Despite herself, Jenelle smiles. She’s been called many things in her life, but she can’t remember ever hearing that.

  After a few more minutes of hiking, Jamie adds, softly, “And I hope you don’t mind me sayin’ so, but you’re real pretty, too.”

  Now Jenelle blushes. She’s positive no man has ever told her that.

  She gives Jamie another look, quite literally. He might not be as conventionally attractive as Billy, or have his cousin’s magnetic personality. But maybe, Jenelle thinks, she wrote this guy off too quickly.

  “I don’t mind at all, Jamie. In fact, you ain’t too bad yourself.”

  Chapter 7

  In an instant, the computer’s familiar wallpaper and icons up and vanish. In their place appears an endless stream of garbled white text, scrolling rapidly against a harsh blue background, while the hard drive clicks and whirs.

  Jenelle is watching Jamie Curd work his techno-whiz magic on her parents’ home computer. She’s sitting beside him at the desk in the living room, resting her chin on her hands in wonder.

  Her mother happened to mention at dinner a few weeks ago that their aging desktop seemed to be acting glitchier than usual and running more slowly. Which immediately gave Jenelle an idea. She suggested they call her “new friend Jamie,” a self-taught computer expert, to come over and take a look.

  Jenelle knows her parents would never in a million years allow her to go on a solo date with any man, let alone one they’d never met. So this seemed like an ingenious way to kill two birds. Her folks could get to know Jamie, and Jenelle would get to spend some semiprivate time with him.

  Jenelle doesn’t consider Jamie her boyfriend. At least not yet. But she’s hoping things are headed in that direction. Jamie doesn’t have a Facebook account, so she doesn’t interact with him on social media. Since meeting each other about two months ago, however, they’ve exchanged plenty of chatty emails. They also talk on the phone from time to time—but exclusively in hushed, thirty-second chunks at odd hours, since Jenelle is paranoid about her parents picking up the landline and catching them.

  She and Jamie have also hung out in person on a couple of occasions, but only in group hangouts with Billy, Tracy, and their other mutual friends. Jenelle revels in the attention Jamie gives her in person, and genuinely enjoys his company. Yet any time dreamy Billy is there, too, it’s hard to fully focus on Jamie.

  “Disk reformat should take about an hour or so,” says Jamie, swiveling in his chair to face Jenelle. “Then I gotta reboot the operating system.”

  “Wow, you really know your stuff,” says Jenelle.

  “Ain’t that hard, really. I just ran a diagnostic and followed the instructions.”

  “Well, I’m impressed.”

  Jenelle slowly slides her hand across the desk until her fingers just slightly touch Jamie’s.

  “Done yet?” bellows her father, who has silently appeared behind them.

  Jamie pulls his hand away and shoots to his feet. Jenelle once mentioned to him that her father was a former Marine with ties to the CIA. It clearly made an impact.

  “Not yet, Mr. Potter, sir. Almost, sir.”

  Buddy squints at Jamie. Then at Jenelle. She’s holding her breath. Hoping her father doesn’t suspect anything. Praying he didn’t see them almost holding hands.

  “I think that’s enough work for today,” says Buddy.

  “But, Mr. Potter, I haven’t finished reinstalling—”

  “Computer ain’t goin’ nowhere. Come by again tomorrow. Wrap it up then.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Buddy turns and marches out, leaving Jamie chastened, but Jenelle relieved.

  “I guess, uh…I should get goin’. Wanna walk me out?”

  The two exit the house together and head toward Jamie’s car.

  “Thanks again for stoppin’ by, Jamie. It was good to see you.”

  “You, too, Jen,” he says.

  But before he gets in his vehicle, he stops. Glances hesitantly back at the house.

  “So…I got ya somethin’. But ya gotta keep it a secret. Okay?”

  Curious, Jenelle nods. Jamie digs into his grimy jeans pocket and removes a small black object about the size of a deck of cards, as well as a long black cord. He slips them both into Jenelle’s hand.

  “It’s your own cell phone. Now we can talk and text all we want.”

  “Are you serious?!” she gasps. “Oh, Jamie, I love it, thank you!”

