Chapter 12: Fun and Games
******Where We Left off******
The dancing continued without interruption for at least an hour. After Dick had his first dance with the birthday girl, Lauren danced the second dance with Mac's brother Ryan.
"Oh, check it out, babe," Dick said to Mac who was now dancing with him. "Your bro is dancing with your sis. In most states that would be considered illegal!"
"They're not related!" Mac reminded them. "Besides, it's just a dance, and they're friends."
"That's how we started," Dick replied with a twinkle in his eyes. "I befriended you. Then I seduced you!" He bent down and kissed her neck with a loud smack.
"You didn't seduce me. You made me fall in love with you, remember? The seducing took months!" she said with a smirk. She loved to tease him about how afraid of sex with her he had been. It was still hard to believe.
"Dickie, it's my turn!" Lily said as she suddenly appeared at his knees. She pushed against Mac's legs. "Dick promised me that he'd dance wif me!"
Mac stepped back and bent down to her eye level. "Sweetie, you don't have to be so pushy. I don't mind if you dance with Dick. However, it's polite to wait until the dance is over. Then approach. You can wait your turn," she informed Lily.
Then Mac rose up and put her arms back around Dick's neck. He looked very surprised. "I can't believe you were so cruel to my girl!" he announced with a frown. He glanced at Lily to see if she'd start to cry.
"I wasn't cruel, Dick. She's spoiled and used to always getting her way. I do not want her to grow up to be her namesake. I want her to be like her mother," Mac said unapologetically. "We can love her and spoil her some, but we will also encourage good manners. It's bad enough I have to put up with Madison. I don't want Lily growing up acting so entitled."
Dick gave her a thoughtful look. Then he smiled. "You're tough! That's so hot!" he declared. "Our kids are going to be totally awesome! 'Cause you know I'd never be able to say no to our little girl about anything!"
Mac stopped dancing and looked at him in surprise. "Planning our family already?" she asked.
"Well, not specifically. But you know. Someday. Like we said," he said with a grin.
Mac smiled. "I'm not ready to share you with any kids yet, so it'll be a while!" she replied. The music stopped. They both turned to look at Lily, who was waiting patiently for her turn.
"Thank you, sweetie, for waiting so politely," Mac told her. She bent down and kissed her on the cheek.
"Is it my turn now?" she asked Dick eagerly.
"Yep! I'm all yours, my sweet Lily-pad!" Dick announced. He bent down and picked her up and started dancing with her all of the place, making her giggle as he twirled her around.
Duncan was sipping a drink and watching his daughter with Dick because he loved to watch her have so much fun. Veronica approached him. He eyed her warily. "Hey," he said.
"Hi. Can we talk?" Veronica asked.
He nodded and they moved inside the house away from the music.
"I really hate that you're so upset with me!" Veronica complained.
Duncan sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I've been a real ass," he admitted.
"Yes, you have. You were really mean!" Veronica said. "And you agreed to be Madison Sinclair's date! I hate her above all people, and you know it!"
Duncan gave her a half smile. "Well, I wasn't trying to hurt you by coming to this party. Not everything is about you, Ronnie!" he said.
"Of course, it is!" she declared with a haughty look. Then she laughed. "Okay, so maybe not. But it feels like it was a jab at me. Her smug looks tonight have made me want to get out my Taser."
"You brought your Taser?" Duncan asked in surprise. He looked at her scarecrow costume trying to figure out where she hid it.
"No, of course not! I just wish I had it!" Veronica declared with a saucy grin.
Duncan laughed. He moved and sat down in a nearby chair, placing his drink on the table next to it. Veronica sat down next to him.
"I really didn't mean to hurt you. I just thought Parker should be the one to talk to you. I know if the situation was reversed, I'd be really hurt if I heard from you or Dick before Logan talked to me," Veronica said.
"You're right. But I probably would've been hurt either way," Duncan admitted with a sad face. "I really thought she was the one. She is so perfect for me."
"You know, Duncan, if you really believe that, you shouldn't give up on her," Veronica advised. "Logan never gave up on me and look at us now."
