanddidn’tseeanyone.TherewerenocarsleavingandIwasn’t

sureifRedcould’veleftthatquickly,soIwalkedthroughtheparkinglotlikeadamnedcreeper,checking
everycartoseeiftheywereinsideanyofthemdoingGodknewwhat.WhenIfoundthateverycarwas
empty,evenhis(whichIjustknewwouldhavethewindowsfoggedoverbecauseshe’dbestraddlinghis
lapwhilehegaveheraspectacularorgasmbutitdidn’t),athoughthitme.Andthenmyheartwasinmy
damnedthroatasIjoggedtothebackknowingI’dseehimhaveRedpressedagainstthebackofthebar
kissingherandtellingherthatshetastedgood.Andthatmademefurious.

Iroundedthecorner,fistsclenched,readytochewsomeseriousassthenbreakupwithhim,evenifwe

weren’tofficiallytogetherandIknowyoucan’tbreakupwithsomeoneyouwereneverwithbutwhatthe
fuckever,thatwasmyplan,butthat’swhenIsawhimstandingatthestepssmokingacigarette.AndRed
wasnowheretobeseen.

Icameupshort,myheartinmythroatthunkingbacktoitsoriginalspotinmychestasIwatchedhim

takeadragandblowoutthesmoke.Andfeelinglikeanassforthinkingtheworstinhim,Iquietlyturned
to go back the way I’d come and sneak back inside without his seeing me, but my stealth was all for
naught.

“What’sup,Priss?”hequestionedmakingmestop.
Shit.
IturnedaroundknowingI’dbeencaughtandwalkedtowardhimslowlytryingtothinkofalie.
“Uh,Iwasjustcheckingtomakesurethe,uh,the,uh,Dumpsterwasn’tfull.”Yeah,thatsoundedgood.
“And you went out the front instead of the back?” he asked, taking another drag before blowing the

smokeoutofhisnose.Howhemadethatlooksexy,Ihavenoidea,buthedamnedsuredid.

God,Iwasseriouslyscrewedwiththisman.
“Um,Glen’smoppingandIdidn’twanttowalkacrossthewetfloor,”Iansweredlamely.
“Uhhuh.”Heflickedthebutttothesideandwalkedtowardme,stalkedreally,asifIwerehisprey,

his eyes shining and intense on mine. Gah. “I think you might’ve been jealous that I was talking to Dr.
Millerandyouthoughtyou’dcatchmebackherewithher.”

Dr.Miller?Oh,man,shewasprobablyaprofessorfromoneofhisarchitectclasses.Shit.Shit!
AsIwatchedhimapproach,Igaveanalmostimperceptibleshakeofmyheadinanswertohisquestion

thentriedhardtoappearasinnocentasIcould,hopingthatwasatadbitofamusementIsawinhiseyes
ashestaredmedown.Whenhereachedme,hejustkeptwalkingmakingmebackupuntilIhitthewall
thenheputbothhandstoeithersideofmyheadandbentdowntogetinmyface.“Ithinkthat’sexactly
whatyouthought.”

NowIcouldn’tlookhimintheeyeasIchewedontheinsideofmylip,tooembarrassedthathe’dseen

rightthroughme.

“AmIright?”heasked,hiseyesnarrowedandpiercingminewhenImadethemistakeoflookingback

athim,andIsawthatallamusementwasnowreplacedwithnotasmallamountofpissedoff.

Yikes.
Athisquestion,Ibitmylipsandnodded,doingthisnotenthusiastically,mindyou.

He shoved off the wall with his hands. “That’s what I thought,” he mumbled then turned to go back

inside.

Wait.What?
Itookastepafterhimandasked,“Well,whatwasIsupposedtothink?”
He turned and stared at me for a moment then said, “I’m with you, Scout,” as if that explained

everything.

Ihuffedatthat,frowningathim.Whattheheckdidthatmean?SoIaskedhim.“Whatdoesthatmean?”
Themusclesinhisjawswerejumpingashekeptlookingatme.“ItmeansI’mwithyou,Scout.”
“You’rewithme…”Imumbled,lookingdownatmysneakers,shakingmyheadinconfusion.
“Yeah.”
Ilookedbackupathim.“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans,Gable.”
Then he moved so fast I could only gasp as he pushed me against the wall again, his body pressing

hardintomine,hishandwrappinginthebackofmyhairandtiltingmyheadtothesideashismouthcame
slammingdownonmine.

Whoa.
Hekissedmehardasifprovingapointandwhenhepulledaway,Iwasleftstandingtherebreathing

hardlookingupathimashescowleddownatme.

“Getitnow?”hespat.
Uh,no.Ididn’t.Andwhywashesoangry?God,whywaseverythingsoconfusingwhenitcameto

him?

Ishookmyheadanditseemedtoexasperatehim.
“No?”heasked,alloutofpatience,handsonhipslookingatmeindisbelief.
IshookmyheadagainasIbitmylip,notknowingwhatwasgoingonhere.
Itwashisturntoshakehisheadashesteppedbackintome.“I’mwithyou,”hemutteredthatpuzzling

decree again, then took my chin in his fingers and leaned down touching his lips to mine softly as if to
make up for the punishing kiss he’d just given me. He pulled away to look at me, his honey eyes
smolderingintomine,thenminedroppedtohischestwheremyhandsrested.ThenextthingIknew,he
liftedmychinagaincomingbackinforanotherkiss,andIguesshewasfinishedbeinggentlebecausethis
kiss went off-the-charts scorching hot in about one-point-two seconds as our tongues twirled together
whichmademystomachflutterlikecrazy.

His hands were everywhere on me then, one sliding beneath my short jersey where it stopped just

under the swell of my breast and his thumb began sliding over my nipple making me shiver. His other
handsliddowntocupmybutt,jerkingmehardintohishipsashegroanedintomymouth.

Itoogotcaughtupinthekiss,mylegcurlingaroundthebackofoneofhis,myhandsgoinguptowhere

myfingersthreadedintohishair,tugging,holdinghimtightertome.Iwassolosttohim,solostin him,
that when he suddenly tore his lips from mine, pulling back to look intensely down at me, and the
expressionIsawwasoneofalmostanguishcoveringhisface,Iwascompletelybaffled.

Uh.Whatintheworldwasgoingoninhishead?Oneminutehe’stellingmehe’swithme,whateverhe

meantbythat,andthenexthe’slookingatmeasifIwasthebiggestmistakehe’severmade.God.

HisdemeanorjarredmyfoggedbrainintoactionandIrememberedthenthatweneededtotalk.Ialso

rememberedthereasonIwasouthereinthefirstplacewhichwastopossiblycatchhimmakingoutwith
hisprofessor.Crap.

Iextractedmyselffromhisarms,droppingmyhands(andfoot)andsteppingtothesidetoputsome

spacebetweenus,thewholetimetryingtoevenoutmybreathing.Iswear,themanwastheembodimentof
sex itself, making me want him any time he touched me which was just unnerving. When I got myself

togethersomewhat,Iglanceduptoseethepainedlookstillonhisfaceasifheregrettedwhathadjust
happenedbetweenus.

“What?”Iwhisperedwithafrown.
He closed his eyes for several seconds then opened them before taking a deep breath. “It’s

complicated.”

“Yeah,”Ianswered.Hisheadcameupandhiseyesheldmine,regardingmeasifhewasafraidthatI

knew about his past, which I, of course, did, but he didn’t know that. “I don’t know what’s going on,
Gable.Youhaven’ttalkedtomeinfivedays.Andthenyoutellmeyou’rewithmebutdon’texplainit.
I’mnotsureIunderstand.”

Hebackedawayandwenttothestepstopickuphispackofcigarettes,gettingoneoutandlightingit.I

watchedashesuckedindeepthenblewoutthesmoke.

“I’mfuckedup,Scout.Screwedup,”heanswered,hiseyescuttingthroughmeashetookanotherdrag.

“Youweresmart,you’dleavemethefuckalone.”Hethenlookedawayashetookanotherhitfromhis
cigarette.

Ugh.SamethingHaydenhadsaidtomewhichhadbeenabigfuckingexcuse.AndnowIwaspissed.
“You know what? I hate when guys do shit like this,” I hissed, throwing my arms up. Gable’s head

cameupandhiseyespiercedmineasIcontinued.“Suckyouintotheirlivesthenfeedyouthatbullshit
line.That’safuckingcopout,Gable,andyouknowit.”Iglaredathim,angrythathe’dgonetothat.

Henarrowedhiseyes.“Oh,yeah?Hadthishappenbefore,haveyou?What,yourexcheatwithyour

bestfriend?Thentellyouhe’sfuckedup?Thatwhathappened?”

Inowscowledathim.We’donlytalkedaboutthisthroughemail,neverinperson,sonowIwassure

heknewwewerepenpals.“Yeah.Hadexactlythathappen,”Isnapped.

Hedidn’tevenflinch.Yep.Definitelyknew.Hetookonelastdragonhiscigarettebeforeflickingit

away.Thenafterexhalingthesmoke,hegazedatmeforamomentthentookadeepbreathinthroughhis
nose,blewitbackoutandtookasteptowardme.Wewerestillaboutthreefeetapartatthatpointbutthe
distance felt like miles. His eyes scanned my face and my hair as if he was trying to memorize what I
lookedlikethentheycamebacktomine.“Sofuckin’beautiful.Sofuckin’hardtoresist,”hemumbledas
heshookhishead.IstartedtotellhimnottoresistbuthespokebeforeIcould.“ButI’vegotshitgoin’on
andIcan’tdothisrightnow.”

IttookmeamomenttoprocessthatandwhenIdid,mybrowscamedown.Okay,eventhoughIknew

weweren’ttechnicallytogether,washesayinghewasbreakingupwithme?Buthe’djusttoldmehewas
withme!God!Hewassofrustrating!

“Ar—areyoutellingmewe’reover?”Iasked,mymouthinstantlydryandtearsstingingthebacksof

myeyes.

“NotfairformetoaskyoutowaituntilIgetshitsorted,so,yeah,IguessIam.”Hiseyes,voidofany

emotionatall,heldmine.

Oh,myGod.Washekiddingmerightnow?
Wow.Justfuckingwow.
Iopenedmymouthtorespondthenclosedit.Iopeneditonceagainandcloseditagain.Well,three

timesacharmandallthat,soIonceagainopenedit,butstillhavingnocluewhatI’dsayifIcould’ve
actually spoken, closed it one last time. Then keeping my eyes fixed to his and seeing that he wasn’t
budgingonwhathe’dsaid,Inoddedacoupletimes,stillreelingfromwhathadjusthappened,andunable
toholdthetearsback,stoodhumiliatedinfrontofhimastheyspilleddownmycheeks.

ThenIwalkedaway.

~*~*~*~

Thenextpartwascarriedoutinazombifiedstate:
Iwentinsidethebar,foundJack,toldhimIdidn’tfeelwellandneededtoleave.WhenIgothisokay,I

clockedout,walkedoutside,gotinmycaranddrovehome.

Atmyapartment,Iwentinside,wenttomybedroom,gotachangeofclothes,wenttothebathroom,

tookashower,dressed,brushedmyteeth,wenttomybedroom,gotinbedandfellasleep.

WhenIawokethenextmorning,IknewI’dbeenonsomeseriousautopilotthenightbeforebecauseI

waspuzzledathowI’dgottenintobedmuchlessgottenhome.

Weird.
After lying there staring at the ceiling for a while, I got up and went to the kitchen to get breakfast

seeingAmysittingatthetableinherusual“Ihatemorning”positionassheatehercereal.Iwalkedtothe
counter,grabbedthebagofbagels,gotoneout,pulledaknifeoutofthedrawertocutitintwo,putthe
otherhalfbackinthebag,twistedthebagshutthendroppedtheotherhalfintothetoaster.

Jeez.Iwasstillinzombiemode.
“Youokay?”AmymumbledasIpushedthebuttondownonthetoaster.
Iturnedandleanedmybuttagainstthecounter.“Yeah.Why?”
Shelookedatmethroughnarrowedeyes.“You’restillmovinglikearobot.Isaidhitoyoulastnight

whenyoucameinbutyouactedlikeyoudidn’thearmeorevenknowIwasthere,and,likeWALL-Eor
someshit,youdidyournightlyroutinethenwenttobedwithoutevenacknowledgingme.So,again,you
okay?”

My eyes dropped to the floor and what had happened between Gable and me finally hit. My eyes

tearedupandIlookedupather.“No,Idon’tthinkIam.”

“Oh,sweetie,what’swrong?”sheasked,pushingawayfromthetableandstandingcomingovertome.
Ilookedatherasatearmadeitswaydownmycheek.“Gablesaidwe’reover.”Andthat’swhenit

reallyhitmeandIhiccuppedoutasobasthetearscameoneaftertheother.

“Oh,honey,I’msorry,”Amywhisperedandtookmeinherarms,lettingmecryonhershoulder.
TherewasaknockatthedoorthenIheardakeyintheknobandBodhimadehiswayinside.
“JustgotoffworkandI’mstarv—”hestartedthenIheardhimask,“What’sgoingon?”
IpulledmyheadawayfromAmyandlookedupathimnotabletocontainthechokedsobthatcameout

andthenhewasthere,takingmeintohisarmsandlettingmecryagainsthischest.Herubbedhishand
overmybackseveraltimeswhisperingsweetthingstomeasIclutchedhist-shirtwithmyfists.

