by Patty Blount
Bailey’s hands curled into fists, and she marched away before she used them. Safely enclosed in a stall in the ladies’ room, she fell to pieces for a few minutes and then bravely fixed her makeup. She would not let Ryder’s betrayal touch her, and she would definitely not go running to Meg to tell her how right she was. And she would most definitely not waste another tear on Simon. She blew her nose on some scratchy toilet paper, washed her hands, and walked with her head up high to the game store. She always went to the game store when she felt down.
Guys loved gamer chicks.
She spent a relaxing hour debating what the new Assassin’s Creed game would be like with some poor slob who had no idea who he was dealing with and then met Gran outside.
“He didn’t show, did he?”
Bailey slouched in the front seat and merely shook her head. Gran said nothing more.
Later than night, Bailey blew a curl out of her eyes and stared at her Facebook updates. She hadn’t felt like eating dinner, and now her stomach was complaining. As she stared at the volume of Likes and comments her little Facebook story about Meg had earned, she knew her stomach was feeling a lot more than just hungry.
Okay, so maybe she shouldn’t have posted the story about Meg wetting her pants. She would apologize again tonight. After she found something to eat. After she did her homework. And after Meg had time to paint, which Bailey knew would go a long way toward calming her. Maybe she would hold Meg’s palette while she painted. Meg would like that.
Her cell phone buzzed. She glanced at the message and tightened her lips.
Ryder: Hey, u busy?
It took her a few minutes, but she finally decided on an appropriate reply. Her first few attempts were entirely too snarky.
Bailey: I’m not at work, so why would I be busy?
A new message came through instantly.
Ryder: I get that UR pissed off. I can explain.
Pissed off? Pissed off didn’t even come close. She twisted a curl and thought of Meg. If Meg were here, she’d roll her eyes and yell, “Are you crazy? He blew you off! Don’t give him a second chance to hurt you.” But Meg wasn’t here. And besides, he did say he was working.
Ryder: Please?
A slow grin spread across Bailey’s face. He was cute or…well, seemed cute and so determined to make things up to her.
Bailey: No problem. I get it. Something came up. Whatever.
She would hear him out. But she wouldn’t make it easy for him.
Ryder: Bailey, I know it sounds lame, but I screwed up at work and had to fix it. That’s why I was late.
That’s it? Working late? She rolled her eyes. He was really going to have do better than that.
Bailey: Bull. You never showed up. I was there until 5. I’m not stupid. You don’t want to see me, fine. I don’t need you.
Ryder: B, I was scared. U happy now? I didn’t show up because I was scared.
Bailey read the text message twice. It didn’t make sense. Why would he be scared? Was he ugly or horribly deformed or something?
Bailey: Scared of me? I look exactly like the pictures online.
Ryder: No, not ur pictures. UR really cute. It’s because of Meg, Bailey. I don’t want to come between u guys.
Bailey’s temper spiked so suddenly that she actually stomped her foot. Gran yelled at her from downstairs to stop dancing. As if! Meg was ruining things for her without even trying.
Bailey: Look, I’m the one who made Meg mad. I kinda blew her off yesterday, and she took it out on you. Nothing to do with you.
Ryder: She’s just looking out for u. I get that. How mad at u is she?
Bailey wondered that very same thing.
Bailey: Total cold shoulder today.
Ryder: U should go talk to her. I don’t want her to h8 me.
She frowned and typed back.
Bailey: Why? If she hates you, so what?
Ryder: I don’t want u to hate me, so GO TALK TO HER!
Bailey laughed at his shouty text.
Bailey: I will! I promise. Later. She’s painting now and hates being interrupted.
Ryder: Good. TTYL. XO
Bailey beamed. He’d texted a hug and a kiss. That had to mean he liked her and not just a little. She wrapped her arms around herself and twirled around her room. Gran yelled up at her again to stop dancing.
She couldn’t wait to tell Meg.
