Don't Fall for Trouble

by Victorine E. Lieske

  She shoved the screen back and closed the window as she heard her father knock on her door. “Jess? Who’s in there with you?”

  Crap. He heard them? She grabbed her robe and shoved her arms in, then tightened it around her. Then she opened the door. “No one’s in here,” she said, trying not to choke on the lie. “I was just getting dressed.”

  “Whose motorcycle is that outside?”

  She swallowed, her throat closing up. “There’s a motorcycle outside?”

  His eyebrows knit together as he scanned her room. “Yeah. No one you know?”

  “Must be someone visiting the neighbors.” The lies just kept coming. She was a terrible person. Guilt made her sick to her stomach.

  “Why didn’t you answer my texts?”

  She grabbed her phone. “I must have my ringer off. Sorry, I didn’t hear them.” At least that was true.

  “Okay, sweetheart. I just wanted to say goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Daddy.” She hadn’t used that term in a long time, and it made her feel even guiltier.

  He kissed her forehead and exited her room. She plopped down on her bed, her emotions in a jumble. Her fingers touched her lips. They still hummed with Christian’s kiss. Still tasted of him. But she couldn’t enjoy the moment anymore. Not with the guilt racing through her veins. She was a horrible daughter.

  What in the world was she doing? She couldn’t do this anymore. The lies were killing her.

  Yet, she couldn’t step away from Christian. She was in too deep and had no idea what she was going to do about it.

  JESSICA SEARCHED FOR Christian the next day at school, but he wasn’t there. As she stuffed her books in her locker so she could go to lunch, she worried she’d made a mistake kissing him. He was everything she shouldn’t be attracted to. Yet, she couldn’t help how she felt about him.

  The loud lunchroom was a welcome distraction. She grabbed a tray and stood in line to get her salad and bottle of water. Jack entered the lunchroom. She expected to see Destiny following after him, but he was alone. She watched as he walked over to another girl.

  Trudy joined her in line. “Hey, what’s up?”

  Jessica scowled and raised her chin in Jack’s direction. “Sleaze alert.”

  Trudy followed her gaze. “Is that your ex?”

  “Yep. The one who convinced Destiny he was not cheating. And here he is, flirting with Brunette Barbie.”

  Trudy wrinkled her nose. “Is he flirting? They look like they’re just talking.”

  Jack reached out and took the girl’s hand.

  “Oh!” Trudy said, shaking her head. “Never mind. He’s definitely flirting.”

  Jack kissed her hand and Brunette Barbie giggled.

  “Man, he’s a scum bag. Where’s Destiny?”

  Jessica slid her tray across the metal bars. “Apparently not in here.”

  “Are you going to tell her what you saw?” Trudy grabbed a chocolate milk.

  “Seriously? Chocolate milk? What are you, a third grader?”

  “I need some sugar in my bloodstream. Don’t be a hater.”

  “I’ve tried to tell Destiny to stay away from Jack. She won’t listen to me.” Jessica typed in her code so the lunch would go on her account. “If she wants to date a cheater, she’ll find out eventually it was a bad idea.”

  She picked up her tray and walked to their usual table, but it wasn’t empty like normal. A guy sat in her spot. He had sun-bleached blond hair and she didn’t recognize him. Jessica set her tray down on the opposite side of the table and sat down. “Hi.”

  He looked up from his sandwich. “Sorry, is this your table?” The guy started to get up. “I can leave.”

  Jessica waved her hand. “No. Don’t leave. We usually sit here, but there’s room.” She took in the surfboard on his T-shirt. “You new here?”

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  Trudy joined them at the table, a curious look on her face. “Hello.”

  Jessica motioned. “This is Trudy, and I’m Jessica.”

  “My name’s Elijah, but mostly people just call me Eli.”

  “Let me guess,” Jessica said. “You’re from California.”

  He looked down at his shirt and chuckled. “Yeah. You caught me. Surfer dude, all the way.”

