Denying The Bad Boy (Tattooed and Pierced #2) Read online

  “Thank God you’re here. I am about to rip out my hair.” Mary grabbed an apron and tied it around her waist. “Kristen called off sick, and I have been here for only half an hour and am already about to walk out.”

  “You should have called me. I would have come in sooner.”

  Polly twisted her apron in her hands.

  “Anyway, I’m here now, so don’t sweat it. Mark comes in at noon, and he is the fastest barista here.” She gave Polly a reassuring smile and turned toward the girl waiting impatiently on the other side of the counter. “Sorry about that. What can I get you?”

  “Caramel latte, extra foam, and I’d like cinnamon on the top.” The girl rattled off her order, slapped a five dollar bill on the counter, and immediately went back to texting on her phone.

  Polly wasn’t very good at taking the orders, but she was pretty efficient at making the drinks. They did that for the next few hours, and when the morning rush died down a bit Mary was able to slip in the back for a short break. She sat her ass down on a box and breathed out. She was tired, her feet hurt already, and all she wanted to do was go home and sleep the rest of the day away. Of course that wouldn’t be happening. She had to help a freshman understand calculus, and God did she hate math. It was a curse and a blessing that she excelled in subjects, though, because at least she could use it to support herself. Mary didn’t even drink coffee, and in fact she loathed even the smell of it, but the tips were decent, and the extra money went a long way in helping her.

  She finished off the rest of her shift, and headed to the backroom again to change into something that was not stained in cappuccinos and lattes. Lifting her hand in a wave to Mark and Polly, she headed back down High Street and to her house. She’d only have an hour to relax before she had to head out again, but it was an hour she was looking forward to. The only problem was the entire morning she had one image ingrained in her head, and that image was of a bad boy named Alex Sheppard. It was like running into him had made everything so much worse, and even if it had only been last night she was already getting sick of wanting him. She had to keep reminding herself that anything that had to do with him was only going to end up costing her a whole lot of grief in the long run, which when it all came down to it was a ludicrous thought since there wasn’t even anything going on between them. Ugh, she should just check herself into an insane asylum, or maybe join the Alex Sheppard fan club, because this shit was getting ridiculous.

  Chapter Three

  “Damn, that fucking sucks, man.” Alex sat across from Racer at their kitchen table. He glared at his roommate, but kept his mouth shut. Yeah, it did fucking suck, and he didn’t need or want someone else pointing it out. “What are you going to do? You kick ass on the field, and putting you on probation is really going to put a hurt on the team.”

  Alex ran a hand over his hair and breathed out. “I don’t know what the fuck to do. Coach said I have to get my average up if I want to play again, and when I talked to the academic advisor she said the same damn thing. I am royally fucking screwed, but it’s my own doing.”

  Jordyn came into the kitchen and headed toward the fridge.

  Without looking at them Jordyn said, “What the fuck are you pussies doing?”

  “Alex has his panties in a twist because he’s flunking a class, and it brought his GPA down.” Jordyn looked over his shoulder.

  “Yeah, and? Why in the hell do you care about that? I know for a fact you have enough credits to graduate.”

  “I’m on probation from the team.” Alex leaned back in his seat and folded his hands behind his head. At Jordyn’s blank face he said, “I know you could give two shits about football or anything sports related, but I actually enjoy it, and being put on probation sucks balls.”

  Jordyn closed the fridge and went to the cupboard to get a bag of chips. “So what class are you failing? Maybe I can help?”

  Alex chuckled humorlessly, and Racer and Jordyn looked at him curiously. “Human Sexuality.” For a moment neither of them said anything, but then they both busted out laughing.

  “No shit?” Racer took a swig of his pop and grinned over at Alex. “You should be getting an A in that class. I mean, that’s all about sex and shit, right?”

  Alex ran a hand through his hair and knew the strands were all sorts of fucked up. “Okay, so yeah, I thought it was easy credits. I thought we would just talk about sex and all that, but clearly that was not what the class was about.”

