THE HERITAGE ANNUAL Winter Wonderland Ball is at the Oceanside Aquarium. It’s black tie and my guy looks hot in a tux. My dress is another design by Anna Sizemore. A light blue satin gown with a beaded bodice and a slit up the side, allowing me to move freely.
Harper is wearing an emerald-green silk gown to match her eyes, an early Christmas gift from me. And, of course, Cole, as always, looks amazing in his tux.
However, Zach and Cole are all about the food. If they have to dress up in a monkey suit, there better be food—Cole’s words.
Soon after we sit down, the rest of our friends arrive and we spend the next thirty minutes talking over each other until our food arrives.
After dinner, we move to the next room for the festivities. The entire room is set up with carnival games. Every toy won and every ticket earned gets donated to Toys for Tots.
The ceiling is draped in red and white fabric, giving us the illusion that we’re under a circus tent. Booths line three of the four walls, with every game from throwing the dart into the balloon to a dunk tank, and a merry-go-round sits in the middle of the room. Zach and I stop and watch as Cam attempts to knock down the stacked milk bottles. You’d think it’d be easy, what with him being a pitcher and all. It’s not.
Bass goes for the “Bell Ringer” with the big sledgehammer and Cole goes straight for the dunk tank.
I’ve discovered I’m much better at skee ball than I am at bowling. “Let’s go over to the fortune teller, Z.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Why? It’ll be fun.”
“Because they give me the creeps.” He laughs.
“Oh, come on.” I drag him over to the old lady in the booth and slide a twenty-dollar bill across the counter. She pulls out her tarot cards and flips them over face up.
“You recently lost someone, yes?”
I nod. “My father.”
She flips over another card and flinches.
“Okay, babe.” Zach takes my hand and gives it a gentle tug. “You’ve had your fun. Let’s go ride the merry-go-round.”
I tug back and turn to the fortune teller with a frown. “What do you see? Is it death, again?”
She shakes her head. “No.” Then gestures to her cards. “It’s not… death.”
Zach clears his throat and she immediately flips over another card. “You’re going to travel. I see love, maybe marriage.” Zach snorts. “I see children. Lots of children.” That makes me laugh as I pull out another twenty and slide it over to her.
“Thank you.” Once we’re out of her sight, Zach and I burst into laughter. “I’m gonna go to the restroom,” I tell him.
“I’ll wait out here.”
Just as I reach the door, I hear yelling coming from inside the bathroom.
Pushing the door open, I catch sight of Harper backed up against the vanity in the far side of the bathroom. Ashton and Hannah are screaming in her face while Chelsea leans against the sink looking bored. Chelsea and I haven’t seen each other since our silent showdown on Thanksgiving.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I move forward, taking in Harper’s disheveled dress.
Hannah looks down at my hand. “Looks like your hand healed up nicely,” she sneers.
“I wish I could say the same about your face.” I notice a small tear in Harper’s dress and I see red. “Did you tear my dress?” I realize my mistake and wince. I meant to say hers because it is hers. It’s my design and I had it custom-made just for her.
“Your dress?” Ashton laughs and turns to face Harper. “Figures this piece of trash can’t even afford to buy her own dress.”
“Oh, and you can?” I ask, incredulous. “Or does your mommy buy you dresses with the money your dad sends so he doesn’t have to deal with you.”
“Fuck you!” Ashton shouts. “You don’t know shit about me.”
“And you don’t know shit about Harper except that Cole wants her and not you.” I turn my attention to Chelsea. “What’s up, Chelsea? The college girls won’t put up with your shit so you come here and pick on high school girls?” I shake my head. “Pathetic.”
Chelsea laughs, pushing off the sink, standing up straight and crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s pathetic is you think this thing with you and Zach is real.” She pauses, blinking, and I can tell by her expression, she’s wondering if she’s gone too far. But then she goes on. “He’s using you. Don’t get too attached. Once he gets what he wants, he’ll toss you aside.”
“And what is it that he wants?” It’s my turn to laugh. “Sex? Because he gets plenty of it. You sound like a bitter ex-girlfriend who got used and tossed aside.”
“I did.”
