America's Geekheart (Bro Code #2)(61)

“Those guys would do anything for me,” Beck says.

The door opens, and my mom rushes in with Cupcake, who squeals and darts right to Mackenzie, who’s still wiping her eyes and bent double on the floor. She squeaks and jumps to her feet when the pig tries to hump her.

“Did we miss it? Honey, tell me you left your clothes on. And are you ready? I booked an appointment for us to go shopping at the downtown boutiques. It’s not Fifth Avenue, but your father pointed out you probably didn’t want to fly all the way to New York in the middle of a publicity storm.”

“Shopping. For what?”

“Your dress, sweetheart.” She turns a bright movie star smile on Beck. “And if this video embarrasses my daughter, I’ll be calling my psychic on your behalf.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies.

“What dress?” I ask.

“For the black-tie fundraiser for the zoo Saturday night.”

I look at my mom.

Then at Beck, who’s actually looking a little sheepish. “It’s just a few hours,” he says. “We didn’t mention it yet, did we?”

The contract.

I’m contractually obligated to go to a fancy dinner, which I thought I’d escape, since there wasn’t actually a fancy dinner in the works when I signed, only the possibility if Beck was lucky enough to get an invitation.

And apparently my parents have been in on setting that fancy dinner up to be a fundraiser for the zoo, which I clearly can’t decline.

A Black-Tie Fundraiser.

Code for fancy gala where people with too much money talk about their self-importance.

“You don’t have to go traditional,” he adds quickly. “Whatever you’re comfortable in.”

“Not jeans or sweatpants,” Charlie says.

“But RYDE sweatpants are so comfortable,” I reply.

“Fucking right they are.” Beck nods emphatically. “That’s why I picked them.”

“You guys are ridiculous,” Mackenzie declares. She points at me. “And don’t even try this I don’t get fancy crap. I saw you at your holiday Christmas party, and I know you had a good time. And remember the wedding Trent took you to? You can do this. And you’re going to fucking rock it. Also, the Fireballs massacred Minnesota when you went to that wedding last year, so you basically have to wear a dress to see if it’s still good luck.”

My mom’s lips part.

Cupcake sits back on her haunches and twists her neck to stare at Mackenzie like she has a screw loose.

But Beck grins.

That bright, haha, she’s got you now, adorable grin. “Can’t argue with that. You owe it to the team. You owe it to the whole city.”

“Fine,” I say. “But I’m not shaving my legs.”

I’m totally shaving my legs.

Beck pulls me into a hug and presses a kiss to my temple. “Thank you, Sarah.”

And I have issues.

Because I’m pretty sure I would’ve caved just for a hug from him, even though what I’d really like is to see if that kissing could go somewhere farther.

“I won’t tell you you’re welcome until you talk my mother out of putting me in Slimzies.”

“Done.”

“Not done,” Mom replies dryly.

“We can discuss this over honey puff pancake.”

“We can discuss this never. Our appointment’s in twenty minutes. The driver’s waiting, Serendipity. It’s time to go.”

“I got your back,” Beck whispers to me. “It’s not over until the former boy bander sings.”

“Amateur,” Mackenzie sniffs. She steps to my side and links her arm in mine. “I’ve got your back, Sarah. He’s staying out of it.”

Mom looks Mackenzie up and down. “Do you have good taste?”

“I was raised by two drag queens. What do you think?”

Mom nods. “Excellent. Come along, Sarah. Beauty waits for no woman.”

Beck grabs my hand before I can follow. “You know you’re a natural?” he says. “In front of the camera, I mean. You could do regular vlogs if you wanted to. And say the word, and I’ll get you a private visit with Persephone.”

Mom stops and looks at him. Then blinks, and is she going to cry? What in the world is going on? “That’s very sweet of you,” she says.

“Wait, isn’t that my line?” I ask.

“Only if you’re actually going to deliver it and snag the man, sweetheart. Come along. Let’s go make him rue the day he insulted your uterus by making him fall madly in love with you when we Cinderella you up.”

He has this unreadable expression on his face as I let Mom and Mackenzie tug me away.

But the weird thing is, despite all my panic last weekend at being sucked into his world and then outed for who I am and who my parents are, I think I’m actually glad he pulled my uterus into it.

Because maybe I should do a video blog. And maybe I should upgrade my website.

And maybe I should stop letting my past hold me back, and grab this unexpected opportunity to figure out who I’m supposed to be in this world.





Twenty-Six





Beck



I don’t hear from Sarah for hours.