Chapter 11: Sweet Sixteen
*****Saturday Morning in Happy Valley, Oregon*****
Eli was sitting in a rented car across from the apartment building Leanne Mars was supposed to be living in. This was the address her phone records had. Happy Valley was outside of Portland. Eli thought that it seemed like a nice place if you liked yuppie-ville. The apartment complex was on a quiet street. Nico had told Eli that the lease was not under her name. However, they had looked into her connections to the woman whose apartment she was staying in. Her name was Mary Beth Gibson. They had gone to school together at Neptune High. Mary Beth's former husband was from the Portland area. She had stayed there after their divorce. She had a young son. Eli speculated that the women must have been good friends if she was letting Leanne stay indefinitely with her. He was watching the apartment building hoping to catch a glimpse of Veronica's mom.
Yesterday evening, he had went to the restaurant Leanne was waiting tables at. He bribed the bus boy when he was taking out the trash and discovered that Leanne had been working there for the past six months. She was known as dependable and well liked. There was no rumor of her drinking. Eli was glad that things were looking good for V's mom. He hoped Logan was right and that Veronica would want her mom back in her life. It would be easier if her mother was clean, and so far, it appeared that she was.
Eli knew that Leanne had a 9am shift, so he was staking out her place hoping to get an opportunity to photograph her. Finally, she came out. He raised his camera and took several shots of her. Her hair was cut in a short, efficient bob. She got into a Ford Focus and pulled out. Eli followed her as she drove straight to work. He parked the car and debated on whether or not he should go in. He knew Logan would want specifics on her. It was a point of pride that he do this job particularly well. Leanne Mars had never met Eli. He had not become friends with her daughter until after she had left the first time, and when Leanne came back their junior year, she didn't stay long. Eli made a decision. He grabbed a baseball cap that he'd brought. He had on a long sleeve shirt so that all his tats were covered. Opening up his car door, he decided to go ahead and have some breakfast and observe the former Mrs. Mars up close.
*****Later that Evening*****
Jason had decided to take an opportunity to get to know his new roommate. He had suggested they have a dinner and invite their prospective ladies. It would be nice if he could double date with his sister and Eli. However, he didn't feel Jazmin was ready for that. It was good that his sister was thawing out. Last night she had even initiated friendly conversation with Daisy. Although Jason could tell she wasn't yet at ease with Daisy, he was happy that his sister was making an effort. It was important that the two women in his life got along. Jazmin was often too much inside her own head. Daisy could be really good for his sister. She knew how to have fun and live in the moment. Jazmin could be too serious sometimes. The solitary nature of their childhood had left her with many inhibitions when it came to letting people in. It had been amazing that she had let Veronica and Mac get so close to her so fast. Jason was really grateful for that. The summer in Italy had included Parker and had produced another good friend for his sister. Jason couldn't help but wish she had friends like them in Chicago because no matter how much they enjoyed Neptune, Chicago was their home. His sister would live out her days in the windy city just like Jason. If she stayed with Eli like he hoped, then at least they'd both have one person in the city they could count on.
Piz came into the kitchen. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.
"You could set the table if you want," Jason suggested.
"This is really nice of you, man," Piz said. "The lasagna smells great."
"It's my grandmother's recipe. It's pretty amazing if it comes out right. I'm putting the garlic bread in next," Jason said.
"I can make a salad," Piz offered. He had been in Jason's house a week, and they hadn't had much interaction. The guy was always on the go. So far Piz found him to be somewhat of an enigma. Discovering that he was so comfortable in the kitchen was unexpected. It didn't really fit his first impressions of the man.
"That'd be great. Thanks!" Jason said.
They worked in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Jason asked, "So how's things going with you and Parker since you've been back?"
"Pretty good. It's not exactly the same, but I guess I couldn't really expect it to be," Piz said.
"But you sort of did, though, right?" Jason asked. "I probably would if I was in your shoes."
"Yeah, I guess I kind of did. Mac asked her to go to her sister's birthday party tonight, but I don't think she wanted to run into Duncan," Piz shared.
Jason nodded knowingly. "Yeah, Daisy went out with a guy I hated recently. It drove me nuts. She, of course, did it just to make me jealous!" he admitted with a rueful grin.
"You and Daisy seem pretty tight now," Piz said.
"Well, it's been great so far, but she's unpredictable. We got together months ago but it was just a fling. I kind of took her for granted, and she punished me a long time. She loves making me crazy!" Jason shared, grinning. "We're just now in a good place."
"I hope you stay that way. I always liked Daisy," Piz said.
"Wallace definitely wasn't the guy for Daisy," Jason said fondly. "Wallace is too normal. Too nice. Daisy is kind of a man-eater."