Duncan looked thoughtful. "Well, you and Logan were at least lovers. Parker and I hadn't even made it to that stage. I was probably being foolish. It was too soon to be so attached. Obviously, she wasn't feeling what I was feeling," he said with a sigh.
"I'm not so sure about that," Veronica said. "I had lunch with her the other day to feel her out. She's pretty upset. She didn't want to give you false hope or hurt you further, but she didn't seem to be completely okay with not seeing you anymore either."
"Really?" Duncan said hopefully.
Veronica nodded. "She feels guilty for the Vegas kiss and blames her break-up with Piz on that. So maybe there's more to her reconciliation than what she said," Veronica said.
"What should I do then?" Duncan asked.
"I think you should not date Madison for one thing. For another, give it some time. See what way the wind blows," Veronica suggested.
Duncan grinned. He got up and took her hand and pulled her in for a hug. "I really love you, Ronnie!" he said. "I know I don't deserve you, but I'm grateful for you. I'm sorry for hurting you."
"Just remember, I am Parker's friend, but I still shared things with you that I probably shouldn't have. So don't think you always come last," Veronica said.
Duncan kissed her cheek.
"What's this? I go away from five minutes and you're horning in on my woman!" Logan exclaimed as he suddenly appeared. His outraged expression looked a bit ridiculous with his tin outfit and smeared paint face. However, the twinkle in his eyes belied any real anger.
"Sorry, Logan, but Veronica has decided a tin man just doesn't do it for her!" Duncan said airily. He kept his arm around her shoulder.
Veronica giggled. "Duncan's got a point. You do look pretty silly!" she told him.
"And whose fault is that?" Logan said with a disgruntled look.
"I'm sorry, sweetie!" Veronica said apologetically. "It's Lauren's birthday, and it's what she wanted."
"Not good enough," Logan said with a pout. He glared at Duncan. "You better keep your paws to yourself, you ole' dog!" He stomped off. He wasn't really mad, but he loved the dramatics of it all. His parents both had been actors after all.
Duncan snickered. "Better go placate your tin man!" he advised.
She gave him a squeeze. "I'll catch you later!" she said with a wave and trailed after Logan.
Madison had been close by observing the scene. She wasn't close enough to overhear, but it seemed like Logan was upset at the closeness between Duncan and Veronica. She walked over to Duncan. "Veronica Mars just doesn't know when to quit, does she?" she said.
"What do you mean?" Duncan asked.
"Well, she's pregnant with Logan's baby and is stringing you along still!" Madison said with an eye roll.
Duncan's eyes narrowed. "You don't know what you're talking about," he said stiffly.
"I know what I just saw!" she said. "Veronica will never be satisfied unless she has you always dancing to her tune while Logan watches from the sidelines ready to swoop in and save her."
"Veronica and Logan are my best friends. My daughter's godparents. In some way or another, I will always be dancing her tune as you so eloquently put it, Madison. They are my family, so don't talk about what you know nothing about," Duncan said in annoyance.
Madison realized she had miscalculated and tried to recover. She put her hand on his arm and gave him a flirty smile. "I'm sorry. I just hate for anyone to take advantage of a great guy like you!" she said.
Duncan realized he'd made a huge mistake when he agreed to come to this party as Madison's date. "Look, Madison, this was a mistake. I shouldn't have come here as your date. You and I can't be more than friends. That's all we've ever been, and that's all we ever will be," he informed.
"Duncan!" she started to protest, but he cut her off.
"I'm sorry, but I mean it. Thanks for letting me and Lily crash your party. She's having a lot of fun, and I appreciate it. But this can't happen again," Duncan said. Then he turned and walked off.
Madison's mouth fell open in dismay as she watched Duncan walk off. He just blew her off like she was nothing. She closed her mouth and crossed her arms, so angry that she wanted to stomp her feet. However, she'd outgrown that childish habit. However, she still wanted to scream. Damn that Veronica Mars! This is her fault! Madison wished for once things would go her way and not Veronica's. She headed to the bar. She so needed a drink!
