Clickbait

by Evelyn Dar

  A tear rolled down her cheek. “I just have to do it, right?”

  “That’s right, baby girl.” Maddox wiped the tear away. “Come on, babes. Let’s go say goodbye to your dad.”

  “Okay,” Laylah whispered and took his arm.

  ****

  Avery fought the urge to roll her eyes while Teddy gave his insincere condolences to the new widow.

  “Gale, please let me know if there’s anything you need.” Teddy flashed his ‘average Joe’ smile. “Anything at all.”

  The midday sun blazed high above the cemetery and Gale squinted up at Teddy. “You’ve already done so much, Mr. Bradley. The funeral was lovely, and the church...” She laid a hand on her chest. “We could have never gotten World Changers International without your help.”

  Teddy waved a hand. “Don’t you say another word. Brother Creflo’s a golfing buddy. He was more than happy to oblige.”

  “You have no idea how much this means to us.” Gale cleared her throat, but her voice still trembled. “You’re a good man, Mr. Bradley.”

  She offered her hand, but Teddy gently pushed it away. He opened his arms and engulfed Gale in a hug that smelled like sandalwood, wrapped in vanilla with a dash of cinnamon thrown in. Teddy’s ‘three-hundred-dollar a bottle cologne’ smelled like warmth, money and power and Avery hated how much she loved the scent.

  “Now you hush with that Mr. Bradley nonsense, darling. If anyone’s going to call me Teddy, it better be you.” He then stroked the back of her head like he was petting a puppy.

  The sight turned Avery’s stomach and she couldn’t decide which was worse; Teddy’s faux southern accent, or the blatant falsehoods he promised the broken woman.

  Teddy released Gale but left one arm draped around her shoulder as he gestured to the bustling cemetery. “Winston was truly a pillar of the community. This old town won’t be the same without him.” Teddy whistled. “Would you look at this turnout? The president of the NAACP is here. Every major union rep in the city is standing over there, and I’ll be gosh-darned if I didn’t see Mr. Murdoch himself at the church.”

  Gale smiled. “Atlanta loved Winston.”

  Teddy stared wistfully into the distance. “When I think of the good Winston could have done – the good we were already doing.” He coughed and cleared his throat. “You’ll have to excuse me, darling, it’s just – Winston could have enacted some real changes on the Georgia Supreme Court. He was a man of the people.” Teddy grasped Gale’s hand with both of his. “All the people.”

  Avery channeled her six years of etiquette classes and smiled politely at Teddy’s bullshit when she really wanted to vomit all over his custom-made Italian wingtips. With her polite smile still in place, Avery turned a deaf ear to Teddy’s blathering and surveyed the post-burial crowd.

  The heat index was well over one hundred degrees, but that didn’t stop the mourners from chumming it up between random gravestones. High profile lawyers, ambitious politicians, and trendy celebrities were in a rabid haze of posthumous networking, and as disgusting as Avery found Teddy’s self-serving behavior to be, she couldn’t deny he was in like-minded company.

  In addition to the swarm of glitterati, the citizens of the derelict Clayton County had turned out in droves to say goodbye to a man who had promised them hope; a hope that would die with him.

  Fidgety men, sweating in second-hand suits and women shuffling uncomfortably in discounted Payless pumps stood yards away from slick businessmen outfitted in Gucci from head to toe and their wives donning egregiously expensive, scuff-free Louboutin’s. It was a sight to behold.

  Avery recognized only a handful of the teens in attendance. These were the sons and daughters of prominent Georgia officials, filthy rich entrepreneurs, and overpriced plastic surgeons. These were her classmates…well, her former classmates.

  Teddy’s loud laughter disrupted her thoughts and Avery gritted her teeth. Her father’s laugh was just like him; big, brash, and grated on her nerves. After verifying no one was looking her way, Avery took a nonchalant step backward. Then another.

  She spun around and hoped Teddy was too enamored by the sound of his own voice to notice her slinking away.

  With no clear destination in mind, Avery nodded and smiled her way through the masses, and as she drifted toward a less populated area of the cemetery, she found herself drawn to the inscriptions on the various gravestones.

