9781618858368ForbiddenDeceptionlLeveyNC (9 page)

Chapter Six

Total
pandemonium greeted her the moment she entered her home. Cordero paced the
living room while Ashland sniffled from her perch on the couch with one boy on
one side of her and another in a chair across the room. “Where is Eva?”

“I
just checked on her, she’s asleep. She didn’t see anything, just woke up from
the sound of these two boys fighting outside,” Ashland mumbled.

“What’s
going on, Ashland?” Ailyn sat next to her on the couch. The teen shrugged and
dropped her head. Crocodile tears formed pools under her eyes.

“Aw,
honey, it can’t be that bad. Why don’t we go in the kitchen and talk?” She
turned her attention to the boys. “
Do
not
utter one word. Do you understand
me?” Her clipped tone made their heads snap up.

“Yes,
ma’am,” the two boys replied anxiously in unison. Satisfied they wouldn’t be
starting anything, she walked Ashland into the kitchen.

Ailyn
moved to the fridge and took out a pint of ice cream and two spoons. She came
to the breakfast table and sat across from Ashland. “Are your parents on the
way?”

“Yes,”
Ashland replied in a subdued tone.

Ailyn
handed her a spoon and peeled off the lid. Taking a big bite of chocolate chunk
mint ice cream, she waited for Ashland to elaborate on the heated situation
she’d landed in. Her friend’s daughter toyed with her spoon before finally dipping
in.

“You’re
mad at me?”

“No.
Disappointed a bit maybe, but not mad. Not unless you got yourself into a bad
situation and then I may be a tiny bit mad at your choices. I’d like to hear a
bit before your parents get here and all hell breaks loose.”

“I
know. I’m scared of what my step-father will do. I didn’t mean anything really.
I was just making out a little bit with Rex. I thought he liked me, we’ve been
friends for a long time.”

“Okay.
Well, what happened because I see two
boys.
”

“I
don’t know. Rylan showed up. We’ve sort of been hanging out a lot but he got
all weird and was acting like he didn’t want me around anymore. So I just
thought, Rex is cool why not spend time with him since we have a lot in common.
He’s cute too.”

“You
know you don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, with any boy,
right?”

“I
know. I mean we were just kissing it wasn’t like you know… Now my life is over.
Rylan is so mad at me. He’s my best friend. He hates
me,
I’ll never forget the way he looked at me.” She busted out in sobs.

Ailyn
scooped up another bite of ice cream and waited for the tears to subside. “How
did Rylan find out Rex is here? That’s what you need to ask yourself.”

“Cheerboard.
Rex announced to the world he was hanging out with me tonight. Rylan knows the
only place I go outside of school and dance is here to babysit. He showed up and
just walked in. Rex was um…kissing me. Mr. Cord showed up about the time Rylan punched
Rex and hauled him outside.”

“What
happened?”

“He
roared at them to stop and Eva came to the door. He ordered me to go take care
of her so I read to her until she fell back asleep. When I came back down, he was
on the phone with you, trying to keep them apart. I don’t know what Rex said.
Rylan wouldn’t tell me. He just kept looking at me like I was disgusting.” She
frowned.

“Okay,
well. My brother can handle two hotheaded males. But we have to talk about
boundaries and rules. You know the rules. No boys, no exceptions. Why would you
let Rex come over if you know you’re not supposed to?”

“I
dunno. He said he only wanted to stop by for a second, wanted to see my pretty
face.”

“Girl,
you fell for that line?”

“Yeah,
makes me stupid.”

“No.
It makes you a teen. You’re not expected to be perfect. But if Rex had wanted
to go further, who would’ve been here to stop him if you said no? He’s a big
boy. Plus, it’s your job to keep Eva safe. What if she would have come down and
got tangled up in those boys fighting? Rules exist for a reason and if I can’t
trust you, you can’t babysit for Eva. I don’t think she’d like to hear why you
can no longer be her babysitter, or that you would miss out on earning spending
cash.”

“I
know. I’m sorry, Miss Ailyn. I promise not to let him come over again. I mean
them.” She sniffled and took another bite of ice cream. “You know, my dad, well
he made me learn self-defense. But I’ve known Rex my entire life almost. He
wouldn’t hurt me like that. I guess it was stupid though. I’m really sorry,
please don’t fire me. I love hanging out with Eva, she’s a great kid.” Ashland
dipped her spoon in and took a bite between sniffles.

Ailyn
looked toward the door to see Mia and Dire waiting to come in. “I think that
will be up to your parents, kiddo. I think I can give you a second chance, but it
won’t be until after your punishment is over. Your parents are here.”

Ashland
dropped the spoon with a plunk and sunk lower in her chair. Ailyn patted her
shoulder and stood.
“Hey, Mia, Dire.
I’ll let you get
her home. I’m sorry about this.
Really sorry.”
Ailyn
gave the reluctant teen a little push in her parent’s direction.

“Nothing
for you to be apologizing for.
Come on, Ash, let’s
get home,” Mia quietly ordered. Dire trailed behind his family, Ailyn followed
behind him. When they reached the front yard, Dire broke off to help Cordero
break up the boys again.

“Fuck
you, Rex. You’re a goddamn douche.” Rylan looked ready to tear the other boy’s
head off. Her brother had a hard time controlling the muscular teen.

“Sucks
to be so jealous that I about dipped my wick into that sweetness. Bet you’re
more pissed you gave that shit up,
huh
.”
Rex spoke low, but not low enough. Everyone heard his crass words. Ailyn
cringed and stepped away from the fray.

“Boy,
what the fuck did you just say?” Dire grappled him to the ground. “That is my
daughter. Show some respect. Rylan go home. Rex, your father will be hearing
from me, get me, son?”

