Tell Me Pretty Lies

After I tell Valen that Aiden is going to take me home, she reluctantly agrees to stay. We hop into Aiden’s lifted black truck and he turns to look at me.

“Any requests?”

“Pizza,” I say without hesitation.

“Say no more. There’s a bomb-ass pizza place in Haverhill.”

He throws the truck into drive, heading down the winding, narrow path that leads to the main road. It’s easy to talk to Aiden. He’s cocky and witty, but respectful, and not too pushy. After we split a large pepperoni pizza and a pitcher of Pepsi, I feel stuffed. And in slightly better spirits than earlier.

“I’m so full,” I groan, leaning my head back against the booth.

“That mean you’re not going to eat that?” he asks, flicking his chin at the last piece on the silver pizza tray.

“It’s all you.” I laugh.

Aiden folds the slice in half, devouring it in two bites, dusts his hands, then stands. “Ready to go?”

I dig into my purse, pulling out some cash, but he stops me.

“I got it,” he says, throwing three twenties down onto the table.

“Let me pay for half at least.”

“Nope.” He stuffs his wallet back into his back pocket, then motions for me to lead the way.

“Thanks,” I say, turning to face him, walking backwards toward the front of the restaurant. “For the ride and the food.” He smirks at me, but then his eyes focus on something over my shoulder.

“Isn’t that your mom?”

I turn around, fully expecting him to be mistaken, but low and behold, there she is, all dolled up, walking through the parking lot on some guy’s arm.

What the hell?

“Do you want to go say hi?” Aiden asks.

I shake my head. “No, that’s okay.”

The guy helps my mom into the back of a car before climbing in behind her, and then it takes off out of the parking lot. If this is a date, why go out of town? It’s not for the fine dining, that’s for sure. And why wouldn’t she mention it? Maybe it was a meeting, or a client? I roll my eyes at myself. Not likely. Not at this time of night.

Looks like I’m not the only one with secrets.

Shayne

I mouth the words, silently singing along to “Queen of the Night” by Hey Violet as I make my way toward the lunchroom when a hand darts out, jerking me into an empty classroom. I squeal, surprised, and yank my earbuds from my ears.

“Happy birthday,” Thayer says, pushing me up against the wall next to the door. I slap at his shoulder, craning my neck to look out the rectangular window in the door.

“Someone could’ve seen you.”

Thayer shrugs, bending down to grab my thighs and lifts me to his height. My legs automatically wrap around him, my hands gripping his shoulders, and then his lips are on mine, hungry and demanding. I open for him and his tongue pushes inside. I moan, feeling his length twitch between my legs, and shamelessly grind against him, seeking the friction that I need.

He pulls away, breaking the kiss far too soon. “So, birthday girl, what do you want for your present?” he asks, his voice gravelly.

“Anything?” I bite down on my lip.

“Anything.”

I lean forward, bringing my mouth to his ear. My heart is pounding, but I’m going to say it anyway. “I want you to touch me again,” I whisper.