******At the Java Hut******
Jazmin decided that she needed a change of scenery and loaded her laptop in her shoulder bag and walked to the Hut. She hadn't been lying when she told Eli that she had work to get done. Parker was having dinner with Piz at Jason's, and Mac was at the costume party for her sister. Of course, she had asked Jazmin to go. However, Jazmin not only didn't want to have to fake another night of revelry, but she needed to get some work done. She hoped that Eli would be home sometime tonight and would be by to see her in the morning. If she didn't get some work done before he returned, he may feel like she just didn't want to be with him when she'd turned down his invitation for the weekend.
Jazmin was anxious enough about things with Eli. She didn't need any more obstacles or upsetting him over nothing, so she wanted to get her work done before tomorrow. Seeing him was both comforting and nerve-racking. He made her feel safe, but she also felt guilty for not telling him what she was going through. She loved him, but the thought of having sex again—even with him—turned her stomach. She put her bag down on a corner table and ordered a cappuccino from the server and a turkey wrap. Not focusing on her life for a few hours would be good for her.
An hour passed peacefully. She finished her dinner and had begun to make some head way. Some loud laughter disturbed her peace, and she looked up. Several football players had come in and were waiting to be seated. Jazmin's entire body froze when she spotted David amongst the group of guys. This had been the first time she'd seen him in the eight days since his attack. Horror filled her as she realized that she couldn't even escape the place without him spotting her.
David was laughing with some friends when he spotted the delicious Jazmin Jaleno sitting at a table with her computer. "Hey, isn't that the girl you have the hots for?" one of his friends asked with a whistle.
David smiled in anticipation and took a step toward her. However, when she spotted him, the terror on her face was obvious, and she began gathering up her stuff. He eyed her warily and stopped his approach. A friend slapped him on the back. "I don't think she's happy to see you, big guy!" his friend said. They laughed while David frowned in displeasure. He walked toward her. She got up and threw some money on the table and grabbed her bag. She tried to walk by him without looking at him, but he reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.
She yelled, "Don't touch me!" Embarrassed, he quickly let her arm go. She leaned closer and said in a lower voice. "If you touch me ever again, I swear to God, I'll kill you!" Not waiting for his response, she brushed passed him and exited the restaurant.
"Man, Dave, I don't think she's going to go out with you again!" one of the guys said. They snickered and teased him good-naturedly.
David gave his friends a sheepish smile and shrugged carelessly. They turned to follow the hostess who was ready to seat them. No one saw the banked rage in his eyes.
Jazmin raced home, shaken and scared. She locked the front door behind her and couldn't resist peeking through the curtains to see if he followed her. After a few minutes, she went upstairs to her room and called Eli. She just needed to hear his voice.
"Hey, Princess! How's it going?" Eli said when he answered the call.
"Okay. I just miss you and wanted to hear your voice," she said, sitting down on her bed.
"I miss you, too," he said. "I am currently heading to the airport. I should be back home later tonight."
Jazmin was relieved that he was heading back home and had to resist the urge to ask him to stop by. Her neediness will make him suspicious again. He'd been convinced her pregnancy scare was why she'd been acting so strange. If she didn't learn to calm down, he'd know for sure something was wrong. "That's great! I just got back from the Hut. I took my laptop there and got some work done. Parker and Piz are double dating with my brother and Daisy," she shared.
"I hope that's something you and I can do some time. I know your brother would like that," Eli said meaningfully.
"Yeah, I know. I'm working on it," she said. "You'll be happy to know that I was very nice to Daisy last night at Veronica's."
"Good. I'm glad you had fun," he said, relieved that she was both making an effort with Daisy and had gotten out of the house.
"When do you think you'll be by tomorrow?" she asked.
"I got to meet with a client for lunch and give him the report on this trip, and then I'm all yours," he said.
"Great! I'll see you tomorrow. Be safe," she said.
"I will. Good night. I love you," Eli said.
