Denying The Bad Boy (Tattooed and Pierced #2) (4 page)

“Why don’t you just tell me when you want me there
and I’ll work my schedule around
you
.”
Mary made sure to add a bite to the last part, because frankly she was sick of
this high and mighty act that Margo put on. It was like the world would stop
rotating if things didn’t go her way, and at twenty-three her older sister
should have grown up a little bit.

“I need you at Mom’s no later than nine in the
morning on the sixteenth, all right?”

“Yeah.”
Margo rattled off a few more things, but by then Mary wasn’t paying attention.
“I’m at work, so I got to go.” She hung up before Margo could add another ten
things she wanted Mary to do before the wedding and picked up her pace. With
her house just a few blocks from the coffee shop she worked at, Mary usually
opted to just walk, but only if the weather permitted. As soon as she walked
into Just One More Cup, the trendy yet retro styled coffee shop, the scent of
coffee beans and freshly baked goods filled her nose. It was going on eight in
the morning, and already the interior was packed with college students. The few
tables that they had were already filled with people, their books splayed out
in front of them, and what was most likely already their second cup of coffee
in front of them.

Polly, a newer barista who had only started about
two weeks ago, looked frazzled as she wrote down every customer’s order. Mary
smiled and headed toward the counter. Polly let out a relieved sigh and stepped
aside so Mary could take her place.

“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
socially 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.