WhenIwascriedout,IbroughtmyheadbacktolookupathimandIknewfromthelookonhisface

thatAmyhadcommunicatedtohimsomehowwhathadhappened.

“It’sgonnabeokay,Scout.Promise,”hesaidlookingdownatmewithasmallsmile.
Inoddedasanothertearslippedout.AmyhandedmeanapkinandIusedittowipemyeyesthennose.
“I—Ifeellikeanidiot,”Itoldthem.“Iknewhe’dhurtme.”
BodhiusheredmeovertositinachairatthetableandAmybroughtmeafreshlytoastedbagelthat

she’dputgrapejellyon,placingtheplateandaglassoforangejuiceinfrontofme.

“Thankyou,”Imumbled,staringatmybreakfastknowingI’dlostmyappetite.
Theybothsatdownatthetablewithme.
“Whathappened?”Bodhiasked,eatingwhatIwasprettysurewasthefirstbagelI’dputintotoast.
Isighedthentoldthemwhat’dhappenedandafterwardwesatinsilenceforafewminutes.
“Hedidn’tbreakupwithyou,”Bodhifinallysaidmakingmyheadjerkuptolookathim.
“What?”Iasked.
“Imean,hetoldyouhehadtoworkthroughsomethings,right?”
Inodded.

“Hedidn’tbreakupwithyou,”herepeated.
“Sowhenhesaidwe’reoverhewasjustkidding,”Isaidsarcastically.
“Hisbrothertoldyouaboutwhathadhappenedtohim,”Amyremindedme.“SoIthinkBodhi’sright.I

mean,hemayhavesaidyou’reover,butIdon’tthinkhemeantit.Fromwhatyou’vetoldus,prettysure
he’stotallyintoyou.”

“What?”Iaskedincredulously.“MayIremindyouthathefuckingbrokethingsoff!”
“Yeah,butIdon’tthinkhemeantto,”Bodhithrewoutthere.
“Youguysaredelusional,”Imumbled.
“You’restillgoingtothepartytonight,”Amystated.“Youcanconfronthimthere.”
Oh,shit!Theparty.Oh,hellno.
“No!Ican’tgo!”Idroppedmyheadintomyhandwithagroan.
“Oh,you’regoing,allright,”Bodhisaid.“Andyou’regonnaknockhimdeadwithhowhotyoulook.

He’llchangehistuneafterthat.”

Ishookmyhead.NowaywasIgoing.Noway.
“We’llberighttherewithyou,Scout.It’sallgonnaworkout,”Amyadded.
Sureitwould.I’dfindhimattheparty,tellhimIwashispenpal,he’dtellmehehatedliars,andeven

thoughmydearfriendsweretryingtoconvincemethatGableandIweren’tover,whenItoldhim,we’d
bereallyoverandthat’dbetheendofthat.

Soundedlikeloadsoffun.
Icouldn’twait.

*WeekTen—Partynight*

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tonight

Date :

October31,9:02a.m.

To:

9565876

[e-mail]

Six,
Can’twaittoseeyoutonight.I’llbetheonedressedasArrowinallblack,hoodedjacketandjeanswithabowandquiverandamask,of

course.I’llbetherearound9.Don’tknowifyou’vebeenintheSigEps’housebefore,butwhenyouwalkin,gotoyourleft.I’llbewaitingin
thehallwaybythekitchenbar.

Seeyousoon.

xx

MystomachflippedwhenIreadGable’semailthatmorning.IfAmyhadn’tbeenrighttherewhenmy

phonedinged,Iwould’vewrittenbackandtoldhimIwasn’tcoming.Butshewasandshegrabbedmy
phoneandansweredforme.
______________________________________

From:

9565876<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Tonight

Date :

October31,9:04a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

I’llbethere.

Andthatwasthat.

~*~*~*~

Iwenttomyclassesthatmorning,thankingGodthatIdidn’trunintoGableandnowhereIwasgetting

readyforthestupidpartythatneitherBodhinorAmywouldletmegetoutof.Thegoodthingwas,they’d
pliedmewithalcoholsoIwasn’tnearlyasnervousasIthoughtI’dbe.

When Amy and I walked into the living room, Bodhi let out a loud wolf whistle then exclaimed,

“Damn!You’llbethehottestchicksthere!”

Ihadtoadmit,wedidlookgood.AmyhadonherCatwomanoutfitthatwasskintight,andshelooked

sexyashell.Ihadonmylingeriealongwiththefour-inchblackstilettosI’dboughtandtherobecovering
itall.I’dpoufedmyhairbigwithlotsofbigcurlsanddonemymakeupdramatic,givingmyselfsmokycat
eyes with eyeliner even though they’d be mostly covered with my mask. I’d borrowed Amy’s scarlet
lipstick so we matched and that topped off my outfit. Then we’d sprayed the adhesive to my mask and
pressedittomyfaceandIwasready.

“Notlookingsobadyourself,”Amyreplied.
Bodhi’sZorrocostumedidlookgoodonhim.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Antonio Banderas was in my living room right now,” I stated

withagiggle,thevodkaI’dbeendrinkinghavingloosenedmeupquiteabit.

“Okay, enough with the booze,” Amy said, taking the glass out of my hands. “Ready?” she asked,

lookingcloselyatme.

Isighed.“AsI’lleverbe.”
“Let’sgooverthegameplanagain,”Bodhirepeatedforthefiftiethtime.

“Ithinkwe’vegotitdown,”Igriped.“Wegoin,wegetadrink,IfindGable,ItellhimwhoIam,ifI

needyourhelp,Iwaveatyouandyoucomeoverandgetmethehelloutofthere.DoIhaveitright?”I
raisedaneyebrowatBodhi.

“Youdo.Allright.Let’sdothis,”hemutteredandwelefttheapartment,piledintoAmy’sMazdaSUV

andheadedtotheparty.

~*~*~*~

I don’t know if I’d ever been brave before, but as we walked inside the frat house, I felt like a

goddamnedheroforevenshowingup.

Iknowthatsoundsstupid,butthatshitwasscary.EventhoughIwasabittipsy(I’dsnuckthefifthof

vodka with me in my robe pocket and had a few hits on the way over from where I sat alone in the
backseat)Icouldstillfeelmyheartinmythroat.

ButIwassogladmyfriendswerewithmebecausewithoutthem,IthinkthisbraverygigIhadgoing

on would’ve backfired the minute I got out of the vehicle. As it was, being sandwiched between Amy,
wholedtheway,andBodhiwhowasatmyback,Iwasdoingprettywell.

“Drink,”Amydirectedoncewewereinside,havingtoyellthisovertheloudlythumpingmusicthat

wasplaying,andIfollowedherthroughthecrowdtoacornerwhereseveralguysweremanningakeg.

SincebeerhadmademyshitlistwhenI’dgottendrunkseveralweeksago,Ibypassedthecupthatwas

offeredmeandpulledoutthevodkabottleinstead.

“Areyoushittingme?”Amysnappedwhenshesawitandtriedgrabbingitfromme.
“Justonemore,”Iexplained,thentookahugegulpandgladlyhandedherwhatremained.
“Don’tgetsloppy,”sherespondedbutIcouldseeshesympathizedwithme.
“There he is,” Bodhi said, his tall frame making him head and shoulders above everyone else and

helpinghimseeoverthecrowd.Ilookedupathimandhenoddedtowardhisleft.Iknowhesawthefear
inmyeyesbecausehegrabbedmyhandandsqueezedit.“You’llbefine.”

“Youwill,”Amyagreedwithanodthenputherhandtothemiddleofmybackandgavemeasmall

pushinthedirectionBodhihadbeenlooking.

WhenIturnedandlookedatbothofthem,AmysmiledwithanodandBodhigavemeathumbsup,then

IcontinuedonmywaytowhereIknewGablewouldbe.

Ipushedmywaythroughthecrowdcatchingseveralguysgivingmeappreciativeleers,andoneeven

stopped me to ask for my number, which oddly gave me the confidence to stay the course and talk to
Gable. I won’t mention the guy who tried to feel me up in between the confidence-building I was
receiving, but anyway, as I made my way over, I saw through the throng of partygoers Gable standing
where he said he would be, talking to two girls who were dressed like Playboy Bunnies. One was
rubbingherselfalloverhimandInoticedthathewasn’tdenyingherthecontact.Jerk.Andthisgaveme
evenmoreconfidencetoconfronthimbecauseI’dhadenoughofhisshit.Hewasacheaterandajerkand
abastardandIwasdonewithhim.Thismayhavebeenthealcoholtalking,butatthatpointintime,Iwas
finishedwithhishotterthanhotassholishself.ItmayhavehelpedtoowhenIturnedandtiptoeduptosee
Bodhiwatchingmefromacrosstheroomgivingmeanod.

I stood at the fringe of the revelers waiting for Gable to finish talking with the Playmates and was

somewhatimpressedwithhiscostume.Hehadonablack,leatherjacketthatwastightenoughthatanyone
couldseethathewasbuffunderneathit,theblackhoodonhisheadmakinghimlookalittlesinisterand
the mask he wore doing a good job of disguising his identity. He wore black jeans and black military-
stylebootsandofcourse,thebowandaquiverstrappedonhisback.Ihatedtoadmitit,buthelooked
extremelysexyandIfeltmyconfidencewaiverabit.JustasIwasabouttoturnaroundandgobackto
Bodhi and Amy, I was bumped into by a very good looking guy (from what I could tell since he was

wearingamask)whowasdressedasafiremanandwhoimmediatelywrappedhisarmaroundmywaist
pullingmeintohisfront,andapologizingforrunningintome.Hehadgorgeouswhiteteethashesmiled
downatmeandIwasjustabouttoaskhisnamewhenIfeltsomeonegrabmyhandandyankmeawaynot
onlyfromhimbutfromtheslewofcelebrantsthatsurroundedme.

“Six.It’syou,”Gablemutteredashestillheldmyhandbutlookedmeoverfromheadtotoe.“Fuck…

me…”hemumbled.

“In the flesh,” I replied, now feeling fairly bold at his reaction but also disappointed that he didn’t

know it was me. But the vodka swimming in my veins didn’t let me feel that way for long. No, it
emboldenedmeandIwasglad.SoI’dplayalongforabitbeforespoilingitallforhim.Whatever.

Hestaredatmeforamomentbeforehespokeagain.“MayI?”heaskedandIfrownednotsurewhathe

wanted.Whenhishandtuggedonthebeltofmyrobe,IknewhewantedtoseewhatIwore,andwhatthe
hell,IknewIlookedgood,soInodded.

Ilookeddowntowatchhimuntiemysashandsawhishandshakingabit.Hm.Hewasnervous.Good.

Andthatmademefeelevenmorefearless,asifIhadallthepowerherewhichwasawesome.

Whenhegotmybeltundone,heputhishandsinsidemyrobe,openingitwiththebacksashepushed

themouttoeachside.

“Holyfuck,”hemutteredashesawwhatIwaswearing.“JesusChrist,Six.You’refuckingstunning.”
Ismirkedathimknowinghe’dnevergettoexperienceallthestunningthatcamewithme,whichwasa

weirdthought,buthello,vodka.

Then his hands slid all the way inside to the back of my waist and he pulled me into him hard,

surprisingthehelloutofme.

“Wannafuckyou,Six.Damn.IthinkImightbeinlovewithyou,”hewhisperedintomyear.
And,oh,God,Iwantedthatsobadly,wantedhimtowantme,wantedhimtobeinlovewithmethatall

mysenseswentontheblinkandIwhisperedback,“Thenhaveme.”

Hesteppedbackandlookeddownatme,hiswhiskeyeyesbehindhismaskpenetratingminemaking

mesuckinabreathatthelustIsawthere.Dang.

“Come with me,” he said, taking my hand and pulling me down the hallway into a darkened room,

closingthedoorbehindus.Thenhewasthere,rightthere,hismouthcrashingdownonmine,hishands
inside my robe, one gliding around my waist where he held fast, the other sliding up the front of my
bustiertocupmybreast.

AndIlovedit.Lovedeverybitofit.
My hands went up and pushed his hood down then my fingers folded into the hair at the back of his

head,tugging,pulling,wrenchinghimtightertomemakinghimgroanintomymouth.ThenIlosthismouth
ashemoveditalongmyjaw,tomyneckwherehenippedatme,makingmeshiveragainsthim.Hishands
thenmoveduptomyshoulderspushingmyrobedownthemandoffwhereitflutteredtothefloor.

Icouldn’tseehisface,onlyhisoutlinefromwherehestood,butIknewhe’dtakenoffhismask.He

thenunzippedhisjacketandtosseditonthefloorbehindhimandthenIhadhimback,hismouthcovering
mineagain,histonguefindingmine,twistingwithitandmakingmemoan.God,hefeltsogoodpressed
againstme,hisbodysohardeverywhereandIfoundmyselfpullingatthet-shirthewore,tuggingitoutof
hisjeansthenpullingitandhishoodieupoverhisheadandoff.Mylipswenttohischest,lickingover
whatIknewwerenumeroustattoosthatIwishedIcouldseeandaskhimabout,butitwastoodark,of
course, and what was now happening between us was too frantic, too hot and I was going to take all I
couldinthatmoment.Agutturalsoundescapedhismouthwhenmyhanddroppeddowntobrushoverhis
chiseledabsatthesametimemytonguegrazedoverhisnipple.Thenhe’dhadenoughofmyperusalof
hisbodyandwasbackincontrol,hismouthandhandsbackonme,seekingtogivemeasmuchpleasure

as they could. He kissed the swell of my breasts as one hand slid to the back to cup my butt, the other
runningdownmybellytobetweenmylegswherehecurledhisfingersovermemakingmesquirmagainst
him,mystomachflipfloppingatthesametime.

