Ch 59: Crazy love

“See you at school, Steve,” Cindy said, hopping into the front seat of her father’s car.

“En Espanol, senorita,” Steve said.

“Hasta la vista,” she replied with a giggle.

“Um...I guess that’s right. I’m not too good at it yet,” he said, shrugging.

“You make sure I pass math and I’ll help you with Spanish, okay?” she said.

“Deal,” he said brightly. “Bye, Mr. Sebastian.”

“Don't think so. You have to come with us, kid. Your ride just left,” Donny said pointing at Wes’ tail lights, only just visible heading down the street. 

“What the heck!” Steve grumbled, just as Jasmine and Troy came out of the restaurant. “At least I’m not the only one left behind.”

Ch 58: Almost there

   

Janet and Dawn stared at the woman who just bounded into the restroom.

“Hey, is there a Janet in here?” she said. 

“Uh, yes? I’m Janet,” she said, a confused expression on her face.

“There’s a boy out there looking for you. He looks ready to call in the Marines. He must think you fell into the toilet and drowned,” she said, laughing and she walked off into a stall.

“Oh, that must be Wes!” Janet said, placing her hands to her cheeks.

“Who’s Wes?” Dawn asked.

“Um…my boyfriend,” she replied.

Ch 57: Back in the day

Janet waited with as much patience as she could muster as Dawn seemed to go back in time, her plump face acquiring a reminiscent glow. 

“I say this with the utmost affection, but your father was pathetic when it came to Wendy.  Frankly, not much has changed.”

“You think so?” Janet said, unconvinced.

Dawn smiled. “Yes, I do. Your mom was very popular back then, you know, from the moment she arrived in town. Why wouldn’t she be? She was perfect. Beautiful, charming, smart, sweet as pie and so witty. She had all the girls wishing to be her best friend and all the guys drooling at her feet, but none so much as Jeff. Love-sick puppy, he was,” she said.

“And this Karen person…where does she come in?” Janet asked.

Chapter 56: The substitute brother

Wes found Janet standing by the restrooms with his jacket neatly folded over her arm. When he approached her, she handed it to him.

“I’ll be out in a little while. Just want to wash my face,” Janet said.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded and had place her hand on the door ready to push it open, but then she looked at him again.

“What?” he asked.

“Can I ask you something else?”

Chapter 55: A Freudian Thing

It was a bit chilly outside, but the sky had cleared and the stars were out making it a nice night for a walk on the boardwalk. 

Wes and Janet followed Troy and Jasmine at a respectable distance walking painstakingly slow. He was still astounded that she allowed him to join her, although, he did suspect it had to do with her father and her desire to somehow punish him. So she was using Wes, so what? At least they were together. 

Did he dare put his arm around her? He certainly wanted to. Should he take hold of her hand? Would she rebuke even that tiny gesture? Very likely, yes. As luck would have it, he saw her wrap her arms around herself and shiver. He instantly pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Then, with only a moment’s hesitation slipped his hand around her waist.

“I should have gotten your coat,” he said.

Chapter 54: Done deal

 “So, where’s your wife, Don?” Jeffery asked, looking around the table.

A cloud passed over Donny’s eyes for a split second. “She died a few years ago.”

“Oh,” Jeffery said, grimacing. “I’m so sorry. It does explain why you haven't been to my shop in so long.”

Donny nodded and an awkward silence ensued.

Chapter 53: Lucky to have you

                                             

“Janet getting a boyfriend,” Steve interjected. “Now, that’s a miracle and something to celebrate. At least Mom said that's what we were celebrating on Friday.”

“You did not, you big fat liar!” Janet snapped.

“Did, too. You weren’t home Friday or you would have seen that she did make a special dinner to celebrate you getting Wes,” Steve said.

“She did,” Jasmine interjected. “It was very nice.”

"I thought it was really weird...celebrating something for you when you weren't even there," Troy said.

Janet pressed her lips together and sat with her arms crossed over her chest refusing to notice the smug look on Wes’ face. 

Chapter 52: Doing great

                                      

“Janet, are you all right?” Donny asked.

“Yes, yes, fine,” she lied, setting her napkin on her lap. “It’s so pretty here.”

“It is. Mr. Frank takes great pride in…” Wes said, but Janet cut him off.

“Mr. Sebastian, tell me what you do for fun. We should do something crazy next weekend like bowling,” she said.

“Since when is bowling something crazy?” Troy asked.

“If you’d ever seen me with a bowling ball, you’d understand. I’m dangerous!”

Donny laughed.

“I guess there’s good reason to stay away from you then,” Troy retorted.

“Smart of you, Troy,” she said smiling at him.

