Chapter Ten
Darcy
I spent most of the day working on my car with Dad. It felt good to get my hands dirty and think about something other than Lennon. My relationship with Dad is great in that he knows when I just need time to myself. If he can see something’s bothering me, he won’t hound me into talking about it. My mother, however, will do whatever she can to try to drag it out of me.
My good mood is crushed when I walk in and see Cindy sitting in the living room. I immediately feel bad about not being more excited to see her, but I was looking forward to spending the night in front of the TV with an extra-large bar of chocolate.
I glance at Mom, who smiles widely and announces that she thought it would be nice to invite Cindy and her mom over for dinner. Takes me a moment to realize that my dad is now nowhere to be seen. Fucking yay. A girls’ night in. Just what I need.
***
Somehow, I make it through dinner, but my foul mood hasn’t gone unnoticed. Mom pulls me aside just before she serves dessert and chastises me.
“Please, Darcy. At least pretend to be excited to see Cindy,” she sighs, shaking her head. “I’m beginning to understand why you never have any friends to bring home.”
I laugh. Did my mother just tell me I have no friends? How insensitive can she be, especially after what happened in Chicago. Tears well in my eyes, but I blink them back, refusing to let her words get to me.
“I’m going to my room,” I mumble. “Sorry for ruining your night, I’m just not feeling well.”
I push back my chair and stalk toward my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I lay down on my bed and think about what happened with Lennon. Let’s face it, that was when things really went downhill.
I can’t believe I went to his apartment thinking I could make him see that we could work. I wasn’t lying when I suggested changing schools either. It’s not like it’s that big a deal to me. Mom is right. I don’t have any friends, which makes uprooting myself and moving to another school so much easier. But after the way he just pushed me aside, I’m not sure I want anything to do with him. I feel used and hurt.
I’m still fighting back tears when there’s a soft knock on the door. I glance up as it opens. Cindy stands there. She smiles at me, hesitating like she’s not sure whether it’s safe to enter or not. I force myself to smile back and nod for her to come inside. It’s just too awkward otherwise.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” She sits down on the edge of my bed, her legs crossed, and studies me. “You’ve been funny since yesterday. I’ve been worried about you.”
I’m touched by her concern, and maybe even feel a little guilty that I haven’t put as much effort into this friendship as she has. My lack of friends is something I bring on myself. I close myself off and don’t let anyone in. That way, I can’t get hurt.
I never do well with friends. Things are all great in the beginning, but eventually we fall out, and it’s me who usually ends up hurting.
“I’m okay,” I say.
“Are you sure? You don’t look it,” she says. “Is it school? Or home? You can talk to me, Darcy.”
I’m conflicted about what to say. I can’t go into details with her, for obvious reasons, but part of me really wants to get everything off my chest. I want someone to tell me I’m not being stupid, and that he’s being an asshole.
“It’s just this guy I was sort of seeing,” I mumble, giving in. “He can’t make up his mind about whether he wants to be with me or not. But last night, I went to see him and we sort of…” I shake my head. “God, I can’t believe I thought I could change his mind.”
“If he doesn’t see what a catch you are, then it’s his loss,” Cindy comforted.
If only I wasn’t too embarrassed to care about that.
“If he can’t make up his mind, then help make it up for him,” she says, a grin forming on her lips. I look at her, confused since I don’t follow. She nods, her eyes gleaming. “There’s no better way to get a guy to come to his senses than to make him think the has competition.”
“Flirt with someone else,” I mutter, finally understanding.
I wonder if she’s right. Maybe all I need to do is make him jealous by paying attention to another guy. In the back of my mind, I think it’s a ridiculous idea, and one I’m going to regret if I do it, but I’m not thinking rationally. After how he treated me last night, I want to make him hurt like I am.
But not only that, I want to make him want me, no matter how juvenile my tactics are, and I think this might do it. It’s funny, I’m hell bent on convincing him I’m not a child, when all I’m really doing is acting like one.
“That’s a great idea,” I say to Cindy.
