Daphne's Questionable Bet, page 12
“Always,” I said.
Both he and Weston chuckled.
Sierra stood and joined us. “Can we go eat now? I’m starving.”
All my appetite had left. All I wanted to do was go home, put on my Grumpy Care Bear onesie, and listen to all of Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift’s depressing songs. I already had the playlist created: Grumpy Grooves.
Weston rubbed my arm. “What do you want to do, Daphne?”
“I want to go home,” I muttered.
Bentley nodded. “Then, we’ll get you home.”
With another grunt, Sierra stormed down the stairs.
Bentley smiled after her. “Guess someone gets hangry.”
The owner of the store insisted I take the book for free, especially after he heard about my panic attack. I promised I’d be back to make tons of purchases.
When we got into the backseat of Bentley’s car, Weston hesitated a second before moving to the middle seat to be next to me. I leaned into him, so grateful for the support.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Weston called Taylor and Veronica, so they were both waiting on the porch when I got home. Weston quickly got out of the car, jogged around, opened my door, and helped me out.
“I’ll text you later, Daphne,” Bentley said from inside the car. “To make sure you’re doing okay.”
“Thanks, Bentley,” I said.
Sierra just huffed a goodbye, her nose buried in a book she’d bought at the store. She didn’t get out of the car, which meant she was staying with Bentley. Time alone with him. It would have bothered me more if I didn’t already feel like crap.
Veronica and Taylor rushed to my side, hugging me from both sides, making Weston release his grip on me.
I strained my neck to look at him. “Thank you, Weston. For everything. I’ll bring your jacket to school on Monday.” No way I was taking it off now so more people could get a good look at my butt.
“Yeah, of course,” he said. His eyes traveled to the car, and then back to me. Clearly, he didn’t want to get back into Bentley’s awful smelling car with just Bentley and Sierra in there.
I debated whether I wanted him to stay or not. He was a nice guy, and had calmed me down, but I could be more open with Veronica and Taylor.
But then “I Like Me Better” by Lauv entered my thoughts, reflecting how I truly felt about Weston. I did like myself better when he was around. He brought out the lighthearted and easy-going Daphne, free to be me.
Veronica looked at Weston and spoke, interrupting my song. “You have to go with them.”
Weston furrowed his eyebrows. “Why?”
“You have to make sure nothing happens between Bentley and Sierra,” Taylor said with a tone that said she couldn’t believe he was even questioning them.
“You’re our eyes and ears,” Veronica said to him. “Keep them apart. Then report back to us with everything that happens.”
Weston’s nose inched up, not in his cute, smile way, but in a cute, you girls are crazy way. “That sounds awful. Can’t I stay here?”
I opened my mouth to say yes, but Taylor cut me off. “Weston. In the car, now. Then report.”
He saluted her. “Okay, captain.” His eyes flickered over to me. “Hope you’re feeling better, Daphne. I’ll text you later as well.”
“Sounds good.” I pushed away from Veronica and Taylor so I could hug him. “Seriously, Weston, thank you. I don’t think I would have survived without you.” I must have still been in a weird/shocked state, because I kissed him on the cheek before I went inside my house.
The first thing I did when I got inside was change out of the stupid pleather pants and toss them in the trash. Then I started the laundry, eager to get on a different pair of underwear.
Shuffling back into the front room, I tugged the hood of my blue Grumpy Care Bear onesie over my head, wanting to disappear.
Veronica was sitting on the couch, scrolling through Netflix. She had Alexa playing Kelly Clarkson’s My December album, setting the dismal mood.
I sank into the couch next to her. “Where’s Taylor?”
“She went to get you a Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger from CJ,” Veronica said. I loved that she knew I referred to Carl’s Jr. as CJ. “Do you want a sappy movie, or a scary movie?”
“Scary,” I mumbled. “Might scare the embarrassment out of me.” I lay my head back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Is she getting regular or criscut fries?”
