Daphne's Questionable Bet, page 22
Mr. Buckley had to clear his throat for Bentley and Sierra to break apart. They got to their feet, eyes locked, and bowed before the crowd.
I tried to take Weston’s hand so we could join them in front of the classroom, but he left the room, not looking back.
My stomach sank. I suddenly didn’t care about the bet anymore. I just wanted to know what I’d done to make Weston hate me so much.
Chapter Forty-One
I twirled in my knee-length silver dress, the gauzy material poofing out. The rhinestones on the top half sparkled in the light, making me grin.
“I feel like I’m going to prom,” I said, checking myself out in the mirror behind my closet door. “Dad would love that we’re going all fancy for my birthday.” Talking about it had made it easier than I thought. I’d been going about my birthdays all wrong.
Mom smiled widely. “He’d be wearing a tux and probably would have ordered a limo for the night.”
I faked frowned at her, my fist on my hip. “You didn’t get a limo?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, Your Majesty.” She tugged a curl out from my up-do, letting it fall against my cheek. “Any way I can talk you into heels?”
I glanced down at my white sneakers. I’d replaced the laces with silver ribbon to match my dress. “Mom, these are my dancing shoes. People can’t enjoy my sweet moves if I’m tripping all over the place.”
Mom shrugged. “Sounds entertaining to me.”
I shoved her arm, making her laugh.
She wore a simple red sundress, nothing as fancy as what I was wearing. We’d seen pictures that Sierra had uploaded of her dress for tonight when she’d gone shopping for it. A pale pink evening gown with pinned-on fabric roses on the top half, like she was in the Miss Teen USA pageant. Totally not suiting her, but perfect for the Kennedy vibe the Anderson family had going.
Mom had dragged me out of the house and bought me my own extravagant dress for the party, even though I told her it wasn’t necessary.
Mom looked at me, her head tilted to the side, sizing me up. “Something’s missing.” With a snap of her fingers, she ran out of the room.
“Okay, then,” I said.
My phone buzzed, an incoming video call from my grandparents. Plopping down on my bed, I accepted the call, smiling brightly when I saw my grandparents grinning back at me.
“Hey, Grams and Gramps!” I said.
“Happy birthday, Daphne!” they said in unison.
Gramps cleared his throat, then counted to three. They started singing the happy birthday song in total, perfect harmony. I so hadn’t gotten their amazing singing genes. I took after Dad’s side of the family, off-key, and totally okay with it.
I clapped my hand against my arm when they finished, still holding onto the phone. “Thank you!”
“You’re looking fancy,” Gramps said.
I pulled the phone back so they could see more of the dress. “Apparently, turning seventeen is the new sixteen. Can’t just have a simple party.”
They chuckled.
“Well, you look beautiful,” Grams said.
Mom hustled in the room, sitting down next to me. She wrapped a chain around my neck, clasping the necklace together.
I looked down to see a diamond staring up at me, all shiny and perfect. “Whoa.”
Grams gasped. “Is that the necklace Ian gave to you?”
Mom smiled. “Yep. Thought it would be perfect for tonight, and I was correct.”
I fiddled with the diamond. “You know it’s just a birthday party, right? I’m not getting married or anything.”
“You better not be getting married!” Gramps yelled.
I waved a hand at the screen. “You know I wouldn’t get married without you here. But I am thinking something extravagant, like Vegas and Elvis.” I used the best Elvis impersonation I could muster. “Love me tender, love me true.”
Gramps turned to Grams. “Maybe we should turn this into a ten-year trip?”
“Gramps, relax,” I said. “I’m not getting married anytime soon. I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“What happened to that Weston guy?” Grams asked. “Did my romper not do the trick?”
I blinked back some tears, not wanting to talk about him. “Uh, that didn’t go anywhere.”
“Probably better this way,” Gramps said, popping a lozenge into his mouth. “Daphne doesn’t need to rush into anything. Take your time. Date different guys.”
