“Anyway. What’s the plan?”
“How do you know there’s a plan?”
“Because I know you, and you’re not freaking out, which means you have a plan.”
“Fine. I have a plan.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Help me be me, but also different.”
“What?”
I sigh, and look down at my hands. “I know I’m already different. Everyone’s always known that, but I need to be Ares kind of different. Like the women he pretended to pick up at the parties, but still me.”
“First of all, we’re all different, and nothing about your difference makes you any less. I will take down anyone who even suggests something as ignorant as that.”
“Mama bear already.”
“Damn skippy. Now, let’s talk about Ares, and these women.”
I tell her all about it, and everything else, too. When I tell her my plan, she starts clapping her hands, and jumping up and down.
“Jesus, Al, sit down before you dislodge something.”
“I’m just so excited, because it’s totally going to work.”
“I hope so.”
“With me there to help you, what could go wrong?”
“You? You’re not going to be there.”
“Sure, I am.”
“I have to do this myself.”
“And you will. I’ll just be there for moral support. Don’t you think it will mean more if you have your best, and dearest friend with you?”
“It might,” I agree, because people like it when you have friends. “You’re just going to show up, like you were invited?”
“It’s a public event, and we’ll probably get some looks, but don’t you worry your brilliant head about it. I want to go into Stella’s closet with you tomorrow, though.”
“I was hoping you’d offer. I love everyone, and I know they’d help, but you’ve been there through so much with me.”
“Just like you’ve been there with me.”
“I was gone when the bad stuff happened with you.” It’s something that hurts me, even now.
“I knew I could call you, and you’d leave everything to come home to me, but I didn’t.”
“I would’ve.”
“Just like I’m going to get on a plane for you.”
“Thanks, friend.”
“No thanks necessary.”
We dig into the tacos I brought us, while watching Lip Synch Battle. It’s one of our favorite shows, and she DVRs them to watch later when we can’t get together. There are only three episodes we haven’t seen yet, but she’s yawning by the time we’re done. I can only imagine how tiring it is to grow a baby inside of you.
“I should go, so you can sleep.”
“Sorry.”
“Nope. You are not going to apologize for being tired. You worked all day, and you’ve got something precious in your belly.”
“I’m so happy, Ro. Miles is going to baby me until I have his baby, but I’m not even mad about it.”
“Good,” the man in question says, sauntering into the room. His swagger is legendary, but I don’t give him too hard a time about it, because he’s so devoted to my girl. “And, I’ll be taking care of you after you have our baby, too.”
“Exactly what I want to hear,” I tell him.
“Hey, Rosie,” he says, giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I just…umm…”
“Only saw your wife. I know, and I approve.”
“Cool. Did you ask her, Xandy?”
“No, I was hoping you’d get here before she left, so we could ask her together.”
“Awesome.”
“Is someone going to fill me in?”
“We’d like you to be our baby’s godmother. Will you?”
“You want me? Why?”
“Because I love you, and Miles likes you a lot.”
“Hey, I love her, too. In a total brotherly way, of course.”
“Of course. Love you too, Miles. And yes, I’d be honored, if you’re sure.”
“We’re sure,” Alex tells me. “Oh, and King, we need a favor.”
“For you two? Anything.”
“I’ll explain it all in the morning, when I can think clearly.”
“That’s my cue to leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hug them both, and make my exit before they see me crying. It means more than I can ever tell them that they trust me with their child. I may not be perfect in any way, but I’m good enough for my friends—and for Ares. I know it in my soul, and I have to trust in my plan, and that it will work, because it has to. It just has to.
Ares
“That’s what you’re wearing to a carnival being thrown in your honor?” my mama asks me, standing in the doorway of my bedroom.
I look down at my shirt, with the word FEMINIST in capital letters across it, and nod. “Yep.”
“Got one for me?” my dad asks.
“Matter of fact, I do,” I say, tossing him one.
“There’s a reason I keep you two around, but remember, not everyone is as evolved as you.”
“I know, Mama. Miles is going to wear one, too, so we’ll just stick together.”
“It was nice of him to offer to come out here, and sign autographs.”
“Yeah, it was.”
Especially because Alex and Rose are super tight, and I’m not sure his wife will approve. I asked all the guys a couple months ago, but most of them already have games, training camps, or other places they have to be. Miles thought he’d be busy with work, but a few days ago, he came to me and said he’d do it if I still wanted him.
“His autograph line may be bigger than yours.”
“Thanks, Daddy, I needed that ego boost.”
“Oh hush,” my mama says, swatting my arm. “Everyone here is used to you, and with him only playing baseball for a few months, and not doing many events, you know he’s going to be swarmed.”
“Yeah, I know.”
It’s not that I need the masses to fawn over me, or that I begrudge my friends their own celebrity, because I don’t. Miles is close to Rose, and that’s what I’m jealous of. He can call her up, and talk to her whenever he wants.
“Have you called her?” my mama asks, reading my mind like she’s always done.
“No.”