  Lane sat down and put his arm around Trudy. “What’s up?”

  Jessica introduced them. “Eli’s from California.”

  “What part?” Lane asked.

  “Santa Cruz.”

  Lane made a face. “Why’d you move here?”

  “No choice.”

  The way Eli said it made it seem like there was a story there, but he didn’t want to tell it. Jessica didn’t blame him. He barely met them. And she didn’t blame him for not being thrilled with the move, either. Rockford, Wisconsin, was cold and boring compared to Santa Cruz. “Hopefully you won’t hate it here.”

  Destiny walked into the lunchroom and Eli’s gaze snapped to her, following her across the room. Destiny had a way of walking with her hips instead of her feet. It seemed to attract male attention. His lips curved up into a smile. “I like it better already.”

  Chapter 12

  Jessica shifted her feet as she pressed Christian’s doorbell. He hadn’t been at school, and she hadn’t spoken to him since he snuck out her window. He didn’t answer her text this afternoon. And she was still unsure what she was going to say to him when he opened the door.

  She hated lying to her father. She’d been so wracked with guilt, it had been impossible to sleep last night. Her father loved her, she knew that. He was only trying to do what was best for her. But he didn’t understand. How could he?

  She’d debated telling Christian she couldn’t see him anymore. They could collect the data for their project separately. She wouldn’t have to continue to lie to her father. But the thought of that made her chest tighten and her mouth dry up. Things between them had progressed too far. She really liked him. And he wasn’t a bad kid; he’d just been put in a particularly hard situation.

  The door opened and Christian stood there, holding an expression she couldn’t decipher.

  “Are you okay?”

  He stepped out onto the stoop and shut the door behind him. “I can’t talk. You need to leave.”

  “Why? What’s—”

  “Just go. There’s been a big blow-up. I’ll talk to you later.” He disappeared back into his house and shut the door.

  Jessica turned, emotions warring with each other. She was hurt that he turned her away, but also worried. What did he mean there was a big blow-up? Were he and Molly safe?

  She walked back to her car, feeling numb. Should she call the police? What good would that do? Michael was a cop. She had no idea what he’d done. What would she even report?

  She went back to Trudy’s house and got her phone. Then she went home. What else could she do? Her nerves were frayed by the time she got in her bedroom.

  A text came through on her phone. It was from her father.

  Not working out today?

  Frustration and anger flashed through her. She couldn’t believe he was stalking her every move. She fired off a quick response.

  Stop spying on me. I hate this app.

  As soon as she hit send, she felt bad, but the anger in her didn’t allow her to apologize. She turned the ringer off on her phone, tossed it on the nightstand and curled up on her bed. Exhausted, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  She awoke to a tapping noise. As she tried to orient herself, she realized the sun had gone down and she’d been asleep for several hours. She grabbed her phone, worried that her father had been trying to get ahold of her.

  Just one message from him. I’m sorry. We’ll talk when I get home. I have to work late again. See you later.

  The tapping noise came again. What was that? She glanced to the window and almost screamed. Christian was there. She jumped up, her heart pounding. She opened the window. “What are you doing?”

  “I had to come ta
lk to you. Michael broke my phone. I couldn’t call first. I’m sorry.”

  Jessica pulled out the screen and Christian climbed in. She leaned the screen up against the wall and turned to him. “Is everything okay? What happened?”

  “My mom and Michael had a huge fight. It was bad. But she ended up kicking him out of the house, which is the best thing that could happen. I’ve been telling her to do it for the last two years.”

  She couldn’t believe it. “He’s gone?”

  “He was packing his things when you came over.”

  Relief poured over her and she rushed to him, throwing her arms around him. “That’s the best news. I’m so glad you and Molly are safe now.”

  He hugged her close. “Me, too.”

  There was a hesitation in his voice that she didn’t understand. She looked up at him. “Is there more to the story?”

  He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Can you come with me? I want to talk to you.”