Grams looked over at him, her eyebrows raised. “I seemed to remember you talking marriage just a week after we met.”
Gramps scoffed. “Times were different back then! Besides, I knew you were the one once I saw you in that romper.”
I scrunched my face. “You two are disgustingly adorable.”
Mom sighed. “Makes me miss Ian.”
Grams kissed Gramps on the lips before turning back to the screen. “How are things going with Cody?”
Mom and Cody had a long talk the night after he brought us dinner. He apologized for the way he acted, saying that thanks to raising his three younger sisters, being a ‘Dad figure’ got the best of him. Mom and I understood and said we were sorry as well.
He and Mom took the rest of the week off, giving Mom time to just focus on me, and them time to weed through their feelings for each other. Tonight would be the first night they’d seen each other since Dadageddon.
Mom smiled. “Good. We’ve been having a lot of fun together.” She shrugged. “He’s just not Ian. No one ever will be.”
I wrapped my arm around her. “And that’s okay.” I blew out a deep breath. “I really hate to admit this, but I kind of like Cody. He’s a nice guy.”
Gramps huffed. “I’m not sure if I like this. My girl dating without me there to supervise.”
“Dad, I’m a grown woman,” Mom said.
“You’ll always be my little girl,” he said. “My baby.”
Mom put her hand on her chest. “Aww. I miss you guys so much.”
“We miss you, too, sweetie,” Grams said.
“Don’t worry, Gramps,” I said. “I’ll keep a close eye on her. I’ve been meaning to set up some cameras in the front room.”
Gramps nodded, satisfied with my comment. “Good. Good.”
Mom slapped me upside the head. “We don’t need surveillance in the house. Nothing is happening.”
“Coming from the lady I caught making out on the couch,” I said.
Grams gasped. “You didn’t!”
“Yep,” I said.
“Can we install a system with speakers?” Gramps asked. “That way, next time Laura is making out, I can chime in and tell them to cut it out?”
I broke out in a fit of laughter as Mom scowled at us. My family was just what I needed to cheer myself up.
“Can we please stop talking about making out?” Mom asked. Her frown turned into a smile when I wouldn’t stop laughing. Wrapping her arm around me, she kissed me on the temple. “Just remember this conversation when you want to make out with … someone.”
My laughter abruptly stopped. She was thinking about Weston.
“That won’t be happening,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. I wasn’t going to let it ruin my birthday or my party.
Mom went to say something, but the doorbell rang. She looked down at her phone. “Cody is here.” She waved to her parents. “Love you!” She pushed up from the bed and left the room.
“You’ll keep an eye on her, right, Daphne?” Gramps asked.
“Of course.” I sighed. “And I was serious. I like Cody. He’s been really great to Mom. And to me.”
Grams’ eyes went wide. “Wow. I’m surprised you’re admitting that.”
“Me, too.”
She grinned. “Well, I’m glad she’s happy. Wish we could be there for your birthday party.”
“Your present is in the mail,” Gramps said. “It’s going to be a few days late. Let us know when you get it.”
“Will do.” I blew them kisses. “Love you!”
“Love you!” they sang in unison, and, boy, I missed them.
Mom giggled in the front room, my cue to go. Grabbing my newest sling bag creation—silver with rhinestones to match my dress—I hurried out into the front room.
Cody smiled when he saw me. “Happy birthday, Daphne!”
“Thanks,” I said.
His smile turned sheepish. “I know I already apologized, but I’m really sorry about the other night. I wasn’t trying to be your dad.”
“I know,” I said, holding onto the strap of my bag. “It’s all good.”
He held out a box covered in magenta wrapping paper. “This is for you.”
With a grin, I snatched it from his hand, ran to the kitchen, set the box on the counter, and ripped open my present. Inside were six bottles of my favorite cherry syrup. “This. Is. The. Best!”
Cody laughed. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I do,” I said, turning to him. I went up to him, holding out my arms for a hug.
Cody pulled me into him, giving me the biggest bear hug. “You’re an amazing young lady, Daphne.”