“Alreadyfuckingwetforme,”hesaidhoarselyasheslippedafingerundermypantiestomoveslowly

throughtheslickness.Whenhisfingerenteredme,Idugmineintohisshouldersandmyheadwentback
againstthedoorasIgasped.

“Oh, God,” I breathed out, feeling my insides tightening as I headed toward a climax, his finger

continuingtomoveinside,histhumbcircling,bringingmecloser.

Thenhishandwasgonemakingmewhimperinprotest,butthenhepickedmeup,carryingmetothe

bedandsettingmedownonitwherehekneltinfrontofme,removingmyshoesthenranhishandsupmy
legsovermystockingsandtomywaisttodrawmypantiesdownmylegsslowly.

“You’reperfect,”heraspedashestood,watchingmeasheunbuttonedhisjeansthenpushingthemand

hisboxerbriefsdownandoffbeforeclimbingontothebedandpinningmebeneathhimsothathewas
cradledagainstmybodybetweenmylegs,hisweightonhisforearmsashegazeddownatme.Ifelthim
hardagainstmypelvisandmyhipstiltedupinvoluntarilycausingusbothtohissatthefrictionitcreated.

Therewasasmallamountoflightcominginthroughtheblindsofthewindow,soIcouldseehisfacea

bitalthoughmostofitwasinshadows,butonitIsawanexpressionofpuredesireasifhecravedme,
longedforme,hiseyesburningintomine.

Oh,myGod.
Thenhislipscamedowntokissme,anditwassosweet,sosoftthatIwantedtocry.
“Make love to me, please,” I begged shamelessly against his lips, so ready for him, tired of having

waitedsolongforthis,wantinghiminsidemenow.Now.

HereachedforhisjeanstogetacondomandIheardittearthenhewasrestingbetweenmylegsagain

lookingdownatmewithhungerinhiseyes.

“Been wanting this for so long,” he whispered, echoing my thoughts exactly, then he slid inside me

smoothly. The moment he filled me I grasped his biceps, then cried out, coming instantly. “Baby,” he
groanedashestartedmoving,fillingmesofullyeachtimeheenteredmemakingmyneckarchasIgasped
athowgoodhefelt.

Hemovedinandoutofmeslowly,thrustinginlanguidly,hiseyesholdingminethewholetime.“You

feelsofuckinggood,baby.Beendreamingofthiseverynight,”hesaidhuskily,hisheaddippingdownto
brushmylipswithhisashishipsrolledintomineoverandoveragain.

Hemovedhishandsundermybottomandtiltedmyhipstohisasheincreasedhispace,goingdeeper

witheachthrust,makingmybreathcatcheachtimeheburiedhimselfinside.Oh,my.

“So tight, ah, fuck,” he mumbled as he continued pumping inside me, burying himself to the root on

eachdriveforward.

And,God,thiswasperfect.ItwaseverythingI’ddreamedit’dbe.AndIlovedhim.Godhelpme,butI

lovedhim.

Hishandsmovedfromundermethenfoundmine,andlacinghisfingerswithmine,hepulledmyarms

over my head where he pressed my hands into the pillow as the weight of his body covered me as he
continuedslidinginandoutofme,makingmybackarcheachtimehemovedinside.

“Fuckinglovethis…”hewhispered,hisbreathhotatmyear.“Wantedyouforever.”
“Oh,God,”Igaspedas,holyshit,Ifeltanotherclimaxbuilding,anditwasgoingtobebig.
“Ifeelyou,baby,”hemumbled,hismouthpressedtomyear.“Letitgo,Priss.”
“Oh…my…God…”Ibreathedout.“Ohmigod,ohmigod,ohmigod!”AndIwasthere.Anditwasbig.

Myentirebodylockingupasthewavesofmyorgasmshotthroughmeinwhitehotboltsofheatthat

searedmyveinsmakingmytoescurl,big.Feetpushingoffthebed,bodyarchingupasIcriedout,big.
Holyfrickingfrick.

WhenIfloatedbackinsidemyself,itwasthenIrealizedGablehadcalledmePriss.Hedidknowit

wasme.Oh,thankGod.Tearsofreliefrolleddownthesidesofmyface,andIwassoelatedthatitwas
mehewanted,mehe’ddreamedabout,thatthebeautyofitmademegaspoutasobofsheerhappiness.It
feltliketheweightoftheworldhadbeenliftedfrommyshoulders.

Iburiedmyfaceinhisneckandmurmured,“Gable,”kissinghimsoftlythereandfelthimtenseagainst

meandhestilledhismovements.Butafterabeat,hepulledhisheadbackandlookeddownatme,his
face still covered in shadow so I couldn’t see his expression, but I just knew it had to be filled with
warmthbecauseIsensedit,literallyfeltinmybonesandIknewthatthiswaswherewe’dbeenheaded
the entire time. There was nothing between us now. No secrets. No lies. We were where we were
supposedtobe.

Anditwasheaven.
Heleaneddownandtouchedhismouthtominethenstartedmovinginsidemeagain,slowandeasy,

watchingme,thedeliciousfrictionofhisthrustsstirringmybodyagain,thesensationgrowingwitheach
roll of his hips. As he raced toward his own release, he started pumping more powerfully, faster, his
hands clasping mine hard, pressing them deeper into the pillow, his body gliding against mine urgently,
buildingthetensioninsidemeuntilIcriedoutwithmyclimax.

His wasn’t far behind as he surged forward with several jarring thrusts before groaning out a curse

withhisreleasethenhisbodydropped,coveringmineasItrembledbeneathhim.

Oh…my.
Webothlaytherebreathingheavily,therhythmofourbreathsalmostintimewiththemusicblasting

fromoutsidethedoor.Heletmyhandsgoandroseuponhisforearms,bringinghisheadupandIcould
seehimsmilingdownatme,hisfacebathedintheglowofthestreetlightoutsidethewindowthenhislips
wereonmine,administeringamind-shatteringkiss.

“Be back,” he whispered, then got off the bed, a shadow walking toward the adjoining bathroom.

Whenhecameback,helaydownnexttome,pullingthecomforteroverusthenwrappinghisarmsaround
mepulledmybacktohisfronttightly,kissingmyneckafewtimesbeforehisheaddroppedandIheard
hisbreathingevenout.

Wow.IwasinbedwithGablePowerswhoI’djusthadsexwithandwhowasnowholdingmeinhis

arms.Themeheknewwashispenpal.Themehe’dwantedallalong.Andwithasmileonmyface,Itoo
driftedoff.

~*~*~*~

Ilaywithmyfaceturnedtothesideonthebed,myarmssplayedouttomysides,handsclutchingthe

sheet,onmykneeswithmyassintheairasGableheldmyhipsandpoundedmefrombehind.Anditwas
amazing.

Iwasn’tsurehowlongit’dbeensincewe’dfallenasleep,maybeanhour,butthenextthingIknew,I’d

beenawakenedbyGable’slipsbetweenmylegs.And,myGod,heknewexactlywhattodowiththose
lips.

“Oh,shit,”I’dwhisperedashedraggedhistongueovermyfoldsthenthrustitinsidemeashesucked,

licked,kissed.MyhandswerewrappedinhishairholdinghimtomeasIunabashedlytiltedmyhipsup
andIfelthimgrinagainstme.

“Likemeeatingyourpussy,”hemumbled.
I didn’t think he wanted an answer so I didn’t give him one which was fine because I was too busy

panting, loving what he was doing to me. I then felt his finger inside me and when he moved up and

suckedmyclitorisintohishot,wetmouth,thatwasallittookformetounravelrightthereinfrontofhim,
forhim.

Goodlord.
He’dpulledbackandflippedmearoundtomystomachandthat’swherewewerenow,himdrilling

insidemefrombehind,goingsodeepthatIwasmakingincoherentnoisesateachthrust,littlemewsof
pleasure.

He leaned over me, his hand going to one of my breasts, rolling my nipple between his thumb and

fingerandIfeltthequickeninginsidemeagain.

“Oh,myGod,”Iwhisperedbreathilywhenhishandmoveddownbetweenmylegsprimingmeforyet

anotherorgasm.

“Wantyoutocomeformeagain,”hemutteredinmyearashedroveintomerepeatedlyandIdidn’t

disappointasIexplodedaroundhim,myhandsgrippingthesheethard,myheadcomingupoffthebedas
Iscreamedoutmyrelease.

Holyshit.
Thenhisthrustsbecamemoreforceful,shallowerandIfelthimgorigidagainstmeashecame,hisarm

aroundmeclutchingmetightly,hisbreathonmybackhotandfast.Hefelltothesidetohisbackpulling
mewithhimandIlaywithmyheadonhisoutstretchedarmaswebothbreathedheavily.

“Jesus.Thatwasbeautiful,Six,”hesaidafteraminute.Hisheadturnedtowardmine,butitwasstill

so dark, I could only see an outline of his face. Then he leaned in and brushed my lips with his then
dislodgedhisarmfromunderneathmeandgotoutofbed.

Andthat’swhenmyheartseized.Six?WhywashecallingmeSixagain?IfrownedasIlaystaringat

thedarkenedceiling.Heknewitwasme.Heknewit.He’dcalledmePriss.He knew. So why was he
pretendinghedidn’t?

And, oh, God, I wanted to scream at him for that. I wanted to tell him I’d made a huge mistake, a

mammoth mistake by being with him. I wanted to tell him that he was a coward, that he was a craven
prickwhodidn’tdeserveme.

“It’s Scout,” I whispered, but he was already heading toward the adjoining bathroom to discard the

condom.

Thenthethoughthitmethatmaybehedidn’tknowitwasmeandthatmaybehe’donlybeenthinkingof

meashefuckedhispenpal,andhadcalled“her”thewrongname.

Andthatthoughtwasevenmoredistressing.
I saw his shadow move toward me as he came back and got in bed behind me, wrapping his arms

aroundmeagainandpullingmybacktohisfront.

“SweetestthingI’veeverhad,Six,”hebreathedintomyneck,givingmeasqueezewithhisarmsthen

hewasout.

Ilaytheretooshockedtowakehimandtellhimitwasme,hissteadybreathinglettingmeknowthathe

hadn’t a fucking care in the world while the lump in my throat was choking me as I lay there trying to
figureoutwhattodo.Wakehim?Leave?Punchhisfuckinglightsout?

Icouldn’tbelievehewasstillpretendingthathedidn’tknowitwasmeandIdidn’tunderstandwhy.

We’djustmadelove(twice)butthenhe’dactedasifIweresomeoneelse.

Oh,God.
IlaythereuntilIwassureIwouldn’tstartsobbing(orpunchhislightsout)thenmovedslowlyoutof

hisarms,stillcompletelystunnedathisdenial.WhenIsatup,Ifeltmybrowwrinkleasmylipstrembled
atthesobIwasholdingback,andIhadtobitemylipstoholditin.Igotoutofbedbendingtofeelaround

onthefloorformypanties.Uponfindingthem,Ipulledthemonthenlocatedmyrobe,coveringmyself
quickly,justwantingtogetthehelloutofthere.

Ifoundmyshoes,slippedthemonthenfledfromtheroom,dodgingdrunkencoedsalongtheway,and

madeitacrossthehallwaytotheempty(thankGod)bathroomIsaw.Onceinside,Istaredatmyselfinthe
mirror.

“Idiot,”Iwhisperedasasingletearwendeditswayovermymaskanddownmycheek.
God,I’djustsleptwithGable,theguyI’dfallenforsince,oh,whowasIfooling,sincepossiblythe

momentI’dlaideyesonhim,andthenhe’dgoneandactedasifhehadn’tknownitwasme.AndnowI
hatedhim.

Leavingthebathroom,IimmediatelysawBodhistandingtallinthesamespotwhereI’dmetGable,as

ifhe’dbeenwaitingforme,andIwenttohim,slammingmyselfintohimandwrappingmyarmsaround
hiswaistbecauseIknewthedamnedtearswerecoming.

“Hey,”hesaidafteramoment,pullingmychinuptolookathim.
“Weneedtogo,”Iansweredonasob.
Henoddedthenwrappedhisarmaroundme,pullingmetothedoorandoutintothebrisknight.We

didn’tspeakuntilwewereinAmy’sSUV.

“Amy’sstayingwithChad,”heexplainedandIfeltbadfornoteventhinkingaboutwhereshewas.He

heldmydoorformethenwentaroundtothedriver’ssideandoncein,startedtheSUV.Thenheturnedto
me.“Whathappened?”

“Idon’twannatalkaboutitrightnow.Please,Bodhi,justtakemehome,”Ianswered,stilltryingto

holdbackthetears.

Henoddedanddidn’tsayanotherword,justheldmyhandtheentirewaytomyapartment,squeezingit

reassuringlyacoupletimes.