Chapter 33
Meg
Alone in her room, Meg twisted the neck of the Pixar lamp clamped to her easel and angled it at her canvas. She switched it on and froze. Chase looked back at her, eyes blazing from under the hair that was always in his face. Blood dripped from his lips down his jaw and throat, making him look like a vampire out of a romance novel, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
She ran a finger across his parted lips and her own tingled. She noted the slight flare around his nostrils and her breathing went shallow. She leaned closer and swore she could smell the faint scent of vanilla that always clung to him. His eyes locked on hers from under his lashes. When she felt her lips lift in that smile, she threw a cover over the canvas and sank to her bed. She hadn’t painted his hands but imagined they’d be clenched into fists while he tried like hell not to reach out and grab her. She’d painted him the way he’d looked last night after he had kissed her—and that had been hours after she’d finished this portrait.
God, she was losing her mind. It was a painting! Nothing more than a few globs of paint, she assured herself. She pressed a hand to her chest and pulled in a calming breath. The computer on her desk caught her attention. She powered it on and found some unanswered emails from the weekend. One from Ryder on Saturday.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Chill out!
Meg, WTF is going on between you and Bailey? She’s all upset. Could you please back off? I told you I won’t hurt her. I’m trying to arrange my work schedule so I can meet her and prove to you that I am who I say I am, so please stop screwing with her head.
Before that, one from Bailey, whose subject line read, “BACK OFF!!!!!!!!!!”
From: [email protected]
Subject: BACK OFF!!!!!!!!!!
I told Ryder how you wet your pants in second grade and had to wear boys’ underwear the rest of the day. He laughed. He thought it was the funniest thing he ever heard. He thought it was so funny that I should put it on Facebook. I hope Chase sees it and laughs at you.
Meg winced. It was like they were six all over again. She’d never told Ryder that story. How could Bailey doubt that?
There were several from a bunch of classmates, all teasing her about her bladder control issues. She deleted them, unread. Then a second one from Bailey.
From: [email protected]
Subject: How could you?
Megan, how could you do that? How could you tell Ryder what happened in second grade? OMG, I’m so embarrassed!!!! You swore you wouldn’t tell anybody that story. I know you don’t like Ryder, but seriously, Meg, this really sucks. I thought we were friends. I really like this guy, and now he’ll probably never want to talk to me again because of you. Back off!
Her anger reignited, and she pounded out a new message to Ryder.
To: [email protected]
Subject: You slime
Ryder, I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but I’m on to you. You’re a liar and a player who obviously knows us, and I’m going to track you down. So what’s the deal? You want to get back at me for something? Fine. Be a man and face me in person instead of from behind your computer, you slime.
She clicked Send and seethed for a moment or two, and then her phone buzzed with a text message from Bailey. Her hand screamed with pain. With a sigh, she called her.
“Hey.”
“Oh, hey! Why didn’t you text me?”
; “Because it hurts.”
“Oh…right. Sorry,” Bailey said. “So I’ll be over in like fifteen minutes? I thought it might be easier to get you showered at night. Then in the morning, all you have to do is change clothes, you know?”
Meg’s eyebrows shot up. That was actually a really good idea. “Um…yeah, okay.”
“Did you eat?”
Meg glanced at the clock. It was after nine o’clock. “I forgot.”
“I’ll bring you some ravioli that Gran made. See you in a few.”
Meg closed her phone and gathered the things she’d need for her shower. Clean underwear, elastic-waist sleep pants, and a tank top were perfect. What could she tug on tomorrow with one hand? She searched through her closet and found a skirt Bailey had made her buy a few months ago. She made a face and nearly put it back but then reconsidered. It had looked nice on her. It was a long, flowy skirt in a soft brown fabric. She could wear it with ballet flats.
In the bathroom, she readied soap, shampoo, conditioner, towels, plus the plastic bag she’d found in the bag Bailey had packed for her. It covered her hand up to the elbow and should keep everything dry. When the doorbell rang, she was already halfway downstairs.
