by K. R. Grace
Clay bolted out of the car shouting, “Macey kissed a girl!”
I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my bag from the back seat and joined them on the front porch.
“Yes, I kissed a girl, and no, I probably won’t do it again.”
Cam smirked as he scanned me from top to bottom like he was seeing me in a new light. “So, Macey Greere kissed a girl, huh? That’s hot.”
Clay made gagging noises before letting himself into the house with his key.
“Not my finest moment, but she was nice with her rejection.”
“Her straight-dar tipped her off, didn’t it?” He grinned.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. Apparently I was the only one who hadn’t heard of such a thing. “So, what brings you to my porch?”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I wanted to see how you were holding up. Looks like you’ve moved on. Should I be jealous?”
I’d almost forgotten about the superlatives fiasco.
“Can’t be jealous of what isn’t yours.”
“This is true.” He paused for a few seconds before pressing forward. “Still, I know how much you hate being the center of attention, so I was worried about you.”
“I’m not going to let this slow me down. Since it will take a few days for the dust to settle, I’m going to wait until next week to execute the next step of my plan.”
“Which is?”
“You’ll see.” No one was to know about this step until it was fully set in motion.
Cam reached over and drew me into his arms. “Just promise me you won’t let yourself get hurt, Mace. Guys can be assholes.”
“So you’ve said.”
Eight
6. A Makeover is the Way to a Man’s Heart
The rest of the week went by with very little drama. Thank God. By the time the weekend rolled around, the superlative fiasco was all but forgotten. Everyone had been invited to Kenton Lane’s family’s lake house for a party Saturday night, and I’d decided it would be the perfect place to stage the next phase of my plan.
Not to mention Kenton was one of the rich kids who was cute in an awkward way but was being overlooked by the girls because they’d yet to realize the rich nerds would one day become wealthy marriage material. It was a shallow way of thinking, but sometimes the best relationships began with shallow intentions. It wasn’t like I planned on marrying him or anything.
Since Reese was working at the Yogurt Shack all day to make up for skipping the week before, Morgan and Wen Li agreed to tag along with me to the salon and mall afterwards. Big mistake.
“Oh, you should wear this tonight!” Morgan squealed as she grabbed some sort of anime shirt off the rack. We were at the thrift store looking for something trendy for me to wear to the party, but all Morgan could do was suggest things she would like to wear.
“Wen Li, help me?” I pleaded.
She blinked twice.
I continued to skim the racks, picking out a few skirts and tops that caught my eye as I did so. While I was finding things I’d normally like to wear, nothing had that “wow” factor.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to see Wen Li holding up super short cutoffs, a fitted, white lace halter crop top, and a light pink cardigan.
“Wen Li, it’s perfect!” I gasped.
No smile. No nod. She just continued to hold up the outfit she’d pieced together.
I grabbed the items from her and darted into the dressing room. Oh boy, was it revealing. I was about two inches away from showing the world my butt and lady jewels, and apparently bras weren’t in mind when the shirt was made. The shorts had a high waist, but most of the midriff still showed. Add a pair of booties, and the outfit was set.
I did a butt check and smiled. This was going to make all the guys go crazy. Without showing it to the girls, I quickly changed back into my regular clothes and dashed over to the counter to pay for my purchases before I could talk myself out of it.
After we left the thrift store, we went over to the hair salon to see what could be done with my boring, brown hair.
Morgan immediately sat down in her stylist’s chair and started talking about the possibility of rainbow roots. Wen Li’s stylist tried to get her to open up in conversation, but my quiet, little friend remained silent as usual.
“So, what will it be today?” my stylist asked as she draped a cape over my chest and snapped it together around my neck.
“Um, I was hoping you could tell me.”
“Do you have a particular look in mind?”
I thought about it for a second. “I just want to make the boys go crazy.”
She began running her fingers through my hair as she observed me through the mirror.
“Honestly, with hair as long and full as yours, the guys are already noticing you. If anything, I’d say we can do a golden balayage to lighten you up a little, and add some long layers.”
“You really think so? Because I’m undergoing a total transformation, Breakfast-Club style.”
“Trust me, babe. By the time I’m finished with you, those boys are going to be groveling at your feet.”
I beamed. “Then what are we waiting for?”
“Are you sure this isn’t over the top?” I asked Morgan as we made our way up the front steps of the Lane’s house.
“You look flippin’ hot, Mace. You’re going to have men all over you tonight. I hope you’re ready for it.”
I took in a deep breath to steady my nerves and opened the door.
Someone let out a low whistle, and I felt all eyes in the room fall on me. While they made the big reveal look good in the movies with the sexy music in the background, reality was much more intimidating. I wanted to cover myself up and leave as quickly as I’d come, but Morgan linked arms with me and muttered through a smile, “Rock it like Mikasa Ackerman.”
I felt a sassy smirk spread across my face. Mikasa was Morgan’s idol. She was a military badass with a killer body and the lofty attitude to match.
Among the sea of faces was Kenton Lane’s. It was hard to miss his thick, wavy, blond hair and bright blue eyes. Not to mention he had one of those well-toned bodies that just made a girl forget her own name. I tossed him a wink before going in the opposite direction.