“Son, you can’t leave that sweet girl hanging. I know she hurt you, but you’ve got to decide what you’re going to do about it,” my dad tell me.
“I am not walking away from her,” I say through gritted teeth, mostly angry at myself because I know he’s right.
“Well, you’re not walking to her, either.”
“I know. I should’ve invited her here. She probably would’ve loved it.”
“Too late now.”
“I know, Mama. You don’t need to rub it in. I’m an asshole.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, so let’s just say you’re stubborn. Now, let’s go, because you don’t want to be late to your own party. You can call Rose in between the carnival, and the benefit dance tonight.”
I decide I really can’t wait, so in the minute it takes my dad to change shirts, I text her.
Me: I want to be with you.
She doesn’t answer me right away, or even while we drive downtown for the festivities. My heart sinks as the minutes pass, because I shouldn’t have waited. The past sucks, but it’s just that—the past. The present, and the future are what matter. She came to me, and I just couldn’t let go of my hurt. Now, it’s looking like it’s too late.
“You okay, Son?” my dad asks when we get out of the car.
“I texted Rose, but she didn’t text back.”
“Maybe she’s busy, and hasn’t checked her phone yet.”
It’s a possibility, because she has an Ainsley and Scott designed phone, which means I don’t get to see if she’s read my message. Maybe it’s better that way, because I can tell myself she hasn’t seen it, while I spend the day with peo
ple who’ve known me since I was a baby.
I tell myself that, but I don’t really believe it. I know with a certainty I can’t explain, that she’s seen the text. She’s seen it—and she’s ignoring it. Either because she doesn’t care anymore, or because she’s punishing me. Both options suck, but the latter is the one I’m hoping for.
“Hi Ares,” my high school prom date says, sidling up to me before we’re even inside the carnival boundaries.
“Oh, hey,” I tell her, pulling away, and putting my mama in between us.
“I’d love to go on a ride with you.”
My dad coughs out a laugh at the double entendre, but I have to force a smile. “I’m not sure I’m getting on the rides, but I’ll keep you in mind.”
“We can make our own ride.”
Oh, God. Kill me now. My parents know I’m no virgin, but damn.
“Honey, I’d prefer it if you didn’t proposition my son in front of me.”
“Mrs. Dixon, he’s a stud of the highest order, so don’t expect me to be the only one.”
“Regardless, you need to run along now.”
She blows me a kiss as she walks away, and I shake my head. “Can we go home now?”
“No, but I did hope the women in this town had more self-control.”
“Me, too.”
“She complimented you at least. Or your pecker,” my dad reminds me.
“Not looking for those types of compliments.”
“You brought this on yourself, although I’m afraid you probably did have sex with quite a few of these women when you were in high school.”
“Mama,” I groan. “I am not talking about this with you.”
“I don’t want details. Believe me, I do not want those. I’d like to not be blindsided again, if I can help it. Maybe you can nod or something, so we’re warned ahead of time.”
“This is Hell. Pure and simple, Hell. I don’t know why I thought this would be a good idea.”
“Because the money’s going to the hospital. Don’t worry, Son, we’ll run interference as much as we can. Just do the nod thing your mama suggested.”
“There you are, Ares. We have a track set up so you can race the locals,” The mayor says, running up to me.
“I don’t have my car.”
“We have go-karts from the local track.”
“Cool. I’m in. Lead the way.”
There might be some women who will race me, because they think it’ll make them more interesting, but I expect to be mostly racing against kids, and old friends—and enemies. With only one person fitting in each racer, I’m relatively safe, too.
An hour later, no one has beaten me, and I feel bad, thinking maybe I should let someone win. It’s not in me to throw a race, but if no one beats me, and wins the trophy they have, I might be fighting off more than the women by the end of the day. It’s supposed to be a feel-good event, after all.
“Who’s next? I know someone out there can beat Ares,” the mayor says over the microphone set up nearby.
“I can beat him.”
My head whips around, and there she is. Rose. She’s in a black and white checkered, off-the-shoulder dress that has poufy sleeves, and goes to her knees. It shouldn’t be sexy, and it’s not really her, but at the same time, it’s both. Her hair is in a high ponytail, but it’s curly, and she has black flats on her feet. She’s a Southern belle—Rose-style—and it’s perfect.
“Petal.”
18
Rose
Ares says my nickname like it’s a prayer, and I smile. This is totally going to work. “Hi.”
“Excuse me, Miss, but you’re not exactly dressed for driving.”
“I can manage.”
I’ve been watching the races from afar, and I know exactly what I need to do to win. Ares knows it, too.
“She’s going to beat me.”
“You’re letting her win?” one of the women who tried to beat me asks in a whiny voice.
“Never.”
“I’d kick your ass if you did.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Hold up! She’s that chick who beat up all the guards when Ares crashed,” one of the men yells out.
“And Luke Griffin’s sister-in-law. Damn,” another one yells.
“She’s more than any label you place on her,” Ares says, looking angry.
“Let’s race,” I tell him, knowing what everyone else says about me doesn’t matter.