HewalkedmeinsidethenaskedagainifIwantedtotalkwhichIdefinitelydidnotatthatmoment,not

wantingtoreliveeverythingsosoon.HetoldmehehadtogettoworkbuttocallifIneededanythingthen
kissedmyforeheadandhewasgone.

AndIwaslefttodealwiththeaftermathofwhathadhappened.
AndIwascompletelydevastated.

*WeekEleven*

I’m not going to say I wasn’t a mess after everything that happened because I was. But I was actually
proudofhowI’dhandledthingssofar.Well,kindof.

I mean, I’d only thrown and broken exactly one glass and one plate and I may also have broken the

recordinhowmanycusswordscouldbesaidinonesentence,knowingI’dhavegottenextrapointsfor
throwinginananimalortwowiththemwhenAmyandBodhihadheldaninterventiontwodaysafterthe
party,whichhadbeenSaturday.

I’dmopedaroundtheapartmentFridaynotspeakingtoeitherofthem,lockingmyselfinmyroomand

sleeping(isn’tthatwhatdepressedpeoplearesupposedtodo?),onlycomingouttousetherestroomor
getsomethingtodrinkandwhenIwassafelytuckedawayagainandeitherofthemknockedItoldthemto
goaway.ThiswentonuntilaroundoneintheafternoononSaturdaywhenAmyfinallytoldmethatifI
didn’tcomeoutandtalk,IleftherwithnootheroptionsbuttoA)callthefiredepartmenttoaxemydoor
down,B)callthelandlordandgetthekeytounlockmydoor,C)callChadtobringhisfriendsandhave
thembustmydoordownorD)alloftheabove.

Iwiselycameoutbeforeanyoutsidersbecameinvolved.
And now Bodhi was busy cleaning up the plate I’d thrown which made me feel horrible so I was

helpinghim.The glasshadbeen earlierandAmy hadtakencare ofit, butI’dbeen inahuge snit,soit
hadn’toccurredtometohelp.

“I’msorry,”IsaidasIsquattedonthekitchenfloorpickingupallthepieces.AndthatwaswhatIwas

doing,wasn’tit?Pickingupthepiecesofmyridiculouslovelife.

Afterwefinishedcleaningup,wesatatthetableandIexplainedtothemwhathadhappened.WhenI

finished,theybothstaredatmeinsilence.

“What?”Iaskedapprehensively.
“Wow,”Amysaidwithasigh.
“Yeah,”Bodhiechoedherbreathily.
Inarrowedmyeyeswaitingforthemtoexplain.
“Thatman’sallkindsofsexy,Scout.”ThiswasBodhicommenting.
Isatbackinmychairandcrossedmyarms.“That’snotthepoint,Bode!God!Didyouevenhearwhat

hedidafterward?”

Amysmackedhimhardonthearm.
“Hey!Whatwasthatfor?”hesnapped.
“We’resupposedtobehelpinghernotswooningoverMr.Hottieandhisbigdick.”Shelookedatme.

“Hisdickisaboveaverage,right?Imean,it’dspoilthewholeillusionifhe’snotpacking.”

“I’mgoingbacktomyroom,”Ihuffedandstartedtostand.
“No!We’resorry!”Amyresponded,grabbingmyarmandpullingmebackdowntosit.
IsatthensighedasIstaredatthetable.
“Sowhat’reyougonnado?”Bodhiquestioned.
“Idon’tknow,”Imumbled,lookingupatthem.
Amyfrowned.“Hashetexted?”
Ishookmyhead.“Hesaidwe’reover,remember?”

“Oh,yeah.”Thensheaskedsoftly,“Hasheemailed?”
Inoddedslowly,bitingmylips.
“And?”Bodhisaid.
Ifeltmythroatgettight.God.
“Honey,what’dhesay?”Amyaskedquietly,takingmyhandinhersandsqueezingit.
“HewantedtoknowwhyIleftwithouttellinghim.Thenhesaidhethoughthewasinlovewithme.”I

knewmyeyeswereshinywithunshedtearswhenIlookedatthem.

“That’sagoodthing,right?”Bodhioffered.
Iburstoutwithasob,“N—no!Hewrotethattohernotme!He’sinlovewithhispenpalnotme,”I

cried.

Amyhandedmeanapkin.“ButIthoughtyousaidhecalledyouPriss?”
I closed my eyes and nodded as the tears slid down my cheeks. “He did, but then he acted like he

didn’t know it was me.” I crossed my arms on the table in front of me and lay my head on them still
crying.“Idon’tknowwhattodo.”

TheyweresoquietIfinallylookeduptoseethemhavingasilentconversationwitheachother.
“What?”Iasked.
Amyclearedherthroat.“YesterdayeveningwhenIwasleavingforwork,Gableshoweduphere.”
“Wh-what?”Istammered,myeyesbigwithshock.“What’dhewant?”
“Hesaidheneededtotalktoyou,butI,uh,kindagripedhimoutbecauseIthoughthedidsomethingto

you,”Amyrepliedwithagrimace.Ijuststaredather.“Hetoldmetotellyouhecamebythenheleft.”

Ithoughtforasecondwonderingwhyhe’dcomebythenithitmeandIsuddenlyfeltlikeIneededto

throwup.“Oh,myGod,”Iwhisperedasmyvoicehitched.“Hewasprobablycomingtotellmehewasin
lovewithsomeoneelseandthat’swhyheendeditwithme.Like,toproperlybreakupwithme!”Ijumped
up from the table so quickly my chair fell over and ran to the bathroom, kneeling down in front of the
toiletandgagging.

Bodhi ran in behind me and took my hair in his hands. Amy came in behind him and sat on the tub

proceedingtorubmybackwhileIchokedoutbile.Ihadn’teateninalmosttwodays,sothatwasabonus
thatIwasn’tspewingaseven-coursemealoutinfrontofmyfriends.Whenmystomachfinallystopped
churning,Isatback,leaningagainstAmy’slegs.

“I’mgonnabeattheshitouttahim,”Bodhimuttered.“HemighthavemoremusclethanIdo,butIknow

peopleandtheycanfuckhimup.”

“No!”Icried,mortified,lookingupathim.“No.Ifhedoesn’tfeelanythingforme,th—that’snotgonna

changehismind.”

“He’sanidiotthen,”Bodhiretorted.
ItookadeepbreathandletitoutthenlookedbehindmeatAmythenbackatBodhi.“WhatamIgonna

do?”

Amyputherhandsundermyarmpitsandstoodpullingmeupwithher.Sheturnedmetolookather.

“You’re gonna hold your head high. Gable Powers is not the be-all, end-all, my gorgeous roomie. The
firsttimeyouseehim,it’llstingalittle,buteverydayafter,it’lljustgeteasierandeasier.”Shesmiledat
meandtuckedapieceofhairbehindmyear.“Andifthatdoesn’twork,Bodhi’llfindthosefriendsofhis
andthey’llmakeMr.Powerssorryheeverfuckedwithyou,okay?”

Well,thatwasn’tverysoothing,butIgaveherasmallsmileandnodded.
“That’smygirl,”Bodhisaid,takingmeinhisarmsforabighug.
God,theywerethebestfriendsever.

~*~*~*~

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Cinderella

Date :

November2,10:02p.m.

To:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Six…youran…why?
Pleasetalktome…
xx

~*~*~*~

IskippedclassesMondaynotwantingtorunintoGable.Icalledintoworkthatnightnotwantingtorun

intoGable.

Tuesdaymorning,IskippedclassesagainnotwantingtorunintoGableandTuesdaynightIcalledinto

workagainnotwantingtorunintoGable.

Andthiswentonallweek.
“I’macoward,”IsaidtonooneinparticularasBodhiandIsatonthecouchinmyapartmentwatching

amovieFridaynight.

“Iagree,”heanswered.
IsatstaringattheTVforaminutebeforethatsankinandIturnedmyheadtowardhim.“What?”
HeshruggedhisshoulderandInarrowedmyeyesathim.Whenhedidn’tsayanything,Ikeptstaring

knowinghe’dfinallycavewhichhedid.

“Look,Scout,Iunderstandthatyou’reupsetandall.Imean,Iwouldbetoo.Igetit.Butyoureallyare

beingacoward.”

Ikeptstaringathim.IknewIwasbutallIwantedwasforhimtosupportmenotagreewithme.
Hesighedandadjustedhisglassesthengrabbedoneofmysock-coveredfeetandstartedrubbingit.He

alwaysdidsomethingnicelikethatifhewasgoingtogivemebadnews,likethetimehegavemeaback
rubinthestudentcenterthentoldmehe’dcomeoverearlierandeatentherestoftheleftoverenchiladas
I’dmadethenightbeforewhenI’dbeencravingthemalldaylongandcouldn’twaittogethometohave
onefordinner.

“Ijustthinkit’stimeforyoutomoveon.”Hewentbacktowatchingwhatevermovieitwaswehadon.
Ilethimkeepmassagingmyfootbecauseitfeltgoodbutasked,“Andwhatdoesthatmean?IthinkI’m

allowedatleastaweektobeupsetoversleepingwiththeguyIwasmadlyinlovewithwhoendedupnot
wantingmebutmyalterego,Bodhi.”ThiscameoutalittlesnippilybutIwasrathertickedoffjustthen.
ButIknewhewasright.Iwasbeingabratandneededtosuckitupandstopbeingababy.

Hesighedagain.“Iknow.Buthere’sthedeal.Scout,you’refreakin’beautiful.Youcouldgetanyguy

youwanted.Ijustdon’twantyoutogethunguponsomeidiotwhodoesn’tappreciateyou,that’sall.”

“He’snotanidiot,”Imuttered.Man,IseriouslydidhaveitsobadforGable,somuchsothatIwas

stickingupforhimevenafterwhathadhappened.

“Ifhedumpedyou,heis.”

~*~*~*~

TextMessage—Sat,Nov9,11:34a.m.
Gable:Youaround?
TextMessage—Sat,Nov9,11:37a.m.
Gable:Ireallyneedtotalktoyou
TextMessage—Sat,Nov9,11:44a.m.
Gable:Scout,please
11:53a.m.

GableCalling
Shit.Ihitdeclineandwaitedtoseeifheleftavoicemail.Hedidn’t.Hecalledback.Ideclinedagain

andagainhecalledback.Thiswentonforanotherthreetimesbeforehefinallystopped.

TextMessage—Sat,Nov9,12:04p.m.
Gable:Imissyou.I’msorry…

*WeekTwelve*

MondaymorningIdecidedtogrowupandgotoclass.Hell,I’ddodgedGableoncampusbefore,Icould
doitagain.Besides,IhatedmissingeventhoughI’dcalledandgottenmyassignmentswhichI’dhandin
whenIgottomyclassesthatmorning.I’devenemailedfivemoviereviewstothenewspaperlastFriday,
sothatwastakencareof.

ImadesuretobelatetopsychasI’ddonebefore,soIcouldgetin,hearthelecture,takenotesthenbe

thefirsttoleavewhichIhopedworkedlikeacharmonceagain.Duringclass,Iavoidedlookingaround
the room for fear of seeing Gable, and once Dr. Horner was finished, I booked it the hell out of there
withoutrunningintohim.ThankGod.

Iwasscheduledtoworkthatnight,butI’dcalledNatalieonSaturdayandtradedforherearlyshiftthe

entireweek,havingtofillherinalittleonwhathadhappenedsoshe’dgivemeGable’sscheduleandI
couldsummarilyavoidhimatworktoo.Andthatworkedinmyfavortoo.Wow.Thingswerelookingup.

NowifonlyIcouldavoidhimfortherestofmylife,everythingwouldbefabulous.

~*~*~*~

Saturday,BodhicalledandaskedAmyandmetogooutwithhimthatnighttoapopularclubintown

becausehisstudygroupfromhisHistoryofAnthropologicalThoughtclasswasgoingandhethoughtit’d
“Domegood”togetout.Iseriouslyhadthebestfriendsintheworld.

SoIthought,whatthehell.Ididn’thavetoworkanditwasn’tlikeIwasbusyhavingasociallifeor

anything,soAmyandIgot“dolledup”(herwords),Iworemyskinnyjeanstuckedintomybrownriding
bootsandasparklyroyalbluetanktopunderacreamchiffonbuttondownshirt.Ididmyhairandmakeup
thesamewayI’ddoneitforthedreadedHalloweenparty,butI’dlikedhowit’dlookedthenso,again,
whatthehell.Amydressedsimilarly,lookinggreatasusual,andshewasexcitedbecauseshe’dcalled
Chadandhewasgoingtomeetherattheclublater.

Whenwewereready,wehadacoupletequilashotsfromthebottleBodhihadbroughtoverthenwe

all chipped in for a cab. When we got to the club, I showed the fake ID Amy had gotten me a month
before,althoughIknewmydadwouldpitchafitifhefoundout.Oh,well,Ididn’thaveaproblemwithit
because,college,asAmysaidandthatwasgoodenoughforme.

The place was packed with tons of coeds but we managed to find the table Bodhi’s group was

occupying and he introduced us to everyone, practically having to scream over the loud music, but that
wasfine.IneededsomeloudnesstodrownoutthethoughtsofGablethatIknewwouldinevitablysneak
uponmethroughouttheevening.Andsomeoftheguysinthegroupwerereallycute,andacouplehad
evenaskedmetodance,soIwashavingagreattime.

