The Romeo Club (18 page)

He eyed me like he knew I lied. Had he seen me there? Did Portia finally get sick of him?

“Did the laundry have claws?”

“No. These are from Mom’s rose bushes,” I lied. “Jimbo was messing around in them and I had to get him out.”

“Ah, no further explanation needed.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. His gaze rested on me. “So, I’ve got some good news. Portia said yes about prom.”

My fingers dug into the chair cushion. I composed my face and shifted my eyes to the floor.
Okay. Keep it together. Don’t let him see how much this bothers you.
“Th-that’s great,” I said.

“I know. And it’s all because of you, Del.” He stood and came over to me. “Anyway, I wanted to drop by and give you the news and also pay you for all your help. Hopefully you’ll have enough to get your dress now.”

“Thanks.” I took the folded bills. “Kenadi and I picked it up already, but I’m sure I can get some awesome shoes to go with it now.”

“So, I wondered if you might be able to go to the tux shop this week to help me pick something out. Portia’s gonna wear a pink dress. I thought it might be cool to try to get a bowtie and vest to match.”

He might as well stab me in the face. Geez. I sucked in a deep breath. “Sounds fun. When did you want to go?”

I better get lots of brownie points for the good deeds I was doing lately. Although, I suppose the sabotaging might set me back a few, but still it worked in Trey’s favor. And that made me way miserable. The only consolation was that at least I got to spend more time with Trey. And any time was better than no time, right?

Chapter 27

“I think you should tell Trey you can’t go help him pick out a tux,” Kenadi said as we waited for The Jekyll to take attendance in Trig. “Besides, isn’t that what his girlfriend’s for?”

“Apparently, she’s busy and I’m his only hope.” Kind of like what Princess Leia said about Obi Wan Kenobi in
Star Wars.

“That girl is getting on my last nerve. Because of her, my braids got ruined.”

Actually, it was probably more my fault, but I decided not to mention that. “What did your mom say when you asked to get your hair fixed?”

She smiled. “I kind of didn’t tell her. Latasha got me in for a hair appointment, and I paid for it myself.” Ken held up her new, longer braids. “Good as new.”

The Jekyll glanced up as Walt McBride walked into class late. He dropped a note on her desk. She read it and said, “See me after class. The rest of you, get your homework out.”

Ken scooted closer to me, the scent of her apple lotion hanging in the air. “So, are you really gonna go with him?”

“Yeah. I can’t say no to him.”

“Even after all this?”

I chewed on the end of my pen. “I’m not gonna stop being his friend just because he has crappy taste in girls.”

In other words, I’d sacrifice my happiness for his. Talk about being a complete moron.

“Kenadi and Delyla, unless you’re talking about trigonometry, which I’m pretty sure you’re not, you’ll keep your mouths shut and look at the board.” Jekyll lowered her glasses to stare at us. Her eighties hair stood tall like a hairspray enforced helmet. She’d definitely be protected from any head injuries if something ever fell on her.

“
Gonna be a long hour.
” Ken wrote on a piece of paper.

“
No kidding.
” I scribbled back.

***

Trey and I moved through the store, looking at tuxes.

He shoved his hands in his pockets as I held up another one. “What about this one?”

“Honestly, they all look the same to me.” He smirked.

“Men.” I rolled my eyes. “Here try these two while I hunt down shoes, a vest, and bowtie.”

The sales lady glanced up from the counter and smiled. “Hi, can I help you?”

“I wondered if you had any vests and ties in this color?” I held up a sample of the material used to make Portia’s dress. Yes. She is that particular. Totally annoying. Gah.

She smiled. “Come on back here with me, we can see what we have.”

We went into a back area where they had more colors and sizes hanging up. She took down several vests to compare them.

“This rose blush shade is the closest.” She held up the material in comparison.

“I think that’ll work. Let me have him try it on.” My fingers closed around the silky fabric of the vest and matching tie.

The sales lady followed me as I went to the changing area. I knocked on the door. “Trey, we’ve got some things for you to try on.”

He opened the door a crack and grabbed them from me. A few minutes later, he stepped out. My eyes widened. My breath caught in my throat. Oh God. I swallowed hard as my gaze swept over him. The tux was perfect. It made his chest and shoulders broader, his hips narrower. His dark hair was disheveled from changing and although I hated the color pink, it actually looked good on him. Okay not good. Hot. His naturally tan skin tone brought out his smile even more. How had I not seen him before? I mean, really seen him?