I scoff. “No, you didn’t. You’re supposed to be his friend but what you are is a shitty person, Chelsea, and an even shittier friend. Honestly, I don’t know why Zach is still friends with you. You do realize in making me your enemy, you’re pushing him away. If you really care about Zach, you’d get your head out of your jealous ass and be a true friend. Not that it matters one way or the other once he realizes his bestie is a fake and a liar.”
She sneers down at me, says, “Let’s go,” and moves to step around me. At the last second she attempts to shoulder-check me, but I’m ready for it. I dig my heels into the marble floor, causing her to stumble to the side. Chelsea bumps her hip against the vanity before she loses her balance and clips the corner of the metal paper towel holder. Ouch!
That’s definitely gonna leave a mark.
“Ow! You bitch,” she cries out, grabbing hold of her arm.
“I didn’t even touch you.” I laugh. “It’s not my fault you don’t know how to walk in heels.”
She huffs, turning and storming out of the bathroom with Ashton and Hannah on her heels.
Once the bathroom door closes, I let out the breath and turn to Harper. We burst out laughing. “What was that all about?”
“Cole,” she replies, shaking her head. “Ashton wanted me to know he still calls her and that he’s only with me because she’s not ready for sex.” Harper shrugs. “Her loss.”
“Ewww!” I laugh and head for the door. “Come on, girl. Let’s go round up the guys and head home.”
I step out of the bathroom to see Zach leaning against the wall looking pissed. “I heard what she said.”
I wave him off. “Who cares?”
Cole walks out of the bathroom and stops in his tracks.
“Are you guys ready to go?” I ask.
“Yeeees! Thank you,” Cole says, wrapping his arm around Harper’s waist and leading the way to the exit.
Zach leans in close to my ear. “Did you hit her or something? I heard her yell ‘ow’ and ‘bitch’.”
“Hell, no, I didn’t hit her. Do you think I’m an idiot? She tried to shove past me with her shoulder and her plan failed.” I snort a laugh. “Clumsy bitch.” I laugh a little louder. “Just let it go, Z. She’s a shit friend who acts like a broken-hearted ex-girlfriend.”
IF I HADN’T heard it myself, I’d never believe Chelsea could say those things behind my back.
Over the Thanksgiving break, she was my best friend again. Fun and funny. To my face, she acts as if everything is great, but behind my back she’s talking shit to my girlfriend.
I realize now this is exactly what Chelsea did with Reagan. Unfortunately for Reagan, she didn’t have the advantage of knowing the truth the way Jay does. Reagan’s knee-jerk reaction was to hurt me by cheating on me. But her plan backfired because she didn’t hurt me, she pissed me off. Jay’s knee-jerk reaction was to defend me and put Chelsea in her place. Those are the actions of someone who loves you.
Standing outside waiting for the valet to bring up Jay’s Range Rover, Chelsea walks up with my mom at her side.
Chelsea has tears streaming down her face and I fight back an eye roll.
“What’s the matter, Chels?” I ask, feigning concern.
“Ask your girlfriend,” my mom says, glaring at Jay. My mother thinks the sun rises and sets with Chelsea and it pisses me off. She’s been looking for a reason to go off on Jay and Chelsea just gave it to her.
I keep my mouth shut because I want to see how this plays out. I want Chelsea to show me what a liar she really is.
“Ask me what?” Jay says. “What’s wrong with Chelsea?” She shrugs. “I don’t think we have that kind of time.” She smirks and I hear Cole snicker under his breath. I have to look away to hide my smile. I love this girl and her sassy mouth. “You’re full of all kinds of drama, Chelsea,” Jay continues. “Funny how you weren’t crying ten minutes ago when you and your friends had Harper cornered in the bathroom.”
“What?” Cole growls and turns to look at Harper. “Who was it, Harper?”
Harper waves him off. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Apparently, that Ashton girl was arguing with Harper in the bathroom,” my mom says. “Chelsea was there, but she wasn’t involved.”
“Mom, Chelsea can speak for herself. Stop babying her. It’s annoying as fuck.”
“Zach, don’t talk to me like that.”
“Jay pushed me into the sink counter. I lost my balance and scraped my arm on the metal paper towel dispenser on the wall.”
I look over at Harper. “Did she corner you?”
“She was there, but she wasn’t the one who cornered me. It was Ashton and Hannah.”