  “Dude, you really thought Human Sexuality was about people actually having sex, like you’d get visual aids and shit? What in the hell have you been doing while sitting in class?” Jordyn asked almost incredulously, but there was a hint of humor in his voice. “I mean, yeah, it has to do with sex, but shit, dude, I wouldn’t even take that class. Who in the hell wants to learn about sex in society and all that shit?”

  He should have known he was going get reamed for this, but he had walked into it.

  “So I take it you guys can’t help me out?”

  Racer snorted, and Jordyn made some kind of grunting noise.

  “Sorry, I can’t help you out.” They sat there for several more minutes before Racer spoke.

  “What about Mary?” At just the mention of the little brunette’s name Alex’s pulse raced.

  “What about her?”

  “Yeah, man, she would totally be able to help you out. She’s a tutor and all, and smart as hell.” Well, things were looking up if he could convince her to help him out. “But I don’t know if she has any free time. She’s been pretty busy, and I would know since I try and get her to help my dumb ass all the time.”

  Alex knew Racer wasn’t dumb, but he wasn’t very smooth when he wanted to get with a girl. “Let me get you her number.”

  “You’re just giving the chick’s number out without even asking her?” Jordyn might sleep around a lot, but he was a decent guy.

  Racer gave him a “duh” look. “She posted her number in the student lounge. I mean how the hell do you think I got it?” Racer rattled off the digits, and Alex programmed them in his phone. He would definitely be calling her later. Not only would he get help to pass his class, he would also get a little eye-candy while doing it.

  ****

  Mary counted the last bill and smiled. She had made a hundred bucks in just the past two days, and her little stockpile of “just in case money” was filling out nicely. She shoved the money in her purse and made a mental note to go to the bank after classes tomorrow. It was already after five, and with tomorrow being Monday and her first class being at eight in the morning, she planned on going to bed before the sun even set. She stood and walked over to her bed. It wasn’t even made, and the sheets and comforter were in a tight ball in the center of the mattress. Not caring because she was just too damn exhausted, she did a belly flop right in her bed.

  A contented sigh left her, and she closed her eyes. Maybe she should just take a little nap? That sounded like a plan to her, but of course her phone chose that moment to ring. She blindly reached over to her bedside table and felt the edge of her phone graze her fingertips. Cracking an eye open and staring at the screen, she saw the wide, smiling face of her mother.

  “Hello?” Mary rolled onto her back and grimaced as the ball of material bunched right under her spine.

  “Are you sleeping at five in the afternoon, Mary?” Her mom’s voice was filled with authority, and Mary breathed out, not caring if it sounded exasperated.

  “Yes, Mom. I have been working a lot these past few weeks and am tired.”

  “Hmm.” Mary knew what was coming and didn’t bother stopping her mom from going there. It was a repetitive conversation, and one that wouldn’t be over with anytime soon. “Mary Sandra Trellis, if you just let your father and me pay for everything you wouldn’t have to be living in that horrid little house, and scrounging to survive. I mean, it isn’t healthy for you, and it also makes us look bad.” Stephen and Marsha Trellis did not like anyone in their family looking less soci
ally acceptable than they were. And to them the way Mary was living was akin to a homeless person under a bridge.

  “Please, I don’t want to hear whatever you’re about to say.” Her mom made a sound, and Mary knew if she hadn’t said something Marsha would have gone on a rant about appearing regal and not like some kind of peasant. There had been too many times where Mary had gotten into a rather heated argument with her mom on the fact money wasn’t everything, and standing on her own two feet and earning her way was completely normal and acceptable. Not to mention it made her feel human. She enjoyed working for the things she had, and everything she had she had paid for herself.

