Текст книги "Stalk Me"

Автор книги: Jillian Dodd

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

Saturday, August 20th

Kill the troll’s bubbles!

5:15pm

Brooklyn just dropped me off at home. We had a late lunch of spicy shrimp at Buddy’s. I don’t know what’s going on, but Brooklyn is acting weird. He was going on and on about the shrimp, and he was savoring it like he wouldn’t get to eat it again for years.

Cush texted me during lunch and told me he’d be here tonight. That he would be riding in the party bus with us to the club. But he hasn’t said much else.

I walk in my front door to total chaos.

Avery is riding a stick unicorn and wearing a tutu and a crown.

Ivery is dressed as a mermaid and is blowing bubbles down the hall.

Emery is chasing the bubbles and swatting them out of the air with a plastic bejeweled sword, screaming, “Kill the troll’s bubbles!”

Gracie is wearing a swimsuit, tutu and fairy wings. Her hair has been “fixed” by one of the girls and has about thirty multi-colored barrettes in it. She’s riding her red trike into the mahogany fireplace wall and giggling each time it practically gives her whiplash. The nanny laughs along with her.

I walk back to Tommy’s office, following the smell of cigar smoke. They have the big sliders open to the courtyard, but I can still smell it. Tommy is sitting at his big wooden desk, and James is in one of the sleek, brown leather chairs across from it.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“Probably, but I’m a little worried about your children. Gracie is riding her bike into the fireplace giving herself whiplash, and laughing about it.”

Tommy chuckles. “They are a handful, but so cute.”

“Kym is almost here,” James tells me. “You better go shower. You know how she gets when we’re not all on schedule.”

Tommy leans back in his chair and takes a big puff of his cigar. “So are you excited for the party?”

“Of course I am! And Brooklyn is coming as my date, so it’s kinda a big deal.”

“Why is it a big deal? You’ve been with him all summer.”

“You know that, but my friends from school don’t really know that. Like they expect me to be with Cush.”

“High school drama?” James asks.

“Hopefully not,” I reply.

Mom and I are sitting in her huge travertine bathroom getting our makeup done. My hair has been blow out, flattened, then teased at the crown for a bit of a retro look. My finger and toenails have been painted a gorgeous pale peach, and my makeup looks simple and natural.

It’s amazing how much makeup it takes to look perfectly natural.

Kym wanted me to look beach-kissed. Lots of peaches and bronzes, which will look really pretty with my cream-colored, scalloped Herve Leger dress.

I love my dress. It’s both sinfully sexy and little-girl flirty.

The strapless neckline is scalloped, and the dress fits tight through the bodice and down to my hip, then there is a flirty little flounced skirt that hits mid-thigh. I feel very sexy in the dress and can’t wait for Brooklyn to see me in it.

And then there are the shoes.

Oh, how I love these shoes.

Nude-colored, satin, platform, t-strap sandals that are embellished with what looks like a vintage jeweled choker and a big ribbon tie at the ankle.

The makeup and hair stylists leave and I’m ready to head back to my room.

“Keatyn, wait. Tommy and I want to give you a present.”

Tommy walks out of their closet with a small wrapped package in Tiffany & Co.’s iconic robin’s egg blue paper.

I unwrap the box and look inside. “Wow! These earrings are gorgeous!”

“Tommy thought we should get you something timeless, so he chose the gold and diamonds. I thought we should get you something fun, so we settled on these. Do you like them?”

I hug her tightly. “Mom, of course I love them. They’re incredible, really. I don’t know if I can wear something like this. These suckers look like the earrings you see at the Academy Awards.”

Tommy quips, “Well, baby, you don’t have to worry about security. People are gonna think the President is in town.”

“Do you really think you still have to worry, Mom?”

“We’re just not taking any risks, honey. James has it all taken care of. Don’t worry about it. You just have fun at your party!”

I put the earrings on.

“I knew they would look perfect with that dress,” Mom says.

