Deliah emerged from the basement. “Shelly’s afraid to come upstairs.”
“I’ll get her,” I said.
I followed Deliah back down the stairs as she ranted. “I make a new friend, and y’all find a way to scare her into hiding out in the stupid basement.”
Shelly was sitting on the loveseat that Gabe and I had been making out in the night before when Meggie and Joel were out. I glanced at the pool table and trembled in a pleasant way. We had been kissing on that too.
“Avery,” she said cheerfully. She didn’t appear traumatized. I forgot how small she was. “Everybody at my house fights too.”
Deliah planted her hands on her hips. I sat on the sectional beside Shelly.
“It’s never like this here. My aunt got upset before. Deliah’s family is really nice. Her brothers hardly ever yell.”
“But they sure are tall,” she said and giggled. “My sister told me about them once, but I don’t believe anything she says. She’s always making stuff up.”
Gabe came down the steps and stood next to Deliah. Caleb could be heard verbally sparring with Rachel.
“Their mom’s the principal at my new school,” said Deliah.
“I didn’t know your mother was the principal,” I told the girl.
“My dad’s the dean at the college too.”
“Never hurts to have friends in high places,” Gabe said as he popped a fireball into his mouth and leaned against the pool table, smirking. “Have they tried locking your sister in her closet?”
“She used to run away a lot,” Shelly replied. “She gets worked up over silly things like boys and protecting the ecosystem.”
“Shelly Merriweather!” Rachel shouted from the kitchen. “I’m leaving.”
* * *
“Growing a human is exhausting. I’m starving all the time. Nothing fits. My feet are swollen. Don’t ever, ever get pregnant,” Molly said as we got ready to go to Deliah’s dance. I had Meggie’s truck. My aunt wanted to stick around and wait for Mr. Halden to come back and apologize.
“I’m never looking at a naked boy as long as I live,” Deliah replied. Then she turned to me so I could wrap her scarf around her neck, careful not to ruin the hairdo we replicated from a magazine. “I have to meet my date at the gym. He’s wearing a tie.”
Molly and I exchanged an enquiring glance as we bundled up in Lane’s garage. Deliah hadn’t said a word all afternoon about a date.
“You just said you would never look at a naked boy, so I hope he wears more than a tie,” Molly joked.
Deliah slipped on a pair of ankle boots. “Only Shelly knows the important details of my life. She’s the most normal person I know. The rest of the girls are going to be envious.”
Music pulsed through the parking lot as Molly and I followed Deliah inside the school. Lights flashed and decorations spun from the rafters in the gymnasium. I got a few funny looks from parents and kids.
“Remind me to wear a disguise next time I go in public,” I said. “I’m so over being recognized for something I didn’t do.”
Molly closed Lane’s coat over her stomach and laughed. The sleeves were rolled so high she looked as if she was playing dress up. “Me too, Avery. They all think I’m fourteen and pregnant.”
She sat in a folding chair that was open on the end of a bleacher. We tightened our gazes on Deliah as she crossed the crowded gym.
“Everyone in that family lucked out in the gene department.”
“She’s lying about the date,” I told her.
Deliah bent down and hugged Shelly when she appeared at the door on the side of the gym where all of the girls were standing. It would have been just my luck that her sister drove her.
“She told Gabe the boys were icky and all they did was poke her in the boob. I’m glad he’s still with Lane and not hanging out here looking to murder thirteen-year-old boys.”
“At least she’s learning about the boys and their poking before it’s too late.” She rubbed her belly, and we laughed so loud some of the parents around us stared. Molly glanced down. “He’s really rolling around to this beat.”
A handful of brave boys made their way from the unofficial boys-only side of the gym over to the girls’ side. I wondered who Deliah fantasized was her date as she faced the group of boys and grinned.
“She’s definitely not shy,” I commented, nudging Molly’s arm. “Maybe she does have a date.”
“Yep. Look over there.”