  She didn’t miss the fact that he hadn’t answered her question. But even as his invitation sent a thrill through her, reality splashed cold water on it. She shook her head. “I can’t. My father is going to be home any second. And he’s not exactly happy with me.”

  He cupped her face. “Then I guess we don’t have a lot of time.” He leaned closer.

  “A lot of time for what?”

  “For this.” His lips caressed hers, and she closed her eyes.

  His kiss was slow, going against what he’d just said, taking time to explore her lips. She wasn’t going to complain. The sizzle between them sent cascades of pleasure through her. She could kiss Christian forever. The thought almost startled her. How wrapped up in this guy was she becoming? And she didn’t even know if he thought of her as his girlfriend.

  She pulled back from him. “We should finish our conversation from last night.”

  “I thought we were finishing that conversation.” He dipped again to kiss her.

  She kissed him back, but then pulled away. “I mean, with words.”

  He smiled at her. “All right. If you want to label what we are, go ahead.”

  “No, wait a minute. It’s not fair to put this all on me. What about you? Do you think of me as your girlfriend?”

  His gaze turned soft. “I think of you every second of every minute. I can’t stop thinking of you.”

  “You didn’t answer the question.”

  “If I call you my girlfriend, will you shut up and kiss me again before I have to climb out of that stupid window?”

  She couldn’t help it. She giggled. “All right.”

  He pulled her tight to his chest. “Good. Because you’re driving me crazy, blondie.” He kissed her and she slid her arms around him.

  Her bedroom door flew open and her father entered. “Jessica!”

  She jumped back from Christian, her heart in her throat. “Daddy!” A panic enveloped her. She was in so much trouble.

  Her father’s eyes narrowed and he turned a deep shade of red. “You.” He pointed to Christian. “Get out of my home.”

  Christian stood there frozen, showing no emotion. His jaw clenched and he gave a slight nod. “Yes, sir.” He turned toward the open window.

  “Use the front door.” Her father looked like he was going to have a stroke. Or pass a gallstone.

  Christian nodded once again and brushed past him. Jessica heard his footsteps on the stairs, then the front door opening and closing.

  Her father shook his head. “What in the world were you thinking? Is that who you’ve been sneaking around with behind my back? I knew you had been lying to me, but I never would have imagined...”

  Jessica’s mouth felt like it was full of rocks. “I can explain.” The words were out before she could stop them. The worst part was, she didn’t think she could explain.

  “Go ahead, then. I’m waiting to hear this fantastic explanation of why you were making out with a boy—a juvenile delinquent—in your room.”

  Jessica wilted. She sat on her bed, her mind racing. “He’s not a delinquent.”

  She wanted to slap her forehead. Lamest thing ever uttered. Why wasn’t her brain working?

  Her father was on the edge of losing his cool. She’d never seen him so upset before. He worked his jaw. “You are grounded, young lady. And you’ve lost your phone privileges.” He held out his hand to her.

  She panicked and grabbed her phone, hugging it to her chest. “No!”

  His head looked like it was going to explode. “And you’re losing your bedroom door! Want to push me further?”

  Jessica balked. What else would he take away if she didn’t give in? She shoved her phone at him, tears streaming down her face.

  “You will meet me downstairs in one hour so we can talk. We both need to cool off first.” He turned on his heel and marched out of her room.

  She wanted to scream at him. Throw something against the wall. Smash something. But she knew it was useless. Her phone was gone, her privacy was gone and she was going to have to sit through another lecture.

  Chapter 13

  Christian stood outside of Jessica’s house listening to her father’s words. No yelling. That was good. He was used to a lot more screaming at his home. Still, he wanted to be sure Jessica was all right. Her father looked like he was going to spontaneously combust or something.

  A noise came from the back yard and a figure emerged. Michael. He wasn’t on duty. He shone a flashlight in Christian’s face, blinding him. “What are you doing, Christian? You’re not peeping, are you?”

