on his own. Ever suggestively whistled as Tommy hurried away as fast he could, covered in all that glue and glitter.
We followed at a slower pace, wanting to witness his humiliation without being dumb enough to be caught red-handed.
Vaughn and Ever were still howling while I allowed myself only a small smile. I didn’t like what I had to do, but I knew it had to be done. Still, I never claimed to be an angel, so a teeny-weeny part of me enjoyed it.
As we rounded the corner, their laughter came to an abrupt halt at the rough yet high-pitched trill piercing the air. Strangely, I began to hum ‘Aint No Sunshine’ by Bill Withers as I drifted toward the sound and the culprit behind it. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
At first.
There was this boy—tall, lanky, and dressed in all black. The sun shining through the leaves of the tree he was holding up highlighted the red in his lush brown hair. His eyes were closed as he held his cupped hands to his mouth, oblivious to the stares of everyone around him. I was sure I’d never seen him before yet I couldn’t take my eyes away as he played what I could only guess was a harmonica. It wasn’t until he reached the end of the number that he slowly opened his eyes and lowered his hands, letting me see the sensual set of his wide mouth. His head suddenly swiveled my way and then he grinned, lazily pushing away from the tree as if the world personally spun to his rhyme. I held my breath as I stood transfixed.
Did I mention he was achingly beautiful?
As I stared at him, the pain in my belly increased until it felt like I was being stabbed from the inside.
Something this good couldn’t be true, which meant he had to be bad news.
“What the hell?” Ever exclaimed as he and Vaughn walked right up to him. Suddenly, I felt punched in the gut. It was obvious that they knew each other.“Jamie?”
“Who the hell else could I be?” Trouble shot back.
My lips flattened as I watched the hypnotic roll of Jamie’s hips as he met my friends halfway. Someone was mighty sure of himself.
The boys hugged, being careful not to let their embrace linger too long and risk appearing less macho. The newcomer then turned to Vaughn, and to my surprise, they embraced, too. Wide grins covered each of their faces, and I could already see the mischief brewing in their eyes. I shifted uncomfortably because, for whatever reason, I felt left out.
They were happy to see their friend, which was perfectly understandable.
Except my gut wouldn’t stop warning me that the tide was changing, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. And when faced with danger, I did what any sane person would do.
I turned and ran the other way.
There were no calls for me to come back as I fled the park, which meant my friends hadn’t even noticed I had left. I ran all the way home, and though I was drenched in sweat and out of breath, the tumbles in my tummy hadn’t stopped. It felt as if I’d left a piece of myself back there, and I was sure it was my pride. I’d run like a coward, and I didn’t even know why. Pressing a hand to my lower stomach, I frowned. The fluttering had finally ceased, but now it felt like my insides where being wrung dry, ebbing every few seconds, and leaving behind a dull ache. My skin was warm, and it had nothing to do with the sun beaming down on me like my own personal spotlight. A few seconds later, I was grateful there was no one around when I doubled over. A small cry even slipped through my lips. And then another cramp hit me before I could straighten.
Now I wasn’t one to curse. Mother said it isn’t ladylike.
But what the hell?
I limped through the gates and slowly made my way up the drive, not stopping until I reached my private bath. Normally, I’d turn up my nose at all the pink walls and decorations my mother insisted on, but there was no time. Suddenly, the baggy cargo shorts were too constricting, so I hurriedly unbuttoned them and shoved them down my trembling legs. When it still felt like my stomach was being squeezed, I realized it was the elastic in my panties. In a moment