After calling dad to make sure he was going to be there, I drove as fast as I could without killing myself or anyone else. I was sure this is what Antonio Pagano was looking for.
Dad told me he’d be in his office, so I went straight there.
“Hey, son,” dad said. “What was so important you had to rush right over here?”
“I have something you need to hear. Can I use your laptop?”
“Of course.”
I went around the desk and brought up the recording from earlier. Dad listened to the entire thing before speaking.
“I’m assuming you’re all excited about the part where Karma says she doesn’t know what a Pagano is.”
I nodded. “That should prove her innocence right there.”
“Bodie, you still have a lot to learn. I want you to take your friendship out of this equation. If this was someone you didn’t know at all, what would you think about that conversation? Take another listen before you tell me.”
I took a deep breath, hit play, and closed my eyes, trying to think that this was a stranger. I listened carefully to what each person said with an open mind. When I was done, I understood what dad meant.
“She could be lying.”
“Exactly. You know the truth, but someone who believes she’s guilty will assume she’s saying that just to make Anthony believe she knows nothing about him. Sorry son.”
“This fucking sucks, dad,” I said.
“I know, Bodie, but I know you can do this. I can see how much you want to prove Karma’s innocent of what Antonio had accused her of. Because of that, I know you’re going to find a way to figure this out. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said.
“And by the way, why in the hell are you wearing a dress?”
I laughed. “I’d forgotten I was wearing it. I lost a bet with Major and the boys last night. I had to wear this all day.”
Dad grinned. “You four have always found a way to keep things interesting. Now, go back to school and sleep on this. I have faith in you, son.”
“Thanks, dad.”
On the way back to school, I called my sister.
“Hey, Lana,” I said, when she answered.
“Little brother, what do you want?”
“Can’t I just call to say hi?”
“You never call me to say hi. I repeat, what do you want?”
“I need to know where I can donate a slightly used designer dress,” I told her.
“Um … okay. How lightly used?”
“Just worn once, but all day.”
“What size? Maybe I want it,” she said.
“I don’t know what size it is, but it’s too big for you.”
“If you don’t know what size it is, how do you know it’s too big for me?” she asked.
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
“Bodie, what aren’t you telling me?”
I could never get away with anything when it came to her. She always knew when something was up.
“Fine,” I huffed. “I lost a bet and had to wear a dress all day today, like everywhere I went.”
She started laughing. “That’s hilarious. Hang on just a minute.”
I waited. But when she started cackling, I knew something was up.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“I got Major to text me a picture. You look very sexy in that dress little brother.”
“Fuck off,” I said. “I knew I shouldn’t have called you. I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait,” she said. “I’ll be nice, for now. You mentioned donating it. Why? I assumed you would just get rid of it.”
“I was going to, but then Karma kind of freaked out when she saw it was a designer dress and made me promise to donate it.”
“Who’s Karma?”
“Major’s girlfriend’s best friend. She’s on the dive team at school. We have a few classes together too.”
“I see. Interesting,” she said.
“Nothing interesting about it. Now, can you help me or what?”
“Yeah, I guess I’ll help you. I’ll text you when I have somewhere for you.”
“Thanks, Lana.”
“This picture of you is worth helping you.” She was still laughing at me.
“Whatever. Bye.”
“Bye, little brother.”
I shook my head and drove the rest of the way back to the dorm. Major was waiting for me when I walked in.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I thought I had a way to prove Karma’s not a gold digger but it’s not even close to enough.”
“Sorry, man.”
“Definitely sucks. I need something indisputable. Fuck, I hate this,” I said. “Karma deserves better than to be spied on by a friend.”
“At least, you’re trying to prove her innocence. Someone else might try and prove her guilty.”
“I guess. I’m going to my room,” I told him. “It’s time I finally get to take this fucking dress off.”
That made Major chuckle. “You certainly were the talk of the campus today. See you in the morning, man.”
I nodded and went to my room. I took off the dress and actually hung it up. That almost made me smile. Karma was very persuasive when she wanted to be.
Chapter 15
Karma
I walked into Spanish the next morning and took my usual seat next to Bodie.
“Why were you such a dick to Anthony last night?”
“Hi, Karma. How are you doing? Nice to see, too,” he said sarcastically.
“Cut the crap, Bodie.”
He chuckled. “You want the truth?”
“Always,” I said.
“Fine. I don’t like the vibe he gives off.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I grew up with a lot of rich people and he makes me think of a spoiled rich kid who always gets his way.”
“Kind of like you?” I countered.
“I may have had money growing up, but I watched my parents work hard to make the money they did. And don’t think I didn’t have chores and stuff to do. In fact, when I went there for dinner the other night, I still had to set the table. By the way, my mom made this enchilada casserole you would have loved.”
“Sure, he may have money,” I said. “But his dad is making him work in every department of the company to learn the business. Right now, he’s working with his dad’s secretary.”
Bodie rolled his eyes. “That’s just responsible business on his dad’s part. Do you even know what the business is?”
“Importing or something.”
“Do you know what that is?”
“I’m not an idiot, Bodie. They import goods into the US.”
“Then what happens to them?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t really care. It has nothing to do with me so why should I want to know about it? Anyway, didn’t you say something about enchilada casserole?”
That made Bodie smile. “My mom’s been taking cooking classes and she made this enchilada casserole that would be right up your alley. Tex Mex at its best.”
“And you didn’t bring me any? Jerk.”