I stood up and glared across the gym. “What’s he doing here?” Caleb was standing in the doorway, tall and arrogant. He ran his hand under his hat and scanned the area. “He’s going to ruin her night.”
Deliah skipped over to him and took his hand.
“That’s why she was smiling,” said Molly. “Who are we to stop her brother from being her date? Now nobody has to die.”
“How is it between you and Caleb anyway?”
“He doesn’t even acknowledge this happened,” she said as she dropped her gaze to her bulbous belly. “He’s Caleb, remember?”
I snickered. “We can go home if you want,” I told her. “Deliah will be fine.”
Molly touched her hips and tried to get up from her chair. She dropped her purse.
“Should I call Lane?”
“Oh no. He can’t help me. My back has been killing me all day. I’m just so uncomfortable being like this. I need to walk. Some fresh air and a cupcake will help. Stay and watch so you can tell me what I miss.” She waddled to the exit where people moved out of her way as soon as they realized she was carrying a lot of baby. She looked completely normal from the back until she turned a slight bit sideways.
I drew my attention back to the dance. Girls gathered around Caleb. He seemed to be holding his own with Deliah and her new friends. He glanced at the exit just as Molly was walking out. Seconds later his eyes patrolled the gym. When he caught me watching, he whistled through the booming music. Deliah flapped her hands and pointed at her brother proudly. I waved a small wave and made my way to the door.
In the hall, I came face-to-face with the last person I wanted to see.
“Ugh—seriously?” she said.
I assumed she was thinking the same thing I was thinking. Why did we have to keep running into each other?
Rachel was holding a stack of papers to the front of her coat. Rolls of masking tape dangled on her wrist like bracelets. In the other hand, she held a stapler. I had another reason to be glad Gabe wasn’t with me.
“She’s a phony,” she told two girls who recognized me.
They had stopped to smile and stare. She saved me from having to tell them I had nothing to do with the oil protests and her anti-fracking religion. When she turned back, her sour expression puckered.
“Am I gonna have to break this up, legs?” Caleb set his hand on my shoulder and shook me. “I told you this one fights to the death. Watch out for flying staples.”
“I’m leaving,” I said. I pushed his hand off and turned around to get a good look at his shirt and tie. He was spiffier than his usual self. “Don’t disappoint Deliah. Try to remember this is a junior high.”
He grabbed my arm and stopped me. I spun around and held my tongue.
“I like you telling me what to do. Where’s the boy? You going stag?”
I sighed. “He works, remember? He and Lane went to check on an accident.”
Rachel blew out her breath. “There was another oil field accident?”
“Oh for cripesake,” Caleb snapped at her. “Go pass out your pretty brochures. The garbage cans aren’t full yet.”
“How do you not comprehend the severity of the environmental impact Halden-Remington is making?” she asked. “Do I really have to point out how brutal—”
Caleb held his hand to Rachel’s face to shut her up. “Go save the whales.” He grinned at me, which only fired her up more. “Mommy won’t let her in during daylight hours, so she’s gotta sneak into the ball and spread propaganda to the toddlers.�
�
“Go frack yourself, Caleb Halden.” She pushed his shoulder, and he grinned a wicked grin.
“Why don’t you show me how,” he said as he ran his hands along the length of his tie. “I got all night.”
She dropped the roll of tape from her arm, and Caleb stopped it with his boot heel. Then he waited for a break in the crowd and kicked the tape all the way to the end of the hall.
“You moron! Why the hell did you do that?”
“I wanna hear you call me names again,” he answered. “Before I was an asshat or asshole. I can’t recall the specifics. Now I’m a moron. You’re not very inspired in the heckling department.”
“See you later,” I said above the noise. I had no desire to watch Caleb take on a girl half his size. I didn’t want to find out what he would do if she got him royally ticked off. I needed to check on Molly.
