Party Games

by Whitney Lyles

  Sara watched him walk away. She felt glued to the spot.

  “You all right?” Blake asked.

  “Oh, yeah.” She looked at Blake. “Fine.” He handed her a large Sprite as they headed to the theater. She suddenly wished she hadn’t gone to the movies with Blake. She felt weird and uncomfortable, and she just wanted to run to the parking lot and talk to Ian.

  “What’s wrong?” Blake asked.

  “Nothing, really. It’s fine.”

  “Do you and Ian have a thing going? I mean, that seemed really weird back there.”

  “No. Nothing is going on.”

  She was a bad liar, and after they found seats, Blake managed to pry some information from her. She told him only that she’d kissed Ian once, then said something stupid and now everything was ruined. She kept all the details of Dakota to herself.

  “This is why I don’t want a serious love life,” Blake said before he threw a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

  She laughed. “Really deep, Blake.”

  He shrugged. “I just want someone I can party with and hang out with and who doesn’t want to get too serious. I just want to have fun.”

  “That’s so romantic of you.” She chuckled, feeling slightly relieved that he probably didn’t view their outing as a date.

  Then an idea so perfect hit her, she was almost annoyed with herself for not thinking of it sooner. She was such an idiot. The solution was simple.

  “Blake, what are you doing August twenty-fourth?”

  “I might have to work, but you know, I can always flake out if I don’t want to be there.”

  “I have a party I’d like you to help out with.”

  Nineteen

  Blake and Dakota were perfect for each other. They were like the male and female version of each other. Setting them up seemed like a no-brainer, and Sara was surprised she hadn’t thought of it sooner.

  However, the matchmaking process would have to be handled delicately. Blake and Dakota went to different high schools, so they’d never met, which was a good thing. She wanted Blake to appear new and intriguing. Sara knew she couldn’t come right out and suggest that Dakota take Blake to the party as her date. She’d have to introduce them to one another, and she had to make Blake appear desirable.

  So she came up with what she thought was the perfect plan. Blake, like Sara, wanted to branch out as a caterer someday and handle his own projects. Leah had helped the Londons pick out a caterer, and it wasn’t Blake’s father. Sara couldn’t tell Dakota to get rid of her caterer. Instead, she planned to tell Dakota that Blake was the hottest up-and-coming caterer in town, and he’d be willing to look at Dakota’s menu plan free of charge and offer any suggestions. He’d be like a menu consultant. He’d be there to make sure they had only the best food at the party. Fingers crossed, sparks would fly.

  In a normal party situation Sara would never ask anyone outside the vendor they were using to advise on a menu. But this wasn’t a normal situation, and she needed to get the two of them in the same room. Dakota wouldn’t know any better. Sara would be able to convince her that she needed Blake’s advice. As far as Blake went, Sara had convinced him that advising Dakota on her menu would only add to his experience as a one-man act.

  The meeting was held at the same Starbucks where Dakota and Sara had first met. Sara felt nervous as she entered the coffee shop. Criminal memories came to mind, and Sara half expected to see posters of Dakota, the male models, and her posted on the walls, banning them from ever entering the coffee shop again.

  If her idea didn’t go as planned, she would be left with only one option. She’d have to come clean. Telling Dakota the truth about Ian meant that all hell would break loose. Sara imagined lawsuits and the business going down in a blaze of scandal. Her mother would have to find another line of work, and Sara might be able to get a job at Hole in the Wall Donuts. She’d already gone over all possible tragic outcomes with Allie, who’d tried to assure her that none of the above would happen.

  A total shocker, Dakota arrived on time. Perhaps her punctuality was due to the fact that she’d brought her mother. Sara hadn’t expected Mrs. London, and her presence created a problem. How were sparks supposed to fly between Dakota and Blake when Dakota’s mom was there? How could any kind of romance occur with a parent around? Not to mention, Mrs. London was a little intimidating. This might be a little weird for Blake.

