"Oh, you're so sweet." Mom nuzzles his nose and quickly says good-bye to the person on the other line.
"Looks good." I walk past them to the kitchen. The highlights do make her seem younger, but her ego doesn't need any more inflating, so I keep it at that.
Dinner consists of dishes being passed back and forth and Mom and Rob playing footsie under the table. I might not have known if she didn't accidentally attack my foot first. It's
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times like this that I could really use a brother or sister. Dog. Anything.
But it's still much better than the old days when Mom and I used to eat alone or when she'd bring home one of her dates. I'd never know if I was going to be the center of criticism or a stand-in for a potted plant. Keeping my mouth shut seemed like the safest bet. Plus, I didn't see why I should bother getting to know her dates if they just came in and out of a revolving door. I was really surprised and skeptical that only three weeks after meeting Rob, she dumped all her other suitors. I guess he knows how to keep her happy. He deserves a gold medal for that.
Rob cracks open another beer. "Tere, the show sounded good last night."
I nearly choke on a piece of chicken and wash it down with some water. "Really?"
"Yeah, the building's still in one piece." He laughs.
Mom glares at me like that was not a joke. I laugh, too, just to show her.
Rob puts down his beer. "But seriously, as you know, we're trying to bring up our Arbitron ratings and it looks like you and Jason taking over The Love Shack could help do the trick. Garrison was only filling in anyway, so for now I want Jason to stay put. He brings a fresh sound to the station, and you guys make a good team."
My lips are stretched so wide, I'm afraid they might snap like frayed rubber bands. A small "thanks" escapes from them.
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"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" Mom fishes a piece of ice from her glass and slips it into her mouth.
I drop my knife and fork onto my plate and push it away from me. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"I know how you are, and this is not fun and games. Being on the radio is serious business." She crunches hard on the ice.
"You think I don't know that? I love music."
"I understand that. But let's face it, you're not the most social person in the world, and to be on-air, you have to be friendly."
I try to smile, but I feel like it looks more like I'm sucking on an orange. "Give me a chance. Mother." I jump up from my seat.
Rob puts his hand on the small of Mom's back. "Delilah, it's true. Tere knows her stuff."
Mom strokes his face. "Okay, baby. I just don't want her to ruin anything for you."
"Too late," I growl. "You've already done that for me."
"What did you say?" Mom breaks away from Rob.
"You heard me." I enunciate each word like I'm giving the opening speech at a hard-of-hearing convention.
"After all I've done for you?" Mom says.
"Like what?"
"You're such an ungrateful bitch!" Mom fumes. "Now, Delilah." Rob pulls her out of her chair and onto his lap.
Mom lowers her head. "I'm trying my best." Right, by calling me a bitch.
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Rob turns to me and says, "It'll be okay." Then he pulls Mom's face up to his and gives her a kiss.
How does he know? He hasn't lived with her for eighteen years!
I've had enough. She can't stand the attention on someone else for a second. I run up to my room and no one stops me.
I try to think of all the positive things that have happened to me since I started doing the show. With Jason at the lead and with my music knowledge, we have it going on.
And I still can't believe Gavin actually said Sweet T was sexy. So what if he was only referring to my voice and didn't know it was actually me?
I speed-dial Audrey's number and don't even wait for her to speak before I rant about Mom, the Princess.
Finally, Audrey says, "Wow, I don't think I've ever heard you talk for so long. That was two and a half minutes." Her second favorite show, Love Knots, blares in the background.
"You were timing me?"
"No, you called during a commercial break. You should get pissed more often."
"Is that supposed to cheer me up?" I toss my teddy bear, DJ, against the wall and watch him fall facedown.
"No, no," Audrey backpedals, "that was totally bitchy of the Princess. But it sounds like Rob's got your back, so don't worry."
"Yeah, I guess. Plus, Gavin likes the show. A lot."
"You told him?" She turns down the volume on the tube.
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"No, of course not. But we talked about the show, and he digs Sweet T."