I hug them both again then twirl around.

“Do you think I look okay?”

“You look gorgeous, honey. I can hardly believe you’re seventeen. It seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms.” Mom starts to get misty-eyed.

“I want to go show Brooklyn my dress before Vanessa and everyone get here.”

“He’s in the living room with James.”

“Tommy, would you tell him to go in my room? I want to surprise him.”

“Will do,” Tommy says as he saunters out of the room, looking handsome as usual in a charcoal suit and black shirt.

“We have another surprise for you tonight,” Mom whispers.

“I don’t need anything else, Mom. These earrings are plenty. Plus the party. I’m sure it’s costing a lot. I’m sorry I asked for so much. I think I got a little carried away.”

“Keatyn, I think it’s fine you got a little carried away. It’s your seventeenth birthday. Lots of kids here have parties like this every year. This is the first big party we’ve ever had. And you never go crazy shopping. Although I swear you have more bikinis and shoes than anyone I know. Just enjoy it, okay. Forget about all the security, eat cake, and dance all night with your friends.”

“I will. Thanks, Mom, for everything.”

Mom nods as I run down the hall, through the entry, and back to my wing of the house.

I take a deep breath and open my bedroom door, expecting to dazzle him.

“That dress is awfully short,” he says.

“I, um—does that mean you don’t like it?”

“I mean, you look nice. Is it maybe a little skanky?”

“No! It’s longer than the one you picked for me to wear to dinner the other night, and it was very expensive.”

“I’m sure it was. Those the amazing shoes?”

I hold up my foot, so he can see the shoes up close. “Yes, aren’t they adorable?”

“What’d they cost?”

I sigh. “It doesn’t matter.”

“So, I just realized I forgot my wallet. I’m gonna run down to the house and grab it.”

“Okay,” I say, holding back tears.

Is it bad that I’m half wishing he’d just stay at his house? He was supposed to be dazzled by my dress, not think I look like a skank.

The boy who likes all of me.

8:10pm

Although I had fun hanging out with Vanessa and RiAnne at the hotel, I’ve been avoiding them a little the last few days on purpose. I had such an amazing, stress-free summer. I just didn’t want it to end. I’ve been pretending that I could just incorporate Brooklyn and all his friends into my life, and that everyone would be happy and get along.

I’ve been pretending that my life could be perfect.

That I could have it all.

But I’ve been lying to myself, I realize, as my two formerly separate lives come crashing together right before my eyes.

And it has nothing to do with Vanessa and RiAnne not accepting Brooklyn, and everything to do with the boy who just walked through my front door.

Cush.

When I opened the door, he gave me a grin so big I could see those dimples. Then he stood there and stared at me.

“You look amazing, Keatyn.”

I stared back, because I couldn’t seem to move. I could only stand there and look at him.

After a few awkward moments, he takes a step toward me, wraps me in a big hug, and kisses both my cheeks. Then he gently pushes me away from him and looks me up and down again.

“I’ve missed you,” he says sincerely. “And I owe you a big apology. The stuff I said, blaming you for what Mandy did. I was upset. Not thinking straight. I’m really sorry. I know it wasn’t your fault.”

“I still think it was kind of my fault, but I completely accept your apology. I’m sorry for what I said too.” I smile and look him over. He looks different. “You’ve grown or something.”

“I have grown. I’m almost six-two. And I didn’t have anything to do this summer besides work out, so I’ve bulked up.”

I look at his shoulders. He’s always had a nicely toned body, but now he looks even more buff, and it looks very sexy on him. Part of me wants to drag him back to my room, rip off his shirt, and see those new muscles up close and personal.

He looks around. “Am I the first one here?”

I nod because I don’t know what else to say.

He flashes me his sexy grin. “Good. I want you to open this now.” He opens the door back up, grabs a gorgeously wrapped present off the step, and hands it to me.

I lead him into the living room, where we both sit down on the couch. I pull the bow off the package, rip the paper off, and read the box. “Golden Goose?”

