Ace of Hearts (FU High 1)

“Billy.” I try and keep my tone firm. Inside I’m beyond freaking out. I try to remind myself that if I scream someone will hear me. Most people have cleared out but more people should be leaving soon. If not this very second. Owen will be here soon. I keep telling myself that.

“Heard you like to give fast blowies in the car. That why he played so good tonight?” Heat rushes to my face. I don’t know if it’s anger or embarrassment. He wears a cocky smile. I know my skin is showing what I’m feeling. I’m sure I’m a nice shade of pink under the parking lot lights.

“You know I have a real nice car you can give me a blowjob in anytime you want. I know you Cooper girls like money. With me you won’t have to wait for it like with Fast. My family already has it.”

“Fuck you.” It pops right out of my mouth. I wish I had something more clever to say. Not sure there would even be a point with someone like Billy. It would be a waste of breath and time. Cooper isn’t a name I’ve heard in a while. I’m not ashamed of the name. It was my mom’s maiden name. The name she gave me when she brought me into this would. Then Dad made us Alistairs the day he married my mom and asked to be my dad.

Still, it pisses me off that someone would think my mom was with my dad for money. She loves that man.

“I’d fuck you anytime.” He leans down. “He get your cherry yet?” My hand flies before I know what I’m doing. The smack is loud.

“Shit,” I yelp, the hit stinging my palm. Billy turns his head back to look down at me. His own hand goes to the cheek I smacked, looking momentarily shocked that I did it. That makes two of us.

“Hey!” is shouted, making Billy turn to see who it is. I don’t know his name but I know he’s on the team. Billy steps back from me.

“Just telling Fast’s girl he’s running a little late,” Billy tells the guy. The guy’s eyes bounce between the two of us. I don’t have Property of Owen Fast McCoy written on me but everyone in this school knows we’re together. Owen made that clear to anyone who asked or looked our way.

“Anytime, Aly.” Billy winks at me before taking off. The guy turns to head back toward where the players always come from. My hands clench into fists. My right palm is still stinging. It’s not even seconds later when I see Owen is on a dead run toward me. I have a feeling that other boy went and said something.

“What happened, Ace?” Owen’s eyes are all over me. He reaches for my wrist, lifting my hand that’s clenched into a fist. When I open it you can see it’s bright red.

“What did he say to you?” I can tell Owen is trying to keep calm but the anger bleeds through each word. I tell him everything Billy said.

“How would he know that?” he asks. I know he’s talking about the blowjob. I also know Owen wouldn’t have told anyone. It must click in his head too. Billy must have seen us.

“He touch you?” Something dark flashes in Owen’s eyes. I shake my head. “Words, Ace. I need them.”

“He didn’t touch me.” Owen’s eyes close for a second before he drops his forehead to mine. I touched Billy but I have a feeling Owen already knows that. The unknown boy must have told him about the smack because my hand was the first thing he’d checked.

“I want you to get in the car, baby, and go home.” His eyes open and lock with mine.

“Alone?” I question.

“Text me when you get there.” He reaches for my car door, pulling it open for me.

“Owen.”

“Ace, please. Get in the car and text me when you get home.” I can see the determination on his face.

“Okay,” I say after a beat.

“Okay?” He raises an eyebrow at me but I see relief fill his face that I’m not going to fight him on this.

“Yeah, okay.” I trust him. If there is something he needs to do, fine. “Don’t do anything stupid,” I add, though, ‘cause sometimes men do stupid shit.

He gives me a smile but no dimple shows. “And I want my kiss.” I was hoping for more than a kiss but Billy killed any dream of that for now.

Owen leans into the car, brushing his mouth against mine.

“Text me, Ace,” he reminds me.

“Promise,” I say before he shuts my door. He stands and watches me pull out of the parking lot.

When I pull into my driveway, I text him.

Me: Home

I start to text out I love you but I stop myself. My emotions are all over the place right now and that’s not something you say in a text. Maybe it’s something he needs to hear at this moment though. I lick my lips staring at my phone as I debate what to do.