“Hey!” Bailey bounced in and headed for the kitchen. “Gran says to heat these only for like a minute in the microwave or—” She put a plastic container on the counter and made an explosion sound, emphasized it with a hand motion. “Hungry?”
“Yeah, but I can wait until after I shower.”
“Cool. Let’s go.”
Upstairs, Meg kicked off her canvas shoes and then tugged off her shirt. With Bailey’s help, Meg was soon under the hot water stream with her plastic-covered hand outside the tub. It took her twice as long to shampoo, condition, rinse, scrub, and shave, but she did it and felt tons better.
“Here. Put this on.” Bailey wrapped her in a robe. “You need help with the clothes?”
“Nah, I can manage.”
“I’ll be in your room if you need me.”
Meg was smiling when she finished getting dressed. Her hand wasn’t throbbing anymore and it felt good to be clean. The clothes she’d chosen were perfect—easy to get on with one hand and comfortable for sleep.
“Hey, Bailey, that wasn’t so—What’s wrong?” Meg’s grin faded when she found Bailey sitting on her bed, frowning at her cell phone.
“You bitch.”
Chapter 34
Bailey
Trust was fragile, Bailey thought when she tossed Meg’s cell phone on her bed. She didn’t want to believe Ryder and she didn’t want to doubt Meg, not after everything that had just happened. But there it was—proof right on Meg’s phone. She’d contacted Ryder just like he’d said she did after she had told her, promised her that she would stop interfering.
“Excuse me?” Meg said in that oh-no-you-didn’t tone she’d perfected back in second grade, but Bailey wasn’t backing down. Not this time.
“Ryder says you emailed him.”
Meg’s jaw clenched. “Yeah. So?”
“So I told you to stay away from him.” Bailey stood up, glaring.
Meg shook her head. “I want to know why he’s telling you lies.”
Lies! Bailey rolled her eyes. We’re back to the Ryder’s a liar song. “You’re putting him in the middle and he doesn’t want that. Why can’t you just stay out of it? I know what I’m doing.”
Meg shot out a hip and snorted. “You never know what you’re doing. Remember Mr. Milner? You could have gotten him fired.”
Bailey’s face went hot, and she shot up a hand. It was so…so Meg to bring up the past. “That’s not fair!”
“Fair? I don’t give a crap about fair. I just don’t want him to make a fool out of you, embarrass you, hurt you.”
Meg’s words only made Bailey madder. It was her life, not Meg’s. Honestly, she was like a prison guard. “Megan, I really like this guy. He’s incredible. He’s smart. He likes gaming and is helping me build my video game.”
“Oh, please!” Meg flung out her hands. “You’ll never build that game and you know it. It’s just another scheme to get guys to like you. Maximum points!”
“It is not! I like video games. I’m going to build it and sell it no matter what you say!”
“No, Bailey, you won’t. You’ll just get some guy to build it for you. You tried Simon and then Chase and now Ryder. You’re just using him.”
“No. No, that’s not true. I like him, Meg. I really like him. I don’t want you to ruin that like you—” Bailey suddenly clamped her teeth together and turned away.
Meg flinched. “Like I what, Bailey. What were you gonna say? Like I always do? Is that it? You blame me for all your breakups?” She sank to her bed, blinking back tears.
“Meg, I just want you to mind your own business! I told you to back off. I told you I really like this guy. What is your freaking problem?”
“I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t care!” she shrieked and stood for a moment, blue eyes hot and wide. “Look, I’m telling you for the last time. Back off, or we can’t be friends anymore.”
Meg gasped. “You…you don’t mean that.”
“Oh, yeah, I do,” Bailey said with an emphatic head nod. “I’m sick of this, Meg. It’s my life, and if Ryder’s a mistake, I want to make it! I don’t keep shoving your mistakes in your face.”
“What mistakes?”