We both put our helmets on, and pick our cars. He helps me into the little car, blocking me so I don’t flash anyone as I settle in. And then, we’re off.
I calculated everything so I could win, but I don’t pull out ahead for the first two laps, because I’m not here to kill his ego. I won’t let him win, but I’ll keep us pretty even until the end. In the middle of the third lap, I increase my speed slightly, while using a bump I know is in the track to catch some air. When I land, I’m in front of him, with the pedal to the metal, and he can’t catch me.
Passing the finish line, I see Alex jumping up and down, Mr. Dixon hooting and clapping, and Mrs. Dixon shaking her head with a smile. I wait for Ares to stop next to me, then pull off my helmet.
“I won.”
“As expected.”
“Can you help me out?”
“Yep.”
I hold out my hand, but instead of pulling me up, he leans down and scoops me into his arms. I kiss him before he sets me down, and we’re both smiling as we look at each other.
“There’s one label I love having.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Uh-huh. I love being Ares Dixon’s girlfriend.”
“But you’re not!” a woman yells.
“The fuck she’s not,” he responds, never taking his eyes from mine.
“She can just say it, and it’s true?” someone else asks.
“Exactly,” he says, then smiles at me. “You won that trophy, but I promised that whoever beat me could pick something else, too. What do you want, Petal?”
“Hmm…I don’t know.”
“I told you what to do today,” Alex hisses, and I look over to her with a smile.
“You read too many romance books, Al.”
“I’m not complaining,” Miles says with a smirk.
“What did she tell you?” Ares whispers in my ear.
“Excuse me,” a young, teenage girl says before I can answer. She pushes between us and looks up at me. “You did that with math, and physics.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Can you look at my calculations, and see if I got it right.”
She shoves her notebook in my face as her glasses slide down her nose. She’s got two braids in her hair, and overalls on, and I’m instantly charmed by her. If I was born in this town, I would’ve been this girl.
“Sure.”
I only have to cross out one number, and replace it, because she’s good. She takes the notebook back, and looks over my change. Her mouths forms an “O” as she gets it, and smiles at me.
“You did that in your head.”
“She’s crazy smart,” Ares answers for me.
“I know. Is your name really Petal?”
I laugh at that. “No, my name’s Rose. Most of my friends call me Rosie, or Ro. Ares just likes to call me by his own nickname.”
“What do you call him?”
“Ares,” I tell her with a shrug.
“That’s what I’d do, too.”
“Do you want my phone number so you can call or text me if you have a question, or just want to talk?”
“Really?” she asks, handing me her phone.
“Of course. I love to talk about math. I’m not so great with boys, but math is good.”
“Ares is your boyfriend, so I think you’re doing okay.”
“I had to chase her for years, Sweetheart. Years. But she’s totally worth it. I mean, what’s better than a woman who can do math in her head?”
Swoon. Ares Dixon is getting so lucky tonight. If
he wants that. I have to ask him to make sure.
“You’re kidding, right?” a teenage boy asks, coming closer.
“I don’t kid about math.”
Oh. My. God. I think I might actually sway a little on my feet.
“You wouldn’t be hitting that if she wasn’t hot. Look at that dress.”
Ares jaw is clenched, but he answers without punching the boy. Probably because he’s a boy. “The first time I saw Rose, she was checking out the engine of my car. She had on a t-shirt, jeans, and Chucks. Her hair was in a bun, held together by a pencil, and she had grease on her cheek. She slapped me and told me off, and it was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced in my life, up until then. It was her mind I fell for back then, and it’s that gorgeous mind of hers that keeps me on my toes every day. Sex isn’t everything, and what you said was disrespectful.”
“Whatever.”
The kid walks away, and the girl before me sighs. “This is my life.”
“For now. You’ll go to college, and boys will be falling all over themselves,” Ares tells her.
“Totally,” Miles agrees, coming up with Alex to stand with us. “Smart is sexy.”
The girl looks up at him like he’s a god, and I can’t blame her. Miles is gorgeous in a conventional way that women swoon over. I prefer Ares, and his rough, and sexy good looks, but I’m not blind.
“You’re pretty.”
“Oh God,” Alex groans. “Not another one.”
“Why, thank you. You’re very pretty yourself,” Miles says, ignoring her.
She blushes, and scurries away, holding her notebook to her chest. I hope she calls me.
“She’s cute,” Miles says, with a smile, while Alex rolls her eyes.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Ares reminds me.
“Alex thinks I should ask you to be my date today. Go on rides, eat carnival food, kiss on the Ferris Wheel.”
“Girlfriends don’t have to ask their boyfriends for that.”
“Why not? Just because people are dating, they shouldn’t assume, or take someone for granted.”
“You got me there, Petal, but I want to do all of those things, and more, with you today. So, please ask if you must.”
“Ares Dixon, will you spend the day with me?”
“Yes, Rose Murphy, I will.”
Ares
“I should’ve invited you,” I tell Rose as we walk through the carnival. We’re holding hands, and I feel like I’m the happiest guy on the planet right now.
Society Girls: Rose Page 13