Betrayal - Chapter 27
Saturday
Justin sprayed my hair with hairspray for what felt like the millionth time. I tried not to cough. Even though my hair was a little too long to pull off the perfect Sandy Halloween costume, I thought it looked pretty great. Justin walked off to pack the hairspray back into his bin.
“What do you think?” Kennedy asked as she lifted up her genie lamp. She rubbed the side of it seductively.
I laughed. “You seriously look just like Jasmine. Now we just need to get Rob to agree to be your Aladdin.”
Her smile was so big. “Thank you for all this.” She looked down at her outfit.
“I didn’t do anything. It was all Mrs. Caldwell.”
“Yeah. But you’re her future daughter in law. It’s all about connections in this town, haven’t you heard?”
I laughed. “What do you think of my outfit?” I asked and spun in a circle. “Is it too much?”
“No, it’s perfect.”
I ran my hand down my skintight leather pants. Last weekend, these had seemed like a good idea. But now I kind of wished I’d picked one of Sandy’s girl-next-door outfits instead of this one. “Are you sure it’s not too…”
“Prostitutey? No. And screw all them anyway. Let them talk. Everyone’s just jealous because as soon as Isabella graduates, you’re going to be the new queen of Empire High. And then no one will ever be able to say a bad word about you again.”
I didn’t know about all that. But once Isabella, James, and Mason graduated…
I couldn’t think of who was more popular than Matt.
And like Kennedy said, it was all about connections in this town.
By association, Kennedy and I would be at the top of the totem pole.
The rumors swirling around school about me being a prostitute hadn’t completely stopped.
But no one ever said anything when Matt was by my side.
And he made sure to be glued to my side in the halls of Empire High.
Isabella had even been surprisingly well behaved the rest of the week.
I hadn’t gotten a single evil note from her.
Besides, everyone was way more excited about the annual Caldwell Halloween party than stupid rumors.
There was a buzz in the air all week long.
Tonight was going to be so much fun. Decorators and caterers had been in and out of the house all morning, transforming the Caldwells’ house into the haunted mansion it was meant to be.
I was so excited to see how it had all come together.
Two hours ago Justin had locked us in the guest bedroom I was supposed to be using, but it felt like we’d been waiting in here forever.
I was dying to explore before the party began.
“And the last touch - the perfect heels,” Justin said. “High enough to lift your ass, but low enough to dance the night away.”
I laughed. “You get me.”
“It’s my job to get you.”
“Speaking about your jobs.” I leaned down to strap on my heels. “I talked to Matt. And it’s going to be hard for us to plan a wedding for the fall because of school.”
“Oh,” Justin said. “Right, of course. I completely understand. It was silly for me to even mention it.” He started putting all the makeup into his travel bin. I’d never seen him look so dejected before.
I tried to repress my smile. “Which is why we decided we should get married in the winter. This winter,” I added.
His hand froze on a curling iron.
“Will you help us?” I asked. “I know it’s last minute, but…”
He screamed. At the top of his lungs. And then he was lifting me up in the air and twirling me around.
His laughter was infectious.
“I don’t know if you’re joking,” he said as he set me back down on my feet. “But you can’t take it back now. My fragile heart would shatter into a million fabulous pieces.”
“I’m serious. We want to do it on December 22 nd . And I can’t imagine planning it without you.”
“December 22 nd ? Done. But we need to hurry.” He grabbed both my hands. “I have so much to do. Wedding dress shopping this week, yes?”
“Okay.”
“Do you have any idea what style dress…” his voice trailed off. “Never mind. We both know you need me for this.”
I laughed. “I absolutely do.”
“What about the location? Do you have a place in mind? I’ll need to call them ASAP.”
“There’s this restaurant in Central Park that Matt used to go to with his family as a kid.
Right by a pond. And there’s these fairy lights that come on at night.
” I pictured Matt getting down on one knee and asking me to be his girlfriend right on the bridge by the restaurant.
He’d pulled out a hot dog instead of a ring.
I was smiling so much it hurt. “I don’t know the name of the restaurant but Matt does… ”
“It’s done. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this. I promise. This is the big break I’ve been waiting for. And I’ll make everything perfect, I swear to you. Every last detail. You can rely on me.”
“I trust you.”
He screamed again. “I need to go. I have a million things I need to do. December 22 nd ?” He pulled out his phone. “Oh thank goodness it’s a Saturday. Saturday weddings are the best. Anything else you girls need for tonight?” He was already pulling his makeup cases into his arms.
“We’re good,” Kennedy said. “Go plan the wedding of my best friend’s dreams.”
Justin did a weird salute before practically skipping out of the room.
“I love him,” Kennedy said.
“Me too. And if anyone can pull this off in less than two months, it’s him.”
“I can’t believe you’ll be hitched in less than two months! Shotgun wedding,” Kennedy said with a laugh.
My face turned red. I hadn’t told Kennedy that I’d slept with Matt. It felt…wrong to talk to her about it. Her first time had been stolen from her. And I didn’t want to tell her about how perfect Matt had been.
“Your face is bright red. Oh my God, wait. You’re not actually pregnant…”
“No!”