Did he really buy me Golden Goose?

He shrugs, but his blue eyes twinkle with excitement. “Keep opening it.”

I open the box and pull back the tissue. Nestled inside the box are the most gorgeous brown cowboy boots I have ever seen.

“Since we’re doing our own thing this year, I thought you should have some boots that wouldn’t try to kill you,” he says sweetly.

Tears immediately spring to my eyes as I remember the day he carried me to the locker room. The day he unbuckled my shoes and rubbed my feet.

I lean in and kiss him.

Right on the lips.

“God, I missed you,” he says, then kisses me deeply again.

“I missed you too,” I say, suddenly realizing that I have.

He holds my chin in his hand and looks sincerely at me. “You’re kissing me. Does that mean you’re done with the surfer? That you’re ready to have a great year together?”

“I, um, I told you he’s my date for the party.”

“Keatyn, you don’t kiss someone like that if you’re in love with someone else.”

He slowly caresses my face, tells me how much he missed me, and how bored he was this summer without me.

But I’m sort of lost in my own thoughts.

This party was supposed to be about bringing my worlds together, but Brooklyn doesn’t seem to want any part of my world.

He only wants me when I’m in his.

And if I’m really honest and thinking with my head instead of my heart, I’m pretty sure we don’t have a relationship. That this summer meant a lot more to me than it did to him. How can you tell a girl that you love her and that it’s cool that you can chill together in the same breath? And how do you tell her that right after sex? How could you even consider not going to the birthday party of the person you are supposed to love?

I stare into Cush’s gorgeous blue eyes.

Cush.

The boy who likes all of me.

The girl who likes to dress up as much as she likes to be casual. The girl who likes to go to expensive restaurants just as much as she likes shacks on the beach. The girl who is as happy getting a pedicure in a posh spa as she is running her toes through the sand. The girl who likes to kick ass on the soccer field, but still likes to have the car door opened for her.

Cush is excited about school because he wants both of us to be everything we are, not what people think we should be. The boots he gave me are exactly like who I want to be. An expensive brand, but comfortable and casual. They totally symbolize me.

Actually, they symbolize us.

Everything we could be.

Together.

He kisses me again, and I feel like I’ve finally figured out exactly where I belong.

“Out of all the things you could’ve gotten me for my birthday, what made you pick these boots?”

“I know how you love your shoes. Look at these gorgeous shoes you have on tonight.” He runs his hand down my leg, grabs my ankle, and appreciates my shoes. “I thought these boots looked like you. They’re classy and expensive, but still comfortable and carefree. I know it's probably not appropriate for me to say this, but I want you to know. I didn’t even kiss another girl this summer. I still love you, Keatyn. I really do.”

We lean our heads together and his lips find mine. His kiss is soft and sweet, but there’s fire behind it.

And I can’t help it. I want to feel the burn.

“I asked Brooklyn to be my date tonight,” I say softly.

“I know. I wasn’t allowed on Facebook over the summer, but I checked it today. I heard you’ve been pretty unplugged this summer, but I thought if you were going out with him you would’ve posted it.”

I start to get tears in my eyes again and shake my head.

“We’re not going out. We’re just . . . I don’t know. He says he loves me one minute, and acts like what we have is just chilling the next. He didn’t want to come to my party. I had to guilt him into coming.”

He runs his hands down both my arms slowly and ends up holding both my hands. “Keatyn, I wouldn’t have missed your party for anything.”

I smile at him and try to push back happy tears. “I know.”

He breaks out his naughty Cushman grin and says, “So, you’re single. I’m single. Let’s mingle.”

I laugh. He always makes me laugh.

The front door swings open and Brooklyn walks in.

I stand up quickly, knowing I look like Gracie does when she gets caught sneaking Hershey’s kisses out of the pantry.

Brooklyn walks in the living room and sits down in the chair across from the couch Cush and I were just kissing on.