  “Hi, Sara,” Mrs. London said. “Dakota and I thought it would be best if I came along since there are so many last-minute things that need to be discussed. And she said that you were meeting someone to discuss the menu? We’re really happy with our menu. I don’t know who this person is, but he’s not part of the catering company we hired. So if there are any changes to the menu, I’d like to know about them.”

  Sara felt her plan crumbling and tried to keep it together. This was an ambush she hadn’t expected. She played it cool. “Of course! I’m glad you came along, Mrs. London. You have wonderful taste, so your opinion in everything we choose will be very valuable. Every detail is important. My mother and I want you both to feel completely happy.”

  Mrs. London produced a flattered smile. “Well, you know I have hosted several functions.”

  Sara smiled back. “I know. I’m sure they were all beautiful.”

  Now she just hoped that Blake held up well. She’d made him sound like an expert to Dakota. Mrs. London’s presence had already put a damper on the mood. Dakota was quiet and hadn’t even bothered with her spontaneous little coffee game. Instead, she ordered a bottle of water and sulked from her side of the table.

  Techno beat like a dinosaur’s heartbeat in the parking lot. Sara knew this meant that Blake had arrived. She glanced out the window and, sure enough, there he was—windows down in the Escalade. An elbow hung over the driver’s side of the car. She watched him park. Dark sunglasses perched over his nose. He was all bling-bling with his large platinum chain and the oversized diamond-studded B that dangled on his chest.

  “Now, tell me what’s going on with this boy?” Sylvie said.

  Sara took her gaze away from the window. “Blake? He’s great. He’s going to make this menu perfect. I’m surprised he could even make it today. With his busy schedule and all the dates he has. He’s so—”

  “No, I mean the one who Dakota wants to take to the party.”

  “She’s talking about Ian,” Dakota interjected. “What’s going on with Ian?”

  “It’s all she can think about,” Sylvie said. “The party is a week away. We just want to know if he’s coming or not.”

  “Hey, ladies,” Blake said as he slid into his seat.

  Blake’s arrival at the table couldn’t have come at a better moment. He pulled off his shades when he glanced at Dakota.

  Blake reached in to shake Dakota’s hand, and she barely lifted it. Sylvie managed to produce a curt smile.

  Sara reached into her planner for the London-event menu. “Here, Blake.” Sara passed it to him. “Have a look.”

  Silence hung over the table like a heavy tarp. Sara fiddled with a spoon she’d used to stir her mocha latte while Blake looked over the menu. Dakota continued to sulk, and Sylvie glanced at her watch three times. “So, here’s what I suggest,” Blake said. “The appetizers you have on here are all vegetarian. You should start off with some shrimp cocktail and perhaps chicken skewers as well. That’s very island and beach themed. Variety is really key in party menus, and not everyone is going to want…”

  Dakota flipped open her phone to check the time. When she snapped it shut, Blake glanced at her. “I would also suggest having fruit for dessert instead of mousse.”

  “But mousse is my favorite,” Dakota said.

  “And I’m a vegetarian,” Sylvie chimed in.

  Blake looked bewildered, and Sara didn’t blame him. She suddenly felt terrible for dragging Blake into this. She’d made it sound like menu consulting would be a blast. He’d hardly been with them for five minutes, and the Londons were a
lready hacking into him like a planted pine tree before Christmas.

  “I think what Blake is trying to say is that not everyone is going to want to eat only vegetarian.” Sara attempted to mediate. “He’s just looking out for the best interests of your guests.” As Sara explained, she heard a very familiar sound. It was On the Verge. It wasn’t even the radio. Someone who worked at the coffee shop had decided to put on the CD.

  She watched Dakota’s eyes go from surprise to torture. She turned to her mother. “This is Ian’s band.”

  Mrs. London’s eyes zoomed in on Sara. “Sara, have you tried to call him?”

  “I have.” It wasn’t a lie.

  “Well, then, what’s going on?” Sylvie held both hands out. “This not knowing is making my daughter crazy.”

  “Look, I’m sorry to break this to you, but he’s not coming. All right?” Sara was surprised by her own tone. She’d never known she was capable of snapping, and she hadn’t planned on breaking the news to Dakota like this.

