Fuck it. I guess I’m skipping my visit to Golden Oaks today. I’m too tired to even feel guilty about it.
I’m not sure how long I’ve napped in the tub, but when I blink my eyes open, the water is no longer warm. It’s nippy actually. With a groan, I brace against the edge and stand up. Then I notice something alarming. Oh my God. I’ve turned into a Smurf.
“What the hell!”
I jump out of the tub and look at the mirror. My skin is blue from the neck down. I glance at the bathwater, which looks like raspberry Kool-Aid. I didn’t notice before thanks to the bubbles. How is that possible? I grab a towel and begin to scrub. The white fabric quickly becomes blue too, but the stain doesn’t vanish from my skin.
Realization hits me then. This was a fucking prank.
A roar comes from deep in my throat. I can’t believe I was that stupid. Troy played me. He let me believe all was fine between us when in fact he was plotting his revenge. And I fell for it.
Propelled by anger, I wrap myself in a towel and march out of the bathroom. I don’t stop until I barge into his room. I find him coming out of his closet, wearing nothing but boxer shorts. Of course he has to be half-naked.
“You ass! I can’t believe I fell for your good-guy act.”
His eyebrows shoot to the heavens as his eyes widen. “Charlie, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Quit the act already. You won. Look at me!” I open my arms wide, not caring if the towel stays in place or not.
“Why do you look like Smurfette?”
I breach the distance between us, then poke his chest with my finger. “I’m like this because you exchanged one of my bath bombs for something with blue dye in it. Don’t even try to deny it.”
He shakes his head, still keeping the innocent façade in place. “I swear, Charlie, I didn’t do this.”
My nostrils flare, a sign that I’m about to go savage on his ass. But what would kicking him in the nuts or punching him in the face accomplish? Nothing. He got me, just like I’d gotten him with the chickens. Now we’re even.
I step back. “I should have known you wouldn’t simply forget everything. Congratulations, Troy. You really got me.”
My eyes prickle, surprising me. I haven’t cried in anger since I was a kid. Not wanting him to see me bawl my eyes out, I whirl around and leave his room as fast as I can. By the time I slam my door shut, the first tears have already rolled down my cheeks.
The big hole in my chest tells me these aren’t angry tears. They’re the broken kind.
When the fuck did Troy get hold of my heart in order to stomp all over it?
19
CHARLIE
No amount of soap or scrubbing gets rid of the blue tinge from my skin. Running late, I give up on trying to find a solution to my problem. The alternative is to wear a long-sleeved turtleneck and jeans. There’s nothing I can do about my hands. I can’t wear gloves to a barbecue. It’s not that cold.
And to think I masturbated to Troy’s image while marinating in blue dye. That added insult to injury. He made me cry, something no boy has ever been able to claim until him. That’s what I get for lowering my defenses. Lust played keep-away with my intelligence. It made me forget what type of person Troy is—an egomaniacal asshole.
I don’t have time to stop by Golden Oaks. It’s the second weekend in a row that I haven’t gone. I miss Ophelia and the rest of the gang, but I have to drive to Littleton first because Mom wants to go together as a family. Never mind that the party is halfway between where I live and Littleton.
When I arrive, the garage door is open, but only Mom’s car is in it. Shit, did Dad have to work on a weekend again?
When I walk in, I get my answer right away. Mom is in a bad mood, sporting a glower as she finishes getting ready. Ben is on the couch, playing a video game, while Bailey naps by his feet.
“About time you showed up, Charlie. We’re already running late.”
“Sorry. I had a late night.”
She stops in her tracks and takes in my clothes. “What are you wearing? It’s going to be a lovely day today. You’ll get hot.”
I glance at Ben and debate if I should tell Mom about Troy’s latest prank. In the end, I decide against it. She’s already acting like a dragon; I don’t need to give her more reason to be aggravated.
I plop on the couch next to Ben and bend over to rub Bailey’s head. She doesn’t even stir. Poor thing must be tired.
“What’s up with Mom?” I ask softly so she doesn’t hear.
“Dad said he couldn’t make it to the barbecue. They had a big argument last night.”
“Really? Ah, man. I’m sorry, Ben.”
He shrugs, keeping his eyes on the game. “It’s okay. I had my noise-canceling headphones on.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t want to bother you. I know how busy you are with school and your side jobs.”
“What are you two doing, sitting around?” Mom stands at the edge of the living room with her hands braced on her hips. “Come on. Let’s go!”
I jump off the couch, walking fast to meet Mom in the garage. She already has the car on.
The drive to her boss’s party is tense as hell. I try to put on a radio station, but Mom barks that she isn’t in the mood for music. Considering the shitty beginning of my day, it’s fitting that I have to endure a party with Mom in a hellish disposition. I hope Ben and I can escape at the party and not interact with her at all.
Her boss’s house is in Malibu, not a usual spot for a technology mogul. He’s a genius who built a company out of nothing, and he’s now one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country. Mom has been working for his company for over six years, and this is the first time he’s hosted a barbecue for his employees and their families. Any company event has been only for the employees and their significant others in the past.
Several cars are parked outside the beachfront mansion, but if we’re indeed late, that’s another story. Mom asked me to drop by the house at a certain time, and I was only ten minutes late. We didn’t encounter a lot of traffic coming here, so it’s possible she blew the situation out of proportion because she’s in a funk.
Well, that makes two of us, but you don’t see me acting out on it.
An attractive man in his fifties greets us when we come in. A beer bottle is in his hand. He’s wearing a casual linen button-down shirt and pants. I can tell with only a cursory glance that he likes to work out.
“Tara, welcome! I’m so glad you could come.” He gives Mom a casual hug that lasts a second. “Where’s Jason?”
Her expression darkens for a moment, but she’s quick to put on a phony smile. “He couldn’t come. He feels awful, but he had an emergency at the warehouse.”
“That’s too bad.” He switches his attention to us. “And who do we have here?”
“This is my daughter, Charlie, and my son, Ben.”
“Hi.” I smile feebly, keeping my hands hidden behind my back.
“I’m Jonathan. Nice to meet you, Charlie.” He extends his hand, which I was afraid of. I have no choice but to shake it.