  “Fine, I won’t be getting into this with you over the phone. That’s not why I called you anyway.” Mary had no doubt today’s phone call had to do with Margo’s wedding, because although her mother called her several times during the week, it was either to talk about the wedding, about Mary’s lack of money, or about something scandalous that happened at the country club. Her mother continued talking about the wedding, which Mary was already so sick of hearing about. She then started talking about a brunch Margo’s friends were throwing for her. This had to be the fourth pre-wedding gathering since her sister announced getting engaged last year. It was a pointless gathering, and just an excuse for them to throw another brunch. Chanel and Heather, Margo’s maid of honor and bridesmaid, had been close friends with her sister for years, and were clearly held in higher regard since Mary was at the bottom of the bridesmaids list. It didn’t matter in the long run, and Mary even wished she was just a nondescript guest.

  “Mary, honey, are you even listening to me?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Mary grabbed a pillow and shoved it under her head, because she knew damn well this conversation was just getting started.

  “You’ve talked to Margo about everything?”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Okay, very good. Now, have you found a date for the wedding?” May closed her eyes, a little surprised it took her mother this long to bring up the issue with a date.

  “I don’t need to bring a date. Me showing up should be good enough. Besides, won’t I be too busy doing wedding things to pay attention to someone else?” Normally the wedding party just stuck with each other: the bridesmaids with the groomsmen. But Marsha was intent on Mary bringing a date. Her mother sighed loudly, and Mary rolled her eyes. Marsha Trellis was dramatic about everything. She supposed that’s where Margo got it from.

  “Mary, do you want to be the only woman there without a date? It’ll look pathetic.”

  “I don’t need a date, Mother. I’ll have Chad, or Thad, or whatever his name is.” Mary rubbed her eyes, and pictured the groomsman she had been paired up with. He was perfect in that parted blond hair and blue eyes look. Hell, Mary even thought he played lacrosse, or polo, or something along those lines.

  Mary heard her father in the background, his deep voice piecing right through the receiver. Whoever he was talking to it was clear he wasn’t pleased.

  “Listen, we will talk about this later, but you need a date. Thad is not a date. Going alone to your sister’s wedding is just not acceptable. I’m sure there is a nice and respectable boy at your school that would attend with you.” Aha! His name was Thad. At least she had almost gotten it right.

  In other words Mary better bring a rich and gorgeous boy, preferably one who drove a luxury car. Maybe Mary should just find a guy who had no money to take her? Or maybe she should find a guy that everyone that ran in her parents’ circle would look down on? The image of Alex came to mind, but not because Mary thought he was less than she was or anyone else. Her parents would shit bricks if she brought him to Margo’s wedding. He was a Hulk, with tattoos and an all-around bad boy persona. Yeah, he would so not fit in with her parents’ friends, but taking him was out of the question. For one thing she didn’t have the guts to even ask him to go with her, and for another thing even if she did work up the nerve he would no doubt turn her down. Surely he would have a party or something to go to during that weekend. He didn’t know her, and probably just thought she was some goody-two-shoes, in other words the type of girl he tended to stay away from.

  Her mom rattled off a few more wedding details before she finally got off the phone. Mary tossed the cell back on her bedside table and stared at her ceiling. It was an older house with fading siding and in need of a new roof. The inside wasn’t much better, not with the stained ceilings, brown shag carpet that looked like it was from the seventies, and yellow tiled bathroom with a matching piss-colored tub. But it was all they could afford, and Mary called it home. Although her mind kept going on and on about the conversation she just had with her mother she found her eyes growing heavy, and before she knew it she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer.

  The sound of something buzzing close to her ear had consciousness slowing claiming Mary. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times and turned her head to the side. A wince left her when her neck protested to the sudden movement, and she tried to rub the kink out. Her cell moved sluggishly across her bedside table, the blue screen lit up with an incoming call. The temptation to let it go to voicemail was right at the surface, because if it was her mother again, or God forbid, Margo, she didn’t want to deal with the hassle. But in the end she reached for the phone because it could be one of the students she tutored.

  “Hello?” Pushing herself up on the bed she glanced at her alarm clock and saw it was eight. Her quick nap had turned into three hours.

  “Mary?” The baritone voice that came through the receiver instantly had her pulse increasing.

  Pushing herself up, she was suddenly very nervous. “Yes?” She knew who was on the other end because she remembered that voice all too well. In fact, it had just been playing through her mind as she dreamed of a very buff football player.

