Chapter 22 – I Don’t Hook Up With Lying Convicts #2
Liam laughed. “Well, if I’m being honest. My first thought was to tell him that hooking up meant butt stuff.”
“What?”
“And to not worry because at least you wouldn’t get pregnant.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. That sounded much more like Liam. “Well thanks for not saying any of that.”
“No problem. I didn’t want Dad to have a heart attack.”
I shook my head.
The four of us reached Leo. He was sitting down and luckily the rest of his table was still in line.
He was about to take a bite of his burger when he saw us. He slowly lowered it back to his tray. “What are you wearing?” he asked me.
“You’re not the one asking questions here. I am. Are you my kiss thief?”
“You like to call me that sometimes,” he said with a smile.
“Stop messing with my head. Have you been texting me?”
“Scarlett, you told me to use my phone less. I’ve been taking that seriously.”
Crap, I’d forgotten about that. “And why aren’t you calling me baby?”
“Sorry, baby.”
I shook my head. “What is happening?”
Sophie stepped forward. “Why did you tell RJ that you were Scarlett’s kiss thief?”
“Because he asked me if I stole a kiss in the bathroom at homecoming and I had.”
“But what other kisses did you steal?”
Leo looked confused. “I only like Scarlett.”
“Why is this conversation so confusing?” Sophie asked.
“That’s what I’m saying!” I said.
“I don’t know what’s happening right now,” Leo said.
“Are you my sister’s kiss thief or not?” Liam said.
“I am,” Leo said.
“Liar!” RJ slammed his hands down on the table. “Where were you the night of Wednesday September 17th?”
“Um...I have no idea.”
“What does that have to do with it?” I asked. I had no idea where I was that night either.
“It has everything to do with it.” RJ slammed his hands down on the table again. “Were you or were you not at Odegaard on the night of Wednesday, September 17th?”
Oh.
“Ummm...” Leo looked very confused.
“And how far exactly have you gone with my sister?” Liam asked.
“I am not comfortable talking about this with her little brother.”
“Then let me ask it,” RJ said. “How far exactly have you gone with my cousin?”
Leo looked at me. “What the heck is going on?”
I took a deep breath. “Leo, were you at Odegaard that night? And have you been texting me for months and not telling me who you are? And pulling me into dark closets and making out with me? And going to third base a couple times now? Today even. In the photo development room?” I gestured to my disheveled appearance.
“Did you just say you sucked someone’s dick in the photo development room?”
“No!” I said.
“You kind of did just say that...”
“Answer her questions!” Sophie said.
“I have no idea what any of you are talking about. I’ve never been to Odegaard. And I’ve only kissed Scarlett twice. And I think I’d remember if we’d gone to third base. Especially if it just happened today. And is that a hickey?”
I slapped my hand over my neck. “I thought I was hooking up with you!”
“Why would you think it was me? You just told me this morning that you wanted to wait to have sex at the Sadie Hawkins dance, and I was being respectful waiting.”
“I never said that!” I turned to my friends. “I never said that.”
“Maybe that’s just what I heard,” Leo said. “Either way, I’m still down if you are.”
“NO!”
“Why?”
“Because you lied to me!”
“I don’t think I ever lied. I’m still very confused right now. Like I always am in my conversations with you, baby.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“I thought you liked it.”
Gah! It didn’t matter if he did or didn’t lie. Because it felt like he’d lied. “Why did you just go along with all that stuff I said if you didn’t know what I was talking about?”
“Because I find hanging out with you very thrilling and I love a good thrill.”
I groaned. Of course he liked a good thrill! He was a convict! “Are you a repeat offender, just like my dad said?”
“What exactly are we talking about here?” Leo asked. “If you’re asking if you’d like to repeat whatever just happened in the photo development room with me...”
“No.”
“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. I’ll be your kiss thief if that’s what you want me to be, baby.”
RJ laughed at the expression on my face. “I think if he’s allowed to call you baby I’m allowed to call you baby doll.”
“Just...stop,” I said to Leo. “I can’t go to the dance with you. My dad forbade it.”
“We already talked about that...”
“I don’t hook up with lying convicts!”
Leo laughed. “I didn’t lie, baby.”
“Stop it,” I hissed.
“Why would I stop when I know you like it?”
I groaned. He really was just like RJ. What had I been thinking?!
“Is everything okay over here?” my dad said.
Oh no.
“Pumpkin, what are you wearing? And what is that smell?”
“There was...a toilet explosion. And I was just telling Leo I couldn’t go to the dance with him because he’s a convict.”
“Good,” my dad said. “About the dance thing. What is this about a toilet?”
I ignored him and turned back to Leo. “So...sorry,” I said. “I can’t go to the dance with you. Because of my dad. And that’s final.”
“Whatever you say.” Leo winked at me.
Why was he winking at me? I’d meant everything I’d just said! My dad was right. Leo was a very bad boy!
“Pumpkin, did you want to come eat lunch with me? I’ll call your mom and get her to bring a skirt for you.”
That actually sounded amazing. I turned back toward him.
And Sophie slapped her hand against the side of my neck.
“Sophie, what are you doing?” my dad asked.
I realized I’d probably exposed my hickey when I turned. I was so glad she’d been right behind me to cover it.
“It’s a new trend,” she said. “Choke your bestie at lunch and film it.” She put her other hand gently on my neck and lightly shook me. “Garg.” She laughed awkwardly, but kept her hands around my neck to hide my hickey.
“Right.” RJ pulled out his phone to take a video. “The hottest trend right now.”
My dad sighed. “Kids these days. Don’t hurt each other.”
“Of course not, Uncle James,” Sophie said.
“Okay. Well. I’m going to go grab some food. Thank you for your understanding, Leo.” He nodded at him. And then he squeezed my arm and walked away.
“You’re into some kinky stuff,” Leo said. “I like it. Meet me in the photo development room in twenty?”
I shook my head. “What is wrong with you?”
“And can I have a video of that, RJ?”
“You are a very bad boy,” I said to Leo.
He smiled. “I’m whatever you want me to be, baby.”
I groaned. I was done with this conversation. I turned and walked away from him. Why had I ever thought he was a good boy?
I pulled on my glasses, unlocked my phone, and sent a text to my real kiss thief: “Who the fuck is this?!?!”