DJ nodded as she chewed her food.
“And Rhiannon with Bradford?” said Grandmother.
“That’s right,” Rhiannon supplied. “And he’s letting me put together his outfit too.”
“How about you, Taylor?”
Taylor cleared her throat and sat up straighter. “I invited Harry Green.”
Eliza stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “Big surprise there.”
“I told him it’s just as friends.” Taylor didn’t even look at Eliza. “And that it’s for a good cause.”
“Very nice,” said Grandmother. “How about Casey and Kriti? Who did you girls invite?”
Kriti looked embarrassed. “Josh Trundle,” she said quietly.
“Nice boy.” Grandmother nodded. “Casey?”
“Seth Keller,” Casey muttered.
Both DJ and Taylor looked at Casey in surprise. Seth had most recently been Taylor’s boyfriend. Even after she’d broken up with him, he hadn’t given up on her.
“And he agreed to go with you?” asked Taylor.
“It’s not like I put a gun to his head,” Casey shot back.
“No, I didn’t mean—”
“You guys broke up a long time ago,” continued Casey.
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Taylor tried. “I just meant that—”
“You’re certainly not the one to talk about stealing boyfriends,” sniped Eliza.
“I wasn’t talking about—”
“Let’s see,” continued Eliza. “First you stole Bradford, and then Seth, and you even flirted with Conner once, and now it’s Harry, and—”
“I don’t see how I can steal something that doesn’t—”
“Girls! Girls!” Grandmother clapped her hands sharply. “That’s enough!”
“Isn’t the purpose to go and have a good time?” DJ asked hopefully.
“And to raise money for a good cause,” Kriti quietly added.
“Absolutely.” Grandmother nodded. “And to act like ladies.”
“I think getting the clothes together is going to be so fun,” Rhiannon said with enthusiasm. “I already have a few cool pieces, but I’ll do some shopping this weekend and hopefully I’ll have some things ready for you guys to try on by the middle of next week.”
“I plan to do some shopping this weekend too,” Eliza announced.
“Big surprise there,” Taylor said wryly. “Isn’t shopping your favorite hobby?”
“I am quite good at it.” Eliza tipped her nose in the air. “But I plan to head into the city to pick up some things for Palm Beach. Anyone who wants to join me better speak up since you know my car’s not very big.”
“You’re going to the city?” Rhiannon said hopefully.
Eliza looked pleased. “Want to come along?”
“Well, there are a lot more retro shops there and—”
“No, I meant for real shopping, Rhiannon—for Palm Beach.”
“If you want a cool Rockabilly outfit, you might want to consider what I’m doing as real shopping too. But if you don’t want to give me a ride, I can—”
“No, no, it’s okay. And maybe we can kill two birds with one stone. I’ll let you do your rag-bag shopping and then you can come with me to some of the more elite shops. Who knows? I might even pay you in advance for putting together my dance outfit.”
Rhiannon’s eyes brightened.
“Anyone else?” asked Eliza hopefully. But there were no takers. And, although DJ was relieved that Eliza was getting excited about gathering some outfits for the rest of them, she had no intention of going along. Besides, she and Casey had a soccer match on Saturday morning. Thankfully, they would be busy.
“I have some wonderful news,” Grandmother announced at breakfast on Friday. “I know all you girls will be absolutely thrilled to hear it.” The table got quiet now and Grandmother continued. “I contacted a designer friend of mine yesterday.” She looked coyly around the table now. “I know you’ve all heard of Juicy Couture.” She waited for their reaction, which on the most part was high interest.
“You have connections with Juicy Couture?” Even Eliza seemed impressed.
Grandmother waved her hand. “You have no idea what kind of connections I have.” She chuckled. “And the things I hear in regard to the fashion world.”
“What’s up with Juicy?” asked Taylor.
“Well, you may have heard that designer Josie Feldman left Couture last year, but the latest news is that she’s now developing her own line of swimwear.”
“That’s your wonderful news?” DJ looked blankly at her grandmother. “That a designer is making swimwear?” Talk about a letdown.
