Beautiful (12 page)

I had no idea how to reply to that. I didn’t even want to think that Skylar would ever take Jacob back. I wasn’t sure how close they had been, and I didn’t want to know. The less I knew about Jacob and Skylar’s relationship, the better.

By the time I got back to my truck, I was ready to go home and take a nap. My phone was blinking, alerting me to a message. Opening it, I smiled when I saw the text.

Sky: Thinking about you.

Me: Hey! Sorry, Coach was trying to kill us by making us run sprints all morning. What time do you work?

Sky: 4 to 9. Then, I have an intense date after that.

I couldn’t help but smile. I loved that Skylar was flirting more with me.

Me: Should I be jealous?

Sky: Well…he is very handsome.

Me: Lucky bastard.

Sky: I’m the lucky one.

Hitting her number, I waited to hear that sweet voice of hers.

“Hey,” she barely spoke.

My eyes closed as I tried to remember what it’d felt like to have her lips on mine, her body pressed against mine.

“Don’t forget your calculus book.”

Skylar giggled. “I promise, I won’t. My parents will not be happy if I fail this test.”

“You won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”

“What if you’re a…distraction?”

My cheeks hurt from smiling so damn big. “Trust me, Sky, if I really wanted to distract you, I could.”

Her breathing grew heavier, so much so that I could hear it over the phone. Reaching down, I had to adjust myself since my thoughts were going where they shouldn’t.

“Um…do you want to meet at the coffee shop?” she asked.

Damn it. I hope I didn’t scare her with that comment. Slow it down, Wyatt. Shit.

“That sounds perfect. I might stop by to see you before then. I’ve been craving pizza.”

Skylar chuckled. “Okay. I’d better run. See you later.”

“See ya later, angel.”

I rushed home and took a shower. After changing, I walked downstairs and into the living room. “Hey, Mom.”

She lifted her eyes and looked me over. “You look handsome.”

“Thanks. I’m meeting Skylar after her shift to help her with calculus.”

“Don’t stay out late. We invited over a few people from church. You know, we’re trying to meet new people and get settled into the community and all of that.”

With a gruff laugh, I glanced over to my father, who was reading a book. “Once they find out Dad works for the FBI, they’ll run for the hills.”

My mother peered over to my father, who smiled slightly.

“Probably,” he said. “Especially if they find out I’ve run background checks on them all.”

With a chuckle, I shook my head.

Clearing his throat, my father said, “Mr. Sherman stopped by here yesterday.”

Lifting a brow, I asked, “Who is he?”

He set his book down and glanced over to my mother before turning his attention back to me. “He is the father of Charlie Sherman, the guy Skylar accused of raping her.”

Anger quickly rushed over my body. “What in the hell did he want?”

“Language, Wyatt,” Mom said.

Shaking my head to get my thoughts in order, I looked at my mother. “Sorry, Mom.”

My father stood. “It appears he was trying to do us a favor. He warned us about the girl you had been hanging out with and the problems it might bring if you were to continue seeing her.”

“What kind of problems?”

“Don’t worry. I set him straight before he got too far into his line of bullshit.”

“I can’t even believe he had the nerve to show up here, Dad.”

My mother sighed. “It seems he has something against Skylar, but your father thinks it goes deeper.”

“He’s hiding something. I could see it all over his face. He’s also scared. Scared the truth is going to come out. That’s probably why he has worked so hard to keep everyone away from Skylar.”

My heart felt like someone was squeezing it.
Poor Skylar
.

It was no wonder everyone had turned against her if Charlie’s father had been going around from house to house, talking shit about her.

Prick
.

“I know that look on your face, Wyatt. Just let it go,” Dad said.

With a nod, I replied, “Yes, sir. I’m going to head on out. I’ll eat dinner at Pizza Mia.”

I kissed my mother on the cheek, and she smiled.

“Wyatt, I want you to know how proud of you we are,” she said.

“I don’t believe what people say about her, and I hope you guys don’t either.”

With a soft smile, she replied, “We don’t, Wyatt. That is why your father set Mr. Sherman straight.”

“He certainly wasn’t too happy when I asked him to leave.”

I loved my parents, and I was glad to know they didn’t think the rumors about Skylar were true.

