#scandal by Sarah Ockler

Author:Sarah Ockler
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

LOWDOWN DIRTY LOVE

No one ever accused Night of the Living Dog of being normal.

Sunday night, a thunderstorm rumbles in the not-so-distant sky, and Night paws frantically at the door—international dog lingo for Walk me or you’ll live to regret it.

I put on Jayla’s Broncos hoodie and hook up the leash, let him trot me out to the woods behind the house. “Colorado is a top-ten state for death by lightning. Know that, dude?”

Night ignores me, snuffles along the trail to his favorite tree just as the first raindrops plink onto the leaves. This is his spot—our spot—quiet, far enough from the surrounding houses that we’re almost always alone. Despite the rain, I’m grateful for the escape.

Jayla’s been pretty mellow all weekend, a forced smile that I shared tonight as we made a gourmet meal out of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, hot fudge, and crumbled pretzels. Pictures of her pep rally altercation with Asher leaked to CelebStyle, and even though it was all an act, and Asher was thrilled to go along with it, yesterday’s headlines tell a different story.

JAY-HEART LOVES HER FANS, AS LONG AS THEY’RE “ABLE” TO LOVE HER BACK; ALTERCATION AT HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL REVEALS CELEB’S TRUE COLORS.

Since the story broke, she’s been ignoring her phone, deleting nasty messages from her fan page.

After orbiting different suns for years, my sister and I suddenly have a lot in common.

I unhook Night’s leash to let him explore, and beneath a canopy of aspen and ponderosa, I climb up on my favorite boulder, perfect for contemplating. As Night slops around in the mud, my thoughts drift from Jayla and Ash to Ms. Zeff, from Ellie and Griff to Olivia, but inside the brain of Lucy, all roads lead to Cole. Cole’s sad-face text messages. Cole’s drum solo. Cole’s kiss . . .

When I open my eyes, he’s walking toward me with Spike. It’s like I’ve pulled him out of my daydreams, and he smiles when our eyes meet, rain darkening the shoulders of his blue-gray hoodie.

“Saw you walking this way,” he says, unclipping Spike’s leash. The Dachshund bolts down the path in search of his canine bestie.

I hop off the boulder, wipe my hands on my cutoff camos.

“You okay?” he asks. “I was worried. You took off at the pep rally, and . . . shit. Am I turning into stalker guy?” He goes all dad-voice, pounds his fist in his hand. “Dammit, Lucy, you haven’t answered my calls or texts.”

I laugh. “Maybe a little stalkery. Mostly angry dad, though.”

“Okay, how about this?” With a huskier voice, he says, “You and Margolis seem to be getting close.”

“Still kind of angry dad,” I say.

“Help me out here, Luce.” Cole’s voice is back to normal, but a little nervous. “I’m totally jealous. Not a good look for me.” He breaks into a grin, and I’m like, Jealousy? Dude. Totally a good look for you. But I update him on the investigation anyway, reassure him there’s nothing going on with Franklin.

Which is so surreal that I stop midexplanation and shake my head.

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