Page 88 of Stella
“I’m baking some croissants if anyone wants anything?” Manny’s voice is an octave too high, because he one hundred percent knows what’s going on and is now trying to coax everybody out.
I feel like a fucking schoolgirl getting caught with her boyfriend in her dorm. I take a deep breath as my dad suddenly starts bossing everyone around. “Stella’s right, everyone takea beat and let her get organized before we take over her apartment.” He turns to me. “We’ll be right downstairs, honey.”
“Can I use the bathroom?” Rodeo asks, looking around. The bathroom adjoins my bedroom, and for all I know, Cale could be in there as we speak.
“Use the one downstairs,” Luna says at the same time I say, “Uh, it’s a mess and the faucet is running.”
Bad move because that gets Dad’s interest. “It is? I can fix that while I’m here.”
“No!” I practically yell. “I mean, it’s fine, you can do that anytime, and I really need to have a shower before I get going. It’ll be okay for now.”
Dad smiles, oblivious. “Fine, but we’ll be right downstairs. Boys, move it.”
Rock and Jett grumble about time being money, but they turn on their heels and head back down. Only Luna and Manny stay back. Once everyone has disappeared, Luna grabs me by the arm.
“You have Cale Callaghan in your bedroom, don’t you?”
I groan, placing my face in my hands. “Yes,” I groan.
“Oh, my god!” Manny all but screeches, earning him a “Shhhhh!” From both me and Luna simultaneously. “Tell me everything! Did he pop your cherry? How was it? Is he big?”
“Yes, amazing and yes,” I mutter through my hands. “But now he’s stuck in the bedroom and the entire fucking club is here in my apartment!”
“I’ve got a plan,” Manny says. “I’ll lure them out the front with my pastries, and you and Luna can sneak him out.”
“How do we explain the straight pipes?” I sigh.
Manny shrugs. “There’re lots of motorcycles parked out there, I doubt they’re gonna notice it.”
“How did you get here?” Luna turns to Manny. “Since you’re lying about riding Cale’s motorcycle.”
“I parked in the side garage.” Manny shrugs. “Stella lets me use it when I have supplies to bring.”
“How come you’re here?” I ask Manny, my fingers rubbing my temples.
“One of the guys is sick, so I’m stepping in today. Now here’s the plan. Luna will stand guard, I’ll tell them I have something to show them in the cake cabinet, and then he’ll be able to escape out of the back door.”
“That’s all dandy until he gets caught!” I whisper-shout.
“Oh, I can’t wait to hear all about your night of passion.” Luna wiggles her eyebrows. “But Manny is right. If we don’t get him out of here pronto, the boys will roast him alive.”
“Fine,” I mutter through gritted teeth. I swear to God, this could only happen to me. “But I don’t want my dad going to jail.”
“Or Tag,” Luna mutters. “He’s very anti-Cale.”
“He’s very anti-everyone,” I mutter. “Stay here, and I’ll see if he’s ready to shimmy down the drainpipe.”
Luna and Manny burst into laughter as I storm past them. I can’t fucking believe this!
I head back to the bedroom to find Cale sitting anxiously on the bed, fully clothed.
“It’s my dad,” I say dumbly. Duh. He knows that. “And Tag, Rock, Jett, Luna, Manny and Rodeo.”
His eyes widen. “Why are they all here?”
I start to pace. “I forgot they were fitting a new security system downstairs, and I need to have a panel up here so I can control things from here without going downstairs.”
His hands are running through his hair. “Fantastic, so I’m gonna get skinned alive.”
