This town needs a damn hobby. I don’t know why Teagan bashing is still the cool thing.
“And you said she’s new?”
“Yeah, they just moved here yesterday and she started school today.”
“I guess my mistakes of the past precede me even for out-of-towners. Not that you’re a mistake,” I tack on. “You know people like to make up their own versions of the truth.”
She groans. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you!”
“I’m not upset, Chas. I hate that it’s affecting you, that’s all.”
I couldn’t care less about what people think of me anymore. I sleep just fine at night with how things happened with Keith. There was no tricking or missed birth control. I didn’t drug him and screw his brains out while he was unconscious. That happens to be one of my favorite stories, though. I weigh 110 pounds soaking wet, and he’s over 250 pounds. If someone actually believes I could maneuver his dead weight, arouse him to the point of having sex, and impregnate myself, they have bigger problems than I do.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Oh, I’m reminding myself of all the rumors I’ve heard.”
Chastity shakes her head. “Why can’t these people get over it?”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“This is why I like animals. They’re not stupid.”
Sounds like someone I used to know and be best friends with.
I release a sigh, knowing that animals are for her what painting is for me. “And why I paint, because it’s not stupid.”
“You paint because you say it calms you,” she says with a shrug.
It does calm me. I started painting after Chastity was born. I never really considered myself artistic, but Nina made me go to some wine-and-paint thing and I kind of liked it. Now, it’s what I do when I feel like the walls are closing in.
“Doesn’t working with animals do the same for you?”
“Yes, and I do it because people are horrible and animals love you no matter what.”
“I can’t argue with you there, but at the same time, you can’t defend me or worry about what people will say. Unfortunately, the man who gave me you is famous. He’s never going to fade away, and whether your father starts to suck at football or wins the Super Bowl, we’ll have to hear about it. I wish I could change things, but I can’t. You can’t. We have to suck it up.”
“I hate sucking it up.”
I nod. “Me too. So…” I grab my fork. “What’s this new girl’s name?”
Chastity leans back in her chair and crosses her arms. “Everly Hartz. As in Dr. Hartz’s granddaughter, so I can’t even avoid her in my happy place.”
And suddenly, I feel like I’m going to be sick.
Chapter Three
Teagan
Fifteen years old
“I need two volunteers for peer tutoring,” Mrs. Mathewson asks the class.
I really don’t want to do it. Between cheerleading, Keith, and my own homework, I don’t have any extra time. Then I remember how much I need more volunteering on my transcripts. Getting into college should not be this hard.
“Anyone?” she asks again.
Then her eyes meet mine, and the look says it all. I’m being voluntold. “Fine, Mrs. Mathewson, I’ll do it,” I say with reluctance.
Just one more thing on my plate.
Keith laughs and elbows one of his idiot friends. “She won’t do my homework for me, but she’ll help someone else.”
“Come on, Tea, you should help your man out.”
I roll my eyes. “I help him out plenty.”
Keith nods. “Yeah, you do, babe.”
“Thank you, Ms. Berkeley. Your student will be waiting for you today.”
She hands me a paper and I could cry. The peer tutoring happens during my study hall, but maybe I can still use some of the block for getting my own work done.
The bell rings and I head to the cafeteria, where during class hours it’s meant to look cozy for studying. It doesn’t. It looks—and smells—like the cafeteria.
Keith tosses his arm over my shoulder. “You coming over tonight?”
“Maybe.”
“I miss you.”
I let out a small giggle. “You can’t miss me if you’re with me right now.”
He stops, pulling me into his arms. “You know what I mean.”
And I do. He means he wants to fool around again. I’ve been trying to come up with reasons as to why I don’t really want to do it, but Keith is relentless.
Keith’s the most popular boy in school and a god on the football field. He’s funny, can be nice when he wants something, and everyone loves him.
The whole town basically falls at his feet.
And he expects my panties to do the same.
“I’m not ready for more, Keith.”
“I didn’t say we have to have sex, Tea. But you can at least give me a blow job before the big game.”
“Oh, I can?” I say as I push against his chest.
“Look, it helps me relax. After the last time I threw the most touchdown passes I’ve ever had in a game. I think that’s because of you.”
A small part of me likes to think I had something to do with it, but then I remember he only wants what he wants.
“Well, since I’m all about statistics,” I say with a coy smile. “How about we test that theory?”
He nods, thinking he’s got me. “Hell, yeah.”
I run my fingers around the captain patch on his chest. “Tonight, you don’t get one, and if you outdo your last passing yards, we’ll really know.” Before he can respond, I lean up and kiss his lips, drop back down, and run off. “Good luck!”
“You’re so cold, Teagan!” he yells after me, but I’m already down the hall.
When I turn the corner, I run smack into Nina Banks. My books fall to the ground, papers go flying. “Ugh!” I groan. “Watch where you’re going!”
“Sorry,” Nina says, bending down, trying to help me. “I didn’t see you.”
“Obviously.”
“Look, I said I was sorry,” she says and her lip trembles.
I didn’t mean to make her cry. Damn it. “I was in a rush—” I start to explain