  “Um, hey. This is Alex.” She didn’t say anything right away, and he cleared his throat, as if he was nervous. “Alex Sheppard.” Oh God, he thought she didn’t know who he was. The hesitancy in his voice was almost funny if she hadn’t been feeling it, too.

  “I know who you are.” She smiled even though he couldn’t see her.

  “I got your number from Racer.”

  “Racer?” She racked her brain who that was.

  “I mean Adam. Sorry, it’s a stupid nickname for him.”

  “Oh, okay.” Oh my God, he actually asked for my number? A sort of girly giddiness came over her at that thought.

  “Yeah, well he said you offer tutoring, and I was wondering if you maybe had any openings.”

  Her giddiness plummeted, and her shoulders sagged forward. Of course that was why he would call. Did she actually think he would reach out to her for something else? Yeah, she stupidly had.

  “Oh, well yeah, I offer tutoring.” Rubbing her eyes with her hand she was tempted to just lie back down, but the grime of the day felt thick on her skin and a shower sounded heavenly. “I’d have to look at my schedule and see what openings I have though. What is the subject you need help with?” Hell, she knew she would clear some time for him, because even if all he wanted her for was to help him pass a class, she would take it. Besides, he was really nice to look at. She had to be certifiably insane to want to spend time with him, even if it was academically oriented. Hadn’t she decided he was not for her, and that he was bad news?

  “That’s cool.” A long pause settled between them. “It’s actually Human Sexuality.”

  Mary rolled her eyes. Of course that was the class. She had helped a few other guys with that subject in the past. For some reason they automatically thought it had to do with getting it on since the word sex was thrown in there. Yes, that had to do with it, but she had a feeling they thought they were getting easy credits for a class they would watch porn in.

  Mary didn’t bother commenting on that or her feelings on the whole typical male aspect of his decision to take that class. “Maybe we can meet up tomorrow and I can let you know what openings I have, and some other details on
the tutoring? We could set up a schedule, too.”

  “That sounds good.” A beat of silence passed, and she could hear some shuffling of papers through the receiver, and then the sound of something heavy falling.

  “Fuck.” His curse was soft but clipped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” Mary found herself smiling. “Maybe we can meet around lunchtime, like say noon or one? There is that sandwich place on the corner of High Street that we can meet at. It’s called Rocko’s.”

  “Yeah, I know where that is. I have a break between Calculus and Sociology between eleven and noon, if you want to meet then?”

  “Yeah, okay.” He cleared his throat again, and Mary found herself pulling at a stray thread at the hem of her shirt. “All right then. I guess I’ll see ya then. And thanks again for taking the time and all that.”

  They disconnected, and she let herself fall back on the bed. The shadows from the setting sun washed across her cracked and stained ceiling in swoops and swirls of patterns. A thought occurred to her, and even though she should have pushed it aside, she played with it. Her going rate for tutoring was twenty dollars an hour, but maybe Alex would like to compromise on all of that, because what she wanted from him had nothing to do with monetary value.

  Chapter Four

  Alex sat at one of the patio tables outside of Rocko’s. Although September was technically fall the weather was still in the high eighties, like it was today. His iced tea sat in front of him, and the condensation left a ring of moisture on the white paper tablecloth. His heart raced, and he felt like a fucking pussy for the excitement inside of him at seeing Mary. Dammit, she was going to tutor him, he hoped, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t anticipating spending some time with her.

  He couldn’t quite place why he had this sudden, almost instant infatuation with her, but damn if he could just switch it off. Usually when he was drawn to a female it was only for a few hours, just enough time to get her off and shoot his load. But he never had this desire, no, this need to want to see a female. It made him feel irrational, like some kind of teenage girl who couldn’t control her emotions. Besides, Mary Trellis wasn’t the type of girl he went for, and he had a feeling she wasn’t into guys like him: ones that partied, obviously failed classes, and fucked far too many girls to make him seem like a decent guy