Surprised, Troy stared at her, then turned to Jasmine. “She actually smiled at me,” he whispered to her. 

“So?”

“She never smiles at me. She usually insults me,” he said. “It’s just weird.”

Chapter 51: Dinner at the Picadillo

                                                 

“Come on, Wes. Turn the frown upside down,” Jasmine said coming out of his car. “You might not believe this, but you’re doing great… really.” 

Wes glared at her. “Janet doesn’t even want to ride in the same car with me and I’m doing great?” he growled.

“Yes, at least she’s not chewing you out at every turn,” she replied.  “You just gotta give her time.” 

“How much time?” Wes asked, locking the car and pocketing his keys.

“Only Janet knows that,” Jasmine said. “Just be polite and don’t get sarcastic or nasty no matter what she says. She’ll behave tonight cuz we’re here for Mom, so you won’t have too much to deal with.”

Chapter 50: The Defeated puppy

Janet paused before going into the kitchen. For whatever reason, she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She couldn’t understand why, but she smoothed back her ponytail, twirling the end of it with her fingers and went in. Her heart gave a leap when she saw Wes with her laptop.

“What are you doing now?” she snapped. “Planting more viruses?”

“Of course not,” he said, looking hurt. “I’m trying to finish up your yenta website. I need your input though.”

“I don’t want it. You can just delete all of it and leave my computer alone,” she said. 

Wes stared at her and slowly closed over the laptop. To Janet’s astonishment he looked precisely as Jasmine had described, like a defeated puppy dog. She quickly looked away refusing to feel guilty. He was the one who had done wrong, not she!






She went straight to the counter and pulled out of a drawer an apron which she wrapped around herself.  She then took out some aluminum foil and plastic wrap and started covering the casserole dishes.

“What the heck was Mom thinking?” she muttered to herself as she covered the third dish. “She won’t need to cook for weeks. Have to freeze most of this.”

“Your mom said Cindy and I could take some cookies,” Wes said.

She continued pulling long sheets of foil and wrapped each casserole dish, totally ignoring him.

“Janet, I’m sorry. I…”

“Don’t wanna hear it. You're just a liar!"

"I know," he said.


This so stunned Janet she ripped the foil too short for the dish and she had to get another piece. "You're a jerk!"


"I know that, too."

Was he trying to tick her off even more? Nothing she hated more than someone apologizing when she wanted to stay angry!



"I hate you!" she said.


"I wish you wouldn't cuz I love you,"he said ever so quietly.

Janet, however, heard it quite clearly. She could feel her heart swelling...with what, she hadn't a clue. She had to bite down on her lip to keep it from trembling.She would not cry in front of him!
 
"Go away unless you want that pretty little face smashed in,” she said through clenched teeth.

“If it’ll make you feel better go for it. I deserve it,” he said, coming to stand on the opposite side of the center island.

She glared at him then made a weird face. “What the heck did you do to your hair?”

“Uh…I dunno,” he said, running his hands through it and fluffing out his curls. “Any better?”

It was considerably better. She didn’t think he ever looked cuter, but she refused to say it. Instead she shrugged and turned away. She rearranged several things in the fridge, moving things around and stacking others and then she started putting away the food. When she ran out of room there, she turned to the freezer. There were still two large dishes with no room left.

“Troy is gonna have to take these home,” she mumbled as she removed her apron and stuffed it back into the drawer. She then cleaned the counters and left the kitchen. She knew Wes was following her but she paid him no mind.

“Hey, everybody, we should get--,” she said as she entered the family room. 

She jumped back and collided with Wes when Troy let out a roar of delight and Donny jumped to his feet.

“Cowboys win!” Donny shouted, turning around to smile at her.

“Uh, that’s great,” she said, though she couldn’t care less.She pushed Wes' hands off her shoulders and added, “Um, where’s Jasmine? We have to leave.”

“Getting dressed, doing the makeup thing and stuff,” Steve told her. 

“Honestly! She had all day for that,” Janet huffed and she stormed out of the room.

“Why is she upset? We’re not late, are we?” Cindy said.

“We’ll be waiting another half hour or so for Jasmine, you’ll see and then we will be late,” Steve said.

“You’re exaggerating. It doesn’t take that long to get ready. It’s just dinner out,” Cindy said.

“You’re thinking of Janet. She’s ready in two minutes, but you don’t know Jasmine.”

Cindy made a face. “But I’m hungry now,” she whined.

He laughed then stood up and grabbed her hand. “Come on,” he said pulling her with him, checking to make sure Janet wasn’t watching.

“Where we going?”

“Getting a little snack, but it's gotta be quick,” he replied in a whisper. “Just don’t tell Janet. She’s like a Nazi sometimes.”