“Criscut, obviously,” she said. “You won’t eat regular fries without Utah’s stupid fry sauce.”
“Fry sauce is not stupid. It’s delicious.” It had taken me a while to get used to it after moving to Utah. Now, I couldn’t get enough. Aunt Shannon was going to send us some bottles from a favorite local restaurant of ours.
“And, she’s replacing the drink with an Oreo shake.”
“You two are my heroes.”
Veronica patted my leg. “We got you, girl.”
I lowered my head so I could look at the screen. “Why didn’t she just order it through an app?”
“And pay those delivery fees?” Veronica snorted. “No, thank you.” She turned to me. “Any of these titles stick out?”
“Let’s just binge-watch The Haunting of Hill House.”
She grinned. “Good thing we’ve already got the okay from our parents to spend the night. We’re all yours, baby.”
I curled up on the couch, facing her. “They saw my underwear, Veronica. And practically my butt.”
She turned toward me, taking my hands in hers. “I’m so sorry that happened. If I would have been here before you left, I would have talked you out of those stupid pleather pants.”
A thought crossed my mind. “Don’t you have a date with DeShawn tonight?”
She squeezed my hands. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Besides, he and Zander are playing some online game instead. Siege the Rainbow, or something?”
“Rainbow Six Siege?”
“Whatever. It’s a dumb computer game.”
“That you’ve never played or seen, so you can’t comment on it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me regret my decision of staying here with you.”
“Single Ladies” by Beyoncé rang out from my phone. Mom was video calling. I answered the phone, my heart melting a little at the worry etched on her face.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, grabbing a piece of hair and twirling it around my fingers.
Her eyes teared up. “Are you okay? Taylor called me and told me what happened.”
I played with my hair, taking my anxiety out on it. “I think I’ll survive. I’m just forever traumatized.”
“This is all my fault,” she said.
“How?”
She wiped a tear from her eye. “I made you wear those stupid pants!”
“You didn’t know they would rip down the middle.” I arched an eyebrow. “Did you?”
“Of course not!” She looked mortified that I would even ask the question.
“I was kidding,” I said, a smile finally breaking through.
She let out a breath of relief. “Should I come home?”
I looked past her to see where she was. Two doors were open behind her, revealing a gym. “Where are you?”
“Emma has a volleyball game,” Mom said. “Cody and I came to watch. But I can have him take me home. I should be there.”
I shook my head. “Stay. I have Veronica and Taylor to keep me company.”
“Are you sure?” The worry on her face hadn’t eased.
“We’re watching The Haunting of House Hill.”
She blanched. “I hate that show.”
“I know. So, stay with Cody. Cheer for Emma. And bring me home a slice of cheesecake.”
She grinned. “There’s a Cheesecake Factory down the street. Oreo?”
“Yes, please.”
She blew me a kiss. “Love you, Daphne. I’ll squeeze you tight when I get home.”
“Looking forward to it. Love you, too.”
Later that night, during a break between episodes, I saw a text from Weston. You okay?
Me: Much better, thanks. How was the rest of your night?
Weston: Awful. I was the freaking third wheel! I still don’t know why your friends forced me to stay with them.
Me: Just looking out for Bentley’s best interest, I guess.
Weston: Well, his interest seems to be Sierra right now.
My heart lodged in my throat. What do you mean?
Weston: It was like extreme flirting. I finally made them take me home because I couldn’t handle it anymore.
Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to hear. My stupid panic attack had ruined everything. What if they kissed after they released Weston from third-wheel prison? Could I even stand a chance now? But Dad had kissed both Mom and Kimber, and, wow, did that thought make me sick to my stomach.
I mean, I figured they’d kissed other people, but that didn’t mean I wanted to like visualize it or anything. And with Kimber. So gross.
Weston: DeShawn and Zander invited me to play R6S with them, so my night is looking optimistic now.
Rainbow Six Siege. At least I knew that acronym.