UntilIwasn’t.
We’d been there a couple hours when a guy named Dawson asked me to dance. We walked to the

crowdeddancefloorandIsmiledaswepassedAmywhogrinnedbackasshedancedwithChadwho’d
appearedanhourbefore.Amywasanamazingdancer,hergymnasticshavingaidedwithitI’msure,but
whenDawsonstarteddancing,Isawthathewascrazygoodasheproceededtoshowupeveryoneonthe
floor.Ifoundmyselfmostlywatchinghimandgrinningbecausehewasfantastic.Imean,peoplearoundus
wereevenwatchinghimandsomeevenclappedwhenthesongwasover.Wow.Thenaslowsongcame
onandInoticedDawsonlookingatmewithapoutyfacewhichmademelaugh.Heheldhisarmsoutto

me,soIsteppedintothem,raisingmyleftarmuptorestonhisrightshoulderashewrappedhisrightarm
aroundmywaistthentookmyrighthandinhisleft.

“You’rereallygood,”Isaidasweswayedtothesong.
“Thanks.”Hegrinned,flashinghisperfectlystraight,whiteteeth.“MommademetakelessonswhichI

hatedbecauseIplayedfootballandgotmadefunofonadailybasis.IfinallyputmyfootdownwhenI
wasfifteenbutthedamagewasalreadydone.”Hechuckledmakingmegiggle.

“Well,itdefinitelypaidoff,”Irepliedsmilingupathim.
“Ifitgetsmeadancewithabeautifulgirllikeyou,yeah,ithas,”hesaidwithawink.
Iblushedandduckedmyhead,andlookingofftothesidesawGablestaringrightatmefromashort

distanceaway.

Oh.My.Shit.
My head came up quickly and I saw that he was dancing with a beautiful brunette which made me

wheezeinadamnedbreath.

“I’ve got to go,” I choked out to Dawson then turned and ran off the floor, pushing my way through

coupleaftercouple.Ididn’tevengotothetablewhereBodhiwastolethimknowIwasleaving,justran
through the club to the front doors and out where I knew they had cabs waiting. I jumped in one and
breathlesslygavetheguymyaddressandwetookoff.

Dramatic?Yes.Necessary?Ithoughtso.
Iwasworkingoncalmingmyselfdownwhenmyphonestartedbuzzinginmybackpocket.Itwisted

myhipandpulleditouttoseethatGablewascalling.No.Nononono!Ihitdeclinethenpulledupatext
toAmyandBodhitoletthemknowI’dgoneandnottoworry.AfterI’dhitSend,myphonebuzzedagain
thatGablehadleftavoicemail.

God.
IletitgoandstaredoutthewindowasIwasdriventhroughthecitytomyapartmentthinkingitwas

funnyhowthelightslooksomuchprettierthroughtearyeyes.

WhenIgottotheapartment,I’dalreadymadeupmymindandheadeddirectlytomybedroomwhereI

pulledasuitcaseoutofmyclosetandbegantopack.

*WeekThirteen*

I’dendedupstayingatBodhi’sapartmentthatnight.SinceI’dbeendrinking,Ididn’twanttobeoutonthe
roadfortoolongandhisplacewasonlyfiveminutesaway,soI’dtextedhimtomakesureitwasokay.I
hadn’twantedtohangaroundmyplacefortoolongincaseGableshowedupbecauseIknewifhedid,I
probablywould’veendeduplettinghiminifnotjusttoscreamathim.SoI’dpackedquicklyandhadleft
inunderfifteenminutes.

Bodhihadtoldmehisroommate,Grant,wouldbethere,buthe’dbeenasleepwhenI’dgotteninand

hewasaniceguy,soIknewhewouldn’thavemindedanyway.I’dgonerighttoBodhi’sroomandpassed
outonhisbed.

Thenextmorning,I’dawakenedwhensomethingwasticklingmynose,andafterswattingatitseveral

times,IfinallyopenedmyeyestoseeBodhilyingnexttomegrinningandholdingthepenhe’dbeenusing
totouchmynosewithtryingtogetmetowakeup.

“Youjerk,”I’dsaidwithalaugh,smackinghimonthearmhearinghimchuckleasIgotoutofbedto

usehisbathroomtakingmybagwithmesoIcouldbrushmyteeth.I’dlainbackdownnexttohimwhenI
gotbacktohisroom.

“Before you texted that you were leaving last night, I knew something was going on because I saw

Gablerunningoffthedancefloortowardthefront,”heinformedme.

I closed my eyes. “He was dancing with some beautiful woman and I freaked. Am I ridiculous or

what?”

“Orwhat,”hesaidandwhenIopenedmyeyes,Isawhimsmilingsadlyatme.
“I pegged him from the start, Bode. He’s a player through and through but stupid me had to get all

caughtupinhim.”Iranahandovermyface,pullingmyhairbackintoamakeshiftponytailwiththeband
I’dputaroundmywrist.

“Lovemakesusdofunnythings,”hesaidwistfullymakingmefrownathim.“WhenIsawhimgoingto

thefront,Ifollowedhim.”

“Youdid?”
“Yeah. Some guy who looked just like him, so I’m assuming it was one of the other famous Powers

brothers, had come up and Gable started yelling at him, his arms flying all around looking like a crazy
man. After he was finished yelling, his brother said something back to him, and Gable just looked so
despondent,hanginghisheadlikehe’djustlosthisbestfriend.Icouldn’thelpbutfeelsorryforhim.”

Isuckedinabreath.“Youknowhelosthisbestfriendyearsago.Ihatethathewasfeelinglikethat.”
“Youamazeme,Scout,”Bodhisaid,hiseyeswarmashelookedatme.
Ilookedathimlikehewasalunatic.
“You’resuchagoodperson.Andyoureallydolovehim.”
“Thatdoesn’tmakemeagoodperson.Itmakesmeafool,”Iwhispered.
Bodhishookhisheadslowly.“IsawGableleavenotlongafter.Alone.”
“Goodforhim,”Imutterednotknowingwhatelsetosay.
Wewereover.He’dtoldmethathimself.Thenhe’dmadelovetohispenpal,emailingherthathewas

inlovewithher.AndnomatterhowmuchIwantedtobelievethatheknewitwasme,Ihadtoletitgo.

BodhiandIhadlaininbedandtalkedforanotherthirtyminutesabouthowhisnighthadgoneatthe

club.He’dsaidhe’dmetacuteguyandgottenhisnumber,sothatwasgood.They’dmadeadateforthe
nextweekendandthatmademehappyforhim.HealsotoldmethatDawsonhadaskedformynumberbut
he hadn’t given it to him, thank God, because just what I needed was to pull someone else into the
freakingmadnessthatwasScoutPatterson’sidioticworld.We’dendedourconversationwithmetelling
himthatIwasgoinghometoStoneSprings.

Whenhe’daskedifIwascomingback,Ididn’thaveananswer.
After that, we got up and made pancakes eating mostly in silence. When we finished, I cleaned the

kitchenwhilehedressed,andwhenhecamebackin,hehandedmemybag,frowningatme.Ipromised
himI’dbeincontact,gavehimahugehugandleft.

AndnowhereIwas,backhome.
“Scout?”Iheardmydadcallfromthelivingroom.
“Yeah?”Iyelledbackbutgotnoresponse,soIgotupandwenttoseewhatheneeded.
“YouknowIdon’tcarryonconversationsfromanotherroom.”
Yep.Iknewthat.Sogreattobehome!
“Yeah,”Ianswered.
Mydadlookedatme,assessingmymood,Iguessed,thenhespoke.“YouupforhavingdinneratThe

Ranchtonight?”

The Ranch was a restaurant that my Aunt Hadley owned in town. She wasn’t really my aunt but had

beenmymom’sbestfriend,sothat’swhatmybrothersandIcalledher.

“Uh,yeah.Ihaven’thadawesomefoodinforever,”Ireplied.
“Thenit’sadate,”Dadsaid,smilingatmebeforegoingbacktoreadingthenewspaperheheldopenin

hishands.

Iwentbackupstairstomyroomandploppeddownonmybed,pickingupmyphoneoffmynightstand

andtextingAmybacksincewe’dbeeninterruptedwhenDadhadcalled.

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:25p.m.
Me:Back.DadandIaregonnaeatouttonight.Woohoo.You’vegottovisitheresoIcanshow

youaround…it’lltakealloffiveminuteslol

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:25p.m.
Amy: ha I’d love to see Stone Springs, Idaho sometime. I’ll add it to my Places I’d Never Visit

UnlessIWasBoredtoFriggin’Tearslist;)

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:26p.m.
Me:haExactly.Soanythingnewgoingon?
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:26p.m.
Amy:Gotanewasstmgratwork.She’sprettycool.Didn’tmakemecleantheicecreammachine

lastnight,sothat’saplus

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:26p.m.
Me:Awesome.Senioritypaysoff,huh?
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:27p.m.
Amy:Yeah,untilIworkwithsomeonewhohasseniorityovermeandshemakesmedoitugh
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:27p.m.
Me: ha yeah. So I called the university and told them I had an emergency at home and they’re

allowingmetomakeupeverything.I’llprobablycomebacktheweekafterThanksgivingjsyk

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:28p.m.
Amy:Good.Youneedtocomeback.Imissyou.Bodhimissesyou:(

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:28p.m.
Me:Imissyouguystoo.Oddly,Imissmyclasses,evenDr.Rippy’stantalizinglecturesinpoli-sci

abouthowexcitingtheColdWarwas…

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:29p.m.
Amy:I’msureheholdsyouspellbound
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:29p.m.
Me:Mostdefinitely
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:30p.m.
Amy:Okay,let’saddresstheelephantintheroom
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:30p.m.
Me:Hello,elephant
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:31p.m.
Amy:YouknowwhatImean…grrrr
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:31p.m.
Me:haha
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:31p.m.
Amy:So?
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:32p.m.
Me:There’snothingtoaddress…it’sover…Imean,he’stheonewhocalleditoff
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:33p.m.
Amy: Scout. He’s come by three times. He stalked me all the way across campus the other day

justtoaskhowyouwere.Ifhehadmy#I’msurehe’dcellstalkmetoo

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:33p.m.
Me:Idon’tknowwhattotellyou
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:34p.m.
Amy:Justtalktohimjeez
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:34p.m.
Me: For what? To hear him, once again, tell me how we’re over? Or that he’s in love with

someoneelse?Idon’tneedtobereminded.

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:35p.m.
Amy:Youareonestubbornasswoman#$%^*@
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:35p.m.
Me:Areyousymbolicallycussingmeout?
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:36p.m.
Amy:Icandotherealdealifyouwant.AllI’msayingisgivehimachance.Iknowhe’sbeen

calling/texting/emailingyou,hasn’the?

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:36p.m.
Me:Yep
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:36p.m.
Amy:Andwhat’shesaid?
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:36p.m.
Me:Idon’tknow.Ideletethemall
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:37p.m.
Amy:Stubborn.Ass.Woman.Jesus
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:37p.m.

Me:Bleeding.Heart.Woman.Who.Thinks.Because.She’s.In.Love.Everyone.Needs.To.Be.
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:38p.m.
Amy:Iknow.Isn’titgreat?:P
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:38p.m.
Me:Itis.I’mreallyhappyforyouguys
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:39p.m.
Amy:Thanks.Ireallydolovehim.He’sdefinitelymynextex-boyfriend
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:39p.m.
Me:lolyou’resobad.Whoknows,thingsworkout,hecouldbeyourfirstex-husband;)
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:39p.m.
Amy:Gah!That’dbesocool!
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:40p.m.
Me: It would lol You crack me up :D K, I’d better go get ready. Dad thinks dinner’s at 4. Of

coursehegetsupat4amsoyeah.Loveyou.GiveBodhiabigsmoochfromme!

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:40p.m.
Amy:Farmers…ick…Okay.Loveyoutoo.I’mnotkissingsomeonewhostillthinksPlutoisa

planet…notevenforyou…

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:41p.m.
Me:Damn.Talklaterxo
TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:41p.m.
Amy:xo
IsetmyphonedownandgotuptogetreadyhavingnotbeenkiddingaboutDadeatingdinnerthatearly.

BeforeIgottomydoor,Iheardmyphonebuzzagainandwentbacktopickitup.

TextMessage—Tues,Nov19,2:42p.m.
Amy:p.s.giveGableachance…xo
Uh,yeah.Nothappeninginthislifetime.

*WeekFourteen*

The next week passed slowly but I made the most of it, catching up on homework and emailing
assignmentstomyprofessors.

One afternoon when I’d been extremely bored, all caught up on classwork, Amy was working and

Bodhiwasn’tansweringhistextsandDadhadnothingformetodo,I’dfinallylistenedtothevoicemail
Gablehadsent.It’dtakenmetenminutesofstaringattheunheardmessageonmyphonethenanotherten
tryingtothinkofsomethingelsetodo,anything,beforefinallyplayingit.

Scout,it’sme.
AndIclickeditoff.
God.
God!
I couldn’t do it, so I set my phone on the nightstand and opened the drawer, pulling out the tattered

vampireromancebookI’dreadinhighschoolofwhichI’dearmarkedthepagesthathadallthehotsex
scenes on them and that book was earmarked to death. That kept me occupied (and more than a little
horny)forthenextcouplehoursuntilitwastimetomakedinner.

