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The warm Louisiana sun crested the towering trees alongside the high school parking lot, chasing away the dewdrops on the blacktop. Beau eased his car into his shady spot next to the big oak and searched for Leslie’s car.
Good. He’d beaten Dawn to school.
He’d dressed in khakis and a freshly starched shirt, wanting to look his best for her. It was time to put any rumors about their relationship to rest. He couldn’t let a girl walk away from him. When the time was right, and Leslie was his, Beau would end it.
Across the parking lot, Sara appeared, wearing a flowery and fitted dress, showing off her boobs. She was with Dawn’s irritating friend, Zoe. The two girls had their heads bowed as if deep in conversation. A cold sweat broke out under Beau’s shirt.
What are these two up to?
He set out across the lot and charged up to the girls. “Hey, there.”
Zoe frowned while Sara flourished a radiant smile.
Beau ignored Zoe. “So, Sara, did you get that last problem in chemistry? I could use your help.”
Zoe sniffed and shook her head. “I’ll see you at lunch, Sara.”
Beau waited until Zoe was out of earshot before he said, “I just wanted to say, I had a great time on the river the other night. You’re a good listener. I’m sorry if I bored you.”
Sara flipped her long hair around her shoulder. “Not at all. I liked talking to you. Perhaps we could do it again sometime.”
The invitation irritated him. The last thing he needed was Dawn finding out about his time with Sara.
“I’d love that.” Then I can shut you down for good. “We could sneak away this weekend at the river during the party. I know a special place where we could talk in private.”
A faint blush warmed her cheeks. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
He nodded after Zoe. “What were you two talking about? Didn’t know you were tight with her.”
“We’re not. She was just asking me if I wanted to try out for the cheerleading squad. Taylor Haskins quit.”
Taylor. A rush of adrenaline seized him. He had to make sure she didn’t become a problem.
Sara waited in front of him, her tedious smile wearing on his nerves.
“Well, I gotta go.”
She pouted, obviously not happy. “What’s your hurry?”
He scrutinized the odd twist of her lips. “After what happened last time at the river, I don’t think we should be seen together. Best to play it safe.”
She spun away without saying another word.
Seconds later, the Moore girls’ car entered the lot.
Perfect timing.
He set off across the green grass at a brisk pace.
Leslie eased into her usual spot close to the quad. He slowed down, not wanting to appear too anxious, wiped his hand across his damp brow and put on the amiable smile he knew would win her over.
Dawn climbed from the front passenger seat, her hair hanging free, her blue eyes clogged with mascara and her lips stained with thick red lipstick. His heart sank. She looked like a whore.
Ignoring his revulsion, he went up to her, determined to make a very public display.
“I’ve missed you, baby.” He kissed her cheek.
Over Dawn’s shoulder, he saw Taylor on the school steps, glowering at him. Her ill-fitting clothes and pale skin made him wonder what the hell he had ever found attractive in her.
Dawn slinked out of his arms. “What was that for?”
“I wanted to start things off right between us.”
Leslie stood from the car. His fingers dug into Dawn’s arms when he eyed her saucy smirk.
“So, you’re back.” Leslie peered over the top of the car. “You’re like bubonic plague, Beau Devereaux. You can never be eradicated.”
I know just what I’m gonna put in that smart mouth of yours.
“Ignore her.” Dawn handed him her book bag. “Walk me to class?”
His fists clenched the straps. “Absolutely, baby.”
Dawn clung to his arm, smiling like a beauty queen wearing her newly won crown, eager to make sure everyone got a good look at their reunion.
Beau wasn’t interested in the whispers and quick glances directed their way. He kept his focus locked on Taylor.
She remained hidden in the shadows along the side of the stone steps to the school, the tormented look of a captured animal in her eyes. The meticulously secured buttons of her shirt climbed all the way to her throat, reminding him of a nun. Gone was the nymphet wanting to “play hard.”
He tuned out Dawn’s chatter about plans for after school, nodding only when necessary. It was the terrified Taylor who piqued his interest. Hugging the side of the steps as he approached, she never turned away. The laughter of other students rose around them, a gentle breeze caressed the wisps of Taylor’s hair fallen from her ponytail, and a faint whiff of clover from the quad wafted by. The smell reminded him of Leslie. Taylor backed to the side of the steps, cowering in the shadows.
He imagined his Leslie acting just as compliant, just as afraid.
I can’t wait.
* * *
The bell rang and students crammed the halls. Beau weaved in and out as he rushed to the hallway right down from Taylor’s locker. He settled into a corner, dumping his bag on the floor. Leaning against the cool metal lockers, he kept watching for Taylor. He knew she had no class for the next hour, having craftily coaxed her schedule out of Mrs. Bankston in the school office. He’d pleaded he needed to speak with Taylor about a community service project. Beau planned to skip trig to give them time together.
Her behavior bothered him—the change in clothes, attitude, and her quitting cheerleading would raise questions from those who knew her best. Questions he didn’t want answered. A pep talk was in order to remind her of what was at stake if anyone ever found out what had happened.
The bell rang and the hall scattered with students rushing to class. He remained in his spot, his focus fixed on her locker.
The last frenzied screech of tennis shoes skidding on the tiled floor faded and the hall went still.