Cindy giggled and they sneaked around behind Janet, who stood at the base of the stairs and they dashed into the kitchen.

“Jazzy, we're leaving in ten minutes...no joke!" Janet shouted up the stairs.

“I don’t think we can all fit in my car,” Donny said coming out of the family room with Troy. “Janet, you and Wes can take…”

“No!” she said, cutting him off. “Uh… Troy will drive, right Troy?”

“ I can’t. My brother borrowed the car,” Troy said. “But Wes has his. The four of us fit.”

“Yeah, I’ll drive. I don’t mind,” Wes said, staring at Janet.

But she did mind.She didn't want to be anywhere near him. “Jasmine! Five minutes and we’re leaving with or without you!” she shouted again.

“Want me go get her?” Troy asked taking a couple of steps up until Donny grabbed him by the arm.

“I think she can manage to get ready on her own, Troy,” Donny said. “We still have a few minutes. I see the rain has let up some which is very good.” 

They waited a good long while with Janet pacing back and forth and getting more irritated by the minute.

“It’s almost like another party. Two in one day,” Cindy said excitedly, coming from the kitchen into the foyer where everyone stood around.

“What’s like a party?” Donny said, putting his arm around her.

“All of us going out to dinner. It’s gonna be such fun!” she replied.

“Oh, yes, me with six teenagers. Real fun,” Donny said, making a face at her.

 “Oh, Daddy,” she said, hugging him.

“That’s it,” Janet said. “Mr. Sebastian, can we head out now with you? Cindy, Stevie and me? The others will catch up.”

“Janet, you should come with…” Wes stopped abruptly with one glowering look from her.

Donny glanced from one to the other then forced a smile. “Of course, Janet,” he said, taking his overcoat and putting it on.

Janet went for her own, but Wes beat her to it. He held it out for her so she had no choice but to allow him to help her on with it.

“Thank you,” she reluctantly said.

“I’ll do anything for you, Janet,” Wes whispered in her ear.

A shiver went up her spine, but she ignored it. She went to open the front door, but Wes got there first and opened it for her. She looked at him askance, then slipped out of the door, down the walkway and into Donny’s car.

Wes saw them all get in and buckle up and watched the car until the tail lights vanished from sight. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Troy beaming at him.

“That’s real progress, Wes. She didn’t yell at ya once!”

Wes very nearly punched him.

Chapter 49: One person's hell

 Wes sat at the top of the stairs with his head in his hands. He had run his frustrated fingers through his hair so often his curls were in total disarray. He couldn’t believe how stupid he was! His entire business could be ruined if word got out about what he’d done to Janet’s computer, but if truth be told, that was the least of his worries at the moment. All thoughts were on Janet and getting her not to hate him.

“Damn it to hell,” he muttered  just as the door bell rang. He saw Troy come out of the family room with a bounce in his step to answer the summons . That annoyed Wes. Why couldn’t he have a carefree love life like Troy had? Oh, yeah, he remembered, Troy wasn’t in love with the evil twin.

“Hey, Mr. Sebastian, what you doing here? Chasing down your kids?” Troy asked.

Donny shook the rain off his umbrella and left it on the porch to drip. Then he stepped into the house and wiped his feet. “Something like that, Troy. What are you up to?” he asked.

“Football game. Cowboys are winning. Wanna watch?”  Troy said, closing the door.

“I might. Where is everybody else?” Donny asked, looking around as he removed his overcoat. 

“ Cindy and Steve are doing math somewhere, Jasmine went to referee, but Wes might be  already dead. I don’t hear anymore yelling though so...oh...there he is.” Troy said suddenly looking up and spotting Wes on the stairs. “Battle over?” he asked with a smirk.

“Battle?” Donny asked.

Wes glared at Troy then looked at his dad and came down the stairs. “We had a fight,” he reluctantly admitted.

“What did you do, Wesley?” Donny asked, sternly. “Were you up in her room? Were you being fresh?” 

“No!” Wes shouted.

“Are there no adults here?” he said, growing more angry.

“Well, I am,” Troy volunteered. “I’m already eighteen.”

Donny gave him a look which clearly meant he wasn’t impressed.

“I doubt he did much of anything, Mr. Sebastian,” Troy  said, taking the overcoat and hanging it on the brass coat rack   “ Janet doesn’t ever need a reason to blow up. It’s a miracle she hasn’t gotten mad before this. Wes just has to stay outta her way for a while. Anyway, let’s go watch the game.”

Troy put his arm around Donny’s shoulders and half pushed, half dragged him into the family room and away from Wes,  all the while talking about the game.