“Found my wallet,” he says, holding it up in the air.

Yes. This is awkward.

“Um, Brooklyn, so this is Cush.”

Brooklyn’s eyes can’t hide his recognition of Cush’s name. The boy I lost my virginity to.

Cush stands up and puts his hand out to shake Brooklyn’s. He’s such a gentleman. “Nice to meet you,” he says. “I’ve been hearing all about your summer.”

Although he is looking straight at Brooklyn, I know his comment was meant for me. Reminding me that although the summer was great, it’s not really shaping up the way I thought it would. That he still loves me. That he wants to go out with me. That Brooklyn hasn’t asked me to go out with him all summer long.

“It was pretty great,” Brooklyn says.

Then there’s an awkward silence as the boys stare at each other.

I have no freaking idea what to say.

Um.

Um.

What should I say?

I swear, every useful, random thought has left my brain. All I can think about are the two boys who are now sitting in front of me.

About how I’ll have to choose.

About how I’m pretty sure I already have.

Thankfully, Mom and Tommy walk in.

“Brandon,” Mom says just as the doorbell rings. “I think you’ve grown this summer.”

“I’ll get it!” I say, a little too enthusiastically.

I’ve been praying Vanessa and RiAnne would show up soon. They are good at stealing the spotlight.

But instead, I open the door and see Sander.

“Sweetheart, happy birthday,” he says, laying kisses on both my cheeks.

Ohmigawd, what was I thinking? All three of the boys I’ve dated, together in the same room? Why can’t I be like Vanessa? Love them and leave them?

“Abby!” Sander gives my mom’s cheeks the same treatment.

“Sander, honey, how is Grease going?” Mom says.

Thankfully, Sander is very comfortable in the spotlight. We hear all about filming. More than any of us really wanted to know. He even shows us the new dance number for “Grease Lighting.”

I pretend to be thoroughly enthralled by his rendition. I don’t even cringe when Mom starts doing it with him.

I just try to think.

What the hell am I going to do?

Brooklyn was right. You can’t run away from your problems because eventually they come and find you.

And apparently all of mine decided to show up tonight.

I look at Tommy laughing as Mom dances. Mom says Tommy makes her a better person. That he encourages her to grow and laugh and live. That he’s always there for her. She says she loved my dad deeply, but that they had a more volatile relationship. That they could both be stubborn and would fight to get their way instead of working together. That he expected her movie career to take a backseat to his modeling. How when she had me, he suggested that she quit acting altogether. How they fought about her taking me on sets because he thought I wasn’t going to grow up normal.

He might have been right, but I’m glad Mom won that fight. I would never change my childhood. All the stuff I got to experience. All the places I’ve been.

Really, it was my stupid crush on the actor in High School Musical that caused all this. Caused me to want to go to high school. Caused me to question who I am.

Damn Disney, and all their happily-ever-after, unrealistic, bullshit stories.

I think back to my conversation with Grandpa this summer. When he asked me who I want to be.

Who do I want to be?

Mom says she and Tommy are a team. I don’t feel that way about Brooklyn and me. Brooklyn pretty much decides what’s cool and chill, and that’s what we do.

Cush and I are a team.

Sander finishes his dance and says to me, “Can I speak to you in private for a minute, sweetheart?”

My eyes get big, but I look down so no one notices.

“Uh, sure,” I say and lead him back to my sitting room.

“I have something important to tell you,” he says.

Please, do not tell me you are in love with me, I plead with him telepathically. My brain may literally explode if you do, and that would not be a good way to start my birthday party. 

I can’t say what I’m thinking, so I just nod my head.

“Look, I trust you. You know the movie industry, and I know you will understand and not be mad at me.”

“Mad at you? What did you do?”

“I lied to you.”

“Lied to me about what?”

He sighs, sits on my couch, and looks like he’s trying to get his courage up. “I don’t really want to wait until I get married.”