  Jenelle is equal parts shocked and thrilled. She steals a quick look at the phone, then clutches it close, burying it under the folds of her sweater. After peering back at the house herself to make sure the coast is clear, she leans in and gives Jamie a quick peck on the cheek.

  Back in her bedroom, making sure she’s facing away from the open door, Jenelle stealthily and excitedly inspects her new toy. It’s a simple, outdated flip phone, but she still marvels at its slim profile and sleek design. It’s one of the best gifts she’s ever received. She’s touched by Jamie’s thoughtfulness. She can’t wait to use it.

  But first, after hiding the phone under a heap of stuffed animals, Jenelle opens up her laptop and logs in to Facebook.

  She navigates to Billy’s page—stifling a twinge of guilt—curious if he’s posted anything new, hopeful that he’s commented on something of hers.

  Jenelle likes Jamie a whole lot.

  But she just can’t deny it.

  What she feels for Billy is stronger.

  Chapter 8

  Jenelle Potter went twenty-nine years just fine without a cell phone.

  But now that she has one, she simply can’t imagine ever living without it. Even after a few months, its novelty hasn’t worn off. Every time she feels it buzz, she still can’t help but smile.

  “Just got us a table, c u soon!” she texts to Tracy Greenwell. The two are meeting at the diner in town for a quick lunch.

  A moment later comes Tracy’s reply. “Thx! be there in five.”

  Jenelle has shared her “secret number” with a few other friends as well, but the person who uses it the most by far is Jamie Curd. The pair texts dozens of times a day, from morning till night. They speak on the phone, too, often for hours at a time. Their conversations are usually about the most trivial subjects. Like what they had for breakfast. Their favorite reality TV shows. The weather.

  But it’s not the topics they discuss that matter to Jenelle.

  She’s just thrilled to have someone like Jamie in her life she can talk to.

  Jenelle has also been vigilant about keeping the phone and its charger well hidden from her parents. She only texts Jamie when she’s by herself. She only calls him when her parents aren’t home, or late at night when they’re both asleep. So far, they still seem totally unaware of their daughter’s romance.

  It’s this blend of the familiar and the forbidden that makes the whole thing extra exciting to Jenelle. One minute, she and Jamie are exchanging pleasantries. The next, she’s sneaking around like a secret agent. It’s the most fun she’s ever had.

  If only I could get that kind of attention from Billy Payne.

  Jenelle has finally come to terms with the fact that Billy just isn’t a committed‑relationship kind of guy. He likes to go out and have fun and not be tied down. He never seems to date any one woman for very long, so although Jenelle still holds out hope, she can’t be too upset that he isn’t dating her. At least they still have their friendship, both in person and on social media.

  Although lately, these past few weeks, Billy hasn’t been hanging out with the group as often. He also hasn’t been on Facebook as much. Jenelle has been racking her brain, trying to figure out why. Did something happen? Did she do something to upset him? All she knows is, the less she interacts with Billy—in real life or online—the more unhappy she feels.

  Buzz-buzz. Jenelle receives another text, this one from Jamie: “Hi love, going on my lunch break, how r u doing?”

  Tracy, still wearing her blue pharmacy employee vest, walks in just as Jenelle is writing back. The women greet each other, then turn their focus to the menu.

  They’re about midway through their meal, Tracy picking at a salad, Jenelle chowing down on a cheeseburger and chili fries, when Jenelle broaches the topic weighing so heavily on her mind.

  “So, uh…how’s your brother?”

  “Billy? He’s fine. Hopefully stayin’ out of trouble.”

  “That’s good. ’Cause I haven’t really seen him much lately.”

  Tracy shrugs. “He’s a busy guy, I guess.”

  “With work? Jamie said he doesn’t think Billy’s picked up any extra shifts.”

  “I’d be careful askin’ your boyfriend about other guys,” Tracy teases.

  Jenelle giggles. “Ewww, stop! Jamie’s not my boyfriend.” Tracy smiles and rolls her eyes. “But really. Why doesn’t Billy hang out with us anymore?”

  Tracy hesitates before she answers—and not just to finish chewing.

  “Maybe you should ask him.”