He waited.
The rumble of desks and shuffling of students came through the wall next to him. followed by a teacher’s muffled call for students to take their seats.
He waited.
The door to the girls’ bathroom creaked open. A head poked out, and Taylor searched the hallway.
Beau pressed up against the locker, hiding his figure behind the corner. A slight squeak of shoes on the floor made him look back around.
She was at her locker, working the combination, her back to him.
He snuck up behind her, careful not to make a sound.
He placed his hands on the lockers beside hers, effectively trapping her in place.
“Taylor, how are you today?” His voice turned velvety as memories of her sweet submission flooded his mind. “I’ve missed you.”
She arched away from him. “Leave me alone.”
Beau put his lips to her ear. “What did I say last time we chatted about lying low? Stop staring at me like some sick stalker when you see me. Understand? We can’t have people knowing about our special time together. You’ve kept your mouth shut, right?”
Her breath became in choppy waves. “I said I wouldn’t say anything and I haven’t.”
Beau ran his fingertip down her neck, loving the way she stiffened. “Good. Let’s keep it that way, shall we? I’d hate for something to happen to your daddy’s career.”
Taylor cringed as he leaned in, his breath brushing across her ear.
“Just remember, you go back on your word and I’ll take you again. And this time, when I’m done, no one will ever find your body.”
He pushed away from the lockers and strutted down the hall.
If she ever breathed a word of their encounter, he would carry out his threat. Taylor Haskins would end up as just another victim of the rough waters in the Bogue Falaya River.
* * *
Late for class, Leslie was jogging down the hall when she noticed Beau curled into a girl’s back, a brown ponytail draped over her left shoulder. She stopped and hid behind a row of lockers, anxious to not be seen.
He stormed down the hall.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Beau had just rounded the corner when Taylor slammed her locker door.
The two alone in the hall suggested something more than coincidence. But unlike other couples sneaking some quality time, Beau’s anger and Taylor’s shaking hands didn’t scream secret rendezvous to Leslie.
First the hasty departure from the squad and now meetings with Beau Devereaux. Something is up with the girl.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Taylor displayed a weak smile, blowing out a shaky breath.
“Just got a lot going on.”
“Was that Beau Devereaux?”
She peered around the hall, sidestepping Leslie. “I’m not sure.”
The way she laced her fingers to hide the slight tremor in her hands struck Leslie as odd.
“Are you and Beau ...?” Leslie left the suggestion hanging.
Taylor’s head popped up and her eyes flew open. “No, no. We’re nothing. Please, please don’t mention you saw us talking to anyone. Especially Dawn.” She clung to Leslie’s arm.
“It’s all right.” Leslie spoke as she would to a terrified child. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”
Taylor bobbed her head and let her go. “Thank you. I can’t let ... I mean I don’t want any problems with him. I prefer to stay as far away from Beau as possible.”
A stab of suspicion went through her. Something had happened to Taylor and Leslie was certain Beau was behind it.
“Glad to hear I’m not the only one who hates running into Beau. That’s something we have in common.”
Taylor angled her head to the side. “But he dates your sister. How can you hate him?”
“Probably for the same reasons you do.” She inched closer, hoping to win her confidence. “He’s got everyone in this town believing he’s some kind of saint, but he’s far from that.”
A veil of calm seemed to descend over Taylor. Her shoulders relaxed, her trembling subsided, and a long slow breath escaped her lips. “Why can’t Dawn see what a horrible person he is?”
Her fear, her hatred for Beau made sense, but Leslie couldn’t put together why she had met with him in the empty hall.
“What did Beau say to you?”
Taylor’s eyes darted around the hall, and she bit her lower lip. “Ah, I’m late for class. I should go.”
She took off, leaving Leslie wondering what had upset her.
Derek rounded a corner in the hall as Taylor rushed past him. He glanced at her and then walked up to Leslie.
“Hey,” Derek said, coming alongside her. “What are you doing out here? I thought you had calculus.”
Leslie kept peering down the hall where Taylor had disappeared, trying to make sense of their encounter.
“I do, but I ran into Taylor Haskins.”
“You run into Taylor all the time.” Derek brushed the bangs from her eyes. “What’s so special about that?”
“She was with Beau Devereaux.” Leslie thumbed the locker behind her. “I caught them together in front of her locker.”
Derek inched closer. “Did she tell you why she was with him? Seems funny those two being alone together. Is he going to start bothering her now and leave you alone?”
The comment gave Leslie pause. Could she be suffering the same abuse Leslie had endured for months? It would explain her odd behavior. In some ways, it mirrored Leslie’s.
Derek nudged her shoulder. “So, what do you think?”
She came out of her stupor. “Think about what?”
“Camping out by the river this weekend?” He grinned, appearing excited. “We could fish and lay out under the stars. We haven’t done that in a while, and it will be too cold soon.”
She winced at the prospect of disappointing him. “I have to go to the lake house with my family this weekend. I’ve tried to get out of it, but Dad’s not letting me or Dawn slide.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Then you need to go to the lake house.”
“But can we go when I get back? Maybe next weekend?”
Derek touched his forehead to hers. “That’s a date.” He stood back and waved down the hall. “Now get to class. You’re not doing that great in calculus.”