  She noted the Lord’s prayer was a popular choice. As was the 23rd Psalm. After reading several lengthy and overly poetic epitaphs, Avery decided she liked the short one’s best.

  Here lies Esther Jones. 1923-2002. She was loved.

  Avery knelt and touched the coarse, sun-warmed stone. She dipped her fingers inside the crevices of the etched word; loved and chuckled. “I think I’m jealous of a dead woman, Esther.”

  She heard someone giggle behind her, then the abrupt sound of shushing. She sighed and contemplated not turning around. Ever. Why couldn’t she spend the rest of her life kneeling in front of beloved Esther’s grave? Surely the giggler and shusher would grow tired of waiting and leave her and Esther in peace.

  Yeah, right.

  Avery stood and turned around.

  Zoey and Kelsey Randolph greeted her with dull, expressionless faces. She’d known the Randolph twins since elementary school. Their father, Eddie, owned multiple luxury hotel chains in Georgia and whenever he got sued – which was frequently – Teddy was number one on his speed dial.

  “Hey, Zoey…Kels,” Avery said with all the enthusiasm she could muster.

  At sixteen, rail-thin Zoey looked like she dripped Red Bull from an IV, and the thick layer of foundation she wore to conceal the dark circles under her eyes, just made her look like a tired ghost.

  Twice her sister’s size, fraternal twin Kelsey at least looked alive but was perpetually bored and always on the hunt for something stimulating. Avery had never seen the girl without a Juul in her hand.

  “Did you like, know her or something?” Kelsey asked. A hit of the Juul.

  “Who?” Avery asked.

  Kelsey squinted at the gravestone. “Esther, apparently.” Another hit of the Juul.

  The smell of synthetic bubblegum wafted around them in a thick cloud of vapor.

  “Oh, no,” Avery replied. “I was, uh just admiring the stone. It’s kind of beautiful. You know, like in an old gothic way?”

  Kelsey raised an eyebrow at the mold-covered gravestone. “Whatever.” She cleared her throat loudly and shot her sister a look.

  Zoey had become enraptured by two squirrels fighting over an acorn a few feet away.

  Kelsey muttered what sounded like ‘Jesus Christ’ under her breath and nudged Zoey in the ribs.

  “Ow, what the hell, Kels?”

  Kelsey raised an eyebrow and nodded toward Avery.

  “Ohhh, right,” Zoey said and grinned evilly.

  The hairs on the back of Avery’s neck stood on end. “Um, actually, you guys, I have to find Tedd– uh, my dad.” She took a step back. “He’s waiting for me so…I’ll see you guys later?”

  “That’s not what I heard,” Zoey said.

  Kelsey snorted but stayed quiet, content to let Zoey do the dirty work.

  Avery wanted to turn and flee, but her legs had become stone. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I heard you’re transferring to Lovett Academy in the fall,” Zoey said innocently. “So you won’t see us later, right?”

  “Oh.” Avery blinked. “Right. I guess I won’t.”

  “We’re going to like, seriously miss you,” Kelsey said. A hit of the Juul.

  If Avery wasn’t on the verge of a panic attack, she would have laughed at the farce. “Oh, yeah, same here. But who knows, maybe we’ll see each other at a football game or something.”

  Kelsey’s eyes widened, and Avery stiffened.

  Oh, no.

  “Later guys,” Avery said, backing away as fast as she could without tripping.

  “Speaking of football,” Z
oey said loudly. “How’s Wyatt?”

  Avery squeezed her eyes shut as bile rose in her throat. Only sheer willpower kept it down.

  “Poor guy,” Kelsey cooed. “I bet he’ll miss you like crazy. You guys are like the perfect couple.”

  Avery gritted her teeth. The twins had dropped all pretenses of innocence and now stared smugly at her; daring her to contradict the raging lie.

  Avery’s lip quivered and Kelsey’s cocky grin grew wider.

  “Oh, and don’t worry,” Kelsey continued. Another hit of the Juul. “We totally don’t believe the nasty shit people are saying about you guys. Right, Zoey?”

  Avery’s breath hitched, and her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She futilely clenched her fist, succeeding only in ripping open the tender flesh of her palm.

  “It’s so stupid.” Zoey rolled her eyes. “I mean, Wyatt’s like an 8.5.”