Oh, my God, are you really this clueless? “Chase! The way you keep treating him is sick, Meg! But do I constantly remind you of that? No.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I do not! All I do is treat him like the friend he’s always been. You want me to cut him out of my life so you don’t have to deal with your feelings for him, and that’s just mean, Meg, so I won’t do it. I know that pisses you off, but I don’t tell you every second of every day that you’re making a colossal mistake, even though you are. And I wish you’d stop doing that to me.”
“Wait…what?”
“Oh, shut up, Meg! Just shut up and stay out of my life. I’m going home. I hope your hand feels better.” She stomped downstairs and out the door before Meg could close her gaping mouth.
Back at her grandparents’ house, Bailey looked for her mother, but Nicole was out on another date. Gramps was home, but she couldn’t talk about girl stuff with him. He took it too hard and always threatened to get his shotgun if anyone hurt her. He didn’t even have a shotgun. She’d told him that once, and he’d said, “For you, baby girl, I’ll get one.” Gran wasn’t home either. Oh, she thought as she pounded up the stairs to her room, time to make more friends.
She considered a video game but wasn’t in the mood to play by the rules. She flopped on her bed, opened her cell, and tapped out a quick text to Ryder.
Bailey: You there? I need you.
Ryder did not reply. Tears threatened, but she wasn’t ready to sob into her pillow. She logged into Facebook and skimmed her Timeline. Her hands curled into fists, and her face crumbled. It wasn’t enough that she’d texted Ryder after she’d promised she wouldn’t. Meg had posted a brand new update on her Wall.
What do all these guys have in common? Simon Kane, Chase Gallagher, Ryder West, Jordan Clark, Tanner Hayes, Jonathan Pritchard, Elliot Nielson, and Mr. Milner—GO!
What little she’d eaten earlier bubbled in her belly, and she gulped to make sure it stayed down. She pressed a fist to her mouth. Jonathan Pritchard wrote, No comment ;). Jordan posted, Uh oh! A girl in her English class said, They’re all hotties! Another girl asked Oh, Bailey, how did you get an A from Mr. Milner?
It wasn’t the Likes the Wall post was collecting, and it wasn’t even the comments, even though they all pretty much implied she was the school’s biggest slut. No, what hurt the most…what drove the knife through her back was that Meg was the one who posted it.
Cha
pter 35
Meg
Meg opened her front door with a snarl. “What?”
Chase all but seethed, his green eyes glinting in the glare of the porch light. “What the hell, Megan?”
She flinched but did not cower. “You saw Facebook.”
“Yeah. Saw you stab a friend in the back. And you used me to do it.”
His voice was quietly cold—no small feat considering how furious he was. She stared at him, speechless. He waited one more beat. “You don’t even deny it?”
“Um, I believe it’s called fighting back.”
“Really?” Derision practically dripped from the word. “It sounds a whole lot more like getting even, and that’s not you.”
Her eyes went round and she leaned toward him. “Oh, I thought you knew me so well, Chase! That you loved everything about me. Guess you were wrong. You don’t know me, and you can’t possibly love me, so just go home and leave me alone.”
She tried to slam the door, but it bounced off the foot he stuck in its path. She took a step back. Chase stole the opportunity to walk in uninvited, and her face went red. He angled his head and narrowed his eyes. “You think I don’t know you. You’re wrong. Under all this mad, you know what I see? You’re in pieces. Bailey took a cheap shot, and you’re hurt. I get that. But this—” He jabbed a finger upstairs toward her room and finished, “is low.”
She shook her head. “Why don’t I get a shot? She came after me first, and worse, she got Ryder and even you involved. I keep telling her not to trust this guy, and she actually believes him over me.”
The sound of her voice bounced off the walls of the living room. Chase took another step.
“Delete it, Megan. Right now.”
She folded her arms and shook her head. When he cursed, her eyebrows shot up.
“Damn it, Megan. You don’t hurt people like this, not on purpose. Delete the post before it ends up with another TP’d front yard or a knife through a hand. Please.”
“No, Chase. Not this time.”
He met her gaze. “Fine.”