Bruce joined us and let out a low whistle. “Damn, girl. You clean up nice.”
“Don’t get any ideas,” I warned as I scanned the crowd.
“Looking for me?” Cam asked in my ear. I spun around and whacked him on the arm.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
He smiled broadly. “I couldn’t resist.” He wasn’t looking at me! His eyes were totally on my boobs!
“So, singled out any girls to take home tonight?” I asked over the loud music.
He scanned the scene before shaking his head. “Nah, I’m staying solo tonight.”
I mock gasped and pressed my hand to his forehead. “Are you sick? Have you been invaded by aliens?”
He shrugged me off, but not before I noticed the slight pink tinge in his cheeks. I’d embarrassed him! Little ol’ me managed to make Camden Davis blush!
“Doesn’t she look hot tonight?” Morgan asked, her arm still around mine.
I could’ve sworn I heard him say, “She always does,” but that had to be my imagination.
“I’m thirsty!” I yelled to Morgan before waving goodbye to Cam and leading her into the crowd. Apparently, alcohol was the only drink of choice, so I passed and turned to assess the best route to somewhere out of the way. While I looked like someone ready to party, being in the same room with so many intoxicated people was rapidly exhausting me.
“Are you having fun so far?” Kenton Lane asked as he came to join Morgan and me at the entryway of the kitchen. The alluring smell of his cologne made my mouth water.
I gave him my best smile. “Absolutely. Great party.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” He leaned over, and the smell of alcohol on his breath smacked me in the face. Maybe he should’ve put s
ome cologne in his mouth or something.
“Sure, anything,” I choked out.
“I hate social gatherings. I wanted to have a scotch tasting, but the guys voted for a kegger instead.”
I glanced down at his loafer-clad feet and light blue seersucker pants. That he was into scotch tastings and likely smoking cigars came as no surprise to me. It looked like he would be happier on the golf course or at the club rather than at the party.
“I’m not much of a partier myself,” I said honestly, only to earn a swift jab in the ribs from Morgan. “I mean, I’ve already been to two parties tonight, so I’m feeling a little tired at the moment.”
He tilted his head to the hallway to his left. “Wanna go somewhere a little quieter to talk?”
I glanced over at Morgan for advice. She gave me a thumbs up and disappeared into the crowd.
“Sure.” I offered him my best smile and followed him down the hall into what turned out to be a large office. Bookshelves made up three walls, and thick, old books occupied every available space. There was a large cherry wood desk positioned in front of the widow on the only wall without books. On a little stand in the corner was a large globe with the Eastern Hemisphere displayed in my direction.
“Nice room,” I said admiringly.
“It’s my father’s haven, but you haven’t seen the best part.”
He moved over to a Mozart bronze bust sitting on a bookshelf and tugged it toward himself. The bookshelf swung open to reveal a set of stairs going down.
“Wow, so that’s where you keep the bodies,” I muttered.
“Nah, just the good liquors.” He motioned for me to follow and led the way. Warning sirens blared in my head, but I shoved them aside for the sake of finally landing a boyfriend. I followed him down the steps into a dark, musky cellar.
Mistake number one.
He flipped a light on overhead and the room lit up. It was just like the movies with rows and rows of dusty wine bottles and whiskey barrels.
“What fancies your palate?” he asked as he scanned one of the racks.
“I’m not following.”
“Sweet, dry, crisp, red, white, blush?”
Oh, he was referring to my wine preference. Well, that was awkward. Would he think poorly of me if I admitted that I didn’t drink alcohol? Yes, obviously this was something that was important to him and his family. If I wanted to make this work, I’d have to go along with it. But alcohol wasn’t my thing.
“Um, sweet?” That sounded safe enough.
Mistake number two.
He skimmed his options before pulling a green bottle from the top of one row and dusted it off.
“I should’ve guessed. This should be more your speed.” He quickly uncorked it with a corkscrew hanging on a hook nearby and handed me the bottle.
“You want me to drink straight from it?” I frowned.
“Why not? You’re definitely dressed for the part tonight.”
Had he made a derogatory remark about my attire? I was stunned into silence. So, he brought me down to the cellar to ask me to drink wine straight from a bottle because I was dressed like the type of person who would do something like that? Oh, heck no.
“I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I was that type of girl, but I very much prefer to drink from a glass, especially when you just removed decades of dust from that bottle.”
“Well, excuse me for misreading your signals.”
“Signals? What signals? Showing up to your party and having a good time?”
“No, dressing like you belong at a trailer park hoedown.”
My head snapped back like I’d been slapped. “You’re an asshole.”
He shrugged and stuffed his hands into the front of his pressed khaki pants. “I’m merely stating the truth. You are definitely a dress and cardigan type. Very simple and classy. I will give props to whoever did your hair, though. The lightened color really makes your eyes sparkle.”
Oh. My anger quickly subsided. It made sense now.
“These were thrift store finds. I think I look great in them,” I defended myself.
