Chapter Three

Some Jokes Aren’t Funny

 

 

 

Thursday night after dinner, shower steam swirled around Lexi like a protective cloud, pushing away the insecurities that threatened to cling every time she went out with a guy.

She’d gotten pretty good at keeping those annoying doubts at arm’s length, but still, that look on a guy’s face when he realized she really did mean no—sometimes it was hard to take. Not because she cared what they thought, but because it made them harder to handle.

At least with Peter they both knew she was after his signature. He’d see how much he could get. She’d give as little as possible.

Sure, the whole night might be a hassle, but in the end she’d get what she wanted.

Even after Lexi rinsed out her conditioner and shaved every possible place on her legs, she still had some extra time, so she covered her face with an orange facial mask then stretched across her bed, waiting for the mixture to do its thing.

“Lexi?” her mother called from behind the door. “Can I come in?”

Not the best time, but Lexi still couldn’t completely give up on having a real relationship with her mom. Trying not to crack the mask, she replied through her teeth, “Sure.”

Lexi lifted herself up as the door swung open.

Indescribably horrible pleated jeans and a garage sale sweatshirt. It was her mom’s usual at-home uniform. Lexi could comment about the dreadful outfit, but why bother? Her mom would never change.

“Who’re you going out with tonight?” she asked, sliding the stack of college information packets aside and propping herself against the white wicker desk. Photographs of booster girls were scattered across the glass top behind her.

“Peter Archer. He plays baseball.”

Lexi added that second piece of information not because it mattered, but because for some inane reason her mom loved it when she went out with the jocks. Maybe she thought they came from good homes.

Better families.

Translation—richer families.

“You’ll bring him in so I can meet him?” she asked, a hopeful light in her hazel eyes.

Lexi lifted herself onto her elbows and took in her mom’s second-hand clothing disaster. The pants were the second reason the answer to that would be no.

The first?

The last time she’d brought a guy in for her mom to meet, she’d fussed over him like he was some actor in a lame TV show and she was one of those ladies who served lemonade and homemade cookies. Her mom always acted the same way with Dale, hanging around him like he needed constant special attention. Maybe she thought treating guys that way made her attractive, but it really just made her look ridiculous and, even worse, easier to step on.

But Lexi couldn’t say all that. “If we have time, I’ll bring him in.”

“That’ll be fine,” she said, nodding vaguely as she gazed around the room. Eventually she came back around to look at Lexi. “How’s everyone at school feeling about Coach Filpot?”

“Bummed.” Thinking about the guys in science earlier that week, she added, “Some are saying stupid stuff but most everyone still feels bad, especially because it was so sudden.”

Her mom nodded again. “That staff are shaken up too. I’ve been trying to call Mrs. Filpot all week, but she isn’t answering the phone. I left some voicemails, but well…” Her mom picked up one of the group photos. “Can’t say that I blame her, you know, for not wanting to talk to anyone. I remember when after…”

Lexi wanted to encourage her mom to talk about those times but after the week she’d had, didn’t have the strength. Dealing with Monica, worrying about getting the signatures, and the thing with Jon had her stretched so tight even the smallest emotion might make her lose it. She pushed herself all the way up. “Have to rinse.”

“I won’t keep you.” Her mom tipped her head, that hopeful light starting to shine in her eyes. “I’m sure you want to look good for your guy.”

Your guy.

Oh please.

Her mom put the picture down, straightened it so it was perfectly in line with the others, then stood, looking over suddenly, the pain of thinking about losing her first husband gone. “Don’t forget about the surprise I promised.”

The real smile that spread across Lexi’s face felt strange but good. “Oh, right, I haven’t.”

“Great.”

Then the moment was gone.

After her mom started down the stairs, Lexi headed for the bathroom to rinse off the mask and dig her scented moisturizer from the linen closet. Glancing at her too-short legs and flat butt, she knew she didn’t have a perfect figure, but compared to the other girls at school she looked as good.

Except Monica.

Monica stood about three inches taller. With perfect, eye-catching C boobs that most girls had to pay for with their graduation money.

Everything about Monica looked perfect.

Witness the partial list—National Honor Society, student government treasurer, regular office volunteer, consistent doer of all things right. All the teachers liked her. Why wouldn’t they? She did everything they told her to and managed to do—or look like she was doing—the right thing even when they didn’t.

Family-wise, she also looked perfect. Both her parents were accountants and they all lived together in an awesome brick Georgian in the Briarwood subdivision, right across the street from Zoë Weinberg, whose mom was the real estate queen who owned practically half of Cherry Grove.

