Cipher

Chapter Six

Cody frowned. “You’re going to sit with them again?”

Summer had spent every lunch since Monday with the group who called themselves The Misfits, trying to win Ashlyn over. At first she’d found herself wishing to be back with her friends—with Kendall and Cody especially. Little by little, though, she was getting to know the people in the other group. She was even beginning to enjoy her lunches filled with unexpected conversations not involving the latest gossip or who was wearing an uggo outfit.

Summer wrapped her arms around Cody’s waist. “I’m going to sit with them for lunch, but I was hoping that after practice you’d come over to my place. My dad and Tiffany are going to be out late tonight, and I could use some company.” She tipped onto her toes and kissed him, knowing this situation called for a little lip on lip persuasion. “What do you say?”

Cody hugged her closer, pressing his hands into the small of her back. “Okay.” He gave her another kiss, lingering for long enough that Summer’s knees were wobbly by the end of it. She nearly teetered when he released her and headed toward his usual table to sit by Jack.

Summer walked toward The Misfits’ table, thinking she was glad she’d stuck it out with Cody. They were on their way back to normal, and she had a feeling she’d need the support over the next…however long it took to take care of this thing with Ashlyn.

“Hey, guys,” she said as she settled into the seat next to Marcie—the girl was sweet as they came, kind and giving and always checking on everyone in the group. Almost like a mom, Summer thought with a pang of longing.

“’Sup, Summer?” Aaron asked, and Darren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and nodded. The twins were totally obsessed with chess and math, but also nice, with an odd, yet charming sense of humor. And Nelson—well, he marched to the beat of his own drum. He talked on and on about role-playing games, practically speaking a foreign language as far as Summer was concerned. He also carried a digital camera around in order to record every little thing he found interesting. Which, yesterday, had included the way she ate her Double Stuf Oreos—push the chocolate cookies together, lick off the frosting that squeezed out the sides, then eat the rest in two bites. All of them got such a kick out of it, and by the end she was laughing, too.

They’d all been so nice to her, and you just can’t dislike genuine, nice people.

So far, Ashlyn was the only one from the group who’d remained distant and cold. For three days Summer had failed to break through the girl’s tough exterior. Strained, one-word answers filled the conversations she’d tried to have with her. With any luck, today would be the day Ashlyn decided to give her a chance.

Summer smiled across the table at her. “How’s your day going?”

Ashlyn narrowed her gaze, the way she tended to do whenever she looked at Summer. “I saw you with your boyfriend. Why don’t you eat lunch with him?”

“Because I’ll see him later. Right now, I thought I’d hang with you guys.”

“You’re on the dance team, though. The dance team filled with girls who like to make fun of us. I thought you all stuck together and frowned upon independent thinking.”

“Come on, give her a break.” Marcie gave Summer a warm smile. “I like having another person to talk to.”

“Yeah, Ash,” Darren said. “We like Summer being here. We need all the cool we can get.”

“You guys are plenty cool on your own,” Summer said.

Darren grinned, and there was a piece of lettuce stuck to one of his teeth.

Aaron was gripping a pawn in his hand, like it might run away if he didn’t keep his hold on it. “No one’s ever accused us of being cool.”

“Well, I’m accusing you, and I think soon the jury’s going to find you guilty,” Summer said.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “I still don’t get your game. No one would choose us over the cool crowd.”

“Maybe I need a little more intellectual stimulation.” Summer smiled over at Darren and Aaron. “Someday I’m going to have you guys teach me how to play chess.”

“And do your homework for you?” Ashlyn asked—more like accused.

“I do okay on my own.”

Darren glanced away from the chess board. “I’ll help you if you want.”

“Let me help you,” Aaron said. “Darren doesn’t know the difference between the tangent line and the secant line.”

“Whatever!” Darren shot back, and the two of them started arguing.

“Now look what you’ve done.” Ashlyn leaned in and lowered her voice. “If you end up hurting their feelings, I’ll make you pay.”

Summer locked eyes with her. “I swear to you, I’m genuinely interested in being friends with them. And you. I don’t understand why you won’t give me a chance. Did I do something to you?”

Ashlyn shook her head. “No. And I’m going to make sure it stays that way.” She tossed her half-eaten apple in her lunchbox and stormed off.

Argh! Things are getting worse instead of better. How am I supposed to fix Ashlyn’s relationship with her mom when I can’t even establish a relationship with Ashlyn?