Me: Have fun!
Weston: I’m glad you’re doing better. See you Monday.
Me: Thanks for being awesome today. I’m lucky to have you
My thumb hit send before I could finish the sentence. It should have read, I’m lucky to have you in my life. But no, of course, it had to sound like a declaration. Did I finish the sentence? Send the other half?
Weston replied before I could get my crap together. Pretty sure the luck is all mine.
Oh, no. A huge smile was coming to my face. Like, ginormous. I needed to shut it down. My focus was Bentley right now. Bentley Anderson. Diver and swimmer extraordinaire. Handsome and fun. Knew his Jane Austen and how to Zumba.
But …
I couldn’t shake the feeling that Weston Ashworth and all his perfectness could make me lose the bet.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Thank goodness Grams loved Halloween and did community theater. She had so many costumes, they were practically overtaking the attic.
“Attics always creep me out,” I said, my fingers pinching the very edge of a tote to pull open the lid.
“They creep everyone out,” Mom said, rummaging through some boxes.
I peered inside the tote, still barely hanging onto the lid. A big red nose, creepy eyes, a mop of curly red hair, and a disturbing smile that made the Joker seem like a nice guy gazed up at me.
Screaming, I let go of the lid and jumped back, my hands flying to my chest.
“What?” Mom asked, rushing to my side. “Are you okay, Daphne?”
I pointed a shaky finger at the tote. “Burn that and everything in it.”
Frowning, Mom glanced inside the tote before she rolled her eyes. “What’s your problem with clowns?”
“Oh, I don’t know. The fact that they’re always laughing, always smiling, love to be around children, want you to squeeze their nose, don’t know the meaning of personal space, and like to dress up in a stupid suit and paint stuff on their face?”
Mom chuckled. “You practically described Santa, too.”
I pointed a finger at her. “His laugh is jolly, full of warmth and love. Clowns, though, their laugh is menacing, full of malice and hate. They’re pretty much the equivalent of a serial killer.”
Mom patted my arm. “You might be overreacting just a tad.”
“Santa brings cheer. Clowns bring fear.” I needed that embroidered on a pillow.
“You really need to stop.” Mom opened another tote near us, sighing in relief. “Found the dresses.”
I hightailed it toward the ladder that would bring me back to a safe place. “Bring the tote with you! I’ll be downstairs taking a shower!”
Mom’s grunt echoed behind me as I descended the ladder. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I let out a shudder. “I hate attics.” I sniffed. “And clowns.”
After my long, hot shower—the water practically scalding my skin—I tried on a coral Regency dress my mom found in the tote.
I waddled out of my bedroom and into the living room, where Mom was sitting on the couch in a navy-blue Regency dress.
“I’m drowning,” I said, holding out my arms.
Mom bit back a laugh as she came to my side, taking in my dress. Hers fit like a glove. “I can fix this. Don’t worry.”
“How come yours fits you like it was made for you?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
Mom went to the sewing basket and pulled out some pins. “Because it was. Grams made it for my Halloween costume when I was …” She twisted her lips in thought, coming toward me. “Sixteen, I think.”
“And you still fit in it?” I shook my head. “That’s not right, man.”
She came up behind me, cinching the back of my dress. “It was a little too big on me then. Grams hated anything tight on me.”
“If she could only see you now. How disappointed she would be.” A pin pricked my back. “Hey!”
“Oops.” Mom didn’t hold back her sarcasm. “Accident.”
I huffed. “It actually looks stunning on you.”
“Well, just some minor alterations, and this one will look stunning on you.”
I shook my hips, causing her to laugh.
“Stop moving!”
“Alexa, play ‘Bootylicious’ by Destiny’s Child,” I said.
The song started up, booming around the living room.
“This brings back memories,” Mom said. “I used to sing this song to your Dad all the time.”
I scrunched my face. “Ugh. Alexa, stop.”