“I’d better get going. Love you both.”

Diving back into his book, my father said, “Be careful, and don’t stay out too late tonight.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart. Tell Skylar we both said hi.”

“Will do,” I said before turning and heading out to my truck. I had to keep myself from running. I was that excited to see her.

Fifteen minutes later, I was walking into Pizza Mia. Eva motioned for me to sit at the counter. Skylar must have that section. Walking up to the counter, I slapped Mike Barnes on the back.

“Hey, dude,” I said with a smile while I sat down next to him.

“Hey, Wyatt.”

“How’s it going?”

Mike glanced over to where Skylar was and then looked back at me. “So, are you dating her?”

“Her?”

Sighing, he looked down and shook his head. “Skylar.”

Skylar walked up with a huge smile on her face. “Hey, I don’t get off for another hour.”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Mike mumbled under his breath.

Turning to him, Skylar asked, “What was that, Mike?”

With a fake smile, he said, “Nothing, Skylar.”

“Mike was asking if we were dating.”

Her smile faded instantly.

“I was about to tell him yes when you walked up.”

Those beautiful gray eyes gazed into mine. She looked confused and happy, all at the same time.

“Oh…” she said softly.

Winking at her, I said, “I’ll take the usual.”

When she quickly recovered, she nodded and smiled. “Coming right up. Do you need anything else, Mike?”

“Nah, I’m fine, but thanks, Sky.”

There was one thing I noticed that drove me insane. When people were alone and not thinking anyone was paying attention, they would be nice to Skylar with no snarky comments or dirty looks. They’d treat her like she should always be treated.

“So, you want to tell me why you’re nice to her when you’re alone with her, but at school, you treat her like she’s the plague?”

Mike shook his head. “You wouldn’t get it, Wyatt.”

“Really? Try me.”

“If you knew what was good for you, I wouldn’t be going around, telling people y’all are dating.”

I let out a laugh. “Why? Because Mr. Sherman will pay a visit and threaten me in some way?”

Mike’s head jerked back. “Has he?”

“He tried, and my parents did what every single one of the damn parents around here should have done. They told him to get lost.”

Shaking his head, Mike let out a frustrated sigh while standing. He threw some money down on the counter and went to leave. Before he turned to walk away, he said, “You know, you really should come to at least a party or two that the team throws. You’re the quarterback, the leader of the team. It doesn’t look good when you pick the town wh—”

I quickly stood. “For your sake, don’t finish that sentence.”

Staring me down, he slowly smiled. “You think he can’t touch you…but he can, and I promise you, he will. I hope she’s worth it.”

After Mike left, I saw Jenny and her little gang coming in. They stood at the entrance for a minute or two. My guess was that they were trying to see where Skylar’s section was.

Bitches
. Why they couldn’t just leave her alone was beyond me.

Eva was walking by with a soda. When I grabbed it off her tray, she looked at me with a confused expression.

“Sorry, Eva. I’ll pay for it.”

I got up and started making my way over toward Jenny. I knew the moment she saw me, she would bounce right on over.

When she looked up at me, sure enough, she came walking over. I looked away but didn’t stop walking…and I collided straight into her, spilling the soda all over her shirt.

She let out a scream, and I apologized.

“Oh, shit, Jenny! I didn’t even see you. I’m so sorry.”

She looked pissed, but for some strange reason, she smiled at me like I had just told her she was beautiful.

What in the hell?

“It’s totally okay, Wyatt. Accidents happen, right? It’s just a shirt, and it’ll dry. You can make it up to me by sitting with us though.”

Oh, hell, that totally backfired on my ass
. I glanced over and saw Skylar watching.

“Sorry, Jenny, I’ve already got a seat.”

She frowned and then smiled. “What about a party? Beth is throwing a kick-ass party. Her parents are out of town. The whole football team will be there.”

Mike’s words flashed through my head. I knew I should spend more time with the team. I’d text Mitch and see if he and Michelle were going to go. Maybe Skylar and I could drop by.

“Maybe. I’ll have to see. Skylar and I are heading to the coffee shop to study for calculus for a bit when she gets off work.”

