Joy's Summer Love Playlist

by Piper Bee

  There it is. Where I still lack full achievement.

  My always-silent Dad offers me a side hug, and a forehead kiss since it’s a special occasion, which makes my underachievement melt away.

  Then, I face Carson. We might butt heads, but I still expect him to show me he’s proud that I graduated and survived a hard year. He smiles. It’s not big, not silly, not dreamy like a lot of his other smiles. It’s the most genuine one in his repertoire.

  “Congratulations, Joy Bear,” he tells me.

  I honestly couldn’t be happier if I heard the jingling sound of the truck keys. “Thanks, Racecar.”

  ♫

  Heavy bass and purple track lights deliver me from the high school’s concrete courtyard and into the buzzing party bus. The atmosphere jolts me awake for the school-funded party like an espresso shot.

  I see Cale’s frantic waving above the seats. “Joy!”

  Great. I’ve got to squeeze past over-excited teenagers to get to the back. I hold my breath, trying to maintain composure as I pass the rows of maroon and teal upholstered seats. This bus looks like it’s from the ’90s, but I can’t tell if it’s clean and old or ironic and new.

  Lena’s barricaded in the front by guys ready to change their relationship status, should the need arise, which is presumably why Cale chose to sit in the back. Doesn’t seem like she even noticed that my seat is left open.

  “Sit, sit!” Cale says as I get near.

  As soon as my butt hits the seat, the bus shifts forward. The driver doesn’t seem to care that half the students are still standing. People shout goodbyes and wave out of the windows, but I focus on Cale. He does a quick “coast is clear” check of the perimeter.

  “So? What’d you decide?” he asks.

  “It’s just… what if I don’t want to be off the market for a fake relationship?” My voice is a bit of a whisper on the last part.

  “Wait wait wait. You eyeing someone, Becker?”

  “Pfft! No, I just… you know, might… at some point,” I say sheepishly.

  He fake-wipes his brow. “You had me for a second there!”

  Cale’s comedy puts me at ease, but he still seems nervous. His knee bounces up and down. He bites his plump bottom lip and glances at the front of the bus.

  Damn. I guess he really does like Lena.

  And I know I really like the sound of a beat-up old car to call my own.

  “Ok, fine!” I give in. “I’ll be your girlfriend!” Only for the summer, I repeat in my head. My rapid heartbeat still doesn’t seem to register this as a business deal.

  Cale lights up, even though I was certain it wasn’t possible for him to be… brighter.

  “Girl!” he says, and suddenly his arms wrap around me, squeezing my shoulders. Just as quickly, Cale lets me go and stands up. Then he pounds the roof of the bus with his floppy hand.

  “This girl,” he starts loudly, and it’s like I feel the flood of mortification before it hits me. Because the last thing I want is the attention of 50 seniors on me right now. “…has just agreed to be my girlfriend, y’all!”

  When the entire party bus whoops, Lena’s howl pierces the crowd. She grins wide and I cover my blushing face. Guess we’ll see how good of a performer I really am.

  ♫

  June 11th

  My throat is sore and dry from endless karaoke at the family fun park, but it was worth it. My first night as a fake girlfriend was actually pretty fun.

  And pretty not different from just being friends. So that’s nice.

  I snagged a few hours of sleep after getting home from the all-nighter. I’m bleary-eyed when I get a text from Lena.

  LG: Jin is back from university and HOTTER THAN EVER

  That’s right. Jin. The ridiculously gorgeous Korean neighbor/childhood friend that Lena’s in love with.

  She sends me a gif of Santana from Glee fanning herself. If I wasn’t so familiar with the show, I almost would have thought it was a gif of Lena herself.

  LG: This is our year …

  LG: I can feel it

  I vividly remember when she slammed her soda can down on the cafeteria table the day she decided to tell me about Jin Park. She launched into a detailed history of their families and their world travels together. She’s not high-energy very often, but that day, it was like she’d channeled Cale. It was the first day I realized we were friends.

  It’s why her romantic flames go out so fast, I think. Jin’s always been out of reach for her. He’s only two years older, but that’s been enough to stunt romantic progression, so she says.

