DARE: A Rock Star Hero

by Scott, S. L.

  My father has been eating quietly but looks up from his bowl of fruit and then rests his hands on the table. “I’ve pulled strings. We’d like you to join the firm on the junior partner track. Same as Lloyd. He’s been a good worker for two years now. There will be a lot to prove as a Beck.”

  “I can imagine.” I’m about to take a bite.

  “There will be no special treatment.”

  “I didn’t expect any.”

  “Long hours.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you, Weatherly?”

  I set my fork down, and my stomach growls from being teased with this same damn strawberry. “I do.”

  “You’ll be reporting to Lloyd—”

  “What? Why? That has to be a conflict of interest since we dated.”

  He starts to take another bite but drops his fork and steeples his fingers, seemingly frustrated. “He said you’d complain.”

  “Complain? I’m asking a question.”

  “You don’t ask me questions. I’m the boss of this household and at the firm. You’ll do as you’re told. Period.”

  “No special treatment. Got it. I’m supposed to accept your word as final.”

  My mom covers my hand with hers. A look of concern is written on her smooth face. “We’ve been worried about you, but you seemed to need time, so we gave that to you. Lloyd told us that you’ve broken up. He said it’s temporary, a little bump on the way to the altar.”

  “It’s not a bump, Mom. It’s a boulder.”

  “He told us you were acting beneath the Beck standard and spending time with a hoodlum.”

  My eyes go wide. “Acting beneath the Beck standard? A hoodlum?” I burst out laughing, though I know this is a new low and not funny in the least.

  “Stop answering everything with a question, Weatherly,” Mom says.

  Shooting her a look I know will irritate her, I reply, “Only doing what you taught me. Make the other person feel important by asking questions.”

  Her offense sends her hand to her chest. “What has gotten into you?”

  “A hoodlum.” In more ways than you’d ever imagine, Mother dear. I stand and toss my napkin down. “I came here with the expectation to hear how I’ve disappointed you. You’ve managed to meet that low.”

  My father stands. “Sit down. You’re being disrespectful.”

  “You know what’s disrespectful? Walking in on your boyfriend fucking someone at your best friend’s house. Not that the location matters. It was just a new day and opportunity for Lloyd Sanders. Or did he not tell you that part?”

  Still sitting, my mom tosses in the napkin. “A dalliance isn’t worth ruining your entire future.”

  A dalliance? I could stand here all day arguing, but they aren’t going to see it from my perspective. Tears don’t threaten because Dare is right. I’m not that same sugary sweet, timid girl anymore. I’m bold like pepper. His Pepper.

  “I may have walked in here with a chip on my shoulder, but I still hoped for the best. I refuse to accept anything less than what I deserve. Lloyd is less than I deserve. Me working under him at the firm is less than I am worth. If you don’t see that, then I’ll find work elsewhere.” I take a step back, surprised everything blew up so quickly. With my temper flaring, I need to clear my head. “I should go.”

  My father sits down. By his posture, he’s ready to continue lunch on his terms. “This is not an open-ended invitation, Weatherly. I thought we’d agree and put this conversation to bed. The party is the perfect opportunity to announce your decision. A positive decision, of course.”

  I stare at him, his age starting to show for the first time. Maybe it’s not about him aging but about me growing up. I’m standing on an even playing field for the first time with this man who I’ve idolized my entire life. I see him for who he really is. “You didn’t hear me at all.” I shake my head and sigh because he refuses to see me for who I am.

  “I won’t be embarrassed by your erratic behavior, Weatherly. You’re a Beck, first and foremost. It’s time for you to follow through with our plan.”

  “Your plan. I never had a say.”

  “I’m giving you one now. I just hope you agree with me. There’s no choice when it comes to Lloyd.”

  “I can say the same thing.”

  My mother huffs. “End this. We were supposed to have a nice lunch and discuss your future.” Her eyes are on me. “We were under the impression you wanted to work at Beck & Sanders. What has changed?”