Grandmother scowled. “That’s not all, Desiree.”
DJ tossed her grandmother a warning look.
“Excuse me, I meant to say DJ.” Grandmother looked slightly apologetic.
“I’ve heard of Josie Feldman,” said Rhiannon eagerly. “She’s an excellent designer.”
“Precisely. And now she’s paid her dues and is developing her own line. It’s simply called Josie, and it will be more affordable and quite possibly more popular than Juicy Couture.”
“That doesn’t seem likely.” Eliza looked unimpressed. “Most cheaper spin-off lines usually don’t last very long in the marketplace.”
“Tell that to Vera Wang or Isaac Mizrahi,” Rhiannon shot back.
“Touché,” said Grandmother proudly. “Our little Rhiannon pays attention to the trends—something any designer worth her salt should do.”
“Yes, Grandmother.” DJ was eager to escape this conversation. “But what does any of this have to do with us?”
“Josie Feldman wants to use you girls as models for her new swimsuit line.” Grandmother waited expectantly for their reaction, which seemed to vary between enthusiasm and curiosity, and for DJ just plain confusion.
“When are we going to be doing this?” asked Eliza with mild interest.
“It seems a little late in the season to be selling a new swimwear line,” added Rhiannon.
“Yes, it is rather late. But Josie plans to offer her swimwear online for the first season. Her hope is to create a buzz among customers, and she’s got a certain celebrity lined up—I can’t release the name just yet, but trust me, this girl is quite popular. Anyway, with the celeb endorsement and some success, Josie will put together a more complete catalog next winter and hopefully get some accounts set up with some of the mid-priced department stores. Then she’s off to the races.”
“I still don’t get it,” said DJ. “What are we actually supposed to do?”
“A photo shoot, obviously.” Grandmother’s voice was laced with impatience. “And Josie was delighted to hear that we had plans to go to Palm Beach during spring break.”
“She’s going to shoot us down there?” asked Taylor.
“Exactly. But not only that.” Grandmother clapped her hands with glee. “Josie has offered to cover our travel expenses plus a little extra in exchange for your cooperation in the shoot. Therefore our Palm Beach trip will cost us next to nothing.”
Now the reaction to this bit of news brought even more enthusiasm. Not necessarily from Eliza, since money was inconsequential to her. But Rhiannon’s eyes lit up like she was truly excited at the prospect of a free vacation. And this was enough to pull DJ fully on board as well. She’d been worried that, despite Rhiannon being able to make some money on their dance outfits, she still wouldn’t have enough for Palm Beach. And DJ really felt Rhiannon needed to go. So, even if it did mean DJ had to pose in front of a camera, which she loathed, she was willing. After all, didn’t the Bible say that a friend was willing to lay down her life for a friend? And if biting the bullet for fashion wasn’t friendship, what was? She just hoped bikinis wouldn’t be involved.
4
“You girls are doing a swimsuit shoot in Florida?” Lane said this loudly enough that it seemed the whole cafeteria stopped to look and listen.
Eliza looked slightly embarrassed now, ac
ting like she was trying to hush him by placing her forefinger over her lips.
“A swimsuit shoot?” echoed Harry from the other end of the table. “Who for? Sports Illustrated?”
DJ laughed so loudly she snorted. “Yeah, right.”
Conner looked at her with curiosity. “What’s going on anyway?”
“Don’t tell me the Carter House girls are going to do a calendar?” Seth let out a low whistle. “Count me in.”
“No, silly.” Eliza firmly shook her head. “It’s for a new designer.”
“Seriously?” Harry peered hopefully at Taylor. “When is this shoot taking place and are you selling tickets?”
“Very funny.” Taylor rolled her eyes as she picked up her fork.
“The shoot will be in Palm Beach and—”
“Palm Beach?” Lane said suddenly. “Palm Beach, Florida?”
“Duh.” Casey shook her head like she was questioning his mental capacity. “You already knew we were going to Florida.”
