37. Evvy
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
evvy
My surprise detector is pinging. Like a lie detector, my brain sounds an alarm when I sense that people are hiding something.
And Bailey and Josie aren’t very good at it.
We had a fun day in Portland, exploring the city and eating some delicious lobster rolls.
We even took a cruise on a mail boat that travels to the islands along the coast. But it was pretty obvious that the two of them were up to something.
I caught them stealing glances and laughing when they thought I wasn’t looking.
Not to mention, they told me a surprise would happen this weekend, but I’m pretty sure they forgot about that.
It’s already dark when we pull into Zack's driveway. The moment my feet hit the ground I hear West running toward the car. “Evvy! Happy birthday!” He pulls me into an awkward hug while trying to balance the bags in his hands.
“Thanks.” He keeps squeezing me until I see Bailey come up behind him.
“You might want to let her come up for air.” She taps him on the shoulder.
West spins around, sees Bailey, and jumps, dropping his bags. “Umm…sorry. Just…uh, just excited to celebrate with you.” His eyes dart between Bailey and me as she helps pick up everything he dropped.
“So, this is a party?” I eye him suspiciously.
“I didn’t say that!” West throws up his hands in surrender, dropping the bags again. He looks around, like someone else might have heard what he said.
“A little jumpy tonight.” Bailey laughs, handing him his stuff for the second time. “You must be West?”
“You know my name?” He runs a hand through his hair, fumbling with the bags again.
“Oh, sorry for being rude. West, this is my friend Bailey. Bailey, this is West Baxley, he’s a winger.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t hold that against you.” She shakes his hand.
“Thanks…I guess?” West stands frozen, just blinking.
“Hockey player.” She shrugs.
“Oh, right. You dated Jeff. Never met him, but I’ve heard he’s an ass. Totally get it now.” West cracks a smile. “Evvy can vouch for us. We’re not all like that, at least not on this team. No scheming assholes allowed.”
“Sounds like a good policy.” Bailey smirks..
“Yup. Anyway, let’s go inside.”
“Okay, but only if you promise to teach us some dance moves later.”
“Duh, that’s the plan. Come on!” He takes my hand, pulling me toward Zack’s house.
West makes for a fun distraction. I’m sure the guys thought they were being clever, but they are so obviously up to something. West is buzzing with excitement. He’s not exactly good at being chill.
* * *
After an hour of watching West break out all his greatest hits, he stops dancing and looks at his phone. A huge grin spreads across his face. He rushes to the bag sitting on the floor and hands it to me. “Costumes!”
“I need a costume?”
“Yup, let’s go!” Josie grabs the bag from my hand and drags me down the hall, with Bailey following closely behind.
“I guess I’ll wait here!” West yells. The sound of him flopping onto the couch echoes down the hall.
“These are so cute!” Bailey reaches into the bag and pulls out three cat ear headbands.
“And these too!” Josie holds up a black sweatshirt with giant green glow-in-the-dark cat eyes.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s happening?” I watch as my two friends grin at each other.
“Nope. Just that you need a costume.” Bailey sits on the edge of the bed and Josie joins her.
Placing my hands on my hips, I narrow my eyes at them, grinning. “And this is Zack’s idea?”
“Obviously,” Bailey says with a laugh.
“Then I have a better costume idea. It’ll be funny. Believe me. Be right back.” I rush down the hall to gather some things and return, throwing them on the bed. Then I grab what I need from the bedroom dresser and run into the bathroom.
“If you’re doing what I think you’re doing, Zack’s not going to find it…funny.” Bailey calls from the other side of the door.
“Yeah, not a good choice if funny is what you’re going for, Evvy. I think the right word is obsessed!” Josie yells.