  “Me.”

  “You’ve always wanted this,” he says.

  “Before I realized I didn’t have to.” I look at my shoes and the designer emblem emblazoned on top. I actually like the shoes, but they feel dirty to me now and not in the not-clean sense.

  The tapping of my dad’s fingers reveals his impatience. It means time is running out to talk in a reasonable manner. “If you need a vacation, take one, but don’t make the mistake of thinking a job will be waiting for you when you return.”

  “I don’t need a vacation. I need a life. One of my own and not yours.” I swallow, and then say, “I’m seeing someone I care about, and I’ve invited him and his friends, my new friends, to the party.”

  My mom finally stands. “Well, lunch is ruined. I’m hoping the party won’t be.” When she comes to me, she adds, “I don’t want our family fighting. You’ve come so far. Don’t detour from your potential.”

  “You’re not going to say anything about me dating someone else? Or the fact that Lloyd was cheating on me?” Her shoulders rise as she takes in a deep breath and gently falls as she exhales . . .

  “I look forward to meeting this young gentleman.” And ignores me completely once again. It’s no wonder I’ve never felt heard . . . until Dare. At least he graduated to gentleman.

  “Dad?”

  He moves to his desk and settles into the leather wingback chair. His eyes harden on me. “You have until the party to give me a final answer, Weatherly. Don’t disappoint me.”

  “Or what?”

  My mom’s arm comes around me, and says, “We’ve taken enough of your father’s time.” I’m swept out of the room like dirty secrets are swept under the rug. Once the doors are closed, we walk to the sitting room. She stands in front of the windows that give the illusion we own the world—perfectly mowed grass, a sparkling turquoise pool, blooming flowers, and trees giving us complete privacy.

  When she turns to me, she says, “I’m wearing ivory. You always look so pretty in blue.” With that said, she leaves the room, and I roll my eyes.

  28

  Weatherly

  The saleslady hands me a glass of champagne. “Thank you,” I say just as Stascia rushes in the front door of the boutique.

  “Sorry. Sorry.” She eyes the glass in my hands. “God, I could use a drink.”

  I hand her mine. “Take it. I haven’t even had a sip yet.”

  “Thanks.” She downs half, which is so unlike her, and then looks at me. “I’ve missed you.”

  Hugging each other, I close my eyes, present in this genuine moment. “I’ve missed you too.”

  Another glass is brought over, and then we’re directed to the back salon where the high design is kept. “I have dresses in from Paris that I think you’ll die for,” the saleslady says, dragging her fingers across the fine fabrics. “Pull what you like, and I’ll start a dressing room. I’m Chantal if you need anything.”

  When we’re alone, we riffle through the racks. Chantal is in and out, taking what we pull. The conversation is stilted, and I hate it. I hate feeling this disconnected from her. So I stop this madness. “I miss you, but I haven’t missed April. That may make me a terrible person, but I can’t turn my back to her without feeling like I’m going to be stabbed.”

  Stascia’s hair is pulled back on top, but her blond locks fall in soft waves over her shoulders. That’s when I notice she’s wearing less makeup than usual and no lipstick at all. Jeans and a sleeveless silk tank cover her body and s
imple red flats are on her feet. She normally dresses like she’s going to meet an enemy.

  Breathing a sigh of relief, she says, “I’ve been feeling so alone without you, Weath. Other than drinks last week, I’ve been avoiding everyone, especially April.” She drops onto the puffy ottoman centering the room. “I just don’t know what’s going on. I feel lost.”

  I sit next to her. She says, “My parents are worried. My mom thinks I’m joining a cult because I wore yoga pants when I wasn’t going to yoga.”

  “She told my mom that she was worried about you.”

  We laugh lightly. “She’s nuts. Can I be honest with you?”

  “Always.”

