Page 20 of A Vicious Rumor

I'd had him drive over to my high school and we'd hopped the fence to eat up on the tallest bleachers overlooking the football stadium. I wasn't a big fan of football, or any sports for that matter. It wasn't that I didn't like them, I just didn't really connect to them. But, the football stadium bleachers had a great view from way up high.

"What about you?" I asked. "What's your life been like?"

Tyson shrugged. "Much the same. I go to school, I get in fights, I go home."

I shook my head. "You're still getting into fights?"

He gave me a coy smile. "Not my fault. When I was a kid, I got a soul-buddy out of one. Maybe I kept getting into other ones hoping you'd appear to break it all up."

My heart stuttered at what he said. "That's perfectly bad logic," I said to him instead.

He shrugged. "I was a kid."

"But you're still getting in fights."

He just shrugged. "Plans for college?" he asked me, jumping to another conversation topic.

"Applying for scholarship and hoping for the best," I said. "You?"

"Haven't totally figured it out yet."

I nodded. "I think you will." He balled up the wrapping of his hamburger and put his hand out for mine before we both climbed down the bleachers.

"Where to next?" he asked as we climbed back into the Jeep.

"Craft store," I replied.

He gave me an odd look. "Why there?"

"You'll see," I replied. "Just turn left up here," I directed him.

He chuckled, but turned the car onto the highway and followed my directions to the local shopping center.

"Just wait here," I said to him, leaping out of the car. "I'll just be a minute."

"You sure you don't want me to come in with you?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm sure."

I walked into the store and made my way to the paint supplies. I ran my finger along the different colors and grabbed a little bottle of what I needed. It wasn't the real thing, I'd never be able to afford the real thing, but it would do the trick. I already had a few brushes at home that I could use, so I hurried over to the counter to pay.

Upon leaving the store, I looked around and didn't see Tyson's big Jeep. A flash of worry coursed through my veins at the thought of being abandoned. Then, I heard the growl of his engine and looked over to my right. He stopped the car right in front of me, and I could see the worry on his eyes.

"Damn girl," he said. "You were faster than I thought you'd be." I climbed into the car and he handed me an iced coffee. "I wanted to surprise you."

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Mission accomplished."

"Lily White," he said, looking at the piece of paper I'd handed him with all of my information.

I held my hand out and wiggled my fingers. "Now your end of the deal."

He winked at me and pulled the bracelet off of his wrist before handing it to me. "What are you going to do with it?" he asked, and I shook my head before stuffing it into my purse.

"Don't worry about it," I replied.

"Can I visit you tomorrow?" he asked me.

I shook my head again. "Sorry, no." His features looked completely crestfallen. "I'm working," I said quickly.

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