“You would look better if you’d traded the hoochie shorts for a nice navy, pleated skirt. It would’ve said you were fun and flirty but still had self-respect. This look says, ‘Tie me up, cowboy, and take me in a barn.’ And that’s just not you.”
“Thank you, and on that note, I think I need to go upstairs and check on my friends.” I turned and fled the cellar, taking the steps two at a time.
“Burn those shorts!” he called out as I stumbled into the office and spilled out into the hallway.
I spotted Morgan talking to a guy wearing an anime t-shirt and some sort of license plate ninja headband around his forehead and made a beeline for her.
“He’s gay,” I muttered through clenched teeth as I hooked our arms together and all but dragged her out of the house.
“Not a single word,” I warned as we burst through the opened front door and out into the cool night air.
Only then did Morgan dissolve into a fit of laughter. I raked my fingers through my hair and stomped my foot. “It’s not fair! Why does this keep happening to me?”
Morgan composed herself before answering, “Because maybe you’re going about this all wrong. Do you even really know Kenton Lane?”
I stared down at my new shoes before shrugging. “I don’t know. Not well enough, obviously.”
“It’s like a guy smiles at you, and you instantly think he’s the one you need to make your next move on.”
“What am I supposed to do, Morgan?” I threw my hands up in the air. “We’re going to graduate in a few short months, and what do I have to show for it? Huh? I don’t want to just be known as Cam’s brainy sidekick!”
“What’s so terrible about being remembered for your intelligence? Do you think I care everyone will remember me as the anime freak? Not one bit. Why? Because somewhere down the road, I’m going to meet someone whose weirdness matches mine, and we’ll live happily ever after…in my swanky penthouse in Manhattan, because I will be stinkin’ rich when I make it big.”
I plopped down onto a bench on the front porch, unable to stand on my sore feet anymore. The price I paid for fashionable footwear hadn’t been worth it.
“I envy you, Morgan. You know your place and what you want in life. Always have. Me? Gah, I’m a hot mess. Tell me to stop. Tell me to admit defeat and subject myself to being Cam’s prom date.”
She smiled sadly at me. “I can’t do that, Mace. You and I both know you won’t be satisfied with the outcome unless you see this through.”
Morgan was right, as usual. If I quit, I’d always wonder what could’ve been. My parents taught me to live life without regrets, and I’d regret it if I didn’t finish what I started.
“It’s only going to get harder from here,” I mumbled.
“But you’ll do it. You’re Macey Greere. The girl who is good at everything she sets her mind to.”
She moved to sit beside me and draped her arm around my neck so that we were head to head.
“What would I do without you?”
“I don’t know. Let’s hope we never find out.”
A loud burst of noise disrupted the calm silence as the front door swung open and Bruce, Cam, and Wen Li spilled out onto the porch.
“Calling it quits so soon, ladies?” Cam asked.
“Yeah, we all know this was never my scene.” I stood and brushed my backside off for any debris that might’ve tried to catch a ride off the bench.
Two guys from the baseball team joined us. One took me in and flashed a wink. I felt my cheeks heat and smiled back. Maybe the night hadn’t been a bust after all.
“I don’t know about you two, but we are thinking of crashing the Yogurt Shack,” Bruce announced.
“I’m in!” Morgan jumped up. This time it was her turn to drag me down the steps.
“Slow down!” I whined. “My feet are killing me.”
“I can fix that!” C
am called before he scooped me up into his arms. I squealed as I went airborne and settled hard against his chest. On instinct, I wrapped my arm around his neck for support.
“Put me down, Cam. I’m too heavy.”
He did a few arm curls and rolled his eyes. “You’re a featherweight, Mace. Don’t insult me.”
It did feel good to be carried.
“You spoil me,” I said softly so the others couldn’t hear.
He swallowed hard before his carefree smile returned. “What else are best friends good for?”
Since Bruce and Wen Li piled into Morgan’s car, I was forced to ride with Cam in the Land Rover. Not that it took much persuading. I loved riding in the car with Cam. He always sang along to every song, gifting me with my own private concert.
We drove down the road with the windows rolled down and classic rock blaring over the surround sound system. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the wind weaving its calming fingers through my hair. The song ended, but another didn’t pick up shortly after. I cracked my eyes to see Cam’s jaw set as he glared at the road.
“Something bothering you?” I asked, giving him my full attention.
I didn’t think he was going to respond, but he finally answered, “Don’t be like me, Mace.”
My head jerked back as if I’d been slapped. “What the heck does that mean?”
His grip tightened on the steering wheel so hard the leather cracked in protest. “Don’t date mindlessly. It’ll lead you down a road you’ll regret.”
“Says the guy who went to second base on the hood of a car in front of the whole school?” I tossed back. Who the hell did he think he was trying to give me relationship advice?
“Exactly. Don’t be like me, Mace. You’re so much better than that.”
“Where is this coming from? What makes you think you have the right to tell me how to live my life?”
His jaw flexed as he struggled with his words. “I saw the list, and I know what’s next.”
I had to think for a second before it hit me. The next step was to start the relationship in the bedroom. Technically, I’d planned on tweaking that a little, but it wasn’t any of his business.