  “I think seeing you graduate has made me question what I’m doing with my life. Then I realize I was supposed to think about that before I graduated college. What can I do with an art history degree?”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought I’d be married by now and raising a family, but I feel weirdly insane for thinking like that in this day and age.”

  “It’s okay to want to do a million things, but you need to figure out what will make you happy.”

  Lying back with a hand full of dresses draped across her, she says, “You’re seeing someone.” She studies me. “Someone who makes you happy.”

  I won’t hide Dare. “I am.”

  When she sits up again, she asks, “That’s why you pulled away, isn’t it?”

  “I pulled away because I was lost, and I rediscovered who I am. April is toxic to my well-being.” I lower my voice, but I’m not afraid to speak my mind. “You were toxic for me. You were mean to me over stuff that doesn’t make up the whole of who I am.” Or any part of me anymore.

  The hangers rattle around her lap. “I’m sorry. I owe you so many apologies I don’t know where to begin.” Her sincerity has settled into her pretty features, her heart speaking for her. “I was scared to be April’s next victim. I didn’t want to feel her wrath. I’m so sorry, Weatherly.”

  All these years she’s been cruel and condescending . . . Part of me wants to hate her for that, but in some ways, in showing her true colors, I can see where the hatred should lie. April. Stascia feared April’s scorn . . . just as I did.

  “She treated us terribly. I wish you would have trusted me enough to confide in me. We could have managed things together. I always felt like an outcast from you two.”

  “Maybe we can start over, begin again?” I roll my head to the side, and she looks my way.

  “It’s not like we didn’t have good times. I wouldn’t have stuck around if it was all bad.”

  She takes my hand, and we hold them together. “It wasn’t all bad. We’ve had so much fun over the years. But I’m truly sorry for the bad there was.”

  “Me too,” I say. She’s already been a victim of April’s cruelty. I won’t make her a victim of mine. “I’m not happier without you. I know who you really are on the inside. That’s the friend I need.”

  “I’ll be that friend if you give me another chance. I’m hoping we can start again.”

  “I’d like that.” I hug her because I not only missed her, but I also missed sharing all the good things happening with someone who knows me. Though I’m thinking Dare knows me better than I could have thought, considering the short time we’ve been in each other’s lives. “Friends again?”

  “Friends forever. Now about this someone who puts that glow on your face. Do I know him?”

  “You saw him, but I can’t wait for you to meet him properly.”

  “I can’t wait either. Is he coming to the party?”

  “He is.”

  “This should be fun.”

  This party is going to be amazing or go up in flames. Only time will tell. “Fun indeed. Hey, are you busy tonight?”

  “Completely free,” she replies, standing up.

  “Want to see a band with me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  The next day . . .

  Tension has been hanging in the air all day.

  I’ve broached the topic of the party several times, but Dare acts like everything’s fine. It’s not. He’s paced the apartment like he’s on patrol for the past hour. His nerves are making me anxious.

  I hold the garment bag in one hand and my shoes in the other. “I’m leaving for the house soon. My mom set it up. Stascia will be there. We’re having our hair and makeup done before the party.”

  “I’m glad you’ve made up with her.”

  “Me too. Are you getting ready here or at home?” I hate that I call the other place his home when this place feels so much like our home these days.

  “Yeah.” He nods and leaves the bedroom. I hear his heavy steps across the floor and follow him. Setting my stuff down on the back of the couch, I ask, “What’s wrong?”

  His tall build and broad shoulders rest on the metal frame of the balcony door. “Nothing’s wrong, Weatherly. Just wondering if it will ever be like this again.”

  “Like what?”

  “Just you and me.” He glances back at me. “My house is full of guys. There’s not much privacy. I like the peace of being here with you.”

  My heart roars to life, and I go to him, swooning like the googly-eyed starstruck girl I am when it comes to him. “We have that, so why are you worried?”

  His arm comes around me and embraces me. “Whatever happens after we leave here, remember we said wholeheartedly.”

  “We’re not going into battle, Dare.”