"Ohmigod, Tere. You're a mess. You should sign up for Love Knots."
"Thanks." I pick my bear up and loosen the plaid tie around his neck. Then I prop him up next to me. "I'll tell Gavin someday."
"Wouldn't it be cool if you told him on live TV?"
"No." I hang up.
After I'm off the phone, I download all the Shrinking Violet songs I can find and pump up the volume on my iPod. I'm moving like crazy around the room and don't give a damn. This is mine and Gavin's band, even if he doesn't know it. It's like we have a special bond, but the only thing is, I can't tell him or my cover will be blown. Then The Love Shack won't seem so special to him anymore. I burn a copy of the songs for him and shove the CD into my backpack. Mom can't stop me now.
***
This is Sweet T banging out the hits tonight on 92. 7 The SLAM. I'm loading up your requests as fast as I can, Miami. Here's Shrinking Violet with "Cold-Hearted Mermaid" ... 165
chapter SEVENTEEN
On Monday after school we meet at Kayla's again to work on the project. This girl is a slave driver. She'll definitely end up CEO of some major company. Either that or have a mental breakdown and devote her life to watching game shows.
Kayla hands out more sheets of paper. She has printed out a script for everyone. Of course the presentation begins and ends with her, which is fine with me.
I start out by spelling "water" into Judy Blume's hand at the table, and she pours me a glass. After telling us a short gory tale, Stephen King whips out his guitar. While he's playing, Judy roller-skates around. Then I do my mime act. In the end, we have our own vaudeville show. I have a few speaking lines, but otherwise 166
Kayla does the majority of the talking. I'm not too comfortable with having to speak, but I keep my mouth shut about it. I don't want Kayla to come up with any more brilliant ideas, like having me stuff my mouth with cotton balls.
Our presentation clocks in at thirteen minutes. Perfect, because Ms. Peters said it had to be twelve to fifteen minutes. Kayla says if we run short, she'll just do some skating tricks.
Geez, can't wait.
After we do one run-through, Kayla declares it munchie time and heads to the fridge to put the finishing touch on her snack trays. I watch as Gavin swirls his thumb ring round and round. Eventually he catches me and slides the ring over. "Try it on."
The silver is warm from his touch. I pray it's too big. I've always wanted dainty hands like Audrey or Mom, but my fingers look more like hot dogs. I slip the ring onto my thumb.
It fits. Perfectly. I want to keep it on, if only for a minute. So I have to think of something to say. Anything.
"Are you going to the prom?" I look away from his face. I immediately regret the question. I already know the answer. But, still, I was hoping he had changed his mind.
Hoping that he'd want to go with me.
"No, I'm going to see Speed Bump play on the Beach."
"Oh, that's right." I pick up the pastel pink paper and pretend to be enthralled with the script.
"Yeah, I didn't even realize it was the same night. My brother's coming back from Florida State that weekend. He surprised me with the tickets, so I figured, why not?"
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Why not? I could list a thousand reasons, with prom being number
one. I kick my sneaker against the coffee-table leg. "Sure." I hand him the ring back.
"I heard they play until the club kicks them out."
I heard people dance at the prom until their feet are throbbing and their lips are sore from kissing all night. Does he even wonder if I'm going? I never even considered attending prom before I met him. I had already crossed it off my list a long time ago.
I can think of nothing to say except, Change your mind, take me to prom. So instead, I stare at Gavin's thumb. He does, too.
I wish Sweet T were here. She would ask him to the prom, and the sad thing is, he'd probably say yes. I try to find the words to plead with him to change his mind, but my lips tremble, and I'm afraid if I open up, all that will come out is a puddle of drool.
He slides slightly closer to me, and his thigh grazes mine. There's something about Gavin that puts me at ease. I feel like we've known each other a lot longer than a couple of months.
"Okay," Kayla butts into our silence. "We have cheddar and American cheese, Ritz crackers and Wheat Thins. Miniquiches and my specialty, glazed almond tarts." She sets the tray down in front of us,
Is Betty Crocker serious?