She laughed.
And now I had made it awkward. How was I supposed to tell her about my first time now? I’d kept it a secret for over a week.
“Your face is still red,” she said. “Wait, have you two taken the next step?” She laughed. “I’m ridiculous. Of course you have. You’re freaking getting married! Why didn’t you tell me?”
I sat down on the edge of my bed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. I feel so guilty…”
“Guilty?” She sat down with me. “Why on earth would you feel guilty for being happy?”
God, it felt like I’d been carrying around this weight with me forever. “When I moved to New York it was like my life was over. I was so sad all the time. Like this part of me was missing. And now all I do all day is smile…”
“Brooklyn.” Kennedy pulled me into her side. “Your mom would have wanted you to be happy.”
“I know. I just…” my voice trailed off. “I miss her and Uncle Jim so much. I shouldn’t be this happy without them. I still miss them so much. But Matt’s love…I don’t even know how to describe it. He just lifts me up.”
Kennedy rested her head on my shoulder. “You’ve been through so much. There’s nothing wrong with holding on to something that makes you smile.”
I swallowed hard. I knew that. But it felt good to hear it out loud. “And I feel awful talking about our relationship in front of you because of what Cupcake did…”
“I’m okay,” Kennedy said. “And I never want you to keep something from me because of what he did. That’s just letting him take more away from me. I always want you to be able to tell me everything. So spill it. Tell me about your first time.”
I filled her in on the details. And despite what she said about being okay, I saw the hurt in her eyes. I’d seen glimpses of it ever since she told me what had happened with Cupcake. Mostly she did seem okay. But I knew she was putting on a brave face.
I remembered that time that Miller asked if I wanted for him to “take care” of Cupcake for me.
I pressed my lips together. I’d talked to my dad a few times on the phone, but I hadn’t gotten the courage to flat out ask him if he was a mobster.
Because honestly, I was pretty sure I already knew the truth.
“You know…if you really want revenge. I can probably make something happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is going to sound really strange. But I’m pretty sure my dad’s a mobster. And if I told him that Cupcake messed with you…he’d…rough him up a little. Or something. Actually I don’t even know if I need to tell my dad. I think I could just ask Miller or Donnelley to do it.”
She opened her mouth and closed it again. “There’s a lot to unpack there.”
I laughed.
“Wow, it all makes sense now,” she said.
“What does?”
“Why my mom couldn’t get the judge to honor Uncle Jim’s will.
There was no logical reason why you shouldn’t have been living with us.
I mean, we thought something sketchy was going on.
But your dad really must have everyone in his pocket.
And the way he always gets everything he wants.
Oh and all those security guards.” She shook her head. “He’s a freaking mobster!”
“Oh God. He really is, isn’t he?”
“Is he coming tonight?” asked Kennedy. “I bet he’s planning on dressing like himself and he’s going to look just like Al Pacino from The Godfather.”
Yeah. There really wasn’t any denying it. “He’s not coming. But you’re right. I definitely see the similarities now.”
“Your life is surreal. How does Matt feel about marrying a mobster’s daughter?”
I shook my head. “I was a little worried at first. Matt’s made it pretty clear since we’ve met that he thinks the Pruitts are toxic.
And I know he’s excited for me to not have the last name Pruitt anymore.
But we fell for each other before I knew who my dad was.
It doesn’t really change anything. Matt and I have been through so much already… nothing is going to break us.”
Kennedy smiled. “You two are perfect together. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here debating whether or not I should snap my fingers and off Cupcake.”
I laughed.
“I’m just kidding. I’m not crazy. I don’t want any mobsters attacking Cupcake. I don’t need revenge. That’s just not me.” She laughed. “I can’t even imagine doing something like that. I’m not Isabella.”
For some reason, her words made my stomach churn.
That’s what Matt wanted. A girl who didn’t need revenge.
And I was trying to be that for him. But sometimes, all I wanted to do was text Rob and tell him that the prank was back on.
Just thinking about when Isabella made fun of my uncle and me made my blood boil.
And the pictures of me in my underwear all over school.
Or when she poured milk down the front of me.
There was also the time she literally put a gun to my head.
Or… God. I took a deep breath. The list was endless.
And I needed to let it go. I’m not like Isabella.
I’m a Sanders, not a Pruitt. I don’t need revenge.
“Speaking of the devil herself, is Isabella actually coming tonight?” asked Kennedy. “I can’t imagine what on earth would possess Isabella to think that was a good idea.”
“I have no idea. But knowing my luck…she’ll be here. Trying to flirt with Matt. Or doing something else terrible.”
“She can’t do anything terrible to you here. You have the Pruitts’ security and the Caldwells’ security. If she makes one mean peep about you, they’ll kick her out on her ass.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” Kennedy stood up. “The party is going to start any minute. Come on, we need to go explore. I hope they have fire dancers this year!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.
I was excited about the party. But the knots in my stomach didn’t go away as we stepped out into the hall.
I knew Kennedy was right. Isabella couldn’t get away with doing anything to me here.
But I had a really bad feeling about tonight.
And the fake blood dripping from the bannisters didn’t really help.