Page 28 of Tainted Love

Landry furrows his brow, confusion marring his features. “What’s so funny?” he asks with a goofy grin.

I try to contain my giggles and shake my head. “It’s nothing,” I manage to say through laughter. “I just thought of something funny.”

He shrugs nonchalantly, not pressing for an explanation. That’s one thing I love about Landry—his laid-back attitude. He doesn’t get worked up about anything unless it directly affects him or someone he cares about. It’s a trait we share and likely why we’ve been friends for so long.

Ivy takes her seat, trying to act like what just happened was the most natural thing in the world. I’ve been teasing her for a while about Corey, but she won’t admit what’s as obvious as day. Sarah sees it as well.

Yesterday, there was a rumor going around about how Ivy talked back to the teacher in English, and Corey came to her defense, earning them both detention. It’s so obvious something is going on.

“What the hell was that?“ I ask as she slides into her seat. Her cheeks turn pink as she tries to change the subject.

“I like that t-shirt,” she says, motioning to Robert Smith gracing my chest.

“Uh-uh,” I say with a shake of my head. “What was what?” I repeat.

“What was what?” she asks innocently. Ivy has this doe-eyed innocent thing down-pat, but I’m not falling for it.

“Don’t act like the fucking captain of the Merrimack hockey team didn’t just walk you to class.”

“He was walking this way.”

“He was carrying your books,” I say louder than necessary. Leaning forward, I lower my tone. “He touched your cheek and looked into your eyes all longingly and shit.”

“What? No, he didn’t,” she scoffs.

“Dude, you know I will march my ass straight over to the hockey table at lunch and ask him myself if you don’t start talking.”

“Alright, alright,” she whispers. “Just keep your voice down.”

“Spill,” I reply quietly.

“We had detention yesterday, and we just kind of—“

“Boned?” I joke.

“WHAT? NO!” Ivy is too easy to tease, and I can never resist the urge to make her blush.

“We just talked, and it turns out we have some things in common.”

“You?” I pause. “And Corey ‘Delzy’ Delacour?” I pause again. “What could you possibly have in common with that man other than you both think he’s hella fine.”

Ivy smiles but remains tight-lipped. It’s cute that she thinks she can ignore me.

“You’re holding something back,” I say, “and I will find out.”

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing,” she replies, unpacking her bag. ”It’s no big deal. We’re getting to know each other.”

I think about it for a moment. He seems to like her, and he seems like a decent guy. “I think it’s cute,” I tell her.

“You do?” she replies, astonished.

“Yes. As long as he treats you well, why not?” Those seem to be the words she needs to hear, and she relaxes in her seat. Everything in this crazy high school world is new to Ivy. I think sometimes she needs reassurance that she has someone on her side.

It turns out my unwavering support and acceptance can only go so far. In fact, I am wavering and being pushed to my limits at lunch when I walk into the cafeteria and find Corey Delacour and company hanging out at my usual lunch table. I don’t mind Corey or most of the hockey guys. The company I have a problem with is Michael Tazman.

I know, okay. I do. I know I should get over it. But he made me feel horrible and embarrassed me at a crucial point in my female development when I’d been pining for him for so long. I waited for a crumb from that man when he returned to town—any small indication that he remembered me or wanted to rekindle our friendship. I got a whole lot of nothing in return.

I’ve tried to let it go. It was a long time ago. Blame it on my Scorpio genes, but this grudge has roots, and they run deep into the fabric of my being. He never made any attempt at an apology or any overture to make things right between us. I’m admittedly stubborn, and I’m not sure it would’ve helped, but it couldn’t have hurt.