I grinned when we released each other. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I motioned between him and Mom. “But I never want to catch the two of you making out on the couch again. Or anywhere for that matter.”
Cody blushed. “Deal.”
I shimmied. “Now, let’s go get our party on.”
Chapter Forty-Two
The difference between Zander’s home and Bentley’s house was crazy. To start, Bentley’s was almost twice as big. I knew his parents both came from money, but this was insane. The large fountain in the front was practically bigger than my house. Marble lions circled the inside, water spraying from their mouths.
The valet attendant took Cody’s keys, offering him a slight bow before getting in the car and driving off. Cody offered Mom and me a slight quirk of the eyebrow that I read as, “They have a freaking valet?”
The double doors in front were open, so Mom, Cody, and I walked in. Jazz music drifted from somewhere to the right.
We stood in the grand entryway, taking in all the gold and marble. It was like Oprah and Queen Elizabeth had helped design the freaking palace, everything ornate. The large vase next to the front door looked worth more than me.
“Mr. and Mrs. Anderson agreed to have the party here?” Cody asked, looking up at the glass chandelier.
“They’re brave,” Mom said. “Letting a bunch of teenagers invade the place.”
“Oh. My. Gosh.” Ivy’s voice rang out behind us.
I turned to see her and Weston in the doorway, Ivy’s jaw practically on the ground as she took in the house. Weston was busy checking out his phone. So, he did come to my party.
Ivy’s gaze found mine. “We’re so underdressed!” She looked down at her tee and jeans, a frown on her lips.
“No, you’re not,” I said, rushing over to her and pulling her into a hug. “Just the birthday girls dressed up.”
She looked over at my mom. “She’s wearing a dress.”
Mom waved her hand. “This old thing? Found it at a thrift store years ago.”
I introduced Mom and Cody to Ivy, before Mom steered Ivy toward the party, chatting away and melting the tension in Ivy’s shoulders. Cody trailed behind them, glancing around at everything as he did.
Weston took a tentative step toward me. “Uh, happy birthday.” He rubbed the back of the neck and pointed to the right. “Sounds like the party is this way.”
He took off, leaving me alone in the entryway.
Okay, then.
The ballroom was packed. Yes, they had a ballroom. Yes, it was something straight out of a historical drama. Yes, I glanced around, expecting the king and queen to be sitting on their thrones, gazing out at all their minions.
Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson stood at the front of the room, greeting and chatting with people like this was some sort of political event.
I expected to see a DJ since Kimber had said they hired one, but a live band was on the opposite end of the room, playing jazz. As much as I loved music, this so wasn’t my jam.
Sierra and Bentley stood next to his parents, Kimber and a man I took to be Sierra’s dad on the other side of Sierra. With her ball gown and the way they were talking to everyone, you’d think it was their wedding reception.
The tension between Sierra’s mom and dad was painfully obvious. I writhed in my dress like there was a snake slithering through it, which was way more welcome than whatever was going on with her parents. A little bit of sympathy pinged in my heart, but I squashed it since we were sworn enemies.
Bentley and I locked eyes, and he gave me a look I couldn’t quite read. He didn’t look all that happy, though.
I went to the refreshment table up against the far wall, staring at the ginormous marble lion statue in the middle. Above its head was a large bowl, bubbly cream-colored liquid cascading down all the sides, landing in a pool at the lion’s feet. It was hands-down the gaudiest drink fountain I’d ever encountered. Couldn’t they just have set some bowl on the table, filled it with punch and a ladle, and called it good?
Someone was staring at me. I could feel it. I scanned the room until I spotted Sebastian and Rosalind standing near the dessert table. Sebastian waved, then moved like he wanted to come talk to me, but Rosalind pulled him back, hissing something at him.
His gaze went to the ground, clearly upset, but he obeyed his sister.
Why was everyone acting so odd? And why did Rosalind hate me so much?