  “Aren’t we? This is our first night with your family and friends. We need to wear our armor because if you don’t think they’re going to attack, you’re wrong. I’ve dealt with those types of people my whole life looking down on me.”

  Slinking out from under his arm, I give us some space to air our dirty laundry. “I’m one of those types of people.”

  “No, you’re not. You were saved in time.”

  “My hero,” I reply sarcastically, staring at the busy city street below.

  “You didn’t need me. You just needed to be reminded of you.”

  “You’ve done a good job.” Giving him the credit, I glance over at him.

  Sliding his hand along the railing, he stops when he’s against me again. “You did that for me as well. I was so distant to who I used to be that I was becoming numb. You changed that. You brought my world back to life, and I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t. Remember? Wherever you are, I’ll be right there next to you. I promise.”

  “Famous—”

  “First words. This is just the beginning, babe.” My gut tells me he’s not looking for me to reassure him, but my heart demands I do. “Wholeheartedly. I won’t forget.”

  The slightest of nods is given in return before a kiss turns deep and intoxicating. Like him.

  Catching sight of the time, I enter the apartment with him following me inside. He sits on the couch, and asks, “What are going to do about the job?”

  “It’s not an offer I’ll consider.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  “And work under Lloyd? No.”

  Rubbing his closed eyelids, he shakes his head. When he looks at me again, he says, “I agree, but I worry about the damage this will cause with your family.”

  “Working under those conditions will cause damage.” I sit next to him. “It will be okay. I will be okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “That’s what boyfriends do. They worry about their girlfriends.”

  “You don’t have to this time.”

  “No timid to be found. So bold.”

  “I’m like you.”

  “How’s that?”

  “I won’t compromise my values for a paycheck.”

  His arm swings around me, and he brings me against his side. With a kiss to my head, he says, “Bold. Just as you should be.”

  I get up to finish packing my things, but look up when I don’t hear him.

  Resting back with his ey
es on a to-go coffee cup, he tugs at the flap of the lid. He’s a guitar player, but he doesn’t tend to fidget with things. Taking a breath, I sit next to him. “I’m sorry for rushing off.”

  “It’s okay. You don’t owe me a damn thing, babe.” The casualness of his tone and the distant look in his eyes unsettle me. I can see the imaginary walls rising around him. I just hope it’s in preparation for tonight versus for me.

  “I know, but what if I wanted to owe you a damn thing,” I say, using his words against him.

  Setting the cup on the table, he takes me by the legs, and drags me onto his lap. I love our size difference. While his hands roam the skin under my shirt, he kisses me. “If you need anything, call me.”

  “I will. Just remember it’s a party. Parties are supposed to be fun.” Laughing, I add, “Don’t be nervous.” Admiring him in the sunshine that streams in, he’s never looked more handsome. “I wish I had more time.”

  “We do. Remember? We have all the time in the world.”

  Poking his side, I tease, “Now you’re the optimist.”

  “Just facts. You’ll be cat-scratching around me again soon enough.”

  Although I roll my eyes, his arrogance is sexy. “You know me too well.” The feel of his hands comforting me brings peace to my mind and my heart. “Today will be fun.”

  “Yeah.” He nods unconvincingly. “Fun.”

  At least he’s trying. I tilt up and kiss his chin before I need to dash. “I’ll text you later.”

  He escorts me to the door. “Need help carrying all this?”

  “I have it.” I lift up and kiss him once more before heading down the hall.

  Dare remains standing in the doorway of my apartment until I load onto the elevator. The door closes, and my heart sinks. As much as I want to keep this good feeling in my heart alive, dread sets in as I think about the day ahead.

  * * *

  What will I tell my friends?

  Stascia knows, met, and loves Dare, though she seemed partial to Romeo if I’m being honest. Hell, I’m not blind. I’m surprised they didn’t hook up. She’s been quiet today, though. Knowing we’re going to face April again has us both tangled up in our thoughts.