"Thanks," Gavin and I both say.
I wait for Gavin and Kayla to reach for the appetizers before I take a few. Mom says that no matter how hungry you are, you should never be the first one to attack the food tray at a party. I
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would hardly call this a party, but I don't want Gavin to think of me as a pig. Of course, that doesn't stop me from diving in for seconds.
After we're done eating, Kayla makes us do another run-through of the presentation.
She stops us a couple of times, to tell Gavin to slow down on the strumming and for me to make better eye contact, which is kind of stupid since Helen couldn't make eye contact.
We're almost done practicing when Kayla's freshman brother bursts into the room.
"What is it, Wizard?" She crosses her arms and glares at him.
He's panting. "They just fired the freshman football coach for bad-mouthing the administration and lying about it."
"What a loser!" Kayla says.
"It's about time!" Gavin hisses.
"Why?" I ask. Since when does the guy that skips prom and doodles skulls on his folder care about the football coach? "He had it coming," Gavin says.
Kayla's brother scrunches his eyebrows together. "He did?"
"The guy's a liar." Gavin clenches his fist. "I can't stand people that skate the truth like it's no big deal."
My internal temperature drops until I feel like a human icicle. You hate lies? What about secret identities?
Kayla shoos her brother out of the room. But neither of us moves, the fumes from Gavin still simmering.
Finally Kayla says, "Are you on the team?"
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"Was. Freshman year." Gavin picks up his guitar. "And?" Kayla prods.
Gavin strums louder. "Nothing I want to talk about."
For once Kayla doesn't say anything else. Instead, we both watch Gavin play the guitar.
He's sexy when he's mad. His hair strikes his cheek as he bobs his head up and down.
His eyes are intense, focused on the guitar. I picture him up onstage strumming his guts out to a crowded room filled with screaming fans. I'm mesmerized.
I finally glance over at Kayla's huge kitchen clock. Oh great, Derek's going to kill me. I wish I didn't have to leave. If I could ditch Derek's gig and focus on The Love Shack, I'd have more time. But I made a three-month commitment and I don't want him to use it against me. Who knows what scheme he could come up with to publicly humiliate m«? I shudder just thinking about it. Time for another fabrication. "I'm late. My aunt's coming for dinner." I stand up and grab my backpack.
Gavin sets down his guitar. "No problem. Give me your number and I'll call you later in case Kayla makes any more changes to torture us."
"Really? That's so nice," I say.
Gavin plugs my digits into his cell.
Kayla stares at us.
"What?" I can't help but ask.
"Oh, nothing, you just seem like brother and sister. It's cute." Kayla smiles.
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Damn, crush my heart with a two-ton boulder. Brother and sister. Not cute. Red-hot lovers, much cuter.
I zip open my backpack and take out the Shrinking Violet mix that I burned for Gavin. "I almost forgot. For you."
"Thanks." Gavin smiles. "This is great."
I don't wait for him or Kayla to say anything else--I just rush out the door. When I'm halfway to the bus, I realize Gavin has my number programmed into his phone! Of course, he might never call, but for good luck I pull out my cell and kiss it. It hasn't rung for two days. The only numbers I have stored in it are Mom's, Rob's, Audrey's, and Domino's. I know, lame.
Gavin, not lame.
I overheard Rob talking on his BlackBerry last night about the SLAM power lunch where all the "heads" get together to strategize. That's when they come up with their promotions, giveaways, and crazy stunts to attract more attention. I know they had the big meeting today. I don't know if they can top last year's scheme to boost ratings, though. Garrison dressed up as an old lady and tried to sneak into a Juice Box concert.
What makes it even funnier is that he's six foot four and has a goatee.
Derek's clicking away on the laptop when I slip into the studio. I didn't even know he could write. "Thought you ditched," he says over his shoulder.
Tried to. "Sorry, had a school project to work on." I plunk into the chair.
