Page 34 of Could Be Worse
“What did my dad tell your dad?”
“It was Max who was watching after you.” Snow stared at me knowingly. Max was her son. “When he reported back to Maddox and your dad, several members had been present.”
“Listen, Sadie. We’re all excited you found someone. I would love it if you stuck around. Maybe moved back home. We need you. I need you to help with…” Birdie then whispered in my ear, “Dante and you know who.”
Snow snickered. “I’ll leave so you girls can have some privacy.”
“You know everybody knows about you, Dante, and Ray.” I took Birdie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Just like the club already knows about Bryce.”
“There isn’t a me and Dante.” She sighed and wilted beside me. “Or a me and Raymond. Maybe I need to leave Minnesota and start fresh somewhere else.”
“Your parents would be devastated.”
“Yes, but I don’t know what to do. Dante is my best guy friend. Always has been, and Ember is crazy about him. Which is great.”
“Have you set Dante straight?”
“I’ve tried. I don’t want to hurt him, so I’ve sort of avoided the topic.” She winced and covered her face with her hands.
“Gurrl, that’s not good.”
“I know,” she cried.
“And what’s going on with Ray?”
“Absolutely nothing. If we’re not singing together and practicing with the band, he avoids me. My life is so messed up.”
“Sadie,” Tori called. “I need to potty.”
“It will all workout, babe,” I told Birdie, then hopped to my feet and scooped Tori out of the wagon. “Come on Cat. You should go potty too.”
“It’s fine.” Birdie shrugged. “If you stick around permanently, everything will be better.”
I forced a smile and went to the bathroom. If I stuck around? I didn’t even know what that would look like. Sure, I could start a dance school like my dad had suggested. And… Maybe things would work out with Bryce and me.
I pressed my lips to Tori’s head and smiled down at Cat. It was strange, but I felt content with them… and with their dad.
Stop it, Sadie. You’re getting ahead of yourself. Slow down!
Right. I’d let nature take its course. Either Bryce and I would fizzle out and my dad fixed my blackmailing issue for me to return to Manhattan, or I’d fall madly in love with Bryce and marry him.
I shook the thoughts out of my head and set Tori on her feet to help her. As usual, I was overthinking the situation and needed to stop.
“How does chicken sound for dinner?” I asked the girls.
“Chicken is my favorite!” Cat exclaimed.
“Mine too!” Tori replied as she tugged her pants down.
“Perfect. I’ll make mashed potatoes and roasted carrots to go with it.” I hoisted Tori onto the toilet seat. “Does your daddy like chicken too?”
“Daddy likes everything,” Cat said. “Will you eat with us again?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “Maybe.” If Bryce invited me to join them, I would.
12
Bryce