Lexi had the grades—better than Monica’s, in fact—but not that complete perfection. Perfection so plastic it would snap if tested. But Lexi wasn’t about to do anything to test it, because the nasty secrets hiding inside Monica’s life were so foul they could ruin them both. And that instant respect Lexi craved? Not a chance. And losing that would be just the start.

Thank God Jon was okay.

After tossing the lotion back into the closet, Lexi sprayed herself with the matching body spray, promised herself she’d stop obsessing over Monica—at least for the night—then marched back to her room. While she was pushing in silver hoop earrings, the bass of Ke$ha blaring out of Peter’s mounted speakers nearly shook the framed photos off her desk. Then the street fell silent, followed by the thud of a car door.

No way was she going to put Peter through the Ridiculous Pampering Experience. She tied her shrunken pink hoodie around her waist as she tiptoed down the steps. The corny sound of laugh track TV floated in from the other room as Lexi crept out of the door and hurried to the curb.

Peter had climbed out of his black H2 and stood on a corner of the leaf-covered grass with his hands shoved into his tattered Red Monkey jeans, tugging them even lower on his narrow hips. He grinned. Or was it a leer? “I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a girl who was actually ready when I got there.”

“No big deal,” she replied, jogging toward him. “I put on some clean clothes”—she flipped her hands back, inviting his appraisal—“and here I am.”

With the band of his black Hanes cutting a path across his tight stomach, and his sun-bleached curls covering one eye, he looked damn good. But then his personality ruined the moment because instead of saying something decent, he stared at her boobs then checked out her crotch.

Lexi liked knowing she could get a guy’s attention, but those looks bugged her. Sure, it was normal to look at people but a guy didn’t have to be gross about it. Like each guy had his own pair of invisible X-ray goggles, and he spent his whole day looking for some girl to test them out on.

What could she do with that constant annoyance that made her want to tell the guy to F off?

Ignore it.

Because she refused to let Peter, or anyone else, know she was anything but cool with the attention. How weak would that be?

Finally done staring, Peter fell back, climbed up into the seat, slid behind the steering wheel and kicked over the engine. He tapped his phone and Taylor Swift burst from the speakers. He grinned over at her through the open passenger window.

Good God, how predictable.

Lexi climbed in anyway.

The heat of summer had come back and hot moist air rushed in as he swung out away from the curb. Within a minute they were turning off her rundown street, moving away from the battered houses of her neighbors. As the corner house grew smaller in the side mirror, recklessness flooded Lexi’s veins.

That feeling was nothing new. Neither was the thought that came right after it—one day she’d leave and never come back.

At the E-Wood Multiplex lot, Peter wedged his H2 between a green Impala and some decades-old, wood-trimmed minivan, slid out and waited with his hands shoved in his back pockets as Lexi climbed down. Behind him, the giant white brick theater stretched out for a whole block. Families, couples, clusters of friends milled about, pouring in and out of the glass doors. Above the rows of doors, blue and purple neon lights circled the movie listings.

The glittering night was just right. Except that Peter was an ass. Which was too bad, because standing there with the sun falling behind him, his face all shadowed and angular, he looked hot. Like an Abercrombie boy toy.

But he was an ass, so once she was out he looped around behind her, bent down and flattened his palms on her butt, squeezing her butt cheek as he shoved her toward the entrance.

Forcing a laugh, she scooted away. “What do you want to see?”

“You plan to watch the movie?” he asked, grabbing at her again and laughing at his own stupidity.

The usual Peter moves.

They picked the show with the shortest line, some futuristic army thing, then found seats in the back. Lexi tossed her sweater onto the armrest and Peter stretched his arm behind her, resting his hand on her shoulder. It was cozy but not too much, so she settled back.

Actual emotions flickered in his eyes for a second, and he asked, “Heard anything new about Jon?”

Monica’s face flashed in Lexi’s mind. “No.”

“What?” He tapped her shoulder. “What were you going to say?”

“Nothing.” Lexi rubbed her nose, hiding the twitchy feeling taking over her face. “Why would I know anything?”

“I don’t know.” Peter shrugged, his mouth tight. “Well, it’s weird. He’s been gone over a week.”

Like she hadn’t been counting the days.

He slouched. “You met the new kid?”

Thinking about the person just added to her homeroom, Lexi asked, “The girl with the mini-fro?”

“No.” He leaned closer and started picking at the seams of Lexi’s tee. “Some new kid Ash is hyped about. He says the guy played in the Little League World Series, so he’s really, really good. He’s going to catch for us.”

She shook her head. “Nope, I was over at Ash’s the other night, he didn’t say anything about him.”

“He’s got some weird name. Zen? Teke?”

