“Bumblebees?” I say it like it’s a question. I’m not sure why; it’s not like I’m seeking his approval.
“No.” He shakes his head. “Monkeys, maybe.” He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth and tilts his head. “Sloths, possibly. But bumblebees are scary as hell. Got stung by one as a kid and I’ve hated them ever since.”
“Duly noted.” I chuckle. “Bumblebees are out.”
Who is this guy and what did he do with Lars Titan? And why in the world am I squeezing my thighs together and wanting him to slide his hand between them?
Pulling out my phone, I turn it on and double check that the location is still off. I ignore all the missed calls and messages and begin playing Pet Rescue Saga to try and calm myself down.
My phone begins vibrating and a text comes through. Only, it’s an unknown number, but just the brief glimpse of it assures me that it’s not Rick or Mom.
“Who’s that?” Lars asks, as he peers over and tries to steal a glance at my phone.
“Just Rick again.” I lie.
Opening the full length of the text, I begin reading it.
Unknown: Hi Willa. I know I’m the last person you probably expect to text you, but I think we need to talk. Don’t fall for Lars’ lies. He’s fed them to me, too. Buttered me up and made me think that he wanted a future with me. In the end, it was all a game that he was playing with his friends. Can you meet me Saturday night so I can fill you in? I think we can help each other.
I immediately send a reply to the unknown person.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Madison Bishop. Lars’ stepsister.
My heart drops deep into the pit of my stomach, taking a seat next to the baby. Nausea ensues and I’m not sure how to react. I don’t know if she’s lying to me or if I really should hear her out. She must know I’m in town still. Why else would she think I could meet up with her?
Me: Ok. Meet me at the power lines and please don’t tell anyone I’m coming.
Unknown: I’ll be there. I won’t tell a soul. You can trust me <3
Clearing the messages immediately, I look at Lars who’s side-eyeing me. “Who was that?” he asks again.
“Trent. Told him I moved.” I lie again.
“What’s he want from you?”
“Just wondering why I wasn’t in class today. No big deal.”
“You know he’s got a crush on you, right?”
“Yeah, I know. But I don’t have the same feelings for him.”
“How do you know he likes you? Do you two hang out often?”
I can’t help but think that he’s just the slightest bit jealous and I sort of like it. “A few times.”
“You fuck him?”
My hand slaps his shoulder. “Oh my God, Lars. No!”
“Why is that such a ridiculous question? People fuck. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You fucked me last night,” he says it so nonchalantly, like we’re discussing a birthday present or something.
“Sex is nice and all, but it’s not really something I care to discuss.” I can feel my cheeks flush with heat and I turn back toward the window before he notices it and points it out. Because that’s totally something he would do.
“So, you didn’t fuck him. Did you kiss him?”
Pinching my eyes shut, I try to ignore the questions. Because, yes, I did kiss Trent once. But Lars doesn’t need to know that. It was just a kiss.
“Well. Did ya?”
“Yes.” I spit out and clap my hands to my legs. “Yes, I kissed him once.”
When he looks at me, it feels like he’s suddenly lost all respect for me. Like the sweet, quiet girl has no life. I didn’t actually have much of a life, but Trent and I kissed a week before school started back up and I found out I was pregnant. We weren’t together, but I’d given up on Lars and was ready to try dating someone in hopes of finding some sort of happiness. I’d never had a boyfriend before and Trent was sweet. He was also clingy, whiny, and needy, but he was nice to me.
Then Lars joined drama class and as much as I hated him then, any possibility of Trent and I being together quickly diminished. My heart was suddenly Lars’ again. I didn’t know it at the time, and I’m still fighting it, but it’s true. He has it and he probably always will.
“How was it?” He eggs me on, not letting this go.
Biting back a smile, I avoid looking at him. “I’m done talking about this.”
The rest of the ride is quiet as I stare out the window, lost in thought. My mind wanders everywhere from Mom leaving to the scars Rick left behind, all the way to leaving Lars and going to New York. The idea of never seeing him again punches at my gut.
Lars maneuvers the ginormous SUV between two closely parked cars then shifts the vehicle into park. “Ready for this?”
I stuff my phone into the front pocket of the hoodie I’m wearing and unbuckle my seatbelt. “Yep. Time to prove you wrong.”
“Me wanting this doesn’t mean that I think you’re lying. It’s just a lot of money to hand over when a stick test could have been wrong.“
“Doesn’t matter. We’re here now so let’s do it. It’s no big deal.” I open the door and step outside before he does. Sticking my hands in my pocket, I meet him in front of the vehicle. It feels so strange being out in public like this with Lars. People pass by us and don’t even question his reasoning for being with me.
Do they think I’m his girlfriend? Sister maybe? No one knows me or my past, and it’s refreshing to hold my head high without judgment. No one knows about the video, my social status, my lack of friends, or even my Christianity.
When we go inside, Lars checks us in, and I feel