"I love you, too," she said. She hung up and looked down at the phone, not really seeing it. Instead, she saw the arrogant expression on David's face. Oh, how she hated the sight of him! A part of her wanted very much to wipe that smug expression off his face. One call to her dad would make sure that happened very soon. Sadly,
she wasn't prepared to do that. However, she didn't like not feeling safe in her own home. She was going to have to do something. She couldn't go on like this.
******Back at the Sinclairs'******
Wallace watched Logan dance with Thea. Veronica came up to him. "How's it going, bro?" she asked with a pleased grin.
"Pretty great. Look at Thea with Logan. She looks so cute!" Wallace exclaimed with a smile.
Veronica looked at the dance floor. Thea looked very uncomfortable dancing with Logan. Veronica felt a bit pleased that her man was hot enough to make Thea nervous. "She's a bit shy around hot guys," Veronica observed.
"Hey, I'm hot! She's not shy around me!" Wallace protested.
"You are approachable in your hotness," Veronica said tactfully. "And besides I'm not sure Thea's even noticed you're a guy."
When Wallace looked offended at her comment, Veronica laughed. "Relax, Papa Bear! I think she started to notice during your dance earlier. She gets awkward when she notices the opposite sex," Veronica shared.
"Really?" Wallace asked in surprise.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Do guys not notice anything at all?" she asked.
"We notice the important things!" Wallace protested.
The song ended and Logan and Thea made their way to them. "Is it my turn again?" Veronica asked eagerly.
"I suppose," Logan said with a dramatic sigh. "If I must!"
"You must!" Veronica said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the dance floor.
"Why do I get the feeling that he doesn't really find dancing with her a hardship?" Thea asked dryly.
"Because he doesn't!" Wallace said with a grin. "Logan loves any excuse to put his arms around her. Haven't you noticed?"
"Well, I feel like the belle of the ball. I got to dance with you, Duncan, Logan, and even Dick asked me to dance," Thea said. "Somehow, I feel like it's a conspiracy."
Wallace knew that Veronica had put a bug in their friends' ears about making sure Thea had a good time, so he just smiled and said, "Hey, when you're hot, you're hot!"
Thea laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're funny! Delusional but funny!" she declared.
Wallace realized that Veronica had a point. Thea may have started to get an inkling about his feelings, but she really didn't see how much he liked her. He decided to do something about that. He took her hand and led her inside the house, searching for a quiet, secluded spot.
Thea gave him a questioning look when they slipped inside the library that was vacant. "Is everything alright?" she asked in concern.
"Everything is great. I just wanted to talk to you in a quiet place where we could have some privacy," he replied.
Thea suddenly felt nervous. Wallace was glancing intently at her. "Okay," she said softly.
Wallace reached out and tucked a strand of hair around her ear and smiled down at her. She was the perfect height for him. "I wanted to tell you that I don't want to just be your study buddy anymore," he said.
"You don't?" Thea asked with a frown.
Wallace gave a low chuckle at her cluelessness. "No, Athena. I find you to be a true goddess like your namesake. I want to date you," Wallace said.
Thea's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You do?" she asked.
Instead of answering, Wallace leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. Somehow, he knew that would be enough. Then he pulled back and smiled down at her.
She looked a bit dazed and put her hand to her lip. "No guy's ever kissed me before," she admitted.
Now it was Wallace's turn to be surprised. "Seriously?" he asked, a bit freaked out at the implication.
She shook her hand and look shyly up at him. "No. I skipped two grades and was always so awkward in high school. I'm more confident now, but I've been so busy with my studies and the stupid sorority. And I guess no guy has really wanted to kiss me," she shared. She looked down, feeling embarrassed by her confession.
Wallace reached out and put his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "Hey, don't feel bad about that. The guys you have known were stupid and blind. You're incredible! You're brilliant, selfless, funny, and so adorable. You have the most amazing smile," he said.
When she showed him the smile he so enjoyed seeing, he was unable to resist kissing her again.
Ten minutes later they joined their friends in the main room of the house where the buffet was laid out. Duncan was feeding Lily. Veronica and Logan were filling up a plate of food. Lauren and Ryan were listening to an animated tale from Dick. Mac noticed the new couples' appearance. She saw the hand holding and the amazed look on Thea's face. "Hey, Bond, look up," she said to Veronica. Veronica looked up and Mac pointed at the newly formed couple.