  “Minimum,” Kelsey chimed in. A hit of the Juul.

  “As if any girl would tell him no.” Zoey scoffed. “Especially not his own girlfriend.”

  “Besides,” Kelsey said, “if it was true, why isn’t Wyatt in jail or prison or whatever?”

  “Hmm.” Zoey tapped her chin and pretended to think. “I don’t know, sis. Maybe after all those lying MeToo bitches got called out, a certain someone”–she winked at Avery–“realized accusing a senator’s son of rape is like...kinda lame now.”

  “Totally,” Kelsey agreed. A hit of the Juul. “What do you think, Avery?”

  Avery trembled as the rage coursing through her body attempted to overthrow her willpower. She could feel the twins scrutinizing every inch of her face. Their eyes raking mercilessly over her, searching for the smallest chink in her armor; the tiniest crack in her façade. Well, fine. If that’s what they wanted, that’s what she would give them.

  Avery loosened the thin veneer of control she still possessed, and as she opened her mouth – certain the scream she’d been suppressing for the past four months was about to be ripped from her throat – a voice called out, “Avery!”

  For the first time in her life, Avery was relieved to see Teddy.

  Always the politician, Teddy strutted toward them while shaking hands and waving to his adoring onlookers. When he reached them, his ‘father of the year’ smile was firmly in place.

  “Sweetie, I told you to stay nearby.” He wrapped an arm around Avery. “If you’re done chatting with the girls, how about sparing a few minutes for the old man?”

  Avery fought valiantly to keep her tears at bay, but lost the battle the moment Teddy looked at her. Teddy impassively watched her cry for a few moments, then turned his attention to the Randolph twins. Father of the year was gone, and nightmare fuel was back.

  “Girls, how are you?”

  “Fine,” the twins said in unison.

  “That’s wonderful to hear. And your father?” Teddy asked, as if partaking in casual conversation while Avery was sobbing beside him was par for the course.

  Kelsey and Zoey exchanged glances.

  “Uh, fine.” Kelsey said. No hit of the Juul.

  “That’s good,” Teddy cooed and stepped closer to the twins. “Hey, I bet you girls didn’t know your father and I are in the middle of the biggest lawsuit he’s ever faced.”

  The twins looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “I didn’t think so.” Teddy chuckled quietly. “In fact, this lawsuit is so big, if he loses, it would bankrupt him. Completely.”

  Kelsey gasped.

  “I’m sure you girls realize I’m a very busy man and have multiple cases that require my attention.” He straightened his already straight tie. “Not to mention I’m running for attorney general and–”

  “We don’t know anything about our dad’s business stuff,” Zoey blurted. “But I can go get him and you guys can like, talk shop or whatever old dudes talk about.” A ghost of a smile crossed her lips.

  Avery waited for an equally nice/nasty response from Teddy, but Teddy said nothing. He simply stared at Zoey and after several long seconds, Zoey’s smug expression became one of alarm. Several more silent seconds ticked by and Zoey began to squirm.

  Finally, Teddy leaned down until he was face to face with both girls. All traces of the affable southern gentleman had disappeared. This was all nightmare and no smile.

  “I will only say this once,” he whispered. “So listen closely. If I hear either of you spiteful little bitches have been running your filthy, slutty mouths about things you shouldn’t be running your filthy, slutty mouths about, I will personally guarantee that you”–he pointed to a trembling Zoey–“and you”–he pointed to a petrified Kelsey–“and your mother and your idiot fucking father will spend this Christmas, fighting over the last hot Cheeto while waiting in line at the welfare office, where I will make certain you will be denied for food stamps every single time you fucking apply.”

  Kelsey dropped her Juul. Tears streaked through Zoey’s foundation.

  “Now go away,” Teddy whispered.

  Kelsey and Zoey spun around, tripped over each other, then scrambled to their feet and scurried away.

  Teddy shrugged at Avery as if threatening two tween girls were a normal part of his day. He pulled a silk handkerchief from his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “Wipe your face.”

  Avery did as instructed and handed the handkerchief back. “Thank you,” she mumbled.