I wiggled through a mob of primping girls at the entrance to the bathroom and got sprayed in the eye with perfume. I called for Molly. She didn’t answer. I checked down the main halls and explored a crowd at the exit. I stuck my head outside and called her name at the top of my lungs. Still no answer. She didn’t respond to my texting or my voice mail. The last place I thought to look was a side door behind the gym. She wasn’t in any of the alcoves. I turned and headed back to search the dance crowd.
After a few minutes, I began to worry. She could have gone into labor in a classroom I hadn’t searched. I didn’t want to enlist Caleb’s help. I didn’t want to take him away from Deliah or add needless drama to her night.
“Molly Taylor, where are you?”
I stopped at each dark doorway, prepared to find a pair of lip locked eighth graders. The last door was closed, so I walked past. That’s when the rubber foot of a desk slid on the linoleum and hit the wall just inside the classroom. I backtracked and pressed my ear to the window. Something bumped the door, and I stepped back. I didn’t think it was Molly; still I needed to know. It sounded like a scuffle.
“Molly?” I whispered as I pushed on the door. I waited. I didn’t hear anything. “Molly?”
I ran my hand along the wall and flipped the light switch. Caleb’s back was to me. There was an arm wrapped around his waist along with two legs. A hand was massaging his neck. I knew it was him by his tight Wranglers and the way he stood. He looked just like Gabe only he was cockier. I rolled my eyes in disgust. If his admirer was younger than eighteen I was going to throw up right there on the floor.
“Caleb?” I cleared my throat loudly. “Molly’s missing, and I’m getting worried because you know how big she is right now. You need to help me find her. I’ll be in the hall.”
I didn’t remove my gaze from his head as I stepped backward into the doorway. I couldn’t see the girl’s face. Slowly, he rolled his shoulders against the wall, and she came with him. His hands were attached to her rear. Their lips smashed together heatedly. I spotted the masking tape on her wrist and fury rose into my throat. He didn’t stop.
I shouted, “Oh. My. God!”
Rachel’s hair stood on end. She dug her hands into Caleb’s back pockets and hid her flushed face. He had a goofy look on his. He was sucking face with the enemy of all enemies.
“Hey there, legs,” he took a break and drawled.
I had a horrible flashback from the coop when Gabe and I found him in bed with Jordan Halverson. I slammed the door and stormed down the hallway where kids were standing against the wall texting, instead of talking. I spotted a boy eating a cupcake and remembered there was supposed to be a concession table somewhere.
“Where’d you get that?” I asked the kid. He told me to look in the cafeteria. I tried to put the visual of Caleb groping Rachel out of my mind to focus on locating Molly.
“Avery, have you seen Caleb? It’s time to show off our moves.” Deliah startled me.
I caught my breath and leaned on the wall. The loud music unraveled my nerves. “I’ll send him in if I see him. I think he’s busy. Go wait in there.”
“What’s he so busy with that he can’t stick around for one dance? He better not be flirting with the teachers. I’m going to look for him.”
I grabbed her hand just as she was about to pass the classroom. The door opened, and we stood shoulder to shoulder and watched Rachel try to close it with her foot before Caleb could drag her into the hall. Her hands were all over him.
She whispered, “We’re not done here, cowboy.”
Deliah’s body trembled against mine.
“She’s my best friend’s sister. I hate you! You came to be with me.” She stomped away just as Shelly appeared in the hallway.
“Mona Deliah!” Caleb hollered after her. His shirt was unbuttoned around his waist. His tie flung over a shoulder. “Aw shit.” He ran down the hall clunking his boot heels.
“Cowboy?” I hissed as I rubbed between my eyes and spotted the smug grin on Rachel’s face. She shouldered past me in the doorway.
“Look who’s jealous now.”
A woman charged at me in the parking lot. “Miss Ross! Please—may I have a word?”
Molly waddled behind while peeling the wrapper off of her cupcake. I found her in the cafeteria where I should have looked in the first place. I didn’t have a second to fill her in on Caleb’s offenses before I had to chase Deliah out of the school.
“Run, Avery,” Molly laughed.
“Can you comment on your connection to the Halden family? This young lady, who is she?”