~*~*~*~

WhenI’dgonetodinneratTheRanchwithDadtheweekbefore,I’drunintoSarahRuddwho’dbeen

co-captainwithmeoursenioryearinbasketball.ShewasnowattendingGonzagaandmajoringinsports
medicine.Beforeshe’dlefttherestaurant,she’dgottenmynumberandsaidshe’dgetholdofafewofour
fellowclassmatesthatsheknewwereintownforThanksgivingandwecouldallmeetup.

SothenextnightIwentouttotheonlybarintown,TheLiquorLounge(wheretheownerneverID’d

anyone),meetingupwithseveralfriendsfromhighschoolwhoIhadn’tseensincegraduating.

“Scout!”SarahcalledoutwhenIwalkedin.
Igaveherahugehugthenmadetheroundsdoingthesamewitheveryoneelse.
JordanCummingshadbeenthebeautyqueenofourclassandwasnowmodelingforseveraldifferent

clothingchainsaswellastakingcollegeclassesonline,Wink(yes,Wink)Robertswho’dtakentechnical
classes our junior and senior years was now working as a diesel mechanic for a large farm equipment
company,BradyCalhounhadgottenafootballscholarshipatOregonandhadflownhomeforadaybefore
hehadtogobackforpracticeandthenthebiggamewithOregonStatethatweekend,andfinallyPorter
TaylorwashomefromPrincetonwherehe’dreceivedaboutamillionacademicscholarshipsbecausethe
guywasafriggin’geniusandhadledouracademicteamtothestatechampionshiptwoyearsinarow.

We’dhadablastrelivingoldtimes,practicallydrinkingourweightinalcoholandlaughingourselves

sickatsomeoftheridiculousthingsthatwe’ddoneorthatourfellowclassmateshadattemptedduring
ourlastthreeyearstogether.

Whenwe’dleft,we’dallwishedBradygoodluckinthegameSaturdaythenexchangedphonenumbers

promisingtostayincontact.

The next afternoon I attempted listening to Gable’s voicemail again. I mean, gee, it’d only taken me

forty-eighthourstomakeanotherattempt.Notbad.SoIpulledupthevoicemailthenheldmybreathasI
clickedonit.

Scout, it’s me. Please listen. I’m an asshole. We really need to talk. Please call me. Please? I’m

sorryabouteverything.

Hm.
Well,thatwasn’tsobad.Actually,itwasn’tbadatall.Man,Imustreallyhavebeenmakingbigstrides

inthemendingofmymangledheart.

Sotoreviewhismessage:headmittedwasanasshole,goodtoknow,hewantedmetocallhim,not

gonnahappen,andhewassorry.Well,hecouldgotellittothebrunettehe’dbeendancingwithattheclub
forallIcared.

Yeah,Iknow,Iwasstillbeingababy,buthey,IfiguredIhadaboutonemorehourtopoutthenitwas

timetostartactinglikeamatureadultandmoveon.

~*~*~*~

“Holyshit,thisstuffingisgood,”Heathsaidashejammedanotherforkfulintohismouth.
“Thanks,”Ianswered.“It’sanewrecipeIfoundonline.It’smostlylikeMom’sbutthere’sacouple

morethingsaddedtoit.”Ismiledathim,happyheandHoldencouldmakeithometohaveThanksgiving
dinner with Dad and me. Heath had brought his new girlfriend, Jocelyn, and I loved her immediately
becausetheminutetheyarrived,she’dheadedstraighttothekitchentohelpmeprepareeverything.

I’dgottenupatsixthatmorningtoputtheturkeyintheovenandsmiledwhenI’dlookedoutthekitchen

windowtoseegreatbigfatsnowflakesfallinglazilyfromagraysky.I’dstayeduptohelpDadaroundthe
farmsome,feedingandwateringthehorsesthenhelpinghimtorepairafence.Goodtimes.Oncewe’d
gottenbackinside,thesnowhadstartedfallingprettyheavilyandwe’dworriedthatHeathandHolden
wouldn’t be able to make it, but they had. Holden had flown from Moscow, Idaho, down to Boise last
nightandstayedwithHeaththenallthreehadpiledintoHeath’sfour-wheel-drivepickuptruckanddriven
thefourandahalfhoursherewithoutanyincident,sothankfully,thesnowhadbeennoproblemforthem.

Aftereating,we’dsatatthetableforagoodhour,talkingaboutwhatwasgoingonineveryone’slives

andIrealizedhowmuchI’dmissedthem.Welaughedsomuchmystomachhurt,especiallywhenHolden
toldusabouthowhe’dgottenhiscasenotesmixedupduringamocktrial.Hesaidhe’dbeengoingonand
onduringhisopeningargumentabouthowhis(fake)defendanthadn’tcommittedthecrimeofpoisoning
the plaintiff’s prize-winning pot-belly pig when the trial had actually been in regard to a case where a
rather corpulent man was suing an airline for the size of their seats being too small and he hadn’t been
able to take the flight because he couldn’t sit comfortably. When Holden said that in his argument he’d
referredtothepigseveraltimesoversoit’dsoundedasifhe’dbeentalkingabouttheplaintiff,I’dabout
fallenoutofmychair,cryingwithlaughter.Oh,God,itwasjustwhatIneeded,tobewithmyfamilyand
forgetaboutalltheshitI’dbeendealingwith.

Afterward,everyonehelpedcleanupthentheyallwenttothelivingroomtowatchfootball.SinceI

wasn’tparticularlyinterestedinanyofthegamesthatHoldenwasswitchingchannelsbackandforthto,I
told Dad I was going to get the tractor and clear the drive. From his turkey coma I heard him mutter
(unnecessarily, I might add) for me to dress warmly and to watch the ditches on either side of the
driveway.Goodgrief.I’dclearedthedamnedthingforyears,butIyelledoutan“Okay!”throwinginan
eyerollasIputonmyparka,beanie,scarfandglovesandheadedtothebarn.Thetractorhadaheated
cab,soonceIgotinsideanditwarmedupIcouldtakemycoatoff,butinthethirtyyardsIhadtowalkto
gettothebarn,Iappreciatedthecoverage.

Whenthesnowhadstartedcomingdownearlier,DadandIhadattachedthesnowbladetothetractor

justincase,soonceIreachedthebarn,allIhadtodowasjumpinthecab,startthatsuckerupthengetto
clearing.Ourdrivewaywasprettylong,aroundatenthofamile,andIsmiledatthatknowingitwould
takeseveralsweepstoclearitall,whichwasfinebymebecauseIneededsomemindlessworktokeep

mybrainoccupied.Crankingtheradioalmostasloudasitwouldgo,Ibeganthemundanebutblissfulto
metaskofclearingthesnow.

Onmythirdpass,IwasrockingouttosomeSeetherwhenmyphonebuzzedinmypocket.Twistingin

myseat,Ipulleditfromthebackpocketofmyjeans...andalmostdroveintotheditchatwhatIread.

TextMessage—Thurs,Nov28,3:06p.m.
Gable:Youlookdamnsexydrivingthathugething.Sobadass,Priss
Holyshit.
Hewashere.Oh,myGod.Gablewasatmyhouse.InIdaho.OnThanksgiving.Andhewastextingme.
Holyshit.
MyheartseizedasIfrowneddownatmyphonenotknowingwhattodonext.ButIwasproudofhow

coolIwasbeingnothavingjerkedmyheaduptolookaroundtoseewherehewas.Nope,Ijustcontinued
drivingasifIhadn’tacareintheworld,althoughIdidtinkerwiththeideaofdoingjustthat,continuing
todriveuntilIhitthemainroadthenheadingtothehighwayandseeinghowfarIcouldgo,alaForrest
Gumpexceptfordrivingandnotrunning.Butsincethatwasn’treallyfeasible,Ikeptplayingitcool,even
thoughIwasone-hundredpercentfreakingoutontheinside.

MyphonebuzzedagainbutIignoredit,focusingonthetaskathand.God,Ididn’thavetimeforanyof

this.Iwasdoingagoodjobatgettingoverhim.Ididn’tneedhimbotheringme.Imean,hell,ifhewanted
tocomecleartoStoneSprings,Idaho,onThanksgivingtotextmethatwashisbusiness.Icouldjustas
easilynotrespondtohistextwhetherhewashereortenthousandmilesaway.

Iturnedaroundatthetopofthedrivenearestthehouseplanningtomakemywaybackdowntotheend

foronemorepasswhenIsawGableintheblackpickuptruckI’dfirstseenhiminandhewasrightinthe
middle of the road facing me and right in my way. Again, I toyed with an idea that really wasn’t
appropriate,butImustadmitthethoughtaboutdrivingthetractortowardhimandnotstoppingdidbringa
small smile to my face. But as it was, I sat there, he sat there and we had a visual standoff for a good
minute before he grinned at me. Ugh. He next pointed at his mouth then back at me letting me know he
wantedtotalktome.

Nope.Notgonnahappen.(YoumightrecallwhatI’dsaidearlieraboutthePattersonsbeingstubborn

andbullheaded.Well,thereyougo.)

So being a Patterson through and through, I put the tractor in reverse and moved back up the drive

towardthehouse,whileGable,ofcourse,followed.Situatingthetractorwithintenyardsofthehouse,I
stoppedit,shiftedtofirstandturnedofftheengine.ThenIjumpeddownfromthecabandtookoffrunning
forthefrontdoorofthehouse.

“Scout!”Gableyelledashejumpedoutofthetruck,runningafterme.
Iscreamedrightbeforehetackledmetothesnow-coveredgroundandwhenheturnedmetofacehim,

Ihissed,“Getoffme!”

“Notuntilwetalk,”hesnappedangrilyasheglareddownatme.
Iglaredrightbackathimwonderingwhyhefelthehadanyrighttobemadwhenhe’dclearlybeenthe

onetoscreweverythingup.AnditwasduringmyglaringthatIsawthat,damnit,heworeanolivegreen
beanieandnowhiminabeaniebecamemynewfavoritethingever.Shit.

Whenhedidn’tmoveoffme,Iscowledupathim,thankingthegoodlordthatI’dkeptmycoat,hat,

scarfandglovesonorI’dbefrozenbynowfromlyinginthefriggin’snow.

“Wegonnalieherealldayorwhat?”Isaidsnidely,myeyesgloweringintohis.
“Yougonnagivemeachancetotalk?”heasked,eyebrowraised.
“Sure,”Ilied.

HenarrowedhiseyesatmeprobablytryingtofigureoutifIwaslyingornotbutthentheidiotdecided

totrustmeandmovedoffme,standingandofferingahandtohelpmeupbutIwasalreadygone,running
towardthehouseandin,slammingthedoorandlockingit.

“Whatintheworld,”Dadaskedashesatupinhisrecliner.
“Thatguy’stryingtogetme!”IyelledatHeathandHoldenwhowereontheirfeetinaninstant,moving

tothefrontdoorquicklytoprotecttheirbabysisterfromwhoeverwastryingtogether.Holdenyanked
open the door and upon seeing Gable standing there, I shrieked, “Don’t let him in!” I got behind Dad’s
chair,holdingontoeithersideofthebackofithopingmybrotherswouldtellGableheneededtoleave.
Well, that or they’d beat the shit out of him for being such an asshole to me. Either worked. But now
they’dbothgoneoutsideontheporch,closingthedoorbehindthemandIstoodtheretryingtocatchmy
breath,waitingtoseewhattheyweregoingtodo.

And let me tell you, the disappointment, the betrayal I felt when I saw them both coming inside and

bringingGablewiththem,andnotinaWe’regonnakickthisguy’sassfortryingtogetyoukindofway,
hurtmyheartimmensely.God.Whetherthey’rerelatedtoyouornot,I’mtellingyou,youjustcan’ttrust
men.

DadhadsatquietlyashadJocelynwaitingalongwithmetoseehowthingswouldproceed,andwhen

I let out a huff and started to turn and stomp upstairs to my room, Dad moved lightning quick, both his
arms coming up to either side of his head and behind him grabbing my wrists that were on his chair
keepingmethere.

See?Youcannottrustmen!
“Dad!”Iprotestedtryingtoyankmywristsoutofhishands,butheonlyclampedontighter.
“What’sgoingonhere,Scout?”heaskedpullingmearoundtothesideofhischairandlookingupat

me,stillholdingontome.

Iscowledsonotwantingtodiscussmyfeelingswithmydad…ormybrothers…orJocelyn,whomI’d

justmet…orwithGablestandingrightthere!

“Nothing,”Imumbled.“He’sjustbeenharassingmeandneedstoleave.”IglaredatGablewhoselips

Isawtwitchasifhewastryingnottogrin.Ass.

DadlookedatGable.“Thattrue,youngman?”
Gableclearedhisthroat.“Well,yousee,sir,”hebegan,alwaystheman’sman,thebigjerk,“I’min

lovewithyourdaughter.”

Wait.
What?
WHAT!
“ButImessedupandhurther.”
Well,jeez,Gablesuredidn’thaveahardtimewithsharinghisfeelingsinfrontofeveryoneandallI

coulddowasstareathimincredulously.

“Andnowshecan’tseemtofindtimetohearmeoutorgetitintoherstubbornheadthatI’mhereto

apologizeforeverything,apologizeforactingasifIdidn’tknowshewaswhoIwaswriting.”

