One Small Thing(62)

I knew there was a but.

“He’s not an animal. He’s not some abused dog who just needs some love in order to be cool with humans again, or some bitch-ass cat who hisses at you when you walk up but purrs once you start patting it. He’s a delinquent. He stole a car and ran someone over. You can’t forget that, Li—Beth.”

“You think I’ve forgotten?” I ask in disbelief. “God, I think about it at least twenty times a day, that I’m going to school with the guy who hit Rachel.”

That I lost my virginity to the guy who hit Rachel.

That I have feelings for that guy.

That I think about him way more often than I think about what he did.

“Good,” Scarlett says firmly. “You have to think about it. The next time you think he needs rescuing, remember who he is.”

I nod weakly. I know what she’s saying. I know why she’s saying it. But I also know that if Chase ever needs rescuing again, I’d be the first person running to save him.

What is wrong with me?

“Anyway, Macy’s still pissed at you—”

“Seriously?” I frown, because Macy’s not the type to hold grudges.

Scar sighs. “She thinks you think she’s stupid.”

Guilt pricks my heart as I remember accusing Macy of being gullible and flaky. I mean, she is, but I didn’t have to be nasty to her about it. “I’ll talk to her after class,” I murmur. “What about Yvonne?”

My best friend waves a hand. “You know her. She gets over shit fast. And Jeff’s cool with you, too. He came over last night and I calmed him down.”

Jeff’s cool with me? She calmed him down? Fuck that. I’m not cool with him, and someone should be calming me down. He and Troy tried to frame Chase for the fire alarm stunt. Good guys don’t do stuff like that.

I open my mouth to point all this out to Scarlett, but, speak of the devil, Jeff strides up to us with a big grin on his face. It’s like déjà vu. This exact same thing happened yesterday—me and Scar at my locker, Jeff sauntering over like Mr. Big Man on Campus and then all hell breaking loose.

“Nice. You two worked everything out,” he says with a nod. He glances my way. “Scarlett told me about the whole savior complex you’ve got going on, yeah? I get it, but I don’t think Manson is someone you need to save, Beth.”

First of all, his fake British accent is stupid and annoying, yeah? I don’t know why all the girls in the senior class think it’s so sexy. It’s not.

Second, savior complex? Okay, Scarlett really tried to paint a picture of me as some kind of bleeding heart who hates injustice and stands up for the little guy. On one hand, I appreciate her trying to help. On the other, I don’t get why she’s making excuses for me.

Maybe she wants me and Jeff to get along so that her relationship with him is smoother sailing? But I’ve got nothing to do with them as a couple, if they even are a couple. Jeff doesn’t seem at all interested in her.

“I think the best thing for everyone is if you stay away from that asshole,” Jeff informs me. “I know you agree.”

I do, do I?

I’m about to retort when Scarlett gives me a pleading look.

Argh. This is bullshit. Jeff is being a condescending jerk right now.

But is there any point in arguing with him? Probably not. So I swallow the comeback and close my locker.

“Scarlett is having people over tonight,” Jeff says. “Did she tell you?”

I arch a brow at her. Is he her mouthpiece now?

“I was just about to mention it,” she says quickly. “My parents have this banquet thing to go to and they won’t be home ’til super late. You can come, right, Beth?”

“Nope,” I say glumly. Though honestly, I’m not too glum about it. I don’t want to hang out with Jeff at all. “I’m grounded again.”

Jeff’s eyes glitter in disapproval. “It was the police station stunt, wasn’t it? Of course Dave and Marnie wouldn’t be happy about that, Lizzie.”

Don’t call my parents by their first names, I fume inwardly. God. Was Jeff always this pretentious or did he become that way in London?

“If you were my daughter, I’d punish you, too,” he says, his tone cavalier.

“Good thing I’m not your daughter,” I snipe.

Scarlett’s mouth tightens. “Beth.”

I tamp down my annoyance. Seriously? He can throw out shitty comments but I can’t respond to them?

“Anyway,” I say stiffly, “they informed me this morning that I’m not allowed to see any friends unless you guys come over to my house. And I lost my car again, but not my phone.”

“Then we’ll go to your house tonight,” Jeff announces.

Scarlett and I both turn to stare at him. Excuse me? He’s inviting himself and other people to my house now?

Scar doesn’t like that idea, either, judging by her deep frown. “I’d rather stick to the original plan,” she tells Jeff.

He spares her a quick look. “Why? Beth has the bigger backyard, and it’s supposed to be a nice night. We can start a fire in the fire pit. We’ll all sit around it and roast some marshmallows. It’ll be a good time.”

Scarlett’s unhappiness is written on her face. I’ve known her long enough to be able to read her mind. If everyone comes over to my place and hangs in the backyard, she and Jeff obviously won’t be able to sneak off to her bedroom and make out.