The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,36
in self pity isn’t going to resolve anything. I jump up from the sofa and go stand by the French windows. I peer into the garden then turn to face Ryan. “Whatever. It’s in the past. I’ve started a new life. I can’t bring Rosie back, but I can do what it takes to make my parents proud and not be any more trouble.” I fold my arms and lean against the window.
“And how do I fit into all this? I’m assuming that’s why you asked to see me.”
“I don’t want anyone to know about us.”
“Why not? What difference does it make?” He frowns, then suddenly an ‘I get it’ expression crosses his face. “It’s because I don’t go to your elite school, isn’t it?”
“You know where I go to school?”
“I recognized the guy you were with the other night. He played football at our school a few weeks ago and he’s also been hanging around giving out leaflets for this strange Virginity Club thing he’s involved in. He didn’t get many takers though.” He laughs. “Many at your school join?”
The blood rushes to my head faster than a speeding train and Ryan’s jaw literally drops.
“Suzy, don’t tell me you’ve joined.” I nod. “But you can’t.”
I clench and unclench my fists. “No-one there knows I don’t qualify. Please don’t say anything. I’ll do anything. I mean it. Anything. Just please don’t tell.” Ryan shakes his head an incredulous expression on his face.
“Why did you do it?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” His voice is firm, but his eyes are kind. That was one of the things I always loved, I mean liked, about him. His kind eyes. But I can’t tell him the real reason. I’ve confided too much in him, as it is.
“Because everyone else is in it and I didn’t want to be left out. Please say you won’t tell. It will totally wreck everything if you do.”
“And you’ll do anything to buy my silence?”
Geez. The way he said anything and that scary twinkle in his eye. I just know he’s going to make me sleep with him again.
But I can’t.
But I have to.
But that would be a disaster.
What the hell am I going to do?
Maddie, help.
“I said so didn’t I?” But let me tell you if you force me to sleep with you again it will eradicate all the good memories I have of you from before. Not that you probably care.
“This is the deal,” he finally says, fixing me with a stare that makes me squirm. I hold my breath, bracing myself for the inevitable. “The price for my silence is,” he pauses a moment. He sure knows how to milk situations for all they’re worth. “The price for my silence—is—you—go out with me.”
Chapter Fourteen
“You want to go out with me?” There’s got to be a catch here. It surely can’t be this easy for my secret to remain intact.
“You got it. Just once, in a few weeks’ time.” He sits back in the sofa looking decidedly smug.
There’s got to be some ulterior motive. And why do I have to wait for a few weeks? Why can’t it be—Friday? Actually Friday isn’t good for me because it’s the meeting. And I’m certainly not going to suggest he comes along. No way.
“And if I agree to this you agree to say nothing about our friendship.”
“Friendship. Hmm. I’d have called it more than that.” A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth but it quickly evaporates. “But maybe that’s all it was to you.” His tone becomes harsher and he glares at me.
How can he think that? Maybe I should tell him why I didn’t get in touch. But what’s the point? We’re history. And that’s where we’ll stay. Apart from when we go out. And it’s so weird that he wants to. He must realize I’m with Guy now—at least I hope I am, Guy didn’t say anything today about going out again. Though to be fair I didn’t really see him much and even then loads of other people were around.
And another thing, if I go out with Ryan how on earth am I going to explain it to Guy? Not to mention Lori and the gang. They’ll truly think I’ve lost it if they find out. Ryan’s not exactly what they’d consider a prime catch.
I look across at Ryan, absorbing the way he’s dressed and his easy manner. You know, he might be the total antithesis of what they’re like at school but he’s still cute.