“We have no comment,” I told her and continued to speed walk. I was relieved she wasn’t interested in me. Gabe and Lane gave me strict orders not to talk to the media. I closed in on Meggie’s truck. If everyone kept quiet, we could make an escape before something bad happened.
“I just need a minute of your time,” the reporter told Deliah.
“What do you want with me? I’m having a crisis,” she replied.
“Don’t talk to her,” I scolded. I remembered not to say her name out loud.
“Answer and I’ll go,” the reporter persisted.
“We have no comment.” I continued to head toward the truck.
“I do!” Deliah cried, “My brother just ruined my life! Print that!”
I wanted to hit my head against a wall.
“What exactly is your relationship with the Halden family?”
I shot a glance over my shoulder and realized there were two reporters following us. The second was talking to Molly.
Caleb pulled his sister toward me through the slippery lot. Molly stopped walking but didn’t answer the reporter.
Caleb’s voice barked in warning, “Mona, zip your mouth shut or I’ll do it for you.”
“Stop it, Caleb! I’m not Mona,” Deliah yelled. “We all hate you.”
“Y’all don’t hate me,” he drawled.
“I beg to differ,” I shouted over my shoulder when I reached the truck. “You’re a dog.”
“Get in. I’ll handle these two.”
“Like you handled Rachel up against a chalkboard? No, thank you,” I told him. “I know how to deal with the media.”
Molly stood at the truck with a reporter in her face. She dropped her cupcake and then dropped her chin to her chest. When she grimaced, Caleb swooped in and grabbed her elbow.
“Here, take it easy,” he told her thoughtfully.
She bent over as far as she could and groaned.
“Is he your brother?” The reporter addressed Deliah while pointing to Caleb. “How come you didn’t live with the family in Texas? Where did you come from?”
“He’s her brother,” Rachel said. She appeared at the tailgate wearing a smug grin. She had a lot of nerve coming after us. It puzzled me to no end how Caleb could go from a revolting asshole-moron to irresistible boyfriend material in five minutes.
Deliah planted her fists on her hips. “It’s none of your beeswax who I am and what I do. I have a right to my privacy.”
“We have to go!” I shouted at Deliah.
Molly whimper
ed. Caleb helped her climb into the cab. It took her three tries before he lifted her by her hips. Once she turned in her seat, he watched her with a worrisome look. I wondered if he actually cared that he could be her baby’s father and that the baby was actually coming into the world. My heart pumped with satisfaction while Rachel watched enviously as he doted on Molly.
Caleb turned around. “Y’all need to leave these ladies alone or you’re gonna answer to me.”
I was happy to get going.
“Before you go,” a reporter yelled, “do you have a comment on Brigg Barrett’s involvement with your family? Can you tell me whose paternity is in question?”
Caleb and I lifted our gazes and glared at the reporter while Moly grumbled beside me. Deliah made a startled hiccup sound and covered her mouth.
“I see I have your full attention.”
Six
“Should I be driving you to the hospital?” I turned to Molly. “Do you need me to call Lane?” She had been quiet during the media ambush. She glanced up from rubbing her belly and chuckled.
“Nope. Just go to his house. I was faking it. I’m not in labor. My little guy’s not ready to come out.”
Deliah had her arm over the seat. She was watching the back window. “Somebody’s following us. It better not be Caleb.”
I checked my rearview mirror.
“I saw his face when you bent over. He didn’t know what hit him. He totally deserved that,” I told Molly. “Excellent fake out.”
“Why did we have to leave so fast? What did he do now?” Molly asked.
“It’s too upsetting to tell you in your state,” Deliah said.
“I should’ve pretended my water broke. That really would’ve freaked him out,” Molly replied. “I’d like to know how the press knows anything about my baby. Who would have told them? What does the paternity have to do with Hunt Barrett’s father?”
I shrugged and turned on the heater. Deliah aimed a vent at her face.
Stubborn Truth (The Stubborn Series Book 3) Page 12