“Don’t worry,” Marcie said. “She’ll come around.”

Summer watched Ashlyn walk out of the room. But will she come around before it’s too late?

Summer snuggled with Cody on the couch while the movie played in the background. He leaned in and kissed her neck. “You sure your dad’s not going to be back until late?”

“Yeah, he and Tiffany went to LA to see some play.”

Cody’s lips moved to hers. “You’re so hot.”

“You’re pretty hot yourself,” she said, running her hand down his perfect face and then parting her lips against his. He laid her back against the couch, swirling his tongue around hers. His hands slid up, under her shirt, slipping beneath her bra. He pressed his hips against hers.

Summer’s heartbeat skyrocketed, and her thoughts got fuzzy.

“Summer,” he said on an exhale. The tips of his fingers on her skin made goose bumps break out across her skin. He dragged them down her stomach. “I’m so glad we’re finally doing this.” He undid the button of her pants and she sucked in a breath. Wait? Doing this?

Oh holy crap, she still wasn’t sure.

And until she was…

“Wait, Cody,” she rasped.

He ignored her, moving to undo her zipper, so she had to push him. “Stop.”

“Damn it, Summer!” He sat back and glared at her, that angry muscle working in his jaw again. “When you told me your dad was going to be out late, I thought you meant…You know. That we could finally—”

“Well, I didn’t!” Summer scooted away from him, re-buttoning her pants. Her breaths were still coming too fast, and she missed his weight on top of her, even as she was thinking inviting him over was a mistake. “I meant what I said. That I could use the company. That we could hang out.”

Cody shook his head. “It’s not enough anymore. I think you’re just playing with me. I tell you I love you, and you never say anything back. You constantly push me away. You’re a tease. I put up with a lot that I wouldn’t have to with someone else.”

Hot tears sprung to her eyes, and she tried to quickly blink them away. “You said you were done pressuring me.”

“Do you love me?”

“You know I do,” she said, surprising herself. Maybe she’d held back saying it, but she knew she did love him. That was why it was so hard to fight with him. To not have sex, when she wasn’t even sure exactly why she was holding back. It wasn’t like the desire wasn’t there.

“Well, I’m sick of going home frustrated and in pain every night,” Cody said, his voice harsh. “Is that how you want me to feel?”

An ache formed over her heart, deepening with every beat. “You’re trying to guilt me into it?”

“No, I’m just saying, I’m done with this. You tell me to go, I’ll go.” Cody’s eyes bored into hers. “But if I do, I’m leaving for good. This is it.”Summer clenched her jaw. He’d given her an ultimatum. Give it up or he’d find someone else. Pain squeezed her chest and more tears were rising, blurring her vision. “Go then! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Cody stood and headed for the door.

This is it. If he walks out the door, it’s over.

He didn’t even turn back and look at her before slamming the door behind him.

Summer jerked up on the couch when she heard Dad come home. Her eyes burned from a combination of crying and staring at the television, and she had that special kind of headache that came from letting all of your emotions explode out of you in the span of a couple of hours.

“Hey, kid.” Dad flopped onto the couch next to her and sank back against the cushions. “What are you still doing up?”

Summer took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “Couldn’t sleep. How was the play?”

“Tiffany liked it. I got a little bored.” Dad’s eyebrows knitted together as he studied her face. “Have you been crying over that boy, because I was serious about the two-strike rule.”

Suddenly, she felt like a little kid, and damn it, she wanted her mommy. She leaned her head on her dad’s shoulder, blinking against the fresh wave of tears. “We broke up. It’s over.” Telling Dad also ensured she wouldn’t fall for another sorry apology, even if Cody attempted one.

Dad tentatively patted her knee, as though he wasn’t really sure how to comfort her. “Do you…want to talk about it? I realize I’m not your mom…”

Mom would’ve been smother-hugging her by now; then there’d be ice cream. So much ice cream. Summer’s heart thudded, and she wanted to laugh and cry, all at the same time.

“…but I can try. I’m good at listening, anyway.”

The image of Dad strangling Cody popped into her head. No way she’d be telling him the truth about what happened. She sat up and scooted to the end of the couch. “Thanks, but I think I’m just going to go to bed.”

“Night, kid.”

“Night, Dad.” Already Summer’s thoughts were on how crappy tomorrow was going to be.