Holycow.Holycow!Headmittedheknewitwasme.Hefinallyadmittedit!Oh,myGod.
Dad looked up at me. “He telling the truth, Scout? You’ve not given this young man a chance to say

whathehastosay?”

IfrowneddownatmydadthenraisedmyheadglancingatbothHeathandHoldenwhowerelookingat

measifaterribleinjusticehadbeenperformedonmybehalfinmynothearingGableout.

Shit.Thelevelofcrazyinthehousehitanall-timepeak.
IlookedatGablewhosmirkedatmeknowinghe’dwonoverthecrowd.

Oh,myGod.
Okay.Well,twocouldplaythisgame.
“Firstofall,hehastattoos.Fullsleeves!”IinformedthemasIstaredatGable,mytonesoundinglike

he’dcommittedaseriouscrime.

I saw movement and looked over to see Heath rolling up his sleeve then gasped when I saw he had

inkworkstartedonhisarm.Holyshit.

“Wannatryagain?”Dadasked.
IhuffedbecauseallthewindhadbeenknockedoutofmysailsbutthenIrallied.“He’ssleptwithtons

ofgirls!Mostlyskankygirls!”Inoddedasifthiswouldputanendtothismadness.

“Scout,” Holden said making me turn his way. “You forgetting how many girlfriends I had in high

school?”HegrinnedatmewhenI’msuremyfacedropped.

I stood stunned at the epic betrayal my family was committing against me right now. And then I got

evenangrier.

“Are you guys serious right now? Why are you taking his side?” I screeched. And then to my

mortification,Ikeptgoing.“He…he…hesleptwithmethenactedasifhedidn’tknowitwasme!Then
hedancedwithanotherwomanrightinfrontofme!”

Theroomgotveryquiet.ThenIheardHoldensnortwhichmademeturnmyglareonhimatwhichhe

justgrinned.God!

“Scout,”Dadsaid,droppinghishandsfrommywrists,turninginhischairtoseememoreclearly.
Oh,lord.Iwasinseriousshitnowforlettingthatcatoutofthebag.
IlookeddownathimwithawincewaitingtohearhowI’dbegroundeduntilIwasatleastfifty.
Dadclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreaththenopenedthem,lookingupatme.“AlthoughIhatethe

ideaofmylittlegirlnotsavingherselfformarriage,”hepinnedmewithhissteelygrayeyesmakingme
bite my lip nervously. “I think I know you well enough that you’re not one of these skanks that you
mentionedandyou’donlygiveyourselftosomeoneyoucaredabout.”NowhiseyeslandedonGableand
Ihopedhewasgoingtolaydownthelawtohim.“But,youngman,ifIfindoutyou’veusedmydaughter
inanywayafterengaginginamorouscongresswithher,thenyou’retreadingonthinicerightaboutnow.”

Amorouscongress?Whatthehell?
“Iloveher,Mr.Patterson,”Gableanswered,lookingmydadrightintheeyes.
“Well,then,itseemsasifyou’llpassmuster,”Dadsaid,gettingupoutofhischair.“We’llgiveyou

twoachancetotalk.Boys,howaboutdrivingintoIdahoFallswithmetopickupaChristmastree?I’m
sureJocelynhasafineeyeandwillkeepmefromgettingaCharlieBrownversionlikeIdidlastyear.”
HepattedmyarmwithachucklethenIwatchedindisbeliefastheyallwenttothefrontdoorpullingtheir
coatsoffthecoatrack,donningthemandoutthedoortheywentleavingGableandmealone.

Again,whatthehell?
InowheardGablechuckleandmyeyesslidtohis,and,believeme,Iwasnothappywithhowthings

hadjustgonedown.

“Areyoukiddingmerightnow?”IhissedasIgloweredathim.
“SeemsasifI’llpassmuster,”hesaid,hiseyeslookingatmeinamusement.
I huffed again. “Just because my dad thinks that, it doesn’t mean I do,” I replied keeping the glower

going.

“Scout…I’msorry.”Hetookasteptowardme.
“You stay right where you are, Gable Powers,” I demanded, pointing my finger at him. “You…” I

swallowedthelumpthathadriseninmythroat.“Youhurtme,”Iwhisperedastearsstungthebacksofmy
eyes.

Isawtheremorseonhisfacewhenhesaid,“IknowIdid,andI’msosorry.”
“Why?” I asked, wanting to know his reasoning behind it all. And not able to keep my emotions in

checkanylonger,Ifeltmylipstremblingasatearescapedtorollitswaydownmycheek.Idon’tthink
I’deverbeenhurtsobadlybefore.

HetookafewmorewarystepstowardmeandIjustdidn’thaveitinmetostophim.Sotakingfull

advantageofmyweaknesshekeptcomingtowardmeuntilsuddenlyIwasinhisarms.

“Baby,I’msosorry,”hesaidagainstthesideofmyheadasheheldme.“Iwasanidiot.Iwasscared.”
Ipulledawaybuthekepthishandsonmywaistnotlettingmegettoofarfromhim.Myhandswentto

myfacetowipeawaythetearsthenIrestedthemonhisforearmsandlookedupathim.“Whywereyou
scared?”

He sighed, looking pained then he shook his head. “I’ve had only one serious girlfriend, Scout. Her

name was Mia and she hurt me bad. She said she loved me but couldn’t accept me as I am. It got old
reallyfast,soIbrokeitoffwithher.”

“Uh,Iknowthis,”Isaidquietly.Hefrowneddownatme.“Don’tbemadathim,butIaskedLoch.”I

sawGable’seyesgethard.“Itwasn’thisfault!”Iexplained.“Ikindacorneredhim.HethoughtIwasyour
girlfriendanddeservedtoknow,sohetoldme.”

Iwatchedafloodofemotionsmoveoverhisfacethenheseemedtocometotermswiththingsashe

nodded.“Thenyouknowwhathappened…knowshe’dbeencheatingwithmybestfriend…beforethey
died…”

Ilookedathimsadlyandgavehimaslightnod.
“Got the fucking tattoo in honor of him before I knew about them,” he said with a humorless laugh.

“Butit’sbecomeagrimremindernottotrustanyone.”

IbitmylipsasIwatchedhim,afrownonhisbeautifulfaceashetriedtoworkoutthedemonshehad

inside.Thenhelookedatmeandhiseyesweresuddenlysoft,warm.

“Butyouweredifferent.Youacceptedme.TookallmyshitIthrewatyoutryingtokeepyouaway.”

Hebroughtahandupandcuppedmyjaw,smoothinghisthumbovermybottomlipstaringatit.Thenhis
eyesmoveduptomine.“Youtookallthebadinsidemeandreplaceditwithhope.Wokemeup…made
mefeelsomethingagain.”

“Gable—”Istarted.
“LovedmeforwhoIwas…yougavethatallbacktome…andthatscaredmeshitless…”
“Gable—”
Hedroppedhishandbacktomywaist,hiseyesintenseonmine.“Yougavemestitches,Scout.”
Oh,myGod.
Oh,myGod!
“Gable—”Iwhispered.
“ThoughtifIcouldjustbewithyou,I’dgetyououttamysystem.Should’veknownbetter.”Hiseyes

heldmine.“I’mwithyou,Scout.”IknewhesawthealarmonmyfacesinceI’dalreadyheardthatone
right before he’d broken things off with me and my head dropped. His hands shot out to cup my face,
pullingmychinupsoI’dlookathim.“I’mwithyou,baby.God,I’msosorryIhurtyou.Canyouforgive
me?”

Ilookedupathimseeingthathiseyesweresosincere,sohowcouldInot?Ilovedhimandthat’swhat

peopledidwhentheylovedsomeone,theyforgave.SoItiptoedup,myhandsmovingtorestagainsthis
chest,andtouchedmylipstohis.“You’reforgiven,”Isaidagainsthismouthandfeltthereliefrollingoff
him.

“Iloveyou,Scout,”hesaidthenhismouthtookminehard,hisarmswrappingaroundmywaistashe

pulledmeintohimtightly.

Hemadelovetomeinmybed,promisingthathe’ddoeverythinginhispowernevertohurtmeagain.
Yes,I’dhavetosayhepassedmuster.

*WeekSeventeen*

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Fairwarning

Date :

December16,7:12a.m.

To:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Six,

I’m a little wary about the reveal thing we’re about to do in psych class today. I mean, I think you’re cool and all, but I

do

have an

extremelyjealousgirlfriendandIdon’tthinkshe’dlikethefactthatI’mmeetinganotherwoman.Imean,shegotmadthatIwasdancingwith
mybrother’sgirlwhilehetookapissforchrissakes.

ButIwilltellyoushe’scrazyaboutmeandallbecause,asyouknow,I’msmokin’hot,soI’mwarningyounowtotrytokeepyourhands

offme,althoughthetemptationwillbegreatI’msure.Ifyoucan’tresist,shemightbeinclinedtokickyourassifyoutrytomoveinonher
man.Justfairwarning.

xo

______________________________________

From:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Subje ct:

CockySOB

Date :

December16,7:14a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

DearMr.Four,
Thankyouforthewarning.I’llmakesuretokeepmyselfincheckasIknowthatyourextremehotnessandmyinabilitytoresistitcould

causequitetheuproaroncampusifIweretothrowyoutothefloorrightthereinthemiddleofclassandhavemywickedwaywithyou.

That being said, I might warn you too that since our epistolary relationship has now come to an end, you’ll no longer be receiving my

amorouscongressthroughthewrittenword.Ihopeyourgirlfriendwillbeabletofillthatvoidinyourcorporealworld.

Pleasedon’ttrytocontactmeaftertodaybecauseItoohaveasignificantotherwho,althoughIhaven’tgivenhimreasontobejealous,

mightnotlikeitifwekeptthistête-à-têtegoing.Therefore,Iregrettoinformyouthatyou’reoldnews.

Later.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Cold-heartedwench

Date :

December16,7:20a.m.

To:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Jesus,Scout…
You’rekillingmehere.I’mnowjealousoverafuckingnumber.
I’mcomingovertoclaimwhat’smine.Beready.
Seeyouinten.

______________________________________

From:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Subje ct:

Cro-magnoncavedude

Date :

December16,7:20a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Noneedtobejealous,baby.There’sonlyyou.Always.
And,believeme,I’mready.YouremailwokemeupwhileIwashavinganawesomedreamaboutyou.
Cometakewhat’syours.

______________________________________

From:

9543254<[e-mail]>

Subje ct:

Holyfuck

Date :

December16,7:21a.m.

To:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Fuckme…
Leavingnow.

TakingRyke’scar.IleftthewindowsdownontheChevelle.It’sallwetinsidesoI’llhavetogetinthereandtakecareofitlater

______________________________________

From:

9565876<

[e-mail]

>

Subje ct:

Boom!

Date :

December16,7:22a.m.

To:

9543254<[e-mail]>

That’swhatshesaid...

*Epilogue*

Youknowthatfeelingyougetwhenyoumeetsomeoneandfeelasifyou’veknownthemforalifetime?
Asifyou’rejustconnectedinsomeway?

TotallyhadthatwhenIfirstsawScout.
God,shewasthemostbeautifulwomanI’deverseen.Andthesassiest.AndIlovedit.
I don’t know what caused me to stop to help with her tire when I’d actually been on a date with

someoneelse,butIthankGodeachandeverydaythatIdid.Inallmylife,she’stheonlypersonoutside
myfamilywho’strulyacceptedmeforwhoIamandthatmeanseverythingtome.

Oh,ittookmeawhiletogettowhereIamtodaybutI’dgobackanddoeverythingthesameifitgot

metothisplacewithher.Yes,Ifiguredoutshewasmypenpalwhenshecametoclasshungover.ButI
was just a terrified prick who didn’t know how to have her goodness in my life after all the hurt I’d
experienced.Ishould’veknownshe’dfigureitout.

But I’m not gonna waste your time here with some sappy interlude about how it all went down and

howIscrewedup(becausethatwouldtakehours),butIamgonnatellyouI’mtheluckiestbastardthereis
forhoweverythingturnedout.

IdidthankDr.Hornerinmythesisformakingusdothisassignmentbecausewithoutit,I’dneverhave

landed the most wonderful, fabulous and amazing woman in the world. Who knew I’d actually get
somethingoutofaclass?

Sotowrapthisup(toldyouitwouldn’tbelong)Ijustwanttosay,don’teverloseyourhope.Ididand

Scoutbroughtitbacktome.Iowehereverything.Butevenifyoudo,there’salwaysawaytogetitback.

Okay,I’mgonnaendthisnowbeforemybrothersgetaholdofitandgivemehell.Andbelieveme,

they’dmakemesuffer.Longandhard.

Andyouguessedit…
That’swhatshesaid.

AbouttheAuthor

Harper Bentley has taught high school English for 24 years. Although she’s managed to maintain her

sanityregardlessofhercareerchoice,jumpingintotheworldofpublishingherownbooksgoestoshow
thatshemightbeclosertotheledgethanwaspreviouslythought.

Aftertravelingthenationinheryoungeryearsasamilitarybrat,havinglivedinAlaska,Washington

State and California, she now resides in Oklahoma with her teenage daughter, two dogs and one cat,
happilywritingstoriesthatshehopesherreaderswillenjoy.
Youcancontactherat

[e-mail]

,atharperbentleywrites.com,onFacebookoron

Twitter@HarperBentley


CheckoutZeke(ThePowersThatBe,Book2)!