  While I am Team CaLena, part of me is already convinced she’ll get what she wants and end up with Jin. Since he’s been away at the University of Washington for two years, he’s been just beyond her sights.

  I’m starting to think that him being back for summer could be problematic for Cale...

  I have yet to meet Jin, but I have seen his ridiculous mansion in the mountains because it’s right next to Lena’s ridiculous mansion in the mountains. They basically share a driveway, complete with a lighted fountain sculpture. The one I’ll have to be careful not to crash into with my new-to-me vehicle.

  That reminds me. I text her that I can take the dog-sitting job.

  The three dots blink as I await her reply. I wonder if she’ll think I’m dating him for the car… even though I am.

  Her message pops up.

  LG: No getting frisky w your bf in my house ;)

  Oi. Good luck, Cale.

  TRACK 03 - STARVING

  JUNE 16TH

  Well, the brakes work. They hold up when I pound them at every stop. Accelerator works fine, too. I don’t crash into the Garcias’ fountain, even though I could.

  I really could.

  I should have never told my brother that Cale gave me the car. Carson had a raging fit over it because guys only want “one thing.”

  So yeah, the brakes work.

  Zero concern is elicited when the screeches announce my arrival at the Garcia estate. I don’t care that I’m driving through the automatic gate to the freaking palace of the gods. I’m peeved about Carson’s reaction to my “boyfriend.” Mostly because he, himself, is one of those guys he went on about. He’s such a hypocrite, but I knew that.

  At least Dad was there, armed with his extreme work ethic. “She has a job to get to. Shut your trap.”

  It was honestly the most affectionate thing he’s ever said.

  The stupid part is that shame still hangs over me. I’m not being taken advantage of. But I am taking advantage of Cale. I’m lying for a car. But if I told Carson the truth, he’d just hold it over me. Guess I choose shame.

  Just until summer’s over. Then I can take this beater car on my way, guilt-free. Maybe Cale’s plan will have worked by then, who knows?

  I get out of my car. It’s 10 AM and already mid-seventies outside. The summer morning reminds me that good things still exist. There’s a breeze like God’s gentle breath, trickling fountain water, rustling leaves from manicured bushes and trees, and the blue, hazy hills out on the horizon. The mountain air is clear, like a glass of water for my thirsty lungs. It’s a terrible day to spend cooped up in an airplane. But at least the Garcias and the Parks will be in Italy at the end of it.

  A limo gleams in the driveway. Rich people. Of course they’d get a limo up to this mountainside. I almost don’t notice the silver and black Harley Davidson past the shine of pristine luxury cars.

  I wonder if Lena’s dad rides motorcycles. He seems the type.

  No one’s out here, so I grab all of my things myself. I’m one of those people who opts for one hard trip instead of multiple easy ones. I don’t care that I’m over-encumbered. I will get into the house in one go.

  My arms are fluffed full of my preteen dream pillow and blanket, one hand on the handle of my suitcase, and my stuffed Justin Bieber canvas bag dangling from my other arm. I can’t manage a knock. I can push the door open, though.

  They know I’m co
ming. I let me and my overfull arms into the massive foyer.

  The suitcase wheels get stuck on the threshold. Great. I yank the handle and it gives way too easily. I barrel down and crash into the sparkling tile floor.

  My pillow and blanket exit my arms like they’re spring-loaded. My bag swings upside down and all my things plop one by one to the ground. Chapstick. Shampoo. Deodorant. Toothbrush. The YA romance novel slides across the floor.

  My pitiful teenage existence is scattered around me as I lay on the floor, close my eyes, and question my life choices. I’ll have a hip bruise to add to my summer edition of the “Joy is a Major Klutz” collection.

  Sigh. This tile is nice and cool, at least. The beater is void of AC, and lugging my junk inside is way more exercise than I’m used to, so I’ll just close my eyes and cool off for a sec—

  “Uh...”

  It’s a male voice. I assume Fernando Garcia, the patriarch of this fine establishment. But when I peel my eyes open, I see a remarkably different male.

  Whoa.

