Page 6 of Happenstance
I walked up the steps and smiled back at Amy. I didn’t mind her. She might be a member of the slut squad–as Riley called them–but she had sweet moments. Lately I’d seen her talking to other people. Most of whom were on Naomi’s hit list.
Maybe she was getting tired of Naomi’s crap? I know I was glad the queen and her minions would be gone next year. If only Mason could graduate, then my senior year might not be so bad. Except for the baby I’d be raising, of course.
“Jasmine,” my gaze rolled over one minion in particular, “Showing a little extra skin today, I see.”
Naomi’s light eyes locked on mine. “Why are you talking to us?”
“Aw,” Jasmine’s lips twisted in a mocking frown, “Is little orphan Annie lonely?”
I snickered out a scoff. Little orphan Annie. How original. Mason was the genius behind that one. It still hurt though. I knew it wasn’t my parents fault they died, but sometimes it felt like it was.
“Still full of quick wit, I see.”
“Careful, Annie,” Naomi leaned back and continued filing her nails. “You wouldn’t want someone questioning your choice in wardrobe.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes judgingly over me. “A word of advice, honey, that sweater isn’t hiding anything.”
I faltered. Took a step back, and pulled the hem of my sweater down. Did they know? No, I told myself, shaking it off. There’s no way they could. I didn’t tell anyone, and I was pretty sure no one else was talking about it. Not any of my friends, anyway. Taking a deep breath, I pushed my way into Ashworth.
The change in the air was so thick, it was palatable. It rolled through the hall in heavy waves, crashing through my anxious heartbeat. The whispers and sideways glances were unnerving. So much so, that I looked down to make sure my bump wasn’t visible. Something I tried not to do, because it would draw attention. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide my pregnancy. Then again, maybe I was?
Parker Whitley not only destroyed my idealized teenage fantasy of him, he crushed it under his overpriced boot. Still, there was a small part of me that couldn’t let go of what I’d seen. That was the problem. I wanted to hate him. Wanted to curse the very ground he walked on. But I couldn’t, because for a few hours, three months before, I saw the real Parker Whitley.
I could still feel his hands on me. Touching me with the same feral need I felt for him. And it all started with one simple question…
“Why didyou stick up for me?”
Parker cocked his head and stared at me with his beautiful grey eyes. The way they sparkled, happy and full of life, drew me in. Day after day, I got lost in those eyes, wishing that just once they’d look at me. And now that they were, I couldn’t breathe.
“No one should be treated that way.”
I moved my gaze up to his soft blond locks. That didn’t help much either. All I could think about was running my fingers through it. Maybe tug on his hair a little? Would he like that? Maybe he’d groan. I’d really like to hear him groan.
Okay Lana, breathe. Parker’s just being nice. That’s all.
He turned away to drop my keys on the dresser and it felt like air suddenly came flying back in the room. This was my moment. I’d say something smart and witty, and Parker Whitley would finally see me.
“Would your mother agree?” And just like that, the oxygen was gone again.
Way to go, Lana. Total genius move.
“Just because she’s my mother,” Parker’s back straightened as he glared over his shoulder, “Doesn’t mean I agree with her.”
Glared! Great, now I’d made him mad.
Everyone knew about Lillianna Whitley. Nan kept an eye on her. Considering Lillianna’s entire view on life demanded that people like Nan, myself, and even Riley, be sent off somewhere else, I didn’t blame her. Though there were rumors that she’d done more than send them off. How involved was Parker with his mother’s organization? He didn’t fit her vision of a perfect America either. Then again…
“Does she know?”
Could I internally facepalm, because a slap might knock some sense into me.
My heart started pounding when the corner of Parker’s mouth curled and he took a couple steps closer. “Does she know what?”
Judging by the gleam in his eye, I’d say he wanted me to say it. No. That couldn’t be right? Seriously, what would Parker Whitley get out of hearing me say he liked dick too? Either way, I wasn’t going to say it.
No way, José.
“That your bat swings both ways.”