"You must like being eaten then," Piz observed with a laugh. He found it amusing that the quality that turned most men off from Daisy was a quality Jason enjoyed.
"There's worse ways to go!" Jason said with a satisfied smirk. The doorbell rang. "I'll get it."
Piz finished the salad as Parker was led into the kitchen. "Hey!" she said, giving him a sunny smile. He took a risk and gave her a light kiss. She put her arms around his neck. "I missed you last night," she said.
"Sorry, I didn't go with you and Wallace to the game, but I promised my old band mates I'd hang with them last night," Piz said.
"Did you have fun?" she asked.
"Yes, it was great," Piz said.
"Is there anything left to do?" Parker asked.
"I told Jason I'd set the table," Piz said.
"I'll help," Parker said. She went to the cabinet and gathered the dishes. The doorbell rang.
Jason welcomed Daisy in with a warm smile. "Hey, you!" he said. He pulled her in and against his chest, wasting no time in fusing their mouths together. He couldn't help kissing her hungrily; the woman had that effect on him. Finally, needing air, he broke off the kiss.
"If you hadn't decided to be so social, I could take off all my clothes right now and let you do anything you want," Daisy said provocatively.
Jason groaned and hugged her tightly. "Don't tease me, you cruel woman!" he said.
Daisy gave a throaty chuckle. "You were the one who kissed me like that!" Daisy reminded him. She pulled back and unbuttoned another button on her silk top, showing more than a glimpse of her cleavage. She loved tormenting him!
Jason's eyes narrowed on the sight. He reached down to touch her breasts, and she slapped his hand. "None of that! You have a dinner to host, and I'm hungry!" she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She walked away with a swing of her hips. Jason didn't know which side of her he liked better, the front or the back.
******The Sinclairs******
Logan, Veronica, and Dick got out Logan's SUV. Dick didn't get far before he was suddenly jerked back. "What the hell?" he asked in surprise as Veronica burst out laughing. His lion's tail had gotten stuck in the car door.
"Dick, watch your tail!" Veronica said. She snickered at how funny they all looked.
"I can't believe you talked me into this," Logan complained, pulling at the foil collar he wore. Mac kept her promise and didn't make him wear tin; however, he still felt ridiculous. Veronica insisted that he cover his face and neck with silver face paint.
"Well, I'm wishing now I was the tin man. This straw stuff is itchy!" Veronica complained.
"I think you look adorable!" Logan said. He bent down to kiss her.
"Don't, Logan! You'll mess up your face paint," Veronica warned, pushing him away.
"You so had better make this worth it!" Logan said as they walked up the path to the Sinclairs'.
"I will. I promise," Veronica said with a grin.
Mac opened the door in full witch costume. Her face and neck were painted green, and she wore a latex nose that made her look very much like the Wicked Witch. "There's my pretty boy!" she said in her witch voice. When Dick's mouth fell open in dismay, she cackled.
Dick visibly shuddered. "Oh my God, Mackie, you look hideous!" Dick exclaimed.
"That's the idea!" Mac said with a satisfied grin. "How about you bend down and give me a kiss!" She grinned wickedly when he took a step backward.
Veronica and Logan laughed at them. The made it through the door when Duncan and Lily arrived. They barely got to greet Lily when Dick yelled, "Lily, come rescue me from the wicked witch!"
Lily giggled and ran to Dick, who took her hand and fled from Mac, dragging a delighted Lily with him.
Logan was snickering at Duncan, who was dressed like a dog. He had ears, a tail, and a painted nose and whiskers. "Dude, who did your make-up?" Logan asked his friend.
"Lily. She assured me I looked very dog like! I'm supposed to be Toto," Duncan said loftily. "I look better than you!"
"Well, that's not saying much! I look ridiculous. I'm still not sure why I'm here," Logan said.
"Because costume parties are fun," Veronica said. "I'm going to go find the gift table and put our gift on it." She walked off with a wave to Duncan, who had barely acknowledged her.
"This had better stop," Logan said in annoyance to Duncan after she left.
"What?" Duncan said, playing dumb.
"You know what. Being rude to Veronica because you are upset over Parker. It's not her fault, and I am sick to death of hearing about it and you! Not to mention your insanity to agree to be Madison's date tonight! I'm tired of hearing about your damn love life!" Logan complained.
"Hey, sorry, dude! It's been a rough week for me. I know I've been an ass. Sorry to disrupt your love life!" Duncan said grinning.
"You better clear the air!" Logan said with a glare.
"I will. I promise!" Duncan said holding up his paws in surrender.
"And you look even more ridiculous that I do!" Logan said, stomping off.
Duncan chuckled. Madison finally noticed his arrival and came toward him. Duncan mentally groaned. What had he been thinking?