Is he serious? Ohmigawd. I seriously might just faint. Is he saying he wants to sleep with me? Now?!

“Oh,” I say, mostly because I can’t come up with anything else.

“Any other guy would’ve had sex with you. You’re such a beautiful person, and you’re very sexy. I just wasn’t attracted to you.”

What?!

Oh, great!

Happy fucking birthday, Keatyn. Just thought I’d let you know that I didn’t sleep with you because you aren’t attractive enough. Have a great day!

“Oh,” I say again and lower my head. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

He lifts my chin up, so I am forced to look at him. “Sweetheart, I’m gay.”

“What? No. Seriously?”

“I’m pretty sure, yes. Actually, I know I am. I just can’t tell anyone. I’m afraid it would ruin my career. All those little teenyboppers that are gonna buy my posters would be crushed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought I wasn’t sexy enough. I thought it was me!!”

“Obviously, it wasn’t you. It was me. I’m really sorry about that. I’ve been going through a lot. Why do you think I always drank so much when I was with you? I was trying to pretend I wasn’t gay, but it’s who I am. And this is going to sound odd, but thank you. I knew if I wasn’t attracted to someone like you, I must be gay. I wasn’t trying to trick you or anything, and I really do adore you.”

He wanted the perfect high school script just like I did. It didn’t matter that we were completely wrong for each other. I crushed on Brooklyn the entire time I was with him. I was just as fake as he was. Hard to condemn him for that.

I also take note of his comment, It’s who I am. 

I hug Sander tightly. “It’ll be our little secret,” I tell him.

As we’re walking out of my room, I see the locket James gave me for my birthday sitting on my dresser. I put it around my neck and silently tell my dad I miss him.

All bullshit aside, I did.

11:30pm

The party is in full swing, and everyone is dancing. Brooklyn and I are sitting off to the side of the dance floor on some lounge furniture with a bunch of the guys we surf with. I had hoped they would all be out dancing and meeting new people, but Brooklyn’s telling them all about his Summer of Waves, as he is now calling it.

Personally, I would have named it the Summer of Love, but what the hell do I know?

He goes on about what makes one wave or surfing location better than another.

I look out at everyone having fun dancing.

I stand up in front of him

“Come dance with me.”

“You know I don't like this kind of music,” he says, dismissing me and continuing his story.

The guys are listening intently, like he’s the God of All Surfers. Seriously. They’re practically bowing to him, and he's loving it. Loving being in his own little spotlight.

I felt like I should be with him, since he came tonight, since he’s my date, since he’s supposed to love me.

But I can’t quit thinking about Cush. And the more I think about him, the more irritated I get with Brooklyn.

“I’m going to dance,” I say, but the only response I get is a slight head nod. Which is pretty much the nail in our love coffin. As much as I know it’s over, part of me can’t help but still try. I feel like I’m giving up on a dream. Like I failed somehow. “Please come dance with me.”

He shakes his head at me then speaks in an irritated tone. “You know I don’t like stuff like this, Keats. I’m here. What more do you want?”

And there it is.

The push that I needed.

“I want more, B. A lot more. I know we aren’t going out, but I’m done. Done with this. Done with us. I’m sorry.”

He nods his head at me in agreement.

I work my way out to the center of the dance floor. I know that’s where Vanessa will be. She says you should always dance in the center, so everyone can see you.

“You done talking to all the boring people?” she yells at me.

“Yeah!”

She reaches into her date’s pocket and pulls out a flask. I haven't had anything to drink yet, so I take two big swigs and feel the whiskey both burn and warm the back of my throat.

I dance with Vanessa and RiAnne and soak up the intensity of the crowd, the lights, the heat.

The beat.

A pair of familiar hands grabs my waist, and Cush grinds up against me.

I remember the nights we went dancing and how much fun we had. I remember the hot dream I had about him.

I'm not sure if it's the alcohol, the excitement, or just because his hands feel like they belong on me, but I turn around to face him, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss him.

