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What they did to the girl they’d fucked that last weekend, how they were going after their friend, who was even hotter and probably “sluttier.” The way Ryan and some of the guys talked about women was disgusting, obscene, and downright degrading.
But I was there to work. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe him checking me out should have had red flags going up, especially after all the nasty things I heard him talking about, but the truth was a guy looking at me didn’t happen very often, so maybe that’s why I was oblivious to the dangers of that.
I pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward Cannon’s place. It was well after eight, later than I’d originally planned. I had my backpack with all the books sitting on the passenger’s side seat, ready for a night filled with studying.
Although Cannon was insanely smart, he did struggle with social studies. Then again, it wasn’t the most entertaining subject for some people, and Cannon was one of them. If he failed this class, which was how it was looking if I didn’t help, the threat of him being benched during games had him working his ass off to do better.
I admired that about him. When Cannon set his mind to something, he followed through with it until the very end.
Ten minutes later I was pulling into his driveway, cutting off the engine, and just sitting there for a moment. I grabbed my cell and sent a reminder text to my mom that I was at Cannon’s to study, knowing full well she’d probably forget. And that’s the last thing I needed … my mom hysterically looking for me.
Then again, I wasn’t a single mom. I suppose that would make anyone overly protective.
After shoving the cell in my bag, I stared at the garage door. It was wide open, his mother’s car parked inside. I didn’t see his dad’s truck, but he was probably working late again.
I grabbed my bag and climbed out of the car, headed up the front steps. I didn’t bother knocking. Cannon’s family was like my own. I’d been over here just as much as I’d been at my house. His mom was like my second parent.
I closed the front door and instantly smelled the scent of dinner in the air … maybe spaghetti, definitely garlic bread.
“Hello?” I called out and headed into the living room. The television was on, the volume low. I knew Cannon’s mom kept it on as background noise, and for “company.”
The volume was muted so the sound of pots and pans banging in the kitchen was loud and clear. I followed the noise until I stood in the entryway. Megan, Cannon’s mother, stood by the sink washing a few dishes. Despite the fact I still smelled dinner in the air, the table was cleaned off, and there was a stack of drying plates and cups sitting in the strainer.
“Hey,” I said. She looked over her shoulder at me and smiled.
Megan grabbed a rag off the counter, drying her hands as she walked up to me, her arms outstretched. “Hi, sweetheart.” She gave me a hug, the smile still in place.
“Cannon upstairs?” I pulled back, the remainders of water from her damp hands dotting my arms. “I’m here to help him study.”
“I think he’s in his room, or in the basement playing video games.” She headed back toward the sink. “Are you hungry? There’s leftovers from dinner.”
“No thanks. I ate before work tonight.” I waved as I left the kitchen.
I headed downstairs first, opening up the basement door and listening to see if I could hear either video games, or Cannon cursing at said games. Although the light was on, I didn’t hear anything.
I shut the door and headed upstairs. When I got to the top landing, I walked down the hallway, seeing that Cannon’s door was partially shut. I pushed it open slightly and stood there for a moment, staring at him as he sat on the edge of his bed, his cell in hand, this focused expression on his face.
He had yet to know I was there, too focused on the message he was sending. I took a step forward, a floorboard creaking. He lifted his head and glanced over at me. That focused expression instantly left as a big grin covered his face.
“Hey,” he said. “I was just about to call you and see if you were close.”
I stepped fully inside and tossed my bag on his bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. “Yeah, sorry. I would’ve been here sooner but I wanted to finish up filing some paperwork before I left.” I looked down at his cell. “Pretty intense texting there,” I teased and gently pushed my shoulder against his. He chuckled softly and shut off his phone, tossing it behind him on the mattress.