Mom came in front of me, putting more pins at my waist. “You know they’ll be playing Regency music at the ball, right?”
I smiled. “How funny would it be to see everyone doing the La Galante dance to ‘Bad Guy’ by Billie Eilish?”
Mom looked up at me, a huge smile on her face. “Now, that’s a great idea for a party. Regency dances to modern songs.”
I tried to twerk, but the dress wouldn’t let me squat.
Mom tapped my chin. “I never want to see you do that again.”
“Well, yeah, it was all wrong. Can’t get a good range of movement in this dress.”
The doorbell rang, so I jogged over to the door, leaving a laughing Mom in the living room.
When I opened the door, the smile on my face grew bigger. “Weston!”
He took in my dress, his nose inching up as he smiled. “Hey, Daphne.” He held out a twelve-pack of Cherry Coke.
I took it into my arms, holding it close. “What’s this for?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I know I said I’d see you Monday, but I had to see in person that you were okay.”
Yeah, probably thanks to my declaration, telling him I was lucky to have him. Like he was mine or something.
“Plus, I still owed you a Coke,” he said.
I gestured to myself. “I’m alive. And the pants are burned, so all is well.”.
Mom came up behind me. “You burned my pants?” She waved at Weston. “Hi, Weston.”
“Hey, Mrs. Richards.”
I turned to her. “Okay, I just tossed them out. But in my mind, it was a huge inferno, burning all my embarrassment to ash.”
Weston looked at Mom’s dress, then at mine. “Uh, what’s with the dresses?”
“They’re for a party we’re going to in a couple of weeks,” Mom said. “How’s Ivy doing?”
He grinned. “So much better. Daphne seriously saved both our lives.” His gaze slid to mine. “She can’t stop talking about you.”
I waved a hand, hoping to wave off the butterflies invading my stomach. “No big deal. Anyone else would have done the same.”
“Not so sure about that,” Weston said.
Around the corner, just out of sight, it sounded like a car had pulled into the driveway. The next thing I knew, Cody was coming up the walkway, saying hi to everyone—including giving Mom a kiss on the lips. His blue and white checkered Vans were awesome, but I kept that bit of information to myself.
“You ladies look beautiful,” Cody said. “Are these the dresses you’re wearing for the party?”
I pointed to the pins at my waist. “Hopefully sans pins.”
“I’ll fix it, don’t worry,” Mom said, squeezing my arm.
Cody motioned for me to come outside. “I brought my old Civic for you to test out.”
Excitement bubbled to the surface of my chest, coming out before I could stop it. I couldn’t have Cody thinking I actually liked him. “Really?” I quickly set the soda in the entryway and almost stepped outside, but then remembered I was wearing a Regency dress full of pins. Then I decided I didn’t care.
I followed him to the driveway, pulling back in surprise when I saw his old, blue Civic sitting there in near perfect condition. The only thing that really said it was older was the outdated frame.
“I’ve had her since I was sixteen,” Cody said, beaming with pride. “Great mileage, no accidents, everything inside is holding up well.” He tossed me the keys, which I caught against my chest. “Take it for a spin. See what you think.”
“Uh, you sure about that?” I asked, my gaze sliding to my mom. This guy was being way too trusting of a teenager he hardly knew.
Mom was too busy ogling Cody to see me trying to catch her attention. Guess it was smart on his part to do this.
Cody’s smile faltered. “Why wouldn’t I? You have a license, right?”
Ignoring him, I turned to Weston, shaking the keys in my hand. “Want to go for a ride?”
Weston’s eyes lit up. “Heck yeah.”
We quickly hopped in the car, well, as quickly as I could for wearing a pinned Regency dress.
“You have a license, right?!” Cody yelled from outside the car.
I glanced around, noting how everything was immaculate. “I’m really impressed.” I ran my hand across the center console. “The guy really takes care of his vehicles.”
Weston arched an eyebrow at me. “You do have a license, right?”