No, I make out with him.

Right here in the middle of the dance floor for the world to see.

His hands are still firmly planted on my lower hips, and I feel him squeeze them.

When the song ends, Vanessa pokes my back, because Cush and I are still swaying and kissing.

She gives me an approving smile.

“We’ll be back!” I yell to her as another song blares.

I grab Cush’s hand and pull him through the crowd, to the opposite side of the dance floor from where Brooklyn is holding court.

He pushes me into a dark corner and kisses me again.

“I just broke up with him. I think I love you,” I blurt out.

It's dark in the corner, but I can see the excitement in his eyes and a flash of bright white teeth.

He cups my face in his hand and gives me a soft, slow kiss.

“Really? I’ve been praying all summer that I’d get to hear you say that.”

I start talking fast. “I thought I was going to stay with him. I'm supposed to be in love with him, but then you walked in my house, and you gave me those boots, and they just sum up everything. Vanessa only likes me when I’m dressed and made-up perfectly, like when I’m an expensive designer boot. Brooklyn only likes me when I’m in a bikini with no makeup on, like I’m an old, worn-out boot. The boots you gave me are both. I can’t be myself when I’m with either one of them. I don’t want to just live in their worlds. I want to live in my world.”

He puts a finger up to my lips. “Shhh.” He pulls me into a tight hug and whispers into my ear. “Relax, Keatyn.”

I take a deep breath and nuzzle my face into his shoulder. His strong, muscular shoulder.

“It’s not just your world, Keatyn. It’s our world.”

“I’m going to be different this year. I just want you to know. We’ll sit with Vanessa, but I’m not letting her control me. I’m going to run for Student Council, try out for dance team, join the drama club, and help plan prom.”

“Prom, huh? You know, it’ll be my senior prom, and just so you know, you’re going to be my date.” He laughs and pulls me closer. “And, girl, we’re gonna do it up big. I’m talking party bus, big dinner, lots of pictures, lots of dancing, but then . . .”

“Then, what?”

“Then, it’s all about you and me. Private limo to our suite on the beach. Champagne. Walking hand in hand on the beach in the moonlight. Then back to our room. And you know I can do up a hotel room.”

“It sounds perfect, Cush. Just like a dream.”

“Our dream.” He leans back a little and looks into my eyes. “I don't care if you said it to a million different guys all summer long. When you told me you loved me just now, did you mean it?”

I nod my head on his shoulder.

All bullshit aside, I did.

I wrap my arms around his neck and lace my fingers through his thick hair that has grown out over the summer.

He touches my forehead with his and says, “Come on, birthday girl. As much as I’d like to stay here and kiss, this is your night. You need to be out on the dance floor soaking up the spotlight.”

I gently kiss his cheek as my insides melt away to a pile of goo.

Finally, a boy who understands my love of the spotlight and encourages it.

He pulls my hand, and I follow him out to the center of the dance floor.

Vanessa, RiAnne, Sander, and pretty much our entire lunch table, past and present, are dancing around us.

Cush is getting sweaty and, well, I've yet to see those new muscles. I grab Vanessa’s flask, do another shot, then unbutton Cush’s shirt.

He laughs at me, but is totally into it. I push his shirt off his shoulders, and then wave it above my head.

The girls around us scream, and the other guys quickly follow suit.

I don’t pay attention to the other guys though. I'm too busy staring at Cush’s chest. What was once thin and lean is now bulky and thick. His shoulders look broader. His pecs have new definition. There are thick rows of ab muscles. His arms are jacked, and every bit of him is perfectly tanned.

“You think I'm hot, don't ya?” he teases.

I nod my head yes and plant little kisses across his chest.

I take a break from dancing to run use the restroom.

The whole time I'm peeing, I'm thinking Vanessa was right.

My relationship with Sander was a sham.

Is that what I'm doing again? Am I getting wrapped up in a thing with Cush because it feels right? Because I think he gets me? Or is it because he's really hot and makes me feel sexy?

