So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(34)

I completely understood. The stress had sent me into near PTSOSD last year. “I believe in you, K,” I whispered encouragingly. She looked sideways at me. And smiled.

“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

We all sat quietly until Leona stood up, yawning and reaching her arms above her head. “Fun stuff, girls. But I need to take off.”

“Me too,” Izzie added. “Sam’s coming by later for ice cream.”

We set up to meet tomorrow, and after the Kittens scattered, I grabbed my cell from over near the couch and scrolled through the missed calls. When I found what I was looking for—Mary Rudick’s number—I dialed.

“Ding, ding, diiiiiing. Sorry, the number you are trying to call has been disconnected—”

Interesting.

(CODE PINK) SOS INTER-KITTEN COMMUNICATION

Dear Smitten Kittens,

I have put together the first mission in Operation Knockoff. (Because we all know this copy-Kitten is a cheapened version of the real SOS.) Please read below for your assignment, and then sign off and return the form to me ASAP.

Kira—visit the scenes of the cheats we know the copy-Kitten investigated and see if there’s any evidence that might point to a culprit. Cigarette butts, shoe imprints…think CSI.

Izzie—hack into the county database and see if any tickets were issued around the times of the incidents involving the fake SOS.

Tessa—use your power of super-sleuthing and try to talk to some of the guys on the posted Naughty List to see if they noticed anything irregular or out of place. They may tell you more if you wear that red lipstick I let you borrow—it looks fabulous on you!

Everyone else, be on the lookout. There are plenty of rumors floating around. I’ll be conducting some research on recent entries or exits from the school population, looking for any obvious suspects.

If you have any questions, please use the Code Pink hotline at 555-0101. Do NOT make any communications on the SOS database or e-mail lines.

Keep smiling,

Leona ☺

Sign___________________________Date_____________

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“HEY, PUMPKIN,” MY FATHER CALLED AS HE WALKED in the front door. It was close to midnight and I was still in my uniform, lying on the couch. “Your mother had to run to the corner store for some milk. Apparently we’re out.”

“Dad?” I looked at him, feeling a little lost. It would be good to have my parents back home. I hadn’t seen them much lately, what with all the gigs, and I missed them. Besides, I hated being alone in the house after the recent break-ins. In the last few hours (at least I thought it’d been a few hours) I’d considered all the possible reasons that Aiden and I weren’t back together. Why he brought up me dating other guys. I had only one conclusion: another girl.

“You feeling okay?” my father asked, settling next to me on the couch. He took off his glasses and looked me over carefully. “You’re…in uniform.”

“I know.” I dropped my head. “I was feeling down, and maroon and gray always cheer me up. Principal Pelli called me into the office and actually suggested that I rejoin the squad. He thought it would be best.”

“That’s great!” My father looked ecstatic. I think he and my mom missed making signs to hold up at the games. “Are you and Kira co-captains?”

My stomach turned. “Not…quite.”

He folded up his glasses and tucked them into the front pocket of his shirt. “I don’t understand. Are you and the Smitten Kittens having problems?”

“They won’t let me rejoin. They want me to date someone else first,” I blurted out, needing him to confirm that they had cartwheeled their way to crazy.

“Not let you join? But…” He exhaled, seeming to consider this. My father frowned, weighing his words. “Well, maybe they’re right.” He waited. I blinked and stared back at him.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Obviously I wasn’t communicating very well. “They want me to date someone other than Aiden.”

My father scratched at his chin stubble. “But you and Aiden aren’t dating anymore, right? I thought you two were just friends.”

Although I hadn’t really explained the situation to my father in full, I still felt like I’d just been slapped in the face. Hadn’t he seen how hard I’d been working to improve myself? To win Aiden back?

“Honey,” he said, lowering his head. “I know how much you care for Aiden. And you know your mom and I adore him too. But…” He trailed off. “You’re a smart girl, Tessa,” he finished. “And I’m not going to tell you what’s best for you. Because you already know.”

He rose from the couch, bending down only to kiss the top of my head before wandering off to the kitchen. I didn’t move for a while after he left. I sat there on the couch staring at the place where my skirt ended and my thigh began. I stared at it until the first tear dropped onto my lap and the rest blurred my vision altogether.

After my long-overdue cry fest, I made my way to my room for a nap. A little beauty sleep couldn’t hurt. But it felt like only seconds after I’d closed my eyes when my phone vibrated on my bedside table. I rolled over and picked it up, glancing at the screen. Another unfamiliar number. Strange.

I clicked it on and put it to my ear. “Hello?” I asked, my voice kind of scratchy.