“This is so weird,” Taylor said, appearing beside me. She had a champagne glass in her hand, filled with the sparkling cider. After topping it off under the fountain, she twirled it in her hand. “Couldn’t they just have red solo cups and some soda?” She adjusted her black, leather jacket, clearly uncomfortable.
Zander came up beside Taylor, putting his arm around her back, looking just as out of place as he tugged on the top of his floral tee. “Have you checked out the food?”
A waiter passed by, offering us what looked to be coconut shrimp. We all shook our heads at him, and he left with a disgusted glance like we were beneath him.
“Yeesh,” I said under my breath.
Veronica and DeShawn were suddenly on the other side of me, both looking like they would like to be anywhere but here.
“This is, uh …” DeShawn rubbed his chin. “Quite the party.”
I groaned. “This is awful. Seriously. There should be pizza rolls, not sushi rolls.”
Zander patted his stomach. “That sounds so good.”
Veronica put her hand on my arm. “Maybe we should just go. We can go grab some burgers or something.”
Taylor nodded. “Fully agree. It’s your birthday, Daphne. Let’s have some fun.”
I took in all the guests. Besides those that knew the Anderson family, everyone else looked bored out of their minds. We’d invited so many people. Even Taylor’s and Veronica’s families had come.
Javy sat in the corner, drawing on his arm, while his sister, Luciana, twirled in circles around him. Veronica’s mom stood nearby, talking with someone I didn’t know.
A few of Taylor’s brothers, plus their parents, were chatting with Mom and Cody, all of them clearly out of their element.
Mom must have sensed me staring, because she turned her focus to me, a frown on her lips.
Then, I saw Weston talking—no, flirting—with some beautiful girl. Probably Mercy. She put her hand on his arm, laughing at something he said.
This was all so ridiculous. The only reason I agreed to this stupid party was to help win the bet—which had sounded fun. I mean, the whole blackmail thing sucked but trying to win Prom Queen was adventurous.
But with Weston out of the picture as Prom King, I’d lose the bet. Which meant I had to get the photo of me deleted from Sierra and Rosalind’s phones.
In the meantime, it was my birthday, and I intended to have fun. That was what my dad would have wanted. And maybe I could corner Weston at some point and demand some serious answers.
I smoothed out the front of my dress. “I’m going to go talk to Bentley first and see if we can’t get this place livened up a bit. His parents were so kind to throw the party, I don’t want to just walk out.” Another waiter passed by, holding a tray of escargot, and I dry-heaved. “At least, not yet.”
Snatching an empty champagne glass next to the fountain, I filled it with sparkling cider, downed it, and shoved the empty glass into Veronica’s chest—she just happened to be the closest person to me. Head held high, I weaved through the guests, heading for Bentley. His arm was linked with Sierra’s, the two of them chatting with some really old dude with an impressive white handlebar mustache.
I swore relief danced in Bentley’s eyes when he saw me.
I spoke softly, not wanting to interrupt the old dude. “Can we speak in private for a second?”
“Uh, Sierra, I’ll be right back.” He placed his hand on my elbow and steered me out of the ballroom like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Chapter Forty-Three
As soon as we entered the hallway, Bentley threw his head back and let out a long breath, his whole body relaxing. He pulled at the top of his tux. “This is awful, isn’t it?”
I leaned against the wall, crossing my ankles. “It’s not the ideal birthday party, but, I mean, the place looks nice.”
He lowered his head, looking over at me. “I’m sorry, Daphne. When I asked my parents if we could host a party here, I didn’t expect my mom to take it into her hands and hire caterers and everything.” He ran a hand down his face. “Although I should have. It’s what she does.”
“You doing okay?” I asked. “You looked a little … I don’t know, annoyed or something in there.”
He checked over his shoulder, and then steered us farther down the hall. “It’s Sierra. Have you had a chance to talk to her yet? About the wardrobe change and stuff?”
I’d had so many things on my mind, I’d completely forgotten he’d asked me to do that. I scrunched my nose. “Yeah, I totally forgot. Sorry.”