A memory flickered in Lexi’s mind but fizzled out. “You sure he started school already?”

Peter’s hand stopped moving. “Why, you going to corner him with your list?”

Lexi pulled her arms across herself. “A name’s a name.”

“You girls. But as long as you’re willing to put out, I don’t have a problem with it.”

Lexi rolled her eyes.

Peter leaned still closer and whispered, “I’ll make sure you like it.”

“I’m not doing that,” she whispered back.

He grabbed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I know what you want.”

Was he playing around? Or serious?

The turn-off-your-cell cartoon started, and Lexi relaxed into the soapy-smelling cloud swirling around Peter. Even if it was Axe, it smelled pretty good. At least as long as the movie was going he couldn’t say any more annoying stuff. The previews dragged on, but once the movie started, she got into it. About forty-five minutes in, her cell started vibrating. She ignored it, but it kept going on and off, practically shaking itself out of her pocket.

Five texts. Boyfriend drama. Jazz freaking out about Alan. Lexi leaned over to Peter, whispered, “Be right back.” She scooted down between the seats. Once she was in the aisle, she pulled her cell out and hit ‘Call’.

“Hi.” Jazz came on before the first ring finished. “Um, yeah. So. How’s it going with Peter?”

“Fine. Okay.” It was nice of her to ask, of course, but they both knew that wasn’t why she’d called. “What’s going on with Alan?”

“Are you in the theater?”

“No. Well, I was, but I came out in the hall to answer.”

There was a beat of nothing, then, “He’s acting really weird about Jon, and I—”

A crowd of people started pouring out of the theater across from the one she’d just come out of, so Lexi moved to the end of the hall and stood by a plate-glass window looking out at the side of the parking lot. “Jazz? What?” Lexi watched some minivans roll through the rows. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Jazz sniffed a couple times. “I don’t want to go into it now, while you’re supposed to be hanging out with Peter.” She laughed a bit, then, sounding more like herself, added, “I know you have the list to deal with. Can you just call me when you’re done?”

“Sure.” Thinking about Peter’s attitude, she added, “He’s either going to sign or he’s not, so it won’t take long.”

Jazz started to say something but stopped and fell silent again. A group vaguely familiar guys from school passed by on the other side of the window. They were pushing and shoving one another and doing some kind of silly karate chops, but laughing so hard they could barely lift their legs. They looked so ridiculous, Lexi almost laughed herself.

Finally, after Jazz sniffed again, she said, “Thanks. But don’t hurry for me. Really, I’m okay.”

The kicking guys were out of view now, and the lot was empty of people close enough to watch. “You wouldn’t have called if it didn’t matter,” she said. “Right?”

“I know. Thanks. Bye.” And she was gone.

Lexi spun around, took a step forward and stopped. Monica. Always in the wrong place at the right time.

“Hi, Lexi,” she said, sticking her hip out as she leaned her shoulder against the wall. Some of her curls swung forward, some settled prettily behind her back. “Having fun?” she asked, smirking in her usual arrogant way.

Lexi resisted the urge to look her over and check out each tiny detail of her perfect outfit. Monica would not miss the once-over. She never missed anything. So Lexi kept her eyes steady, focused on Monica’s as she casually slid her phone into her back pocket then stuffed her hands into her front pockets. “Whatever.”

“Not a very nice attitude,” Monica said, so softly it was almost a caress.

Lexi took a step back. “Maybe I’m not a very nice person.”

Monica rolled back against the wall, shoving her breasts out as she lifted her eyebrows. “That’s not the way I remember it.”

“Like I said”—Lexi pulled her hands from her pockets and flipped them, emphasizing her pretend lack of concern—“whatever.”

Monica made a point of looking down at Lexi, her natural few inches of additional height made even more thanks to her heeled boots. “You here alone?” she asked.

Lexi hated herself for not simply walking away. She’d didn’t owe Monica anything. She didn’t have to stand there and put up with Monica’s smug attitude. But the truth was, Monica had some thing, a pull Lexi just couldn’t back away from. “No.” She tipped her shoulder slowly, mimicking a cute move she’d stolen from Monica herself. “I’m here with a guy.”

Monica laughed, the noise sudden and aggressive. “I know.” She nodded toward the theater Lexi had come out of. “I saw you come in with Peter. How’s that going? He sign yet?” She laughed more, the delicate features of her face distorting into an expression Lexi was pretty sure nobody but her ever saw. “Did anyone sign for you yet?”

It was Lexi’s turn to lift her eyebrows. She wasn’t about to let Monica know she was the least bit shaken up. No way would she mention the second-string players—or even Spaz and Shortie—that she’d already signed. Better to keep the other girl wondering. Off balance. Better yet, away from her.