  Like, really whoa.

  His inquisitive face is the most good-looking thing I’ve seen, like, ever. An amused smile unfolds on perfect lips. “You okay?”

  He offers his hand to me, so I take it. Was there a reason I was on the floor? The heat returns to me.

  “I’m fine,” I say after I’m upright. My word, this human is gorgeous. Smooth skin, long neck under a sharp jaw, black hair textured just enough to look effortless but not messy. His dark eyes squint slightly as he gives me a heart-melting smile. It’s like a lipstick commercial, but in a masculine way.

  This is definitely him.

  “Jin Park,” he says. I realize I had never let go of his hand. I take my hand back and laugh courteously. Or nervously. I’m not sure which.

  “I know,” I say. His eyebrows go up and I stammer. “I- I mean, I’m Lena’s friend. I’ve heard of you. Joy!” I wince. “Joy is my name. Sorry.”

  His mid-range voice makes his laugh sound sultry and innocent at the same time. Is that even possible? “Don’t be sorry. Nice to meet you, Joy.”

  I smile briefly before assessing the damage. Immediately, I gather my ridiculously embarrassing items. Jin bends down, but I tell him not to worry about it. Instead of listening, he lifts my pillow and blanket from the floor and moves them to the stairs.

  He touched my hot pink fuzzy Barbie blanket. And Lisa Frank pillow. The blanket is from my tween days, but the pillow is a recent acquisition. Not that it matters. They’re both very unsexy.

  “I see you met our dog-sitter!”

  Now that Puerto Rican voice I know belongs to Fernando Garcia. And the aroma that suddenly hits me is unmistakably his chocolate chip cookies.

  I whip around to confirm.

  “Are those for me?” I ask in desperation. I can always be distracted by cookies.

  “No, they’re for TSA,” he replies in his thick accent, with a smirk on his goatee. I chuck my chapstick at him and he barely dodges.

  “Resorting to violence, Miss Joy?” Mr. Garcia’s eyes are playfully wide. We’re both grinning.

  “I’ll keep your dog alive while you’re in Italy!” I offer in a sing-song manner.

  Jin chuckles. I’d forgotten he was standing there.

  “Were we supposed to pay her in cookies?” he asks, his question directed at Fernando.

  We?

  “Oh, you’re here!” The voice above is Lena’s. She leans over the rail. Their bright foyer is two stories tall, with a chandelier and a massive window as the main features. Yet, Lena seems to sparkle far more. She bounds down the curving staircase, which is presently decorated by my garish middle-school bedding.

  Her high ponytail sways as she bounces down the steps. She’s in a casual pink tee, yoga leggings, Nikes, and Ray-Bans that complete the glamorous traveler look I’m sure she was going for.

  She reaches the bottom and immediately places her hand on Jin’s arm.

  “Can you go up and get my luggage for me? It’s a little heavy.” Her smile is almost sweeter than the smell of brown sugar and chocolate and butter coming from the kitchen.

  “Sure,” he says. It’s neither eager nor fake. He looks at me. “Should I take your stuff upstairs, Joy?”

  I blink. He said my name so easily.

  “Um… okay.” I internally facepalm. Yes, please take my unsexy bedding up to Lena’s immaculate bedroom, thanks!

  “I’m so glad he’s back,” Lena whispers to me as she breezes past, tossing her sunglasses on top of her head.

  I follow her into the kitchen. Nearing the cookies grounds me. I can see them through the archway, still radiating on the sheet pan Fernando placed on the granite-top island.

  Lena reaches for one, but Fernando swats his spatula at her and she jumps back. He’s wearing a frilly apron. Classic Mr. Garcia.

  “Dad!” she scolds.

  “I made a deal with the devil!” he says with exaggerated intensity. My generous laugh echoes throughout their immaculately clean and immaculately designed kitchen. I hover over the fresh-baked goods. These cookies are life. The gooey chocolate, browned butter, sugar, sea salt… I know they’ll melt in my mouth. They probably could have paid me in cookies.