SecondSemester—1

st

Encounter

Holy crap-a-moly. There he was again. Sitting in my section. Like he had yesterday and the day

beforethat.Andthedaybeforethat.Ack!

And,Jiminyfrickin’Christmas,hewasthehottestguyI’deverlaideyeson.Histhick,darkhairthat

wasshortonthesidesbutlongerandspikedontop,hisgorgeousbrowneyesthatwereashadelighter
than mine, his beautiful straight nose that was perfect for his face, sublimely shaped lips and at least a
day’sworthofscruffonhischinandjustbelowhishighcheekbonesnearlytookmybreathaway.Holy
schmoly, he was very handsome. He wore a gray Hallervan hoodie under a brown cargo-type jacket,
fadedjeansandbrownwingtipbootsallofwhichjustaddedtohisgoodlooks.

AndhewassomeoneIcouldseemyselfbreakingmyruleofonlyfocusingonmyfuturefor.Crap.
Yesterday,I’dhadtoaskmybestfriendJaylaAnastosifsheknewwhohewas.She’dlookedatme

like I’d just told her that Elizabeth Bennet should’ve married Mr. Collins instead of Mr. Darcy. When
she’drolledhereyesbeforetakingadeepbreathandrepliedbreathily,“ZekePowers,”I’dhadtofrown.

“Uh…”I’dblinkedather.WhotheheckwasZekePowers?
“ZekePowers,Scarlett!TheZekePowers!”IguessshethoughtifshekeptrepeatinghisnameI’d

catchon.

TheblanklookI’dcontinuedgivingherhadherthrowingherhandsupandshakingherheadatme.

“Areyouseriousrightnow,Scar?Thehottestguyoncampusandyoudon’tknowwhoheis?”She

continuedstaringatmeindisbelief.

Ishookmyheadandshrugged.
“He’sonlythestarwidereceiverofthefootballteam,presidentoftheFinanceClubandhasbeen

votedSexiestManonCampusforthreeyearsrunningbytheTriDelts,SigKaps,ChiOmegas,oh,hell,by
everyfuckin’sororityoncampus!”

I’d looked out from behind the counter at this Zeke Powers guy and decided that those sororities

werenotwrong.Hewasextremelysexy.

“Oh.”ItwasallIcouldthinktoreply.
“Yeah,‘oh,’”Jaylahadconcededshakingherheadatmeandgivingmeyetanothereyeroll.
SotodayIsteppedbehindthecounterandwhisperedtoher,“Shit!He’shereagain!”
“And sitting in your section again, Scar! I think he has the hots for you!” She looked at me and

grinnedthenlookedatthecustomershewasringingupandinformedher,“That’llbe$12.56.”

ItwasmyturntorollmyeyesthensmileapologeticallyatthewomanJaylawashelpingbecause

Jaydidn’tcarewhowasaroundwhensheopenedheryap.

“Okay,$7.44’syourchange.ThanksforeatingatTheBreakfastNook,”shetoldthecustomerthen

lookedatmeeyebrowsup.

I waited until the woman walked away before retorting. “Yeah. It couldn’t be that he’s hungry or

lovesMae’spastries.Nope.He’shereforme,theoh-so-sexywaitresswhobarelyhadtimetobrushher
hairbeforedroppingLaneoffatschoolthismorning.”

“You look great. You always look great. Besides, your hair’s amazing. It’s got that ‘just been

fucked’thinggoingon.”Atmywrylookshewenton.“Youshouldgolayyourclaimonhim.”

“YouknowI’vegotenoughonmyplateasitis.IneedamanlikeIneedmorehaironmylegsto

shave.Besides,itjustgetstoocomplicated,”Imumbled.

“Complications are what make it fun,” she said with a chuckle then putting a hand on my back,

pushedmetowardtheeatingarea.“Nowgotakehisorder.”

If I thought there wouldn’t be any complications, I’d nail him STAT because he was smokin’ hot.

GoodGod,Ineededtocalmmylibidowaydown.

“Allright.Jeez.”Igrabbedacoffeepotandaglassofwaterthenmademywayaroundmysection

ofthelittlecoffeehouseinSeattlewhereI’dworkedsinceIwasafreshmaninhighschool.Itwasn’tone
of those big franchises but family-owned and the melt-in-your-mouth Danish pastries were the bomb.
Peoplecamefromallaroundforthem.EddieVedder,DaveGrohl,BenGibbardandJerryCantrell,notto
mention several of the Seahawks, had all made stops here. The owners, Mae and Dale, had, of course,
capitalized on having the rock stars and athletes come in by taking pictures with them, asking them to
autographmenusandotherparaphernaliathenhangingtheitemsandphotosallaroundtheplace.Thiskept
people coming in probably in the hopes of getting a glance at someone famous, and, well, also for the
fantasticpastries.

Imademywaytothetablesinmysection,stoppingfirstatthreetablestorefillcoffeesbeforegoing

tothisZekeguy’stablejusttoshowJaylathatIcouldresisthissexiness.

“Areyoureadytoorder?”IaskedonceIfinallymadeittohim,placingtheglassofwaterdownin

frontofhim.

He looked up and gave me a panty-melting smirk before setting his menu down. “Well, Scarlett,

sinceyoumadeitapointtoprovetoyourfriendthatyourothercustomersaremoreimportantthanIam,
andI’mstarving,I’dsaythat’dbeayes.”

MymouthdroppedopenasIstaredathim.Firstofall,heknewmyname!Secondofall,Irealized

thatwasn’tabigdealsinceIworeanametag.Andthird,he’dheardJaylaandmyconversationandwas
callingmeoutonwhatI’dbeendoing!Hell’sbells!

Hethensatwithhiselbowsonthetable,handsclaspedinfrontofhimstudyingmeasifhehadall

the time in the world to watch the stupid waitress trying to come up with a lie stating that she most
definitelywasnottryingtoproveapointtoherfriend.

“YoucouldbeinGQ!”IblurtedbeforeIknewitthencringed.
Iwatchedashislipstippedupintoasmilethenmyeyeslockedwithhisanditwasasifwewere

the only two people in the entire place. I don’t know how long I stood staring goofily at him (ugh) but
whenheclearedhisthroat,itbroughtmeoutofmyreverieandIblushedlikemadknowingIwasanidiot.

“Thanks,Scarlett,”heanswered.“Now,aboutmyorder?”
“Oh!Sorry!Letmepouryousomecoffeefirst!”Ireachedtoturnhiscoffeecupoverbutendedup

knocking his glass of ice water off the table and right into his lap. Whoops. “Fuck!” I exclaimed as he
jumpeduptostandinfrontofme.Isetthepotdownquickly,immediatelygrabbinganapkinandkneeling
infrontofhim,commencedtowipinghiscrotchvehemently.

Thiswentonforseveralseconds(becauseIthinkhewasinshock),thenhesteppedbackfromme,

holdinghishandouttokeepmefromrunningthenapkinfurtheroverhisjunkandthat’swhenitbecame
cleartomewhatI’dbeendoingandthenIrealizedwhatitprobablylookedlikeI’dbeendoingtoallthe
peoplewhoweresituatedbehindme.

Holysmokes.
“I—I’m so sorry!” I muttered as I stood up, my eyes huge at having just wiped down the man’s

package.“I’ll,uh,buyyourmeal!I’mreallysorry!”

Now,Icouldn’treallyaffordtocoverhisbreakfast,itjustwasn’tinmybudget,butforwhatI’djust

putthisguythrough,I’dmakeithappen.Imadeasteptowardhimbuthebackeduponceagainholdinghis
handup.

“You’refine.ButIdohavetosaythatIusuallygetkissedbeforeagirltakesitthatfar.”Thenhe

smirkedagain.

Iblinked,staringathim,athownicehewasbeingthenIopenedmybigdamnmouthagain.“I’m

sorry!NexttimeI’llbesuretokissyoufirst!”

Oh,myGod.
DidIjustsaythat?
Iwassuchadork.
Andmyfaceturnedevenredderathisgrin.“Ididn’tmeanthat!I,uh,wasjoking!Here,letmeget

youatowel.”Mortified,IturnedtogotothecountertoretrieveatowelandransmackdabintoJordy,the
busboywho’dcometohelpcleanthingsup,knockinghimandhistrayofdishestothefloor,theracket
causingeveryoneintheplacetostopandstare.Dearlord.“Jordy!I’msosorry!”Iknelttohelppickup
the cutlery and plastic dishes (thank God Mae and Dale didn’t use china) that’d spilled feeling like a
completeandutterfoolthenInoticedthatZekewasrighttherebesidemehelping.“What’reyoudoing?
You’re a customer!” I kind of screeched at him, totally humiliated at the series of events that had just
occurred.

He gave me the sexiest half grin then stated, “I’m part of the reason this happened.” Then he

shruggedashoulderandreachedtopickupaforkthat’dfallenunderhistable.

Wasthisguyforreal?Whowasthisgoodlookingandnicetoo?NoonethatI’devermet.Hewas

justtoogoodtobetrue,andGrandmaPearlhadalwaystoldmethatifitseemedtoogoodtobetrue,it
probably was. I’d learned my lesson the hard way and had come to realize she was right; therefore, I
didn’tbelieveitnow.

“No, please, stop,” I told him. “Jordy and I have this.” I gave Zeke a scowl but he ignored me,

continuingtohelp.

Whenwegotthemesspickedup,Jordystoodandsmileddownatme.“Thanks,Scar,”hesaidthen

picked up the tray full of dishes placing it on the booth at Zeke’s table, pulled out a rag proceeding to

wipeupthewaterthatI’dspilled.

Zekehadgottentohisfeetandheldhishanddowntome.Ifrownedbutputmyhandinhisletting

himhelpmeup.ThenwestoodthereinuncomfortablesilencebeforeIfinallyclearedmythroatandsaid
quietlyasIwatchedJordywipingtheboothonZeke’sside,“Uh,Icangoaheadandtakeyourorderand
putitinato-gocartonsinceI’msureI’vewastedyourtime.Andagain,it’sonme.”IlookedupatZeke
andcouldn’thelpthinkingthathalfgrinswerenowmynewreligion.

“It’sokay.Myclassisn’tuntilten,soI’llstay.I’lltaketwopastriesandarefillonthewater.”Full-

ongrinnow.Hell,forgetaboutthehalfgrin.Full-ongrinswerenowwhatI’dworshipforever.Gah.

Jordyfinishedandwalkedawaybutnotbeforewinkingatme,thelittletwerp.Hewassixteen,Mae

andDale’sgrandson,andhadhadacrushonmeforsometimenow.Iknewthisbecausehe’daskedme
outseveraltimesnotcaringthattherewasanalmostnine-yeardifferenceinourages.I’dlaughedwhen
he’dtoldme,andIquote,“May-Decemberromancesfuckin’rock,Scarlett.”Hadtogivethekidpropsfor
evenknowingwhatthatwas.

“Okay, I’ll, uh, be right back with your pastries and a new water,” I said to Zeke, not a little

flustered,andgrabbingupthecoffeepotI’dputonhistable,headedbacktothecounter.

“What the hell, Scar?” Jayla said when I walked behind the counter, grabbed a glass and bent to

scoopsomeiceintoit.“Itlookedlikeyouweregivingtheguyablowjobfromhere.”Shesnortedthen
continuedhelpingthecustomerattheregister.See?Nofreakin’filteronthatmouthofhers.

Igrabbedthetongsandslidthedooropenintheglasscasewherethepastrieswere,pickingupa

coupletoplaceonaplate.Whenthecustomerleft,Ianswered,“Oh,youcaughtthat?Letmejustsayhe
thoroughly enjoyed himself. And he tastes yum! Spitters are quitters, you know!” I gave her a look.
“Embarrassedenoughhere,Jay.Idon’tneedyouaddingtoit.”

Shechuckled.“Nowthat’showtogetaguy’sattention.Goodjob!”Iturnedandgaveheradroll

lookwhichmadeherlaugh.“Whydon’tyoupoursomehotcoffeeonhimnext?Hejustmightpropose.”
Sheletouthertrademarkcacklethatsoundedlikeadonkeydying.

Aftershootingheranotherdirtylookwhichmadeherbrayevenmore,Icameoutfrombehindthe

counterheadingtowardZeke’stable,thencarefullysethiswaterdownandplacedtheplateofpastriesin
frontofhim.“I’llbebackwithcoffee.”Iturnedquicklyandwentbacktothecounter,grabbingafreshpot
thenwentbacktohistable.

“Uh,mayI?”heasked,noddingatthecoffeepotwithagrin.
“Sure,”Ianswered,theblushhittingmyfaceagainasIsetthepotonhistable,handletowardhim,

nowannoyed.Great.Hedidn’ttrustmetopourhiscoffee.Iwatchedashefilledhismugthenafterhe’d
setthepotdowninquired,“CanIgetyouanythingelse?”Ismiledsweetlyathim,notreallymeaningitas
Ipickedupthecoffeepot.

“Yes, you can,” he replied. I stood there impatiently waiting for him to tell me what he needed

watchingasheputateaspoonofsugarintohiscoffeeandstirredit.Whenhefinished,hetookasipthen
glancedupatme.“Howaboutyournumber?”

HarperBentley©2015