“Nothing to say?” Monica shook her head, her glossed lips all twisted, her breasts pressed against the typically tight sweater. “Didn’t think so.”

Lexi’s patience snapped. “I’m not a whore like—”

“Yes?” Monica stood up, came forward and looked down Lexi’s shirt. “You aren’t a whore like me? You sure about that? You never used somebody to get what you wanted?”

Lexi brushed past the other girl and stalked back to the theater. As soon as the door swung shut, she stopped walking to stand just inside the dark room. After a few seconds her breathing started to slow and the tingle of anger and fear faded enough that she’d be able to pretend she was fine. The last thing she needed was Peter asking her a bunch of questions.

Ready to face him, she moved into the theater. Everyone was laughing when she came in, their heads bobbing all over the place. One guy in her row was even kicking. His foot connected solidly with her shin and he mumbled sorry. Lexi mumbled no problem and rushed to her seat, a sweet ‘sorry I took so long’ for Peter forming in her mouth.

But she didn’t get a chance to use it because he was gone. Her sweater was right where she’d left it, but his seat was empty.

Some girl yelled, “Get out of the way, people are trying to watch a movie,” so Lexi dropped into her seat and looked around to see if Peter had moved. She didn’t spot him, so she slumped down.

Maybe he’d gone to the bathroom.

Or went looking for her?

She twisted, looking around as best she could. Was he in a different seat? Moved to play a joke on her? Went out and came back in and got lost?

A while later, she was still in the same position. Her heart was hammering and stomach was starting to churn.

He wasn’t coming back.

What kind of loser ditched someone at the movies?

Lexi pulled out her phone and stared at the screen. Jazz was a mess. She didn’t want to add to her stress by asking her to come get her. Lexi sent a ‘can you come get me’ text to her mom. After she hit ‘Send’, she looked around again, trying to see if Peter was staring at her, laughing.

He wasn’t. She was sure he’d left.

She could send him a message and tell him what an asshole he was, but why give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to her? Whatever his agenda was, she wanted no part of it.

Lexi slipped on her sweater, got up, wove back to the aisle and headed for the door. Once in the hall, she checked her phone. Nothing from her mom. She tried calling, listening to all five rings before the voicemail went on. She clicked off without leaving a message.

Even though she knew it was pointless, Lexi went to the concession area and made a circle. Kids carrying popcorn, couples holding hands, groups of girls walking together with their faces tipped down to the phones in their hands.

No Peter.

She tried her mom again. No answer.

With no other choice, she called Jasmine, who answered right away.

“Peter ditched me. Can you come get me at the E-Wood?”

There was a pause, then, “He what?”

“He left while I was out in the hall. I know it sounds ridiculous but it’s true. He left me here. By myself.”

“Are you sure he left?” she asked, her voice rising. “Maybe he went to the bathroom.”

Lexi grumbled then replied, “It’s been, like, twenty-five minutes.”

“That doesn’t make any sense at all. Did you guys have an argument or something?”

“I know it doesn’t make sense and no we didn’t have an argument. We were watching the movie.” Until you called. She didn’t add that. No point making Jazz feel like crap for some stupid thing Peter did.

Always the reasonable one, Jazz kept her cool, stayed silent for a few more seconds before asking, “Maybe he got sick or something. Did you go look for his car?”

“No.” Lexi ducked through the concession stand crowd and started walking toward the exit. “I feel so stupid, I should’ve thought of that.”

“You were probably too busy being pissed.”

Lexi hopped off the sidewalk, took four strides into the lot and saw a mud-spattered blue Jetta instead of Peter’s H2. Her blood pressure skyrocketed.

“Yeah. It’s gone.”

“All right. What a total ass. I’ll be there as fast as I can, but it’ll take a few because I have to sneak out the back—don’t ask, I’ll explain when I get there. Wait by the side near the road, I’ll pull up there.”

“Thanks, Jazz.” Lexi clicked off, took one last pointless look around the parking lot, then headed back to the side of the theater. As she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of someone rounding the corner at the other end. Curly dark hair, long legs made even longer by high-heeled boots, and that unmistakable stiff, quick walk.

Monica.

What the hell was she up to?

But with that girl there was no telling. Follow her? She wanted to but the risk of being spotted wasn’t worth it. Better to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. Lexi dropped to the ground and leaned against the white brick, waiting for Jazz, telling herself again that all this effort would be worth it. Once she was named boosters’ president, she’d get Monica out of her face, never have to put up with being ditched again, and be at the top of everything in Cherry Grove that mattered.