Jay looks over at me. “I swear I never laid a hand on her, Z.”
“I know, Jay.”
“She didn’t,” Harper adds.
“She’s the one who tried to shove me. It’s not my fault she doesn’t know how to follow through.” Jay laughs.
“Oh, you think you’re funny, smartass?” my mom seethes.
And then… I watch in horror as my mom reaches out and shoves Jay.
I love my mother. I do.
And up to this point, she’s held her tongue, minded her business, and allowed me do what makes me happy.
Up to this point, she’s acted like an adult.
Until she shoved my girl.
“Mom!” I yell at the same time my dad yells, “Liz!”
Jay stumbles back, wide-eyed and shocked, into Bass’s chest before she fires back, lunging at my mom. I should’ve expected it because Jay doesn’t take anyone’s shit. And my mother is no exception.
Someone gasps and I look over to see Eva and Alex standing on the other side of Harper. Alex with his arms locked around Eva’s waist and Eva struggling to break free.
I reach for Jay, but luckily, Bass’s reflexes are quicker than mine. He wraps her up in a bear hug from behind, lifts her from the ground, and carries her away just as Emerson comes barreling through the crowd toward my mother.
“Kick her ass, Em,” Eva shouts.
“Elizabeth!” Emerson rushes past me and reaches for my mom, but Troy, one of Jay’s bodyguards, grabs hold of her. “Who the hell do you think you are?” she exclaims, her fists balled up at her sides and her whole body shaking with anger.
“Someone needs to teach that daughter of yours some respect, Emerson,” my mom argues. “She attacked my goddaughter.”
“Still overdramatic as always, Elizabeth.” Emerson rolls her eyes. “Respect isn’t taught—it’s given because it’s earned. My daughter is not a wild animal. She doesn’t attack people. You had no right to put your hands on her.”
“Well, that explains a lot,” my mom argues back. “Your lack of parenting reflects in that little bitch.”
At this point, I’m tempted to reach out and slap my mother. What in the hell is wrong with her?
“Liz, shut the hell up!” Cam hollers, shoving his way past me to face off with my mom before he turns to my dad. “Take her embarrassing ass home.”
My mom is wrong. And Chelsea….
I’m fucking done with her.
“You’re one to talk,” I add, glaring at my mother. “If anyone needs to learn some respect, it’s you.” I point.
“Zach,” my dad warns lightly. I turn to look at him, silently asking him “What the hell?”
With a slight shake of his head, he’s saying to let them have it out.
“What’s going on?” I turn to see Rebecca and Chris, Chelsea’s parents, taking in the scene.
“Oh, nothing much. Just typical Chelsea drama, as usual,” I say, gesturing to the queen of drama, herself.
“It figures the troublemaker belongs to you two,” Emerson sneers and I can’t help but laugh.
“Let’s go, Liz,” my dad says, taking her by the arm and guiding her toward the car.
I look around and notice Jay, Cole, and Harper are gone. “Cam, can I get a ride with you?”
“Zach,” Chelsea cries out, but I ignore her as I follow Cam to his car. “Zach,” Chelsea says again. I turn as I open the passenger side door of Cam’s truck and see she’s followed me to the parking lot. “Why are you mad at me?” she asks, like she can’t believe I would be mad at her. If she only knew.
“Because you’re a liar, Chelsea, and I’m done with you,” I say before climbing into Cam’s truck and slamming the door. “Can we stop by the house so I can grab some clothes? If you don’t mind, I’ll crash at your place until we leave for New York.”
“You have a room there for a reason, Zach. You don’t have to ask.”
“HEY,” I SAY when I walk through the front door and see my dad sitting on the couch with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. My mom is nowhere in sight. Probably locked herself in the bedroom. Perching on the arm of the chair opposite my dad, I ask, “What is wrong with her?”
“She’s angry, Zach.”
I scoff. “No shit. I can’t believe she put her hands on my girlfriend. Why does she hate Emerson so much, Dad? Tell me the truth. Did you screw Emerson behind Mom’s back or something?”
“No,” he insists. “But she thinks I did.”
“Don’t lie, Dad. Did you?”
