Spring Breakdown (3 page)

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.

“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, acting 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.

“I wish I could go with you girls,” Grandmother was saying to Taylor downstairs.

“Why don’t you?” suggested Taylor.

“Oh, I’m meeting the general at three.” Grandmother feigned disappointment, but DJ could tell she was actually relieved. “I’m afraid I’ll have to do my beach tog shopping next week while you girls are in school.”

“Less crowded then,” said DJ.

Grandmother nodded. “Yes. Now, you girls have fun. And Taylor, don’t you let DJ come home empty-handed.”

Taylor laughed as they headed out the door. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“I’m sure I must be one of the few teenage girls on the planet that has to be encouraged to shop.”

“Unless you’re buying sportswear, anyway.”

“Come to think of it, I could use a new—”

“No way.” Taylor gave DJ a gentle shove toward the car. “Forget about going to any sporting goods stores.”

“Hey, I’m the driver.” DJ pushed the button to unlock her car.

“But I’m buying your gas.”

“You are?”

“Sure.”

“And lunch?”

Taylor laughed. “If that’s what it takes to keep this shopping trip on track, yes.”

“Okay, I’m starving.”

“And that’s something new?”

DJ patted her stomach. “Just one of the many benefits of doing sports, Taylor. You should try it sometime.”

“I used to do sports…” Taylor leaned back in the seat and yawned lazily. “But then I realized that I didn’t particularly enjoy sweating.”

“But you do some kind of exercise.” DJ glanced at her sleek roommate and wondered. “Don’t you?”

“A little yoga here, a little Pilates there…it all seems to work out. At least, I haven’t heard any complaints. Have you?”

“Yeah, right. People come up to me all the time saying, ‘That Taylor, she’s such a wreck.’”

Taylor laughed loudly and then the car got quiet. DJ was still thinking about Casey and wondering if any of what she said could possibly be true.

“Something wrong?” Taylor asked after a few minutes.

“I was just thinking about Casey…trying to figure her out.”

“And?”

“And I can’t.”

“What about your P.M.S. theory?”

“I think it’s more than that.”

“Like what?”

DJ sighed. “Like jealousy.”

“Oh…” Taylor nodded in a knowing sort of way. “Is Casey jealous of you?”

“Not me.”

“Who then?”

“Maybe you.”

“Seriously?” Taylor sounded surprised.

“I know I probably shouldn’t have told you. You won’t say anything, will you?”

“Of course not. But why on earth would Casey be jealous of me?”

DJ gave a short laugh. “I can think of a few reasons. In fact, I’m sure there are a lot of girls who are jealous of you.”

“Like who?” Taylor’s voice sounded a little bit catty now, like she was enjoying this.

“Like Eliza for starters.”

“Oh, well, Eliza is jealous of anyone who takes one tiny beam of limelight away from her glittering stage.”

“And there are girls at school…you know, like Madison and Tina.”

“Madison and Tina are jealous of all the Carter House girls.”

“Well, maybe.”

“Seriously, why would Casey be jealous of me?”

“I think she’s worried about Seth.”

“She
should
be worried about Seth.”

DJ felt slightly alarmed. Was Casey right? Maybe Taylor really was up to something in regard to Seth. “Why?”

“Because Seth is bad news.”

“Well, yeah, that’s what I think too. But what do you mean specifically?”

“I mean, you can’t trust him. Oh, he’s great at looking good and acting sweet and innocent, and he’s very smooth, but underneath it all he’s after only one thing.”

“Meaning?”

“You know exactly what I mean, DJ.”

“Sex?”

“Duh.”

“But don’t you think Casey knows that?”

“I don’t know. I mean, Casey tries to act all tough and street smart, but I’m not so sure that it’s not just that—an act, I mean.”

DJ nodded. “Yeah, I’ve wondered the same thing.”