“Wow,” I said at last. “You look amazing.”

The sales lady grinned at us. “You two will be quite the pair on prom night. And that pink, it works for you.”

“Wait, we’re not … ”

“I’ll take it,” Trey interrupted.

“Great. Why don’t you change, then bring everything to the counter and I’ll ring you up.”

When she left us, he turned to me. “So, be honest. Do you like it?”

What’s not to like?
“It’s perfect. Trust me. Portia will probably want to jump your bones when she sees you.”

He grinned. “You’re as bad as the guys.”

“Because the Nerd Herd corrupted me.”

“Yeah, right.” He went back into the changing room. “So,” he called through the door. “I thought I’d treat you to pizza for helping me today.”

Pizza meant spending more time with him. Which also meant we’d be alone. No Portia. No Nerd Herd. Just us. “Sure. I’m starving.”

Once he paid for the tux, we walked back to his car to drop off the purchase, and then went into the restaurant. The scent of bread sticks and pizza made my mouth water as we sat waiting for our order. We chatted about Dwarves of Iconia for several minutes and discussed possible ways to take out the ice dragon on the final level.

Sitting across from him in the booth, I fumbled with my napkin. Every minute I spent with him, I realized how much I liked him. How much we had in common. Trey might be one of my best friends, but I imagined we could be so much more than that. If he’d give me the chance.

You have to come clean. And now is as good a time as any.
Please don’t let this be a mistake.

I took a sip of pop.
Here goes nothing. And everything.
“So, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.” His foot bumped mine under the table.

My heart raced and I cleared my throat. “I know this is gonna seem kind of sudden and maybe even crazy. But the thing is, I really li … ”

“Oh, my God, Trey. Hi.” Portia waved from the entrance.

Son of a B. Of course, she had to interrupt now. Right when I finally got the courage up. My eyes narrowed as she hurried to our table.

“Hey, I wondered if you’d have time to stop by.” Trey smiled.

She slid into the booth next to him. Not even asking if it was okay. Geez. She leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips. “So, how did shopping go?”

“Great. You’ll love the bowtie and vest we picked out.” He nodded at me.

Portia glanced at me, her lips turned up in a permanent too happy smile. It was like she had unicorns and sunshine and butterflies coming out of her butt or something. “Thanks so much for helping him. I wanted to come along, but my mom scheduled manicures today.” She held up her pink, blossom colored nails.

“No problem,” I said, forcing what I hoped was a non-life threatening grin.

“So, how are you doing since the break up?”

Um—okay, she might be dating my friend, but that didn’t mean I wanted to share my entire personal life with her. “I’m doing okay. Thanks.” I took another swig from my drink.

“Rex’s been bummed since you broke up. He’s such a nice guy. And I told him you had valid reasons for wanting to end things. It wasn’t like you cheated or anything.”

I sputtered, nearly choking on my drink. But it kind of was. I grabbed a napkin to wipe off my mouth and caught Trey’s eye. His brow furrowed, and I shifted my glance to my wrist and pretended to check the time. When I looked back up again, Portia had Trey in her embrace.

“Shoot, I’m gonna have to head out. Just remembered I have to meet Kenadi to help her pick out shoes.”

Trey pulled out of Portia’s hug. “But I drove you here. And we haven’t eaten yet.”

My fingers snagged my purse handle as I stood. “It’s fine. But I really have to run if I’m gonna catch her in time.”

Without a backward glance, I rushed from the restaurant. I whipped my cell out of my pocket and dialed Kenadi. After several rings, it went straight to voicemail. Crap. I forgot. Tonight was date night with Mikah, which meant she wouldn’t answer.

Next, I tried Drake’s number. But his went to voicemail too. Damn it. I so didn’t want to call my parents. Then I’d have to answer Mom’s questions. I could always go back and tell Trey that I got the day wrong and I didn’t have to meet Kenadi until tomorrow. But there was no way I wanted to sit through anymore Portia PDA. My only other option? Public transportation. AKA, the stinky ass bus.