“No, Zach. Your mom, Emerson, Chris, and I were best friends. I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but Emerson and Chris dated all through high school. He wanted to marry her.” I raise my eyebrows. “I have always been in love with your mom. Emerson is the one who set us up because I was too chicken shit to ask her out myself.” My dad rakes his hand through his hair and leans back against the couch.
“Then why does Mom think that?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know.” He does know. “I can’t believe all of that just happened.”
“Chelsea was lying, you know? She didn’t know I was standing outside the bathroom when all of that went down. I heard everything she said. Jay never laid a hand on her.”
“I believe it,” he admits. “That girl has always been a pain in the ass. She’s trouble just like her mother.”
“What are we gonna do about Mom? She can’t keep acting like this. Those were some pretty harsh words she threw at Emerson. Jay is the center of Emerson’s world. She lost her husband and Jay is all she has left. Mom needs to think about how her actions and her words are affecting us all. She needs to put herself in Emerson’s shoes for a minute and think about how she would feel if the roles were reversed. You need to set her straight, Dad.”
I look him straight in the eyes so that he knows I mean it when I say, “I’ve already cut Chelsea out of my life. Mom’s next.”
OPENING THE BACK door, I toss my suitcase in the backseat while Cam is still on the phone trying to calm Emerson down. I hate to say it, but I think Em could take my mom. A car pulls into the driveway beside me and a sobbing Chelsea gets out of the back.
“What are you doing here?”
“Zach, please, I’m so sorry,” she cries. “Jayla was right. I’ve been a shitty friend.”
“Why?”
“I don’t even know anymore. At first, it was because I was jealous of her.” She sniffs. “I knew she’d take you away from me.”
“I wasn’t yours to take, Chelsea.”
“You were my best friend.” She wipes at her tear-soaked face. “Last summer, while you were in St. Thomas, Reagan started asking about you. I never liked her—you know that—so, I told her you were on vacation with your family and your girlfriend. When you came back from St. Thomas, you were different. Happy, but different. And when you admitted that you loved her and I got so jealous, I couldn’t see straight. In a way, I was happy she hurt you because then she couldn’t take you away from me. But all it did was push you toward Reagan. When you went to California, I told Reagan you went to see Jayla. Everything spiraled out of control from there. She cheated. Things got awkward between us. And by the time I left for school, you and I were barely speaking. And just my luck…” She throws her hands out to her sides. “…I leave for college and she shows up. Ashton was going on about how Cole’s cousin Jayla was all anyone could talk about and how you got up in the middle of lunch and went chasing after her. It pissed me off that you would do that after what she did to you. I knew she was at Carter’s party that night after your first game. I saw her before you did and when I saw you looking for her, I ran up to you. I wanted to piss her off. I saw you watching her and Grayson.”
“Jesus, Chelsea,” I say.
“I know and I’m sorry.” She takes a deep breath. “That morning when we met for breakfast, I saw her come in. I knew she’d see us, so—”
“That’s why you kissed me?” I ask, cutting her off.
“Yes. Thanksgiving night at the movies, I saw her first, so I jumped on your back and screamed out your name to get her attention. And I did. Everything I’ve done was to hurt her.”
“You don’t even know her.”
“I didn’t need to know her to not like her. She hurt you and I wanted to hurt her back.”
“Chelsea—”
“—and tonight, in the bathroom, I told her that you use people. That you used me.”
“I heard you.”
“You did?”
I nod. “Do you want to know why she hurt me? Because of you and Reagan.” I point. “You told Reagan about her. The night I came back from St. Thomas, Jay called me while I was asleep and Reagan answered. Reagan told Jay she was my girlfriend. For a whole year, I’d been wondering what I did wrong. And because of your and Reagan’s lie, I lost her for an entire year.”
Chelsea shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. And I didn’t expect things to go as far as they did tonight. I know your mom doesn’t like her, but I didn’t realize she was just waiting for a reason to go after Jayla or push her. I certainly didn’t expect Jay to fight back. And, holy shit, I thought your mom was intimidating, but her mom is downright scary. Zach, I’m really sorry for everything.”
“You owe everyone an apology, including my mom for lying to her.”
“I know. I’m going inside to apologize to your parents and I promise I’ll apologize to Jayla, too. But, Zach, you should probably tell her the truth about prom night before she finds out from someone else.”
“She already knows, Chelsea. She knows everything.”