Free The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

requested sets.
    When I started splitting my time between my house and my dad’s downtown apartment, I found that my parents still had something in common. Me.
    So I tried to make them proud and keep them both positive. I led by example. Aced my tests, joined cheerleading, and most importantly, I was upbeat. Shiny.
    It seemed to work. They both got really into my cheerleading, going to all the games and events, and soon, they were sitting in the bleachers together, sharing a box of popcorn.
    After a year of being apart, my dad moved back in. And even though they never technically remarried, they were happy. We all were.
    My dad came over and pulled out the wooden chair next to me. I dropped my hands into my lap and looked over at him. He took off his glasses to rub at his eyes and then put them back on.
    He smiled at me. “Hey, maybe you and Aiden can come with us next time. I know you two like to watch us play. It might be nice to take a weekend trip together.”
    “That’s a great idea,” my mother said excitedly from the sink. She walked over to pull a cup out of the white cabinet and filled it with ice from the freezer. “Seattle is so beautiful at night!”
    I nodded. “I’m sure Aiden would love to go. He has fun at the shows.”
    “Great,” my mom said, filling her glass with water. “We’ll ask him tonight.”
    It was nice how perfectly Aiden fit in with my family. And yet I still had the nagging suspicion that I was missing something.
     
    It was seven fifteen, the pasta was on the table, and no Aiden. My parents sat patiently, waiting to eat. The rooms smelled like garlic bread, and my father was practically drooling.
    “Did you call him?” he asked, smoothing out the napkin on his lap.
    “Yep. His mom said he wasn’t home.” My boyfriend didn’t own a cell phone, and usually he didn’t need one. I was always with him.
    “I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” my mother reassured me, patting my hand. She looked at my father. “Have some salad.” She pushed the yellow ceramic bowl, overflowing with romaine, in his direction.
    My father scrunched his nose and took a sip of his iced tea instead.
    The house phone rang out, startling me.
    I jumped up, bumping the table with my thigh, nearly knocking over my glass. I apologized before dashing to the phone and snatching it off the counter. “Aiden?” I asked, rubbing my leg.
    “Sorry, baby.” He was breathing heavily. “We just finished some drills and shit.”
    I tsked.
    “Stuff,” he corrected.
    “What happened? We’ve been waiting for you.” I sounded whiny, but I’d missed him.
    “I know. I can’t make it, Tess. Some things have come up.” My heart rate sped up. “Things?”
    “Yeah. Just basketball stuff. You want me to come by after? I could tuck you in....” His voice got low and sexy, like he was whispering. I could hear the squeaking of sneakers on hardwood in the background. He was still with the team.
    “My parents came home,” I said offhandedly because I knew they were listening.
    “Already? Shit.”
    “Aiden.”
    “Sugar.”
    I smiled. “You go play with your friends,” I said. “But pick me up for school?”
    “Of course, baby.” I heard the phone shift. “I miss you,” he breathed. “I had a fun weekend.”
    My body tingled, and I was glad my parents were behind me because my face was on fire. “Me too.”
    “Like a lot of fun,” Aiden said.
    “I know.”
    “I love you, Tess.”
    “I love you too.”
    We hung up, and I took a deep breath before turning around. My parents were both staring at me, concerned looks on their faces.
    “No Aiden?” my mom asked.
    “Nope. Basketball.”
    “Well, that’s all right,” my dad said. “He needs to practice. Aiden has a good work ethic.”
    I nodded, but I was depressed as I plopped down in my kitchen chair. “Can you pass the salad?” I asked in a quiet voice.
    My mother watched me but didn’t say anything. Instead, she put some greens on my plate as I set