Page 54 of Tainted Rose

Scarlett

Xander wasn’t kidding. Sitting in Mrs. Harden’s class this morning, all I could think about was how good he’d made me feel with his hands, lips, and tongue … and how he’d whispered again how much I mean to him before I left.

It’s a good thing he’d made me feel so wanted, so cared for, because not thirty seconds later, my emotions took a massive nosedive. I was not prepared to see his stepfather—my father—downstairs as I was leaving. He’d been talking to Janie while she ate her breakfast, gently coaxing her to eat some of the sliced bananas on her plate. That’s okay, little sis. Our loathing of bananas must be genetic. And maybe he’d know better than to keep trying if he’d been around when I was a kid. If he hadn’t abandoned me and my mother. My stomach rolls, remembering the cold look he’d given me. The What the fuck are you doing here? had been written plainly all over his face.

I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day. There are so many things I wish I’d had the guts to say to him, but I hadn’t had the heart to do it with Janie sitting there, smiling so sweetly. She’d waved at me, grinning big, her little pigtails swinging. I hope I get a chance to get to know her better, even if my own father doesn’t seem to want to do the same with me.

I don’t even realize that I’ve zoned out in the middle of the cafeteria until Daphne pokes me in the side, her wary gaze traveling to someone behind me.

I turn in my seat to find Micah and Beau standing awkwardly, shuffling around on their feet. “What’s up, guys?”

Micah grabs at the back of his neck. “We were wondering how Xander is doing.”

“He’s not responding to texts.” Beau frowns.

“He was okay when I left this morning.” Remembering the nightmare, though, my fingers itch to touch my bruised cheek. I’d done a fairly decent job of hiding it under some makeup, and so far, no one has commented on it. I shrug. “The lack of texts is a good thing. His doctor said he should try to limit screen time for a few days. I’m pretty sure his mom hijacked his phone, so I hope you didn’t send him anything weird or gross.”

Beau scoffs, “We’d never.”

“Right.” I wink at them.

“Uh, we know Xander might not be up for it, but there’s a party at my place tomorrow night, if you want to come.” Beau runs his hand over his jaw. “You know—since you’re together.”

“Is that your sneaky way of asking if we are, in fact, together?”

Smiles break over both of their faces. Micah chuckles, “Yep.”

I glance at Max and Daphne, who I haven’t really admitted this to either. “Yes. We’re together now.”

Beau laughs. “Good. The invitation to the party stands either way. But we like you, pretty girl. You’re good for Xander.”

Daphne shoots an eye roll at Max that I don’t miss. I pat her leg. I know these guys, Micah in particular, make her uncomfortable.

“I’m glad to hear you think so.”

I make a quick trip home after cross-country practice because I’d forgotten I have to work tonight and I don’t have one of my Teri & Terry’s shirts with me. I honestly wish I could bail and go see Xander but I don’t want to let my bosses down.

After letting myself into the house, for some reason, I stop in the front hallway. It’s almost as if my subconscious understands something that’s not yet fully apparent to me. My senses go on high alert. Something feels … off. I inhale and hold my breath for a second, trying to figure it out. Exasperated, I blow the breath out hard, my lips curving downward. I slowly wander around the bottom floor of my aunt and uncle’s home but don’t notice anything out of place or strange. I’d done the dishes before I left and the mail is stacked on the kitchen table right where I’d set it. The back door is locked. The stress of the last twenty-four hours is definitely making me crazy.

I inch back toward the front of the house, looking around warily. And then I see it. A piece of paper is on the floor near the front door. I’d probably stepped on it coming in. Someone must have stuck it through the gap in the door. I gasp in shock.

You can run but you can’t hide. You’re mine. One day soon, I’ll come for you.

My heart starts to race. Is this some sort of trick? It’s written on notebook paper, too—like school paper. I bend down close, not wanting to touch it, and get a whiff of pungent cologne. That odd scent is what freaked me out when I came in. And I’ve smelled it before. My brain scrambles trying to remember where.

I hike my bags onto my shoulder and take the stairs up to my bedroom two at a time. I can’t get rid of the weird feeling in my gut now that I’ve read the note—like I’m being watched. Something I’m overlooking ticks at the back of my mind, and I can’t shake it loose. I push the door of my room open and frown.

Fuck this.I don’t have to stay here. I dump the dirty clothes from yesterday out of my bag and set about refilling it. I grab the T-shirt I need for work and shove it into the bag as well as several changes of clothing, both for school tomorrow and for the weekend. I’m not hanging out here alone. No way in hell. Not when somebody thinks it’d be funny to play around leaving me disturbing notes. This wary, creeped-out feeling is way too familiar—like when I’d been followed in the woods and stalked by that truck.

I grab my stuff and head back downstairs. With a huff, I pull out my phone and snap a photo of the paper and leave it right where it is. I lock the door behind me and hurry to my truck, eyes darting all around me as I go. I don’t know if whoever left the note is still here, but I’m not waiting to find out.

I pull up Xander’s number in my contacts and put the call through as I pull myself up into the driver’s seat. It rings a few times, then a woman’s voice says, “Hello?”

“Hi.” My brow creases. The voice is familiar. “June? It’s Scarlett.”

“Yes, honey. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I should have known right away that you were ‘Red’ when it popped up on Xander’s phone.”

“That’s okay. Is he around? I need to talk to him.” I put the key into the ignition, unsure what my next move is going to be.

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