A Wild Ride (Jessica Brodie Diaries #3)(16)

“Oh. Yeah. Her real name is Betsy but she hates it. Adam and Gladis call her Betz, but she has always been Lump to me so...”

“Where did she get that name?”

“Long story short—she gave someone a black eye for making fun of her name, so they called her Lump. Have her tell you the story.”

“But Adam calls her by her real name?”

“By a nickname of her real name, yeah.”

“Hmm.” She smirked and her eyes twinkled.

“What?”

“Adam is like a window. He’s hard to read at times, but you hear one thing that acts like Windex, and suddenly you can see right through him.”

“He likes Lump, then.”

She giggled delightedly. “Betcha! He probably has for a while. He is patient about a lot of things. There would be a part of him that would wait forever. Worse than a chick!” She rubbed her hands together and looked toward the kitchen. “Look, let’s have some fun with them. Will your friend forgive us?”

“Uh...what did you have in mind?”

“Nothing really. Just a little matchmaking.” She giggled.

“It’ll be good for her,” I said, intrigued.

“Okay, let’s pretend I pissed you off with a question or something. Stalk off to the kitchen. Lump will probably follow you--”

“William will follow if that happens.”

She made an irritated sound, loudly, and looked at Adam angrily. Him and Lump noticed, their eyes pulled our way. William’s eyes followed a second later, so I did my best to look mad, too. Or was I supposed to be trying to be embarrassed?

Adam and Lump looked from me to Elaine, buying that something was the matter and Adam was the problem. William looked straight at me. I could tell he knew we were up to no good.

Elaine flicked her hair and let her gaze settle back on me. In a mock whisper, she said, “He might try to sell you that he is a poor boy, but have you found out how much he is worth?”

Not where I thought she was going with that one. Elaine wasn’t messing around! I bet she played a lot of pranks as a child.

I couldn’t help looking at Adam in embarrassment.

William stood up slowly, now looking at his sister, silently pleading with her to stop. Oh yeah, a lot of pranks.

Elaine grabbed my arm. “C’mon. Let’s get some more wine.”

She threw Adam another glare before letting her eyes settle on Lump.

“Lump, why don’t you join us.” As she said the nickname she threw Adam an ‘I know what you’re up to!’ look.

Lump stood up confusedly, following me like a meek lamb. Adam stood up quickly beside her, wanting to stop Lump from going, but not knowing how.

I wasn’t ready for the big leagues. I felt really guilty!

About ready to stop this charade, I followed Elaine’s eyes. Then let a smile curve my lips. It was worth it.

“C’mon Lump,” I said, walking off.

“Jess,” William said as a warning, playing into this nicely.

Lump followed me, trusting, glancing back at Adam in confusion. Elaine scooted off in the lead.

Adam watched us go, expression unsettled and betrayed. Whatever Elaine knew, it was a series sore spot, which meant it probably had to do with his trust fun; money he got from his abusive father and didn’t identify with.

But this would only work if he followed, because I damn well didn’t want to know whatever secret Elaine had rolling around in her head.

I stopped, holding Lump’s arm to get her to stop, too. “Adam, I just don’t understand!” I pleaded.

Since I’d bought into the outcome, I was now using my acting skills to sell it. I could be sneaky, too. It was actually kind of fun. I had a feeling that if it worked out with William in the extreme long run, Elaine would get me into a lot of trouble!

Determination on his face, and now an opening to defend himself, Adam was in hot pursuit, bringing William slowly on his heels, who did not wanting any part of this.

I pulled Lump along ahead of him, the carrot to the donkey, sneaking a glance at the rest of the family, who were engrossed in a conversation with Gladis.

Elaine made it to the kitchen first, waited for me to drag Lump into position, then said, “Jess, I think you should give Adam a chance to defend himself...”

Lump stood dumbly, right where I left her, waiting for someone to explain why she was being dragged around the house and made the center of a bunch of drama she had no interest in. She could be too easy-going for her own good.

Adam stepped into the doorway beside her, half shielding her from Elaine and I. He flashed me an utterly betrayed look, which twisted my heart. It was like telling a kid there was no Santa Claus.

“Adam,” I said, not wanting him to admit whatever it was he thought I knew, “Why don’t you man up and tell Lump...” I sighed, “why you didn’t refill any of our drinks.”

Adam opened his mouth to protest, then stopped, eyes dipping to my empty wine glass.

“And then, Adam,” Elaine added, “you can tell her why she isn’t pretty enough to kiss, even though you are standing under mistletoe!”

Understanding dawned. Confusion cleared, replaced by an exasperated grin. “I would expect this from her,” he pointed at Elaine, “but Jessie, you?”

I giggled. “Well? I needed a drink. I am really put out about it. And you are still standing there—isn’t she pretty enough?”