  Teddy snorted. “At least now you see why I did what I did. If those two feeble brained idiots hurt your feelings, imagine going against a rabid, status-climbing socialite with everything to lose. Rebecca Dunn eats brats like them for breakfast.” Teddy smiled and waved to a person passing by. “There’s no fury like a mother scorned, Avery.”

  “Then maybe she shouldn’t have raised a rapist,” Avery whispered.

  Teddy’s smile fell, and he lowered his voice, “For the last fucking time…Wyatt Dunn did not rape you. You went to prom together. You engaged in underaged drinking together. You then engaged in consensual sex. With Wyatt Dunn.” He growled. “I swear to God, if you cost me this election–”

  “I’m sure your personality will take care of it for me,” Avery snapped.

  Teddy immediately broke into a grin. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were my daughter.”

  His words landed with the impact of a slug to the gut, and Avery winced.

  Teddy winked, laid a meaty hand on Avery’s shoulder and steered her toward Gale. “And here she is, as promised.” Teddy nudged Avery away from him, then deftly wrapped an arm around Gale. “Avery, honey, I was just bragging about you to your new principal.”

  Avery’s polite smile took more effort than usual. “I’m nothing special…Daddy.” The word tasted rotten in her mouth. “You of all people should know that.”

  Gale frowned and Avery forced her strained smile wider.

  Teddy laughed. “That’s my little girl, modest to a fault.” He squeezed Gale’s arm. “You won’t hold it against her, will you Principal Carter?”

  Gale began to reply when a series of flashbulbs went off to their right. Teddy scowled and made a cutting motion at the cameraman.

  “Come on, buddy,” he called out. “Show some respect. You’re at a great man’s funeral.”

  The cameraman, who Avery recognized as one of Teddy’s personal photogs, held his hands out in a conciliatory gesture and backed away.

  The look of undeserved gratitude and admiration on Gale’s face was too much for Avery, and her smile faded.

  Teddy dismissed the staged scene with a wave of his hand. “Speaking of school, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re on the Ivy League track with Avery.”

  “Really?” Gale asked. “What a coincidence. So are we.” She scanned the cemetery and moments later, raised her arm and waved. “Laylah, Maddox, over here!”

  Avery groaned internally and primed herself for more false niceties, although she was worried her psyche had already taken too much of a beating. Between the passive-aggressive atta
ck from the twins and Teddy’s cruel remark, Avery’s emotions were on the verge of spilling over into polite society. With all of her remaining strength, she grafted one last smile on her face and looked up.

  III

  “Holy mother-effing shitballs,” Maddox whispered as they waved to Laylah’s mother. “That’s Avery Bradley.”

  “Who?” Laylah squinted but from the distance, she could make out the girl’s blonde hair and not much else. At Maddox’s insistence, Laylah had forgone her glasses and without them, anything over ten feet away might as well have been a hundred yards away.

  “Avery Bradley,” Maddox repeated, as if Laylah should know. “Her dad is Theodore ‘call me Teddy’ Bradley?”

  Laylah shrugged. “Is he famous or something?”

  “Is he famous or–” Maddox pinched Laylah’s cheek. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty.”

  Laylah swatted his hand away and Maddox filled her in as they crossed the cemetery.

  “Daddy Teddy is a filthy rich partner at Bradley, Shaw, and Milton.”

  Laylah furrowed her brow.

  “You’ve heard of them,” Maddox insisted. “Their cheesy LED billboards are all over I-285. You can’t miss them.”

  Laylah made a face. “Not the cringey one with the three guys standing in front of the American flag?”

  “Yep,” Maddox said. “Daddy Teddy’s running for attorney general and he’s constantly whoring Avery out in his shitty, over-produced campaign ads.”

  They were now less than a yard away, and Laylah’s field of vision had improved. She intended to give the girl a quick once over but didn’t make it past Avery’s face, or more specifically, Avery’s eyes. Instead of the dim, blue eyes Laylah had expected to find on a girl who looked like she’d just walked off the set of Pretty Little Liars, Laylah was momentarily stunned by a pair of intelligent, dark brown eyes that openly studied her as she and Maddox approached.

  Laylah looked away, not liking the sudden butterflies that had materialized in her stomach. “I think maybe I saw her picture on the side of a bus once.”