Page 58 of It's in the Contract
Caroline swallows and says, “Is there any chance I can get you to reconsider helping me with that bake sale? No pressure,” she quickly adds. “I know you’re busy. But you have a talent, girl. It’s a shame to see it go to waste.”
My heart swells, and I think,She’s right.She’s right.
“Yes,” I say before I overthink it. “Yes, I would love to help you.”
Twenty-Two
Homecoming Queen potential? Please. Callie Carter doesn’t stand a chance.
Instagram caption by @briellewilliamsplus.
“Can she come with us,Callie? Please?” Zeke asks over the phone.
I’m just about to head out the door to pick up Zeke for our trip to MoPop, one of my favorite museums in Seattle. It’s been forever since I’ve been, and I’m really looking forward to it. Plus, I think my followers are going to love it. And in every social media post caption I ask for Homecoming votes and direct them to the voting site.
I hesitate with my hand on the doorknob leading to the garage. The house is quiet besides Butter snuffling around on the kitchen floor, hoping for a treat. Mom’s working with a client in her exercise room, and I can barely hear the muffled beat of the song they’re working out to. Dad’s still in LA.
“Well, I don’t know . . .” I trail off. “The MoPop might be boring for Mia. And some of the exhibits might be scary for a little kid.” I don’t know what is age appropriate for a four-year-old, but I can’t imagine that the horror section of the museum will go over well.
Butter snuffles over to me and tickles my toes with her tongue slurping through my sandals, and I stifle a laugh and dance away.
“Well,” Zeke breathes out. “It’s either that or put it off until next weekend. I have to watch Mia. Mama had an emergency come up.”
“Emergency?” I ask, gluing my phone to my ear with my shoulder so I can sling one arm into my jacket. “Is your mom okay?”
“She’s fine. An older lady in our church fell and broke her hip and had no one to take her to the hospital.”
My heart melts. “Your mama is a sweetheart.”
“Yeah, she’s the best.”
Well, how can I say no to that? Zeke’s looking forward to the museum as much as I am. “Okay. Mia can come.”
“Yes! I’ll have her ready to go,” Zeke says. “I promise she’ll be good.”
I don’t know how he can promise such a thing, but it will be fine, right?
“Oh, Suzy wanted to come, too, so I’ll stop by and pick her up first,” I say.
“Sounds great.”
I hang up and reach for the doorknob when I hear, “How’s the campaigning going, Cal?”
I turn to see Mom striding around the corner, sweat dripping down her temples. She’s wearing a neon orange sports bra that shows off a defined six-pack.
“It’s going great!” I pull up the voting page on my phone and show my mom the results so far. Brielle is at two hundred and sixty votes, and I’m almost to three hundred and fifty.
Mom’s eyes light up. “You’re crushing her! Keep this up and you’ll win the crown no trouble at all. Tell me what you’ve done so far.”
I’m a little annoyed by Mom sticking her nose into everything, but I try to keep a smile on my face. “Suzy and I printed posters and hung them up, and I handed out ‘Vote for Callie’ badges. I’ve been asking for votes on all my social media posts. Plus, I have a secret strategy that I think is really working.” I don’t want to tell her what it is because I don’t know what she’ll think of me associating with gamers, loners, and nerds. But it’s actually working!My votes skyrocketed after my appearance on Zeke’s channel.
“Good, good.” Mom nods. “Don’t lose momentum now. You’ve only got a few weeks left to secure a win! And remember, I’ll be there.”
Mom strides to the kitchen before I can answer, and I let out a breath.
Just three more weeks, and it will all be over, one way or the other. I’ll either be on top of the world, basking in the glow of Suzy’s happiness and Mom’s approval, or I’ll be at the Homecoming fair getting a banana cream pie smashed in my face with the losers.
I sigh. Butter waddles back over to me and plops her body on my feet.