  “What?” Dakota started to cry. “Why not?”

  Sara took a deep breath. Maintain composure. Don’t say anything you’ll regret. She hardly noticed the sound of Mrs. London’s cell phone ringing.

  “Excuse me, I have to take this,” Mrs. London said. “It’s my husband.” She plugged one ear with her finger as she held the phone up to her other ear.

  “I can’t believe you!” Dakota said. “You’re totally out to get me. Just like everyone else!”

  “Dakota, I wanted to tell you before. But I thought maybe there was hope to resolve the situation. But he just can’t come. I know you’re disappointed. And I wish there was more I could do.”

  She caught a glimpse of Blake from the corner of her eye. He looked positively startled. Sylvie looked pissed, and Sara wondered what she was telling Mr. London on the phone. Was she telling him to cancel his check to the party planners? Because her expression indicated total displeasure.

  “What did you do?” Dakota wailed. “Things were going great between me and Ian. What did you say to him? I know you’ve had your eyes on him this whole time. You’re just a backstabber.”

  Sara’s jaw dropped. Now she was angry. “What? I’ve done nothing but try to help you. And if he doesn’t like you, that’s not my fault! I didn’t say anything to him, or provoke him in any way. In fact, I’ve put my feelings for him on hold for you!” she roared.

  “So it’s true! You do have feelings for him.” She turned to her mother. “I told you she was stabbing me in the back.”

  Sylvie was too engrossed in her phone call to notice Dakota.

  “Screw this,” Blake said. “You people are nuts.” He scooted away from the table, then beelined from the coffee shop.

  This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. And as she turned back to face a dismal-looking daughter-and-mother duo, Sara realized that she was out of ideas.

  Mrs. London closed her phone. The expression on her face was frightening. Sara had an urge to jump from her seat and follow Blake out the door, but she couldn’t run away.

  Mrs. London’s eyes darted over Sara, then found Dakota. “I just got off the phone with your father. And you have some explaining to do.”

  Dakota sat up. “What?”

  “Apparently, the school’s called. Does the name Glen Oldsmund ring a bell?”

  Sara knew who it was. He’d forged Dakota’s report card. Suddenly, Sara felt nailed to her seat. She wouldn’t miss this for the world. Dakota was so busted.

  Dakota shook her head. “Glen Oldsmund? He’s such a dork. I have no idea who that is.”

  “Well, apparently he knows you very well. Your name was at the top of the forgery journal that he kept.”

  Mrs. London looked at Sara. “I’m sorry we wasted your time today, Sara. But Dakota is in deep trouble. I’m not even sure if she’ll be having a sweet sixteen. The school’s talking about suspending her for the entire first semester next year.” She turned to her daughter. “They want to send you to Jenson High.”

  Jenson High was where the really bad kids went. Kids who got into drugs or gangs. Dakota at Jensen? It didn’t get juicier than this.

  Dakota began to sob. “What? You’re canceling my party? But I didn’t do anything! I swear!”

  Several people inside the coffee shop stared. Sara thought about how different things were from the first day they’d met at Starbucks. Dakota seemed like she’d owned the place back then. Now she looked childlike, with her blotchy red face and her desperate tears.

  Mrs. London stood up. “Come on, we have to go home. Your father is furious. I told him we’d be there in twenty minutes.”

  “But I didn’t do anything! I swear!”

  Sylvie looked at Sara. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Sara watched them walk all the way to their car. There was nothing she could do to save the day at this point.

  Twenty

  Sara wasn’t surprised that the party was still on. Common sense had told her that Dakota would somehow get the party and the car and probably a load of attention from all her forgery schemes and scandals. Mrs. London had called Leah the day after the whole coffee shop blowout and said they’d already spent too much money—all nonrefundable—on the party, so they didn’t want to cancel. She’d also explained that Dakota was going to need a car to drive herself to her new high school a half hour away, so she was still getting the Mercedes, too. Sara could only chuckle to herself when she thought of Dakota pulling up to a school rampant with gang members and druggies in her new luxury car.