*****A Short Time Later*****
Wallace and Thea were the last of their friends to arrive. Veronica grinned in surprise when she caught their outfits or rather Wallace's. Thea was predictably dressed as a doctor with a white doctor's coat and a stethoscope around her neck. Wallace, too, had a stethoscope around his neck. However, he had on a sexy nurse's uniform—one typically worn by a female.
Dick and Logan let out cat calls and whistles when they spotted Wallace. He proudly strutted his stuff. Lily put her hand on her hip and gave him a disapproving look. "Wally, you are a boy! You're not 'pose to wear a dress!" she scolded.
"I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen," Thea said.
Wallace bent down and kissed Lily. "You look beautiful! I wanted to look beautiful, too!" he said.
"Boys can't be bootiful. Only girls!" Lily said. "You look handsome!"
Thea laughed. Wallace grinned at both girls. "Lily, do you remember my friend Thea?" he asked.
"The goddess?" Lily asked.
"Yes, she is!" Wallace agreed.
"Well, you're lucky she deems to spend time with you looking so pathetic!" Logan said. "Did your momma see you dressed like this? Surely, we would've heard the screams of horror!"
"You're one to talk," Wallace said, gesturing to his own tin man get up.
"Your sister is a mean woman," Logan complained.
Veronica elbowed him. "I'm dressed in straw so quit complaining!" she insisted.
Lauren came and greeted them. She giggled at Wallace's outfit. "That is way cool!" she exclaimed.
"Thanks for letting us crash your party," Wallace said.
"Happy birthday!" Thea added, handing her a small wrapped box.
"Thanks! The more, the merrier! Come outside. The dancing is about to start," Lauren said eagerly.
They all went outside and saw an outdoor platform raised a few feet above the ground with a band on it. "It's the same band that was at my last party. They're so great!" Lauren said enthusiastically.
"Well, Dorothy, may I have the honor of dancing with the birthday girl?" Dick asked gallantly.
"Why of course, sir lion!" Lauren said with a giggle.
As they started the dancing, Wallace turned to Thea, "So how about it? Up for a dance?" Wallace asked with a grin.
Thea smiled. "Sure," she said. The music was slow, and she let him pull her into his arms. For the first time as she looked into his eyes, she became aware of the fact that he was a very attractive guy. A sudden awareness sprung up between them. The ease she normally had with him dissipated and she stumbled.
"Careful," Wallace said, and he pulled her closer against him. He smiled down at her. She was just slightly shorter than him, and she didn't like wearing heels.
"I'm glad you came with me tonight," he said to her.
"Ah, me, too," she managed to spit out. She looked up at him in slight surprise. The way he was looking at her made her heart speed up. She looked over at Veronica and Logan dancing nearby. Logan was smiling down at Veronica, his eyes full of love and admiration. She looked back at Wallace, who was giving her a warm, admiring look of his own. Suddenly, she realized that this wasn't just two friends going to a party together. This was a date. She stumbled again.
"Wallace's date seems to have two left feet," Logan observed as Thea stumbled in Wallace's arm.
Veronica looked over. "She looks nervous," Veronica said.
"Yes, she does," Logan agreed. "Maybe she's not used to slow dancing."
"Maybe she finally realizes Wallace likes her," Veronica said with a happy grin.
"So how long do we have to be here?" Logan asked.
"Until I succeed in ruining Madison's night!" Veronica said saucily.
Logan laughed. "Well, she seems to be enjoying herself," he said pointing.
Veronica looked and saw Duncan and Madison dancing. She made gagging noises. "I think I'm going to be sick!" she said dramatically.
Logan rolled her eyes. "Don't be so predictable," he admonished.
She pouted up at him. "I can't believe you said that!" she exclaimed.
He bent down and lightly bit her protruding lip. "You look delicious even covered in straw!" he said with a low growl.
"Your paint, Logan!" Veronica warned.
"I don't care!" Logan said smugly. He kissed her ruthlessly. When he broke off the kiss, she was breathing heavily. He grinned in satisfaction and then purposely rubbed his face against her cheek.
"Logan!" she yelled in frustration
He laughed and dipped her. Then he pulled her back up. "I always did think the scarecrow had a thing for the tin man!" he declared.
Veronica couldn't stay annoyed and laughed at the absurdity of the suggestion. "I hope our child does not inherit your sense of humor!" she informed him.
"What? You love my sense of humor!" Logan insisted.
"Yes, and we know how crazy I am!" she replied.
Logan spun her out and then back into his arms. "I prefer the term special!" Logan said with a smirk. When she laughed, he marveled at how attractive he found her even covered in overalls and a straw hat. Yep, it was official. He was totally whipped!
*****More to Come*****