I grab my phone before I lose my nerve while Cindy watches excitedly. As I wait for Casey to answer, my heart races. I don’t even know if she’ll give me his number. God, I don’t even know whose number I’m asking for. I just plan to wing it, ask for Gary’s friend’s number, and hope for the best.
“Hello?”
“Hey! Casey, it’s me, Darcy. Your cousin?” I cringe that I felt the need to add that last bit, but in my entire eighteen years, I’ve only called her twice—both times because of Lennon.
“Right. Darcy,” she says and I cringe again. I can almost hear the disdain in her voice. “How can I help you this time? Got Lennon’s pants to return to him today?” she says, sarcastically.
“No,” I say, gritting my teeth. “I’m after Gary’s friend’s number.” I bite my lip and wait impatiently for her to answer.
“You mean Lennon?” she asks, confused.
“No,” I say, squeezing my eyes shut. “His other friend. You know, the one with the blond hair?” God, I hope he’s friends with a blond, because if he’s not, I’m fucked.
“Oh, right, you mean Rick?” She says his name uncertainly. “Are you sure? I mean, who you date is up to you, but Rick is a bit of a player.”
“Thanks, but I can handle myself,” I say.
“Okay, then I’ll text you his number now.” She pauses. “Lennon was asking Gary for your number a couple of weeks ago. You two seemed to hit it off?”
“I thought so too, but apparently not,” I mumble. “I’d better go. Thanks for helping me out. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime. Good luck.”
I hang up the phone and wait impatiently for the number to come through. When it does, I tap out a text, determined to send it before I change my mind. Cindy giggles on the bed next to me, making me jump. I’d completely forgotten she was there.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she giggles. I hide a smile, because I get the feeling this is the most fun she’s had in a long time. “You so have to keep me updated. What’s he like? You know, the one you’re trying to make jealous?”
“He’s great,” I admit. “He’s cute. Funny. Caring.”
I shiver, already having doubts over what I’m doing. I shake the negativity away and toss my phone down the other end of the bed where I can’t reach it easily. Straight away, I start to panic. I feel like I’m opening something that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle. What if this goes horribly wrong, and all I do is push Lennon further away?
I’m feeling sick when my phone beeps. I can’t believe he’s replied already. I scoop it up, half hoping it’s from Lennon, telling me he made a huge mistake in letting me leave. Rick’s name pops up on my screen instead. I sigh and click on the message.
Rick: Hey! Of course I remember you. What are you up to? I’m having a few drinks with some friends if you want to hang? Messina’s over on Fifth Street. It would be great to see you.
I read the message over and over. Friends. That means there’s a good chance Lennon’s going to be there. This is perfect, right? If I’m ever going to do this, now is the moment. There’s no better time than tonight to set this plan in motion.
“What did he say?” squeaks Cindy and I jump again. Jesus, she needs to wear a bell around her neck.
“He wants to meet me at Messina’s. Now.” God, I can’t breathe. “And I think he’s going to be there, too.”
“You have to go,” Cindy hisses, her eyes wide. “And you have to take me with you.”
“What? Heck, no,” I growl before I can stop the words from spilling out. Hurt fills her eyes, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain this without telling her the truth. I don’t have time for that, so I roll my eyes and motion for her to come with me. “I didn’t mean it like that. Come on, let’s go.”
She squeals and jumps to her feet, stopping at the door. She turns and gives me a look, biting her lip.
“Tell me you’re not wearing that?” I glance down at my sweatpants and shirt and frown. Shit. “We can stop past my place,” she suggests. “I’ve got a really cute dress that will drive this guy mental. It’s on the way to the club,” she adds, sensing my hesitance.
I smile back. “Let’s do it.” I pause, foreseeing another problem. “How are we going to get into a club when we’re underage?”
Cindy grins, her eyes sparkling. “Well, that’s the other reason you need to take me with you. I just so happen to know the guy on the door tonight. He’s the brother of Nate, my ex-boyfriend.”