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Derek goes on-air for a quick station ID, then resumes typing.
I just sit there like a stuffed elephant. I know I wanted as little contact with him as possible, but this is really awkward. "Where's Jason?"
"I told him he could come in late since he's been working so hard on his show."
This puts me on high alert, and I scoot my chair back in case he wants to try anything.
But a second later, Paul, another producer, comes in with coffee. He stays to chat for a few minutes, then leaves to run some copies for Derek.
"Need me to go through the commercials?" I ask.
"Nah, it's been done. I'm doing a teaser for your show in the next break, so I want you to give a quick shout-out."
"Thanks." I nod. Wish Jason was here, but I can handle it. I shouldn't complain, at least Derek's chatting up our show.
"Hey, all you studs out there," Derek says into the mike. "Have I got a surprise for you!
Now I'm not talking about you old dudes, this shout-out goes to all the high school guys. Thinking about prom, but don't have a date? Or just want to show up with a really hot chick? Well, if you're musical, I've got the ultimate SLAM contest for you. There's a megahottie in the studio here and she's dateless for the prom . ."
Where? I look around.
He turns to face me for a quick second and flashes all his teeth. I cringe. "It's none other than SLAM's own teen DJ, Sweet T." No, he didn't. This nightmare can't be happening to me. I'm
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suddenly queasy. "So if you'd like to escort her to her prom, record your own love song and send it to us here at the station," Derek continues. "Vocals have to be sung and written by you. You can catch all the rules that I just finished uploading on our Web site.
Dude, if I was only a few years younger. . " A few? Try twenty! "The winner also receives a free tux from Alan's Formalwear, Hummer limo escort to and from the prom courtesy of Drive In Style and three hundred dollars spending cash. And the best part: your song will be played on the radio! So good luck!" He motions for me to step up to the mike.
I try to move, but I'm frozen. If I take one step, I might crumple into tiny little pieces.
Derek pulls me by the arm.
"Ouch." I wince.
"So, do you have your dress yet, T?" he says into the mike. "No, not yet." I try my hardest not to sound like someone on her deathbed.
"I'm sure she'll tell
you all about the slinky number coming up on The Love Shack tonight at seven." He brings up a Mintpaste tune and shuts off the mike.
So basically someone pockets some cash and is driven around in style just to escort me to the prom. This is definitely a scheme my mother would've come up with if only she were smart enough.
This contest has got to be illegal. "I don't think Rob will go for it." I stand up again even though I'm still trembling from head to toe.
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"Not to worry, I ran it by him this morning. He loves the idea." Derek yanks the gold chain around his neck. "He does?"
"Look at the phone lines already. They're ringing off the hook. People eat this stuff up, T."
"Didn't you even consider consulting with me before you offered away my life?" My legs start to give way and I slump back down into the chair. What did I do to deserve this humiliation?
"For a sec. But I knew you'd totally be up for it. This is your chance. You never know who might submit a killer song." Derek pops the plastic lid to his coffee and downs half of it.
"That's exactly what I'm worried about. It could be some total freak, ax murderer."
"I have a friend on the force. I'll have him run background checks on all the finalists." He picks up one of the phone lines and tells the caller to check out everything on the Web site.
I need access to the Internet and fast. Maybe I can erase the whole thing and pretend that it never happened.
Derek picks up the phone again and repeats the same line about accessing all the rules.
If I could roll into a ball and die, I would. I can't go through with this, and now I'm totally trapped if Rob's already in love with the idea. Maybe I can come up with a different scenario that would involve me being shipped away to a tiny island only accessible by canoe.
"Don't worry, Tere, you'll have fun, and think of the exposure." Derek grins.
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My stomach whirs like a dishwasher short-circuiting and I motor to the bathroom. I reach the toilet just in time and watch my dinner flush down the bowl with my life. How can I go through with this? I know the listeners don't know it's me, but once they find out, I'll be an even bigger loser than I already am. I'll have to wear a full armor suit to school to protect me from the wounds.
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