  “Maybe I will. Maybe I’ll send him a message on Facebook. But he probably won’t even see it. He hasn’t liked any of my status updates or pictures or posted anything of his own in almost eleven days.”

  Tracy lifts an eyebrow. “How often are you stalkin’ my brother’s Facebook page?”

  “Stalking? We’re friends!”

  Tracy sighs. “Jenelle, look—since we’re friends, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. My cousin Jamie really cares about you. You two have somethin’ special. I’d hate to see you throw that away over a silly little crush on my brother.”

  Jenelle is taken aback, embarrassed. “Crush? What are you talkin’ about?”

  Tracy gives her a look. “Fine. I’ll just say one other thing: Be careful about carin’ too much about what happens online. The internet can be fun and all, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. It’s all just pretend.”

  Jenelle, hurt, averts her eyes like a scolded bulldog puppy.

  She answers softly, darkly, “I know.”

  Chapter 9

  Memorial Day is a somber occasion in the Potter home. Jenelle’s father, Buddy, lost a lot of close friends in Vietnam. Which is why he always insists his family treat the holiday with the solemnity and respect he feels it deserves.

  But this Memorial Day, Jenelle isn’t at home.

  She’s at a boisterous, boozy barbecue in Stout Park, along with Jamie Curd, Tracy Greenwell, Billy Payne, and many others.

  “Nice arm!” exclaims Jamie as Jenelle manages to toss a metal horseshoe around a wooden spike set far away in the grass.

  “Jamie,” she jokingly chides him, “we’re playin’ against each other. You’re not supposed to be happy when I score a point.”

  He shrugs and smiles. “Seeing you happy makes me happy. Sue me.”

  The two finish their lawn game, and also their beers. While Jamie gathers up the horseshoes, Jenelle heads to the cooler to grab them another round. Thank goodness they’re all classic American brews she knows and enjoys.

  As Jenelle fishes around the icy water, she sees Tracy approaching.

  “Hey, Jenelle! I guess that old saying is true—great minds drink alike.”

  The two share a laugh. With Tracy is a slim, strikingly pretty brunette in her early twenties whom Jenelle doesn’t recognize.

  “Jenelle, meet Billie Jean Hayworth. Billie Jean, meet Jenelle Potter.”

  “Oh! It’s great to finally put a face to the name,” Billie Jean says warmly, extending her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Jenelle hasn’t heard a thing about Billie Jean. She forces a smile anyway.

  “Nice to meet you, too. How do y’all know each other?”

  Almost imperceptibly, Billie Jean hesitates—and flashes Tracy a quick look.

  “Uh, I just started a new job. At Parkdale Mills.”

  “Oh. So you must know Billy, too?”

  “Hey,” Tracy chirps, “why don’t you go find Jamie and let’s all get some food!”

  Jenelle does. Soon she and Jamie are milling around the picnic area, piling their paper plates with grilled hot dogs and tangy potato salad.

  But Tracy, Billie Jean, and Billy are nowhere to be found.

  “Weird,” Jenelle says. “I thought they’d meet us here. Do you see ’em?”

  “Is that them over there?” asks Jamie, pointing to a cluster of people across the way.

  “I think so. Here, take my plate and find us some seats? I’ll go get ’em.”

  Jenelle marches through the park toward her other friends. But as she gets closer, she sees something that makes her stomach drop.

  Billy and Billie Jean are holding hands.

  No. They can’t be.

  Jenelle must not be seeing straight.

  She walks closer to the group.

  And witnesses something even more disturbing.

  Billy drapes his arm around Billie Jean and pulls her close.

  Then he leans in and gives her a kiss.

  Jenelle stops dead in her tracks. Fighting to control a tempest of fiery emotions, she spins on her heel and scurries back to the picnic area, trying and failing to hold back tears.

  “I hate this stupid barbecue, I wanna leave!” she wails to Jamie.

  “Whoa, Jen, what’s wrong? What happened?”

  “I don’t wanna talk about it. I just wanna go. Right now!”

  With confused but tender concern, Jamie rises and puts his arm around her.

  “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’ll do anythin’ in the world to make it better.”