“Yes,
sir.
Didn’t know you were here.”

“Apologize
to my daughter, you dumb fuck.” He smacked the back of the teen’s head.

“I
didn’t mean it, Ash. Rylan just pisses me off. He wants you, and then he
doesn’t want you, but no fucking one else can talk to you or date you. It’s
just fun to get under his skin,” groused the red faced teen.

“I-I
don’t know what to say.” A trail of tears leaked from her eyes. “It’s so over,
Rex. I am so embarrassed right now for even liking you, and Rylan, he’s right.”
She pointed a finger at him. “
Your
hot to cold shit—I
mean stuff—is pissing me off. Boys suck. Mom, please get me out of here.”

Ailyn
watched as Mia hugged her daughter and walked her to the car while Dire opened
the door to usher them in.

Rylan
hopped in his truck while Rex took off on his crotch rocket. Lucky for her, the
neighbors’ lights didn’t flicker on during the fiasco. She turned to her
brother.

“Teens
are something else,
huh
.”

“Just
think
,
Eva will be one of them in a few years.” He
shook his head. “Thanks, I couldn’t keep them boys from killing each other.
Damn young adults and hormones. Ash gonna be good?”

“Yeah,
her parents are fair. I think her mortification is probably punishment enough,
but I’m sure Dire will instill the fear of doing stupid stuff in her tonight.
Mia is
more calm
, like me. She’s going to baby her and
have
the talk
again. I know from
conversation Ash has a special promise ring from her father to remind her of
his wishes for her to make good personal choices.”

“That
boy was closer to having her naked and under him than she told you.” Cordero
didn’t elaborate.

“Really?
So not surprised.
I’m not a fool. I know my students
don’t always tell the full story. I figured with how distraught Ashland appeared,
there was more to the story. They’ll figure it out.” Ailyn yawned and hugged
her brother. “Thank you for everything.”

“No
worries, sis. So how did telling him go?”

“
Uh
…I didn’t tell him.” They walked up
the front porch together. Once inside, she sat on the couch and heard something
squish under her ass cheek. She pulled out an open condom wrapper, condom still
tucked inside. “Looks like Rylan showed up at the right time. At least there
was protection.” She sighed.

“Yeah.”
He sat by her and leaned back. “Fuck, man. Why didn’t you tell him, sis?”

“I
don’t know. I know I have to, but saying the words out loud, I’m just not
ready. I didn’t prepare for what to do if he popped up. It’s so complicated. I
just need time.”

Her
brother looked at her as if she was missing some screws in her brain. He rubbed
his arms and yawned.

“Adrenalin
still kicking high from restraining those boys?”

“Yeah,
it’ll drop off soon. I should go hit the gym since I’m wired but it’s too late.
I’m worried, sis, about this, you and Seth. More secrets can only lead to more
issues. Have you even thought about what not telling him could result in?”

“No.
I mean I’m sure he’ll be mad but that’s not my concern. This is about our
precious girl upstairs. I’m not saying I don’t care about his feelings, you
know that, and you know why I freaked and moved far away from home. I promise
to think about telling him sooner rather than later. I love that you worry
about me but don’t judge.”

“It’s
your funeral, sis. Let me tell you if my ex kept me in the dark for ten years,
saw me, spent time with me and didn’t tell me, I’d be bent as fuck. Omissions
can cut the soul. A man’s seed is important to him. Tell him.”

She
grabbed his hand and stared straight into his eyes. “I appreciate your opinion,
I do, but don’t steamroll me on this. I will talk to him when I’m ready.”

“Later.”
He kissed her cheek before heading out.

* * * *

Ailyn
nursed a migraine through work. She spent Monday and Tuesday gearing her
students for state testing. Dealing with a grouchy child the past few evenings
wore her body down. Her daughter didn’t understand why Ash couldn’t come over
and hang out like every week or why Dire showed to pick Ashland up instead of
Mia. That led to questions about her own father that Ailyn found harder and
harder to dodge. She still hadn’t come up with a way to tell Seth about Eva.
Not even when he’d stopped by to take her to lunch yesterday. With a sigh, she
leaned forward and inhaled the sweet scent of her colorful bouquet of lavender
roses, fuchsia carnations, purple double Lisianthus, white Asiatic lilies, Bupleurum
and lush greens tucked in a pretty purple decorative vase. She picked up the
card and ran her finger around the edges.

Miss
you. See you soon.

-Seth

The
card made her smile. The flowers made butterflies flutter in her stomach. The
carnal weekend awakened passion she’d forgotten existed. Sure, the few lovers
she’d taken over the past decade were decent in bed, just not on that level. He
had an undeniable charm about him. She reasoned her ebbing anger and hate were
due to his relentless pursuit and crazy sexual attraction. She simply forgot
she hated him once he turned those mesmerizing eyes of his her way.

Her
cell vibrated in her pocket. She slipped it out and typed in the password.
A missed call from Seth and Eva and a text from Mia.

Sinclaire
wants to get together for pedicures and vajay jay blinging.
You
free?

A
giggle left her mouth. Her students looked up at her and she covered her mouth
with her fingers.

Um.
Sure. We don’t have dance tomorrow
or gymnastics, Cord can play tio. I’ll call
Ri
to
invite her and tell her to meet us if she is free.
Vajayjay
blinging?
I’m afraid to ask what that is.

Yeah,
well, she is the pro at roping people into getting a Brazilian wax and then
adding sparklies to the hoo-hah.

Fun.
I need some girl time.
One frozen margarita after?
I’m turning into a lush now that
Seth is here. How’s Ash holding up?