I waited at the stop outside the mall. The gray sky matched my somber mood. Overhead, thunder rumbled, shaking the ground beneath me. Oh hell. I tugged the hood of my sweatshirt over my head, right as a fat raindrop hit the side of my face.

The bus rolled up to the curb and I stood back to let the passengers get off. When the last of them emerged, I climbed the steps and dropped money into the slot. I found a spot about half-way back, away from everyone else. With a sigh, I plopped down on the fake leather seat. My hood hid my face, which I was happy for as tears streamed down my cheeks. I rested my head against the fogged up window and watched flashes of lightning emblazon the storm darkened sky.

Trey really liked her, or so it seemed. Maybe it was time to let him go.

But what about the kiss?
The way he looked at me that night, like I was the only girl in the world. The only person who mattered. Whatever spark I’d felt, he’d felt it too.

Thirty minutes later, I climbed off the bus, two blocks from home. Trees bent beneath the gusts of wind. Water squished in my tennis shoes as I stepped in another puddle. Rain pelted the side of my face and I wrapped my arms tighter to my body. I regretted not grabbing a coat or jacket today, not that it would’ve helped much. My teeth chattered as I watched the steamy puffs of my breath billow in front of me. At last, I rounded the corner and saw the most glorious thing ever. Home. I picked up the pace, trying to dodge the slimy worms wiggling on the sidewalk. When I got to my driveway, I spotted Jimbo sprawled out on his porch all wet. He glanced up at me, his eyes sad. Why was he acting so weird lately?

“Come here, Jimbo,” I called.

His tail wagged, thumping against the side of the house. He climbed to his feet and trotted over to me. I petted Jimbo’s head, scratching behind his ears.

He licked my hand, staring up at me.

“Don’t worry boy, I’ll sit with you for a little bit.” After the day I had, I needed to focus on something other than my own problems. So I sat on my porch, with Jimbo curled up on the swing with me. I wasn’t sure if we called a truce or not, but right now, for whatever reason, he needed me, just as much as I needed him. Tears swam in my eyes, and the dog laid his head on my lap as if he understood exactly what I was going through.

We sat together until Mr. Foster pulled in next door. Then Jimbo went his way, and I went mine.

Chapter 28

My fingers trembled as I tugged my cami over my head, then a cute light blue cardigan on top of that. I brushed my hair, trying to figure out how I wanted to style it today. Maybe a barrette? Or a braid? Gah.
Why am I so worried about what I look like?
Okay, so the truth was, I planned to talk to Trey. I needed to tell him how I felt. Even if he rejected me, at least I’d know I tried.

Because the not knowing killed me.

“Delyla, Kenadi’s here,” Mom called upstairs.

“Coming.” With one last glance in the mirror, I grabbed my school bag, and slipped my ballet flats on.

Kenadi stood in the kitchen, eating a muffin Mom had given her. “Ready?”

“Yep.” I gave Mom a kiss goodbye and took the store bought muffin she handed me.

“Have a good day sweetie.”

“Don’t worry, she will.” Kenadi grinned as we raced out the door.

When we got in her car, I turned to her. “I’m a nervous wreck. Do you realize I changed my outfit like six times this morning? I never do that.”

“You’ll be fine. Just take a deep breath. Don’t freak out. You and Trey have been friends forever. It’s not like you’re gonna be talking to a stranger.”

“But that’s the problem. I don’t want to destroy our friendship.” I peeled the wrapper off my blueberry muffin and took a bite. “What if I don’t say the right thing?”

We backed out of my driveway and onto the main road. I watched the line of manicured lawns and cookie-cutter houses as we drove to the end of my street.

“Just say whatever comes to mind. And be honest with him.”

“What if he rejects me?” I wiped crumbs off my jeans.

“Then he’s an idiot.” Kenadi slid her gaze to me. “You’re awesome and if he doesn’t see that then he doesn’t deserve you.”

I smiled. “And this is why you’re my best friend. You always talk me down.”

“Ditto.”

When we got to school, I sucked in a deep breath, smoothed down my shirt, and walked inside. Now, I just needed to find Trey. Well, if I could peel Portia away long enough to have a conversation with him.

But when I got to my locker, I saw Portia already glued to his side. Damn. Okay, new plan. After I grabbed my books for first period, I headed toward Trey.

When he saw me, he smiled. “Del, what’s up?”