Jenny’s eyes turned to pure anger as she glared toward Skylar. “Really? Study partners with the school—” She stopped what she was about to say as she looked back at me. “Well, I hope you can stop by even if for just a few minutes. I promise, I’ll make it worth your while.”

And this girl calls Skylar a whore.

“Have a good evening, ladies,” I said before walking back over to my seat.

I had really hoped dumping soda on her would have had her leaving. When I sat down and glanced back around, they were gone. I let out the breath I’d been holding.

Thank God they left before harassing Skylar.

When Skylar’s shift ended, I got that beautiful drop-me-to-my-knees smile of hers.

“Coffee?” I asked with a wink.

She let out a giggle. “Coffee and studying.”

“Of course.”

Giving me a playful hit on the chest, she chewed on the corner of her lip. “I have to help Eva wrap some silverware. I’ll be right behind you.”

Leaning over, I kissed her cheek. She instantly blushed. God, I loved how I could make her cheeks turn such a beautiful shade of red.

“All right. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay, I won’t be long, I promise.”

I headed out of Pizza Mia. Turning around, I looked back in to see Skylar rushing about, trying to help Eva.

My truck was parked right outside the pizza shop. Jumping in, I headed over to the coffee shop.

When I parked and got out, I couldn’t help but notice the older gentleman standing on the corner, staring at me. I recognized him, but I couldn’t place where I had seen him.

Right before I pulled the door open to the coffee shop, I took another look in his direction, but he was gone. Shaking it off, I headed to the counter and ordered my coffee along with one for Skylar. I sat down and took out the notes I had made for her.

“Hey, handsome.”

I looked up to see Jenny standing there.

Fuck me. What does it take for this girl to get a hint?

“Hey, Jenny. I’m actually waiting on Skylar.”

She sat down anyway. I noticed she’d changed her shirt. She had on a low-cut V-neck shirt that pretty much had her breasts spilling out of it. Her body was nice, but it was nothing I was interested in.

“Listen, Wyatt…some of the football players have been talking. They don’t like that you’ve been hanging around Skylar. I mean, she has a bit of a reputation.” Jenny licked her lips.

Letting out a gruff laugh, I looked at her like she was insane. “Do you hear the shit that comes out of your mouth, Jenny?”

Two of the girls sitting with her started to laugh, but they stopped the moment Jenny glared at them.

“I’m just saying, Wyatt. Everyone has cut you slack because you’re new and all, so you don’t know the whole story.”

“I know the only story that matters.”

Shit. I really wish she would just leave before Skylar got here.

“People are starting to talk about you.”

With a huff, I replied, “Let them.”

“You’re not worried about your reputation?” she asked, sinking her teeth down into her lip.

I couldn’t help it. My eyes looked down.

“Wyatt, why do I get the feeling you’re really a bad boy deep down inside? A bad boy looking for a bit of fun.”

“Oh, yeah,” the girl with the dark blonde hair piled on top of her head said.

“Fun?” I asked. Why I asked, I had no clue.

Jenny tilted her head and moved in closer. “Have you ever had a threesome?”

I choked on my spit. “What?”

Nodding her head, Jenny slowly ran her tongue over her lips.

Is this girl for real? She talks shit about Skylar, yet she is hinting around to a threesome. Is she insane?

“I’m totally down for one,” the blonde said, getting up and sitting next to me. She smiled at me like she wanted to eat me for dinner.

With a chuckle, I shook my head. “You’re both crazy. I think it’s time you and your little friends left, Jenny.”

She quickly glanced out the window before leaning over the table as she stared down at my lips. Before I even knew what was happening, she started kissing me. The other girl’s hands moved over and started rubbing my dick through my pants. For a few brief moments, I wasn’t sure what in the hell was going on. Jenny was trying to force her damn tongue in my mouth while her friend was rubbing on my junk. When Jenny moaned, I snapped out of it and pulled back.

Glaring at her, I barked out, “What the hell, Jenny?”

“That was just a taste of what you could have.”

Her friend tried to go for me again, but I grabbed her hand and pushed her out of the booth.

Jenny sat back, glanced out the window, and smiled the evilest grin I’d ever seen. I slowly looked out and saw Skylar standing there. She quickly looked back and forth between Jenny and me. Wiping a tear away, she turned and walked back to her car.