And what about Brooklyn?

The guy who’s supposed to love the real me. The guy who wishes I would avoid the spotlight, but doesn't seem to want to avoid it himself. When I came back home, I thought I had it all figured out.

I think about the boots Cush gave me.

It's not a sham with him. No way. I know it's not.

It wasn’t a sham with Brooklyn either, though. What I feel—well, felt—for him was real. I love everything about Brooklyn. I always have. But he doesn't seem to love all of me like I thought he did.

And that’s not fair to me.

Whatever I do this year, I'm going to be me.

I finally get what Grandpa was saying, and I'm embracing it this year.

Inspired by his words, I say out loud from the bathroom stall, “Watch out world, I'm fixing to be me!”

I go back out and dance with Cush. The music stops with a screech, and I hear a voice I recognize say, “Keats, get your ass up on this stage.”

The crowd forms an aisle and somehow the spotlight finds me and follows me through the crowd.

I bound onto the stage and throw my arms around Damian. "I can't believe you're here!"

He kisses my cheek. “I wouldn't miss this for anything. Happy Birthday, Keats.”

He speaks into the microphone. “I’d like you all to join me in singing Happy Birthday. Then if Keats’ll let us, Twisted Dreams might play a few songs.”

“I think she’ll let you.”

The stage lights up behind me, and I can see that the rest of the band is already set up.

Everyone in the crowd screams and cheers.

“Happy Birthday to you,” he starts singing.

I look out into the crowd and see Cush. He’s standing by a bunch of friends from school and singing loudly. Vanessa and RiAnne have their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders. They’re singing and taking turns sipping from the flask. I see Mom and Tommy right in front of the stage, singing and holding hands.

Then I look toward the back and see that Brooklyn is still sitting down and still talking to his friends. None of them are singing.

I smile and wave at the crowd. What can I say, Brooklyn? I do like the spotlight.

After everyone sings, Tommy and Mom come up on stage.

“Everyone having a good time?” Tommy yells.

Everyone yells back. “Hell, yeah!”

“Good deal. Well, before we let Damian and the boys do their thing, we have a little surprise for the birthday girl. If you’ll all back up, we’ll bring her in.”

I hear the sound of a motor revving, and then a bright silver Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster rolls out onto the dance floor. It might just be more gorgeous than the earrings.

I give Mom and Tommy huge hugs, and then they herd me down to sit inside the convertible.

I’m in total shock.

I never asked for a car, but I did see a car like this in a magazine that Tommy had, and I remember telling him it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.

Brooklyn will hate this car. It screams conspicuous consumption, but I don’t care. Tommy and Mom got it for me because they wanted to give me a gift they knew I would love.

And I love it.

The car gets moved out, the cake is served, and Twisted Dreams plays a long set.

I pull Cush close and dance with him.

And I can’t seem to stop kissing him. I almost wish I weren’t having an after-party, so I could do nothing but kiss him for the rest of the night.

Shit. The after-party.

Brooklyn there.

Cush there.

Surfers.

My friends from school.

What was I thinking?

I give Cush a long kiss then say, “Hey, I need to go talk to someone. I’ll be right back.”

I wander back over to Brooklyn’s spot and am surprised to find he’s the only one sitting there.

“Where is everyone?” I ask.

He rolls his eyes. “Some girls asked them to dance. They’re out there somewhere.”

Which really makes me smile. They are getting along.

“Why didn’t you join them?”

“Didn’t feel like it.”

“Oh.”

“So this is some party, huh? The car, the food, the bands. Do you have any idea how many starving kids you could have fed with the money spent tonight?”

“No, I don’t,” I say angrily. “And Mom and Tommy give a lot of money to charity. And when I have my own money, I will too. But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of it yourself. I haven’t seen you sending the money you spend on weed or all your expensive surfboards off anywhere.”

He shakes his head at me. “Look, about everything. I know . . . ”