Red Heart Tattoo by Lurlene McDaniel Read Free Book Online Page B

me.”
    “People suspected. You’ve got a rep for doing stuff,” she said defensively.
    “Suspecting and knowing are two different things. What if she tells her jock friends? Or goes to Simmons? Or the police?”
    Liza hadn’t thought about that. She’d just been pissed off at him, jealous that he was so caught up in Morgan that day in the cafeteria. He wanted Morgan, an overachiever who got everything she ever wanted while girls like Liza got nothing. Liza had seen it coming for over a year in the way Roth cast covert glances at the red-haired girl when he thought no one was watching. Roth and Liza had been friends since sixth grade, when he’d been a scared, rebellious kid, lashing out at the world. She understood him, accepted him without judging him. He was the only boy who’d ever paid her any attention and she’d given herself to him completely. She’d thought they would be together always. But lately she’d felt him pulling away.
    “Why, Liza?” Roth pushed her to confess.
    Liza stood, walked to the window and fiddled with the wand on the blinds, fought off tears. The late-afternoon sun made slat marks across her body. “I didn’t mean to out you. I was just talking with one of my friends and … and it slipped out. I told her to keep it to herself.”
    “But she didn’t.”
    “I’m sorry, okay?” She turned to face him. She looked contrite. “I never thought it would go so far. I thought everyone would forget about it after a few days.”
    Silence descended. Roth stared up at the ceiling.
    Liza asked, “Do you think Morgan will blab?”
    He shrugged. “Who knows? But she’s got something on me, and I don’t like that hanging over my head. I promised Max I’d graduate. I won’t if I’m expelled.”
    “I could talk to her—”
    “No. Stay away from her,” he commanded.
    Liza stiffened, stung by the sharpness in his voice. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
    “I can when it comes to me and my business. I trusted you, Liza.”
    Liza shut the blinds, darkening the room. “It’s Morgan, isn’t it? You’ve got a thing for her, haven’t you?” Painful as she knew it would be, she wanted to hear him say it.
    Roth stood up. “I said what I came to say.”
    She wanted to hurt him like he was hurting her. “She already has a boyfriend. She won’t give you the time of day. Look at you … with your tats and studs and attitude. You’re a loser to a princess like her.”
    He started for the door. Liza realized she’d gone too far, said words she couldn’t take back. She hurried and grabbed his elbow. “Hey, don’t go. I’m sorry about everything.” Desperate to keep him from walking away, she slid her gaze to the rumpled bed. “My parents won’t be home for hours. I can prove to you how sorry I am. Stay with me.”
    Roth heard the invitation but broke free of her grip. “I trusted you. You blew it. Now stay out of my life, Liza. I mean it.”
    “Don’t punish me,” she cried. “Don’t leave.”
    Without a backward glance, he closed the door behind him. Liza stood stunned. She had lost him in the way she wanted him most, as his girl. Roth was through with her. His excuse of betrayal was just that—an excuse. He wanted what he wanted. And it wasn’t Liza.
    •  •  •
    “You two look awesome!” Her mother snapped yet another picture of Morgan and Trent.
    Morgan rolled her eyes. “Mom, I think we have enough photos on the memory card to qualify you for Paparazzo of the Year.”
    “Your mother’s right,” her father said. “You’ll be the best-looking couple at the dance.”
    “Just one more,” Paige said, reaiming her camera. “I have the homecoming queen and king standing in my living room. You bet I’m going to record the event for posterity.”
    Morgan and Trent had been crowned the night before, during halftime of the football game. Tonight the dance was being held in the school gym. Morgan had spent the day decorating the space, then stopped at the