  But Jenelle angrily shoves him away. “Don’t touch me. Just take me home!”

  They barely speak on the drive back to the Potter house. Jamie tries a few more times to find out what made his girlfriend go from smiling to crying in mere seconds. But the whole ride, Jenelle keeps her arms crossed—and her mouth shut.

  “Thanks,” she hisses as they pull into her driveway.

  “Jenelle, wait, please tell me what—”

  But she’s already hopped out of the car and slammed the door.

  She would slam her bedroom door, too—if her parents allowed it. Instead, Jenelle plops down in front of her laptop and angrily fires up Facebook.

  Within seconds she’s searched for and found Billie Jean’s profile.

  Jenelle can’t see everything on Billie Jean’s page, since the two aren’t friends. But the posts and pictures she can see leave Jenelle sick with jealousy and rage.

  Photos of skinny, beautiful Billie Jean hanging out with friends. Opening gifts on Christmas morning with her family. Lying on a beach in a skimpy pink bikini.

  Hugging and kissing Billy.

  Jenelle starts to well up again. Her mind races. How long have they been together?! How serious are they?! What could Billy possibly see in this stupid bitch?!

  Jenelle is about to slam her laptop shut—when she stops herself.

  She takes a long, slow breath.

  And clicks the tiny icon on Billie Jean’s page labeled ADD FRIEND.

  Chapter 10

  Billy Payne has been in lust before, more times than he can count.

  But in all his thirty-four, hard-partying years, he’s never truly been in love.

  Until now.

  Since their chance encounter in the employee break room a few months ago, Billy and Billie Jean Hayworth have been virtually inseparable. Neither one was looking for a serious relationship—let alone a partner for life—but magically, that’s what they found. Their chemistry together is incredible. Their connection, rich and meaningful.

  Billy cares so deeply about Billie Jean that he’s completely given up his formerly wolfish ways without so much as a second thought. He once loved cruising local bars and chasing a different woman every night. Now, he revels in quiet evenings on the couch with Billie Jean. Talk of marriage and children used to send him running for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now, Billy doesn’t just enjoy having those discussions with Billie Jean. He actively looks forward to turning them into reality.

  But one step at a time.

  Tonight is the happy couple’s first Saturday officially living under the same roof. Billie Jean has just moved into the white-clapboard home that Billy shares with his father. To celebrate, they’ve bought a case of beer, ordered a couple of pizzas, and invited over a few close friends, including Billy’s sister, Tracy, and Billie Jean’s childhood friend Lindsey Thomas, a peroxide blonde with a sassy disposition.

  “To the incredible Billie Jean!” proclaims Tracy, hoisting her beer can high. “I don’t want to jinx anything, but someday soon, I sure hope I get to call you my sister.”

  A collective aww fills the living room. Everyone clinks and drinks.

  “You three, get together for a future family portrait,” urges Lindsey. Billy, Billie Jean, and Tracy huddle close on the sofa as Lindsey readies her phone. “Say cheese, y’all!”

  Once the photo is taken, Billy rattles his empty beer can. “Anyone else need another round?” He receives a resounding yes, so he heads to the kitchen to grab them.

  Less than a minute later, he hears a chilling scream.

  Billy rushes back into the living room to see Lindsey staring at the screen of her smartphone in total shock.

  “Linds, what is it?” asks Billie Jean.

  “I…I was about to upload that pic of y’all to Facebook…when I saw I had a couple mentions on Topix. You do, too, Billie Jean.”

  “So what? I post on that site all the time.”

  “You don’t understand! I’m skimming through ’em and…they’re horrible!”

  Billy, Billie Jean, Tracy, and the others all huddle around Lindsey as she scrolls through and reads aloud a recent thread on the local community online message board.

  “Somebody named Matt wrote: ‘Billie Jean Hayworth and Lindsey Thomas are no-good whores who sell drugs and drink.’”

  “Wait…what?” says Billie Jean, more incredulous than insulted. “Us?”

  Lindsey continues, “Look at this one. A woman named Kelly posted: ‘Yes, those two are whores. No-good people who have nothing else to do. They are nasty sluts. And don’t Lindsey have HIV? That’s what I heard.’”