“Not as of later today,” Jodi explains. The throbbing in my head worsens with each word she speaks. “My cousin, Joey, is going to announce that he’s running against you,” she says out of the blue.
Her statement blindsides me. This isn’t how things were supposed to go. I have a plan, and this is just one more twist that’s blowing it all to hell.
Pacing to the window so she can’t read the doubt on my face, I work to control my breathing. “Joey runs the auto body shop north of town, right?”
“Third generation mechanic,” she confirms.
“Which means he has even less political experience than me. I can?—”
"You can't beat him."
“You might not think I'm fun, but I'm dedicated to this town. It’s my home, even if the mayor’s office is a stepping stone for something more. That only means I'm going to try harder. I have goals, Jodi, and?—”
“He’s going to use the scandal against you.”
I slowly turn to face her. I’ve never given much thought to having a Spidey-sense, but my whole body is tingling, and not in the way it did earlier watching Jake move across the dance floor.
No one knows aboutmyscandal. A wave of shame washes over me as I imagine the gossip and judgment, my reputation unraveling before my eyes. There are worse things to be known as than a stick in the mud. And given my mom’s history, the “other woman” label is devastating to me, even if I deserve it.
“Why?” I croak out. “How?” I grip the edge of the window like the wood trim can keep me from falling.
She lets out a long sigh. “I get that it’s unfair, and most people in Skylark don’t hold you responsible for how your mom behaved, but my family still does.” She shrugs. “Me included, as we both know. Joey is going to lean into the whole family values platform. Tradition, since the Moores have a long history around here. You haven’t done anything to deserve it, but he’s going for the whole complicit by association angle. I think it has a good shot of tilting things in his favor.”
“Oh.” I move to a nearby chair on shaky legs and lower myself into it. “This is about my mom.”
“Your brother’s kind of a train wreck, too,” Jodi adds. “I’m honestly sorry, Iris. You aren’t the villain here.”
Not here. But I am a villain.
I cross my arms over my chest, feeling exposed and conflicted. What now?
“I could help you with a campaign,” Jodi offers, making me realize I voiced the question out loud.
A laugh bubbles up in my throat. “Is this some kind of Trojan Horse deal, or like when Regina and The Plastics got their revenge inMean Girls? Why would you help me when you hate me?”
“I don’t hate you,” she says quietly. “And I guess I understand I’m not the only one still dealing with the fallout of a scandal that wasn’t my fault.” She taps her shiny nails on the desk. “Plus, I’m hoping if I help you that you’ll help me with Jake.”
Whoa. The shock waves just keep on reverberating through me.
I don’t know what to say, but I do know I made a promise to Sloane and a commitment to myself. Maybe I can finally prove to the world—myself included—that I’m not only fun, I’m also fierce.
It’s time for a self-reckoning. There’s a lot involved in navigating the potential fallout, but also the possibility of rebuilding my sense of self. And that’s enough of a potential win to convince me not to turn away from this fight. No matter what I have to do to win.
11
IRIS
Tony’s,the diviest—and my favorite—of Skylark’s modest bar scene, is crowded for a Thursday, primarily because of the ever-popular karaoke night they host each week.
See what I mean about this town and fun? Even the dive bars host events that everyone from bikers to cowboys to the elementary school principal enjoy.
I’m nestled in a corner booth with two shot glasses in front of me—I should clarify, two empty shot glasses. Because the so-called fun I’m about to engage in will be easier with a smidge of liquid courage.
“Are you ready for this?” Avah demands as she and Molly slide in across from me.
A petite waitress with jet black hair arrives a moment later. “Can I get anything for you ladies?”
“Another round,” I tell her, lifting a finger. Or maybe two fingers. It’s a little fuzzy at the moment.