“But my grandparents have a house in Palm Beach!” Lane declared this like it was vital information. “Right on the beach!”
“So?” Taylor just shrugged. “I’m sure a lot of grandparents have homes down there since ninety percent of the population is probably old people.”
“So? I’ll bet I could use their house during spring break,” he continued with excitement. “Gram and Gramps are—”
“Gram and Gramps,” parroted Eliza. “That’s so sweet, Lane.”
“Thanks, but my point is they’re off on some month-long cruise—and their house is just sitting there vacant.”
“Hey.” Harry grinned at Lane. “My man! How about inviting a few good friends to join you for a week at the beach?”
The next thing, it seemed that all the guys—all the guys except Conner anyway—were making plans to join Lane at his grandparents’ beach house in Palm Beach for spring break.
“That’s crazy,” DJ told Lane. “No grandparents in their right minds would let a bunch of teen boys use their home during spring break.”
“You don’t know Gram and Gramps.” Lane winked at her. “I’m their favorite.”
“Still…” She just shook her head.
“This will be totally awesome,” Eliza chirped happily. “A week-long beach party with the guys along too!”
“Totally awesome,” DJ repeated with sarcasm. “I can so hardly wait.”
Conner seemed unusually quiet as he and DJ exited the cafeteria. Of course, she didn’t feel much like talking either. This news that guys could possibly be crashing their spring break was not the least bit welcome.
“Do you think they’ll really come to Palm Beach?” she quietly asked Conner. “Or is Lane just full of it?”
“Who knows?” He shrugged and looked away.
“Are you okay?” She peered closely at him. “Did I say something to offend you?”
He turned and looked back. “Not exactly. But I guess it’s not that cool to find out your girlfriend is going to pose for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, not to mention partying with a bunch of hormone-driven boys during spring break.”
DJ couldn’t help but laugh. “For starters, it’s not Sports Illustrated, Conner. It’s a designer named Josie who’s trying to launch her own line of swimwear. And with my grandmother there, well, you can count on the fact that the shoot will be respectable.”
“I guess. But what about the guys?”
“What about them? For one thing, don’t you think it’s highly speculative that they’ll even be able to come down there at all? And for another thing, Lane’s grandparents’ house might be miles from the general’s. Besides that, what do I care?” She tucked her arm into his. “You’re the only guy I’d want to hang with anyway.”
He smiled. “Really?” She nodded.
“Because I know I’ve seen Lane looking at you, DJ. I can tell he thinks you’re hot.”
She laughed again. “I think he’s only got eyes for Eliza now.”
“Don’t be too sure.”
She scowled at him. “What difference would it make anyway? If I’m not into him, why would it even matter?”
“Because he’s a guy.”
“Don’t be so paranoid.”
He sighed. “I guess a part of me wishes I was going now.”
“Me too. But I really respect you for staying here for the soccer playoffs, Conner. I wish I could stay too.”
“Why don’t you?”
She considered this. “For one thing, my grandmother would throw a fit.” Then she looked at the cloudy sky overhead. “And for another thing, sunshine and warm sand are sounding pretty good.”
He nodded. “I have to agree with you there.”
“Hey, what if you came down after the playoffs, Conner? Aren’t they in the middle of the week?”
He seemed to consider this. “Yeah, maybe I could fly down on Thursday. It would only be for a few days, but it’d be better than nothing.”
She nodded with enthusiasm. “So think about it, okay?”
“I will.” Then he frowned. “Except that…”
“What?”
“Well, what if the guys turn it into a big booze party all week? I mean, it might be a total mess—a mess I’d just as soon avoid, you know?”
“Talk to Lane about it. See what he says. You’d think he’d want to be respectful of his grandparents’ home—if he really is their favorite.”
“You’d think.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” DJ persisted as she was driving Casey home after their soccer match on Saturday. She was trying to talk Casey into joining her and Taylor for some quick afternoon shopping.
“Because I don’t want to,” snapped Casey.
“Well, I don’t really want to either.” DJ laughed. “You’ll be in good company.”