  A pudgy ball of orange creamsicle fur waddles into the room. Diamond is the chillest corgi known to man. People would pay to hang with him, but I managed to get them to pay me for it. Don’t say I’m not an evil genius.

  The sight of the dog reminds me.

  “I’m curious why Jin said ‘were we supposed to pay her in cookies?’ What did he mean by ‘we?’” I ask Lena, as she attempts to grab another one.

  Lena’s eyes open a little wider. “I didn’t tell you?”

  Fernando overhears and swats at Lena’s hand. “This is now a bribe! Hands off!”

  She shoots him a mean look and drops the cookie back onto the pan. “I told the Parks you could watch their dog, too. I figured it wouldn’t be that much more work for double the pay.”

  Double the pay? I’m already getting overpaid to spend the week in a pristine mansion, cuddle a fat corgi, marathon whatever I want on Starz, swim in their heated pool, and marvel at their view of the rolling hills and farmland during the best weather week in the Pacific Northwest.

  Jin walks into the kitchen. “Are those—”

  “They’re a bribe!” Fernando says, attempting to look intimidating by pointing his spatula at Jin’s surprised face.

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Jin says. He reaches into his back pocket, then holds out an envelope to me. “This is for watching Zany.”

  “Zany?” Interesting name for a dog…

  “Joy didn’t know she was watching two dogs,” Lena informs him.

  Slight disappointment manifests in his expression. “Oh.”

  “Oh no, no! It’s fine!” I say, to ease any immediate worry. “You don’t have to pay me. The cookie bribe is plenty.”

  Jin smiles and pushes the envelope forward again. “No, you saved us. Zany will be happier at home. And I can’t bring this back to my mom.” He whispers, “Take it.”

  Diamond bumps into my leg and I stumble forward, a little too close to Jin. Then, I pluck the envelope from him.

  “Thanks,” I say, backing away.

  In the span of a few seconds, my earnings doubled and my workload barely got any heavier.

  Cale’s puppy love for Lena is really paying off.

  ♫

  Once I’ve waved farewell to the limo filled with glamorous rich people on their luxurious trip to Rome and Tuscany, I head up to Lena’s room with a mouthful of cookie. She has a fluffy queen bed with an indigo velvet upholstered headboard that made me drool the first time I saw it. Diamond has a castle dog bed. Dog panting echoes in the empty house.

  Even though I ate, like, four huge cookies, I’m still starving. Food may be the first order of business.

  ...after I relax in my solitude for a second.

  I can’t believe I just earned fourteen hundred dollar
s to vacation in a mountain mansion. Two of them!

  Hopefully Zany is as easy going as Diamond. He is already snoring in his comical dog bed. I copy him and fall back onto Lena’s velvety, queen-size comforter.

  My horizontal orientation reminds me of my introduction to Jin Park.

  He’s the first person I’ve ever met while lying down. So that was interesting.

  And no freakin’ wonder Lena’s taken with Jin Park. He’s Korean dreamy, like a K-pop idol who has a thousand gifs of him smiling. He doesn’t seem to know it. The sight of his bony shoulders under that plain white tee lingers in my mind. Do I have a thing for shoulders?

  All I can say is Cale’s getting a run for his money.

  The subtle way she touched his arm, the way her eyes lit up when he entered the room, I mean… I’ve never seen her like that. And they’re on a literal Roman-tic trip together, right this second.

  I’d be jealous, but I can’t even believe my current fantastic situation.

  I trace the Park’s house-key with my fingertip. I briefly greeted Jin’s mom, Jan-di Park, before they took off. She said, in her adorable broken English, that the instructions for Zany’s care would be in the envelope with the money. I open it up.

  Hmm. Sure looks like it’s just cash. Okay…

  It’s just a dog. I mean, I can handle a dog without the instructions. Even if I’ve never technically done that until right this second.

  TRACK 04 - ONE CALL AWAY

  STILL JUNE 16TH

  Well. Yeah. I was wrong. A few hours into this gig, and I’m already in way over my head.

  Do black labs often growl? I’m too afraid to get close and find out why. When they joked that she got the name “Zany” for a reason, I was dumb enough to think they were teasing.