Free So Many Boys by Suzanne Young Page B

conflict of interest. Would I be able to objectively collect information?
    The skin under my eyes looked puffy, and I sighed heavily. Then with only the sound of my shoes echoing on the tile floor, I walked up to the bathroom door, yanked it open, and headed out.
    It was time to get back to basics. It was time to channel the skirt.

ASSIGNMENTS 1 & 2
    5:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 15
    Riley and Jenn were sitting together in a vinyl booth at Mel’s Pizza sharing a slice as the operative observed them. Both seemed a little distracted, but every so often, Riley leaned in to give Jenn a quick kiss. The operative squinted, trying to understand.
    Both Riley and Jenn were starting relationships with other people—or so it seemed. How could they so boldly flaunt their infidelity, then act affectionate in public, as though nothing were wrong?
    The operative adjusted her black baseball cap downward before reaching for the straw of her cherry Coke, all the while peering from beneath the cap’s bill. She’d never seen a case like this. It would require a serious cheater case study.
    Just then, the door to the pizza shop jangled open. The operative glanced over and nearly choked on her carbonated beverage. It was Megan Wright…and she looked stunned.
    Riley had been resting his head on Jenn’s shoulder, laughing easily when Megan walked in. Living life, unaware that his sins were about to confront him. When he saw her, he immediately straightened up, but the hurt on Megan’s face was plain. Even as she bravely tried to smile.
    “Meg!” Jenn called out, waving her over. “Sit with us.”
    The operative tilted her head, enjoying this turn of events. There’d be no way Megan could act her way through this. She was about to get busted. The operative slipped her hand into the pocket of her shorts and pulled out a tiny metal device, which she slipped in her ear. From across the room, she’d be able to hear anything. Even a whisper. Thank you, infomercial.
    Megan looked from Jenn to Riley, then she pursed her lips and nodded. She walked over to the booth and slid in across from Jenn—directly next to Riley. The tension was delicious. The operative happily picked up her slice of pizza and took a bite.
    “I haven’t seen you in forever,” Jenn said to Megan, reaching in her purse to pull out a tube of lip gloss. “Where’ve you been?”
    “Um…I’ve been studying. My classes are tough this semester.” Megan glanced sideways at Riley, but he kept his eyes trained on the table.
    “You’re such a nerd.” Jenn laughed, touching her mouth with the napkin.
    Riley started to open his mouth, then looked quickly back down at the table. Had he been about to defend his accomplice? The operative smiled. Riley exposing himself like that would be a lethal mistake.
    Jenn sighed and glanced at her watch. “I have to babysit in half an hour,” she said to Riley. “You ready?”
    He nodded, his face turning a deep pink. Jenn looked at him strangely, then rolled her eyes and slid from the booth. “I’ll be right back; I have to pee first.” She took one last sip from her drink before heading past the counter to the back restrooms.
    “I’m so sorry, Meg,” Riley murmured to Megan the minute his girlfriend was out of sight. “I didn’t mean to—”
    “I have to go,” Megan said, the vinyl of the seat sticking to her thighs as she moved away from him. “I can’t do this anymore. Tell Jenn I’ll call her later.” Megan grabbed her purse angrily before jumping to her feet.
    The operative tilted her head. For a second, she admired Megan’s loyalty to her friend. But what she saw next made her lip curl. Megan paused at the end of the booth; suddenly she leaned down, her blonde hair falling forward to block the operative’s view. She bent toward Riley’s ear.
    “I love you too,” she whispered. Then, without even buying what she came for, she walked out of the shop.
    The operative’s stomach turned. She was momentarily stunned by