“Right. You and Taylor and me.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” Casey looked out the passenger’s side window.
“Really, Casey, what’s wrong? It’s like you hate Taylor.”
“I don’t hate her. I just don’t like her.”
“Why not?”
“Man, do I need a reason? She’s been a total witch and she—”
“Since when has she been a total witch?” DJ slowed down for the stoplight.
“You know.”
“No, I don’t know.” She turned and looked at Casey. “Seriously, I don’t know. Why are you turning on Taylor?”
“Because she and Eliza are the same.”
“The same?” DJ could hear her voice getting louder.
“And I don’t know why you’re always defending her—like you and she are best friends. And just because she claims she’s a Christian, which I frankly doubt.”
“You doubt her faith?”
“She’s just trying to make you like her.”
“Casey!” The light turned green and DJ pulled out. “That’s nuts!”
“And now you think I’m nuts.”
“No, not you. But that you’d think such mean things about Taylor. It’s like you don’t even know her.”
“And you do?”
DJ nodded. “Yes. I do.”
“It’s like she’s got you under her spell. She’s made you believe that she’s changed. But she hasn’t. She’s just the same. She’s a witch.”
“Casey, I can’t believe how mean you’re being.”
“I’m being mean?”
“Yes.”
“She’s the one who was flirting with Seth during chemistry yesterday. Just because I asked him to the dance, she suddenly thinks she can take him back. It’s like she wants to show me who’s boss.”
“Oh, I seriously doubt—”
“See! That just proves how gullible you are, DJ.”
“But Taylor has no interest in Seth.”
“Right, he’s her cast-off.” Casey’s voice was dripping in sarcasm now. “Why would Taylor want Seth back? Let poor little Casey pick up Taylor�
�s hand-me-downs. But just make sure Casey knows that Taylor could get him back if she wants—anytime she wants.”
“Oh, Casey, that’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not fair. But that’s what Taylor is, DJ. You may be blind to her faults, but they’re still there. She wants every guy to bow down to her—she gets her highs out of seeing them on their knees and—”
“Casey!” DJ glanced sharply at her friend.
“Fine. I’ll shut up. I knew you wouldn’t listen anyway. You always take her side.”
Fortunately they were home now. And, although DJ wished for more patience, she had just about had it with Casey and her fits of jealousy today. It was one thing for Casey to take it out on DJ on the soccer field, which she had done when DJ had rescued Casey’s fumble and managed to salvage a last-second score. But to lash into Taylor when she wasn’t even around to defend herself was just too much. Casey really needed to get over herself!
“I’ll take that as a no then,” DJ said lightly to Casey as they walked into the house. “That you’d rather not go shopping with Taylor and me today.”
As if to seal the deal, Casey swore just in time for Inez to overhear her.
“Casey Atwood!” Inez sternly shook a finger in Casey’s face. “Watch your language.”
“Sorry,” Casey muttered as she ran upstairs.
DJ gave Inez a sympathetic half-smile, then slowly followed her foulmouthed friend up the stairs. Lovely, just lovely.
“Hey, I was just wondering if you’d changed your mind,” Taylor said as DJ entered the room. “I tried to call you, but your phone must be off. I was about to dust off my Vespa and…” She paused to look at DJ. “Is something wrong?”
DJ shrugged. “Just Casey. She’s in a snit.”
“Bad game?”
“Not really. I think Casey’s just having P.M.S. or something.”
“Does she want to come with us?”
DJ kind of laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“Do you want to get ready or are you going like that?”
DJ looked down at her sweats. “I suppose I could spiff up a bit.”
“Ya think?” Taylor laughed. “I’ll be downstairs.”
DJ hurriedly changed into her good jeans, boots, and a brown leather jacket that she knew Taylor liked. Then she fluffed out her hair, put on a bit of mascara and lip gloss, and called it good enough. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about her appearance. She just didn’t care as much as some people. Still, she knew that it wouldn’t hurt to make a little bit more of an effort. Plus, it might keep Grandmother off her case.
Spring Breakdown Page 3