  The cold way he spoke sent a snaking fear through Christian. “What are you doing? Following me?”

  Michael took a step closer. His dark eyes were like coal, black and menacing. “I don’t think it’s proper for you to be standing outside of this young woman’s home. What would her father think?”

  “I’m leaving.” Christian turned to walk towards the street where he’d parked his bike, but Michael grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

  “Don’t walk away from me.”

  Christian’s hands fisted involuntarily. “Leave me alone,” he said, his voice low.

  Michael stepped close, his eyes narrowed to thin slits. “I’ll leave you alone if you stop coming between me and your mother.”

  His breath reeked of alcohol, and his fingers bruised. Christian stumbled back from him. “Let me go,” he said.

  Michael released him.

  Christian sprinted down the street, his heart thumping. This wasn’t good. Michael now knew he and Jessica had something going on. And knowing Michael, he wasn’t going to leave them alone.

  When Michael wanted something, he usually got it. And judging from the last time Christian stood up to him, his own mother couldn’t be counted on. A sick feeling spread through him.

  He mounted his bike and took off. He’d circle back around after Michael had left just to make sure Jessica was still okay. Then he had to figure out what to do about Michael.

  AFTER HER FATHER REMOVED her bedroom door, Jessica had to endure the whiteboard for an hour while her father lectured about lying and the dangers of boys with bad intentions. He forbade her to see Christian again.

  Inside, she seethed. Her father didn’t know anything about Christian. Not the man she’d gotten to know. He would never do anything to harm her. She knew this with all her heart.

  She stared at the clock while her father marked up the board. She just wanted to go to sleep. When he took in a breath, she interrupted. “I’m sorry. I really am. It’s ten o’clock. Can I go to bed now?”

  He pointed to the board. “Do you understand now why I have to do these things to protect you?”

  She couldn’t talk back to him, or she’d have another hour of the red marker. “Yes.”

  “Okay.” He walked to her and kissed the top of her head. “You know I love you, right?”

  That was the worst thing he could have said because inside, she did know. He was trying to do his best. He just didn’t realize
Christian wasn’t who he thought he was. “Right,” she said, suddenly drained.

  Upstairs, she scrubbed her face and climbed into bed. When a tapping sound came at her window, she bolted out of bed. Christian was on the other side of the glass. She ran to her window and unlocked it, sliding it open.

  “What are you doing? You can’t come in.”

  “I know. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Her heart melted. “I’m fine.” She glanced at the gaping hole that used to be her bedroom door. “I lost my door and my phone.”

  “I heard.”

  The floorboards downstairs creaked. Jessica swallowed. “You’d better go. I’m not allowed to see you anymore. If he finds you here, he’d blow a gasket.”

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. At school.”

  “Promise?”

  He placed his hand on the screen and she did the same. She could feel the heat of his skin through the mesh. “Yeah.”

  Christian disappeared and she closed her window and slipped back into bed. All her anger and frustration melted away, and she fell into a deep sleep.

  JESSICA SCANNED THE hallway for the tenth time. No sign of Christian. Trudy nudged her. “What’s the matter? You’re not listening to a word I’ve said.”

  Guilt soured her stomach. “I’m sorry.” She should have been listening. She was a terrible friend.

  “You’re looking for him, aren’t you?” When Jessica didn’t respond, Trudy shook her head. “He is bad news, girl. When are you going to see that?”

  “That’s just it. He’s not bad. He’s so unlike that.”

  Trudy gave her a flat look. “He skips school. Is he even going to graduate?”

  “He’s not what everyone thinks.”

  Trudy narrowed her eyes. “Do you hear yourself? He’s a bad influence on you. Is he going to college? What’s he going to do with his life? Where will you be if you stay with him?”

  The bell rang, saving Jessica from having to answer Trudy’s questions. The truth was, she didn’t know the answers, and it bothered her. “See you later,” she said, gripping her books.