Veronica smiled when she spotted Wallace and Thea. Wallace stopped at the end of the buffet and handed a plate to Thea. He grabbed one for himself. Veronica took her own plate and headed to the happy couple. "Hey, guys. The crab cakes are very good!" she shared.
"You mean you saved us some?" Wallace joked.
"A few," she said with a grin. "Do you have a sec?" She motioned for Wallace to step away from the food.
"What's up?" Wallace asked.
"I don't know. You tell me," Veronica said with a sly grin. "You and Thea look awfully chummy all of a sudden. What happened?"
Wallace grinned. "She agreed to go out with me!" he shared.
"I knew she was a smart lady with incredible taste!" Veronica exclaimed.
"I really like her, Veronica," Wallace said.
"I know you do. She's pretty great," Veronica said.
"But she's really inexperienced," he shared in a near whisper. He looked over at her as she chatted with Mac and Lily. She was really good with kids. He supposed that was because she had so many younger siblings.
"Just be patient with her," Veronica advised.
"You know I kissed her, and she admitted that she'd never been kissed before. I'm trying not to freak out because I kind of like that no other guy has ever meant anything to her, but at the same time it's a lot to take in," Wallace admitted in bemusement.
"Duncan was the first boy that ever kissed me. He was sweet and didn't rush me. I suggest you follow his example. And talk to her. If it starts to get serious, let her know what you're feeling. She seems pretty upfront to me. I doubt she'll hide much from you, especially if she already admitted that she'd never been kissed," Veronica said.
Wallace gave her a hug and walked back to his new girlfriend. Veronica was very happy for him. Thea was a real breath of fresh air and she loved seeing Wallace happy. He hadn't been for most of the semester. She joined her friends who were listening to Mac's witch impersonation.
"Cut that out, Mac! It creeps me out!" Dick complained with a visible shudder.
His friends laughed. "What do you mean, Dick? Don't you want to give me a kiss?" Mac said with a gleeful grin.
"Yeah, kiss her! Kiss the witch!" Lily said with a happy clap of her hands.
"Nope! Not until she gets that freaky nose off her face and that green goo! My lips will not work!" Dick insisted. Mac reached for him trying to get a kiss. He jumped back. She let out her witch's cackle, and he turned and fled. Lily was at their heels eagerly watching the display. Mac chased after Dick with her arms outstretched.
"Looks like Dick's living up to his costume," Logan observed watching them with a chuckle. Veronica took out her cell phone and snapped some pictures at their ridiculous friends. Lauren decided Veronica had the right idea and started snapping pictures, too.
Across the room, Madison was watching the display in growing disgust and anger. This was her house, and yet she felt like the stranger. Lauren didn't seem to care if she was there or not, so she finished off her drink and headed to the bar to get a refill. She needed a lot more alcohol in her if she was going to get through this night.
Logan's phone vibrated. Luckily, the stupid pants he had on did have pockets. He reached in and saw that it was Weevil. He stepped away from his friends and answered it.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," Weevil said. "I wanted you to know that I'm heading back tonight."
"So soon? Did you find out anything?" Logan asked.
"Yes, I saw V's mom. I took some photos of where she lives and her work. She's waiting tables at a diner in Happy Valley, Oregon," Weevil shared.
"How did she look?" Logan asked.
"She looked good," Weevil said.
"How about you meet me tomorrow and you tell me all about it?" Logan suggested.
"Lunch?" Weevil asked.
"Why don't we meet a bit earlier? Come to Faces around eleven," Logan said.
"No problem. I'll bring the camera," Weevil said. He hung up.
Logan put away his phone. He was glad that things were looking good with Leanne. He was one step closer in reuniting Veronica with her mother. Now he had to decide when to tell Veronica. Should he go see Leanne first? He wouldn't bring her back into Veronica's life unless she was going to step up and be someone Veronica could count on. She had been disappointed enough.
*****To Be Continued*****