30

Faye returned the crystal to her Mom's room before it was discovered missing. She'd enjoyed her brief feeling of power before realizing the Circle didn't give a damn. Everyone was so up in arms about recent events that they could think of nothing else. The irony wasn't lost on her, since no one wanted to discuss said events either. Only Jake seemed unscathed, reveling in whatever secret knowledge he had.

He finally showed his face on Tuesday after school, blocking her driveway with his beat up truck. "Ask me how I knew about the crystal."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sick of your mind games. Either tell me, or get the hell out of my way."

Jake snickered. "I saw Dawn sneaking around Cassie Blake's bedroom."

Faye's breath hitched in her throat. "See? You and Nick did have something in common. You're both perverts."

The wattage in his smile dimmed slightly. "I'm always looking out for Cassie. It's my job."

"Bet the tips suck."

Jake looked only mildly annoyed. "That crystal doesn't belong to you. We have to return it."

"We don't have to do anything."

"You know it's the right thing to do, Faye," Jake stated, admonishing her with his index finger.

"Since when have I ever done the right thing?" The fact that she had something over Cassie Blake was enough reason for celebration. She practically purred as she flashed a triumphant smile.

"I'm asking nice, Faye. My next request won't be so friendly."

Faye grinned. "I can hardly wait."

"Go ahead and laugh...while you can," Jake said, flashing an even bigger smile before jumping in his truck and driving off.

Faye barely got her car in the garage when her Mom drove in. "Was that Jake Armstrong?" Dawn asked in surprise.

"Maybe."

"You two aren't back together, I hope?" Her Mom had never liked or trusted Jake, and with good reason.

She started laughing. "Not a chance."

Dawn wasn't letting her off the hook. "So why was he here?"

"Just trying to stir up trouble."

Faye wasn't about to get into it with her Mom, and to avoid further questions, she grabbed her backpack and ran into the house.

Cassie wasn't sure she was ready to out her and Adam to the masses. Diana was obviously still upset about the breakup, and the last thing Cassie wanted was to rub her nose in it. So she and Adam waited until everyone had left school before slipping out to his truck for an extended make out session. His hands and lips seemed to be everywhere, and she laughed when she felt his teeth on her neck. "Not there," she warned.

"Mmm, how about here?" He unbuttoned her top three buttons and buried his face in her cleavage.

She gasped when he unhooked her and slid his hands up her abdomen. "I...umm...think maybe we should table this."

Cassie moaned as his head moved from side to side, sampling her wares with wet swipes of his tongue. "Kinky," he murmured. "What kind of table do you have in mind?"

"The b-bar?" A laugh worked its way out as he exposed her completely to him.

Adam looked down at her with a sweet smile, his eyes dazed with lust. "God, you're so beautiful."

Cassie reached up and traced his gorgeous lips. "So are you."

A slight flush warmed his cheeks as he wrapped her hair around one hand. "I like where this is going. Tell me more."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "We'll have to continue this later."

"Ooh, I like the sound of that. When can I collect my rain check?"

"How about tonight after your shift?"

Adam touched her forehead with his. "I'll hold you to that."

"Count on it."