The Best Is Yet to Come (33)

“I know you aren’t happy that I’m your homecoming date, Callie. You’ve made your feelings clear from the beginning. When I suggested dinner, you flatly refused reminding me you had only agreed to the dance. Fine. I did my part and now you will do yours.”

She sat like a stone statue beside him. “You manipulated me into going with you,” she reminded him.

“No, I didn’t, we made a deal. Trust me when I say it’s been one of the biggest regrets of my life. And you went out of your way to make sure of it.”

She turned to glare at him. “It doesn’t help that you weren’t able to do what you said you could.”

“I said,” he reminded her, trying to control the irritation in his voice, “I’d do my best and I did. At the risk of who knows what, I hacked into Ben’s phone and email accounts and found nothing. You were the one who seemed to think I’d find some hidden information there.”

“He guards his phone and his laptop like it’s the Holy Grail. What else was I to believe?”

“If you remember, I said straight up that no drug dealer would be stupid enough to leave an Internet trail.”

She didn’t answer him. Her arms were crossed and her nose so far up she’d drown in a rainstorm.

Spencer drew in a breath before he spoke. “I do want to thank you, though.”

“Oh?”

“You taught me a lesson I’m not likely to forget.”

“Not to manipulate people,” she said, with a smug twist.

He hesitated. “That’s where you’re wrong. You agreed. You could have turned me down, you know. Trust me, I won’t make a mistake like this again, but what I really learned has to do with you.”

“Really?” She glanced at him and then away again.

“I thought you were beautiful. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.”

A small smile cracked her tight lips.

“And it wasn’t just your looks. In my eyes, you could do no wrong. But you’re definitely not the girl I remember. I hardly recognize who you’ve become. You’re a fake.”

“What do you mean by that?” she challenged, turning to look at him once again, her eyes narrowed into thin slits.

“You’re selfish, mean, and spoiled.”

Her mouth sagged open. “I’m not going to sit here and let you insult me.”

Spencer was done with Callie. The last thing he wanted was to attend this dance with her. It would have been easier to call the whole thing off. However, pride wouldn’t let him. “As far as I’m concerned, you and Scott Pender deserve each other.”

Callie climbed out of the car and slammed the door with unnecessary force. “If you think I’m going to enjoy being your date, then you’re sadly mistaken.”

Spencer was out of the car by this time and stopped her. “Oh no you don’t. I held up my part of the bargain and it cost me. So you better do yours.”

“Or what?” she challenged, as if he had no recourse.

“As you already know, I have good hacking skills, and so do my friends.” He almost hoped she’d defy him, giving him the perfect excuse to make her life as miserable as she’d made his.

Her arms were tucked around her middle. “Not that those skills did me any good.”

“Because there wasn’t anything there to find.”

“Ben isn’t talking,” she insisted. “You don’t think I’ve tried? When it comes to my brother, I might as well be talking to a brick wall. It might have helped if you’d made the effort.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Ben trusts you. Or he did at one time. The least you could have done was ask him.”

Spencer shook his head. “Are you serious? Do you honestly think Ben would confide in me when he refuses to talk to his own sister? His twin?”

“I thought you could help. Boy, was I wrong.”

“I don’t understand why you didn’t take this to your parents.” Bill and Claire were good people and would do whatever it took to help their son.

“I can’t. Ben would never forgive me. He’d be pulled from the football team and lose any chance of getting a college scholarship.”

“If he’s on drugs, he’s headed for a downward spiral as it is. Come on, Callie, if you’re serious about helping Ben, you need to involve your family.”

“Not yet. Honestly, Spence, this is eating at me like nothing else. I can’t sleep for fear of what Ben’s gotten himself into. I haven’t got a clue how he’s paying for the drugs. He doesn’t have a job, and I’m afraid he’s stealing to supply his habit.”

Spencer heard the worry in her voice. “You’re sure it’s a habit?”

She nodded miserably. “I hardly recognize him anymore, and my parents are clueless. Ben is up early and arrives home late after practice, and then heads up to his room. I’m the only one who seems to notice the difference. Then I found those drugs, and I had my answer.”

“What about asking his friends?”

“I tried with Scott, but he isn’t talking to me at the moment.”

“Because you agreed to go to homecoming with me?”

Callie lowered her head. “I don’t know. Don’t care, either. I don’t mind dancing with you, Spence, but really…every dance?”