  Dakota’s story about getting transferred to Jensen for a semester had made headlines in the local paper. This was mostly because her parents were fighting the school district to keep her at Bay Side High School, and all of Dakota’s buddies had started a petition to keep her around. There had even been a protest outside of the head of the school district’s office.

  Surprisingly, through it all, Dakota had seemed to forget about Ian. It was like she had bigger fish to fry now. Sara, however, had not forgotten. She still missed him. She wondered if she would ever be able to forgive herself.

  She’d been thinking a lot about what Allie had said. She had the rest of her life to be an event planner. But she was only going to find a guy like Ian once. Maybe it was time to focus on other things. As she set up for Dakota’s party, she reflected on her summer. So many things had happened.

  First, she’d gotten her driver’s license and a car. Then her first kiss, and it had been with a really great guy. She’d spent a lot of time with people her age this summer. There had been a debutante ball, the CD-release party, the new beginnings party, and, of course, Dakota’s sweet sixteen. It had been fun hanging out with Cassidy and her friends, and, of course, Ian.

  The morning of the party went by quickly, as preparations always did. Sara blew through her list of tasks. Dakota’s parents had chartered several luxury buses to transport five hundred guests to the aquatics center. Earlier that morning Sara and Leah had spent an hour stocking the plush buses with candy and sodas for the guests. They’d stayed up until two in the morning wrapping segments of sea-weathered rope around T-shirts that read Dakota’s Sweet Sixteen. Each guest would leave the party with a T-shirt.

  Sara could hear the buses pulling in, then the buzz of voices. Before long, Sara was helping Dakota climb into her custom-made wet suit.

  “How do I look?” Dakota asked.

  Even in underwater gear, she still managed to look like a runway model. “Beautiful.”

  “Hey, Sara?”

  “Yeah?” Sara was looking at her clipboard when she answered.

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.” It was the first time Dakota had ever said thank you, and Sara sensed that Dakota really meant it. Sara smiled at her, then continued to look at her list.

  Dakota’s grand entrance.

  Dakota gets her car.

  Dakota leaves with male-model chauffeur in her new car.

  Dakota continu
ed, “You know, I’m not mad about Ian. I never really liked Ian anyway. He’s not my type. And my father says I should never trust a traveling musician. He’s probably better for someone like you.”

  Sara smiled to herself. Whatever Dakota wanted to believe was fine by her. She looked up from her clipboard. “Good. I’m glad.”

  Dakota grinned mischievously. “But I have another favor to ask you. And I think you owe me.”

  Oh, Lord. Please, no more favors. “Sure.”

  “I was wondering if you could set me up with the caterer. You know? I think his name was Blake.”

  Sara thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Honestly, I’m not a very good matchmaker. I think I’m finished with setting people up. But I’ll be happy to give you his number.”

  Dakota smirked. “Whatever. I’ll text you tomorrow.”

  Leah’s voice came through Sara’s headset. “We’re ready for Dakota at the dolphin enclosure.”

  It was a hot August day, and even though sunset was nearing, it was still burning outside. Sara felt the heat penetrating the back of her blouse. Dakota didn’t want anyone to see her before she came sailing in on the dolphins, so they hid behind several palm trees. From where they stood, Sara could see the other side of the dolphin enclosure. The crowd around the huge aquarium was massive.

  She recognized lots of faces from school. Scantily clad, everyone had done a creative job of making their clothes look weathered. Most of the guys were topless, with ripped jeans and pants, shoes that were missing all the laces. The girls wore all kinds of torn, faded dresses and shirts with destroyed shorts. The only faces missing from the crowd were Allie’s and Shane’s. Though they’d both been invited, Allie said she couldn’t bring herself to celebrate anything for Dakota.

  All of Dakota’s fans cheered and hollered for her. Someone in the crowd held a gigantic banner that read WE WANT DAKOTA BACK AT BAY SIDE! Tiki lamps burned and sexy rave music played from a set of speakers. Behind the crowd was the parking lot. She could see her mother waving down someone. She knew it was Dakota’s father pulling up in her new convertible, trying to keep the car a secret.