Wes sighed in relief. “Thank you, Troy,” he muttered. It was only a reprieve, but still, he didn’t need a scolding from his dad right now. He felt bad enough. He slumped into the kitchen and sat down in front of Janet’s laptop. He might as well finish what he started even if she never spoke to him again.

He had just about finished what he could without Janet’s input when Cindy and Steve came in.

“Oh, Wes!” she said, hugging him from behind. “Look!”

She shoved a notebook so close to his face he couldn’t focus on it. “Uh, what is this?” he said taking it into his hands.

“It’s my math homework. I can do it now,” she said giving him an extra squeeze before letting go. “Steve’s a great teacher.”

Steve shrugged. “It comes easy to me.”

“Good job,” Wes said, quickly looking over the paper. “I told you you’d get it eventually.”

“I wouldn’t have without Steve. He showed me a few tricks. Wes, he’s awesome! I know I’ll pass the next test.”

“Good. Thanks. Steve,” he replied, unenthusiastically. He handed her the notebook then went back to the computer.

“Wes, what happened to your hair?” Cindy asked.

“Huh? What’s wrong with it?” he asked.

“Well, it’s just…kinda all over the place. You should fix it before we go,” Cindy said.

“You don’t gotta go yet, do you?” Steve said, a bit too eagerly. “I mean, we can play video games or watch TV or something and…and…I can show you more math tricks.”

“Um, we’re supposed to go to dinner soon, aren’t we?” Cindy said, looking from Steve to her brother. “Know when Dad will get here?”

“Yeah,  he got here few  minutes ago.  He’s watching the game with Troy. We can leave as soon as Janet  and Jasmine come down,” Wes said.

“You, um…where ya going?” Steve asked.

Cindy giggled. “Same place you are. Your mom’s restaurant. We’re all going together. Didn’t you know?”

His eyes brightened. “Awesome!”

Cindy giggled again. “You’re funny. Want to meet my dad? I wanna show him this!” she said waving around her notebook.

“Sure,” Steve said, and he followed her out.

Jasmine came in as they left and  shook her head. “Always with your head stuck in a computer screen. You’re just like Janet,” she said. 

“Jasmine, what did she say?” Wes asked anxiously.

“You thinking a fancy website will soothe the savage beast?”

“Jasmine, please, what did she say?” 

She sighed. “She’s ticked off, Wes. It might be best to let her chill for a while,” she told him. Then she made a weird face. “What have you done to your hair? It’s a mess. Almost as bad as Janet’s rat’s nest. Want me fix it for you?”

“I don’t care about my hair!” he shouted.  “Should I go talk to her?”

“That is the worst thing you could do right now. She expressly told me to keep you away from her or bad things will happen and right in front of everybody. Believe me when I say she’s quite capable of that and it ain’t pretty.  It’s best to let her be for now, okay?”

"What? I'm just supposed to do nothing?"

"Yes."

His shoulders slumped as he stared up at Janet’s mirror image. “Will she ever forgive me?” 

“Give her time…and space,” she said. She patted his shoulder and left again.

Janet wiped away her last tear, straightened down her dress and went to the bathroom. There she splashed water on her face and grabbed her hairbrush.  After a few vicious  strokes she put it down and reluctantly looked into the mirror. She didn’t much like what she saw there.  Her eyes and nose was still red and her cheeks all blotchy.  Even her hair looked limp and depressed.

“Nothing to be done about it,” she muttered to herself. She grabbed a scrunchy and carelessly swept her hair up into a ponytail. Then she went back into her room. There she saw the flowers Wes had given her.  A couple of stray petals had fallen onto the table on which they rested. She plucked them up and had the sudden urge to toss the whole bouquet into the trash. But where was the sense in that?

“Why punish a few flowers cuz of what one stupid guy does?” she quietly said. She bent down, took a sniff and sighed. “Nothing lasts forever.” 

She then went downstairs and followed the shouts and cheers into the family room. She stood in the archway and counted heads. She couldn’t see one particular curly haired head amongst them and relaxed. She forced herself not to wonder where he could be.

“Hello, Mr. Sebastian,” she said coming to stand beside him. “Did you sell a house today?” 

Donny snatched his eyes away from the game and smiled. “Hello, Janet,” he said warmly. “I might have. We’ll know tomorrow.”  He scanned her face and frowned slightly. “You okay?”

She forced a smile. “Yes, fine. We should be going soon. I don’t want to be late.” 

She looked around and found Cindy and Steve talking in whispers and poring over a text book in a far corner of the room.  She smiled and wondered if this was the beginning of something. 

She went to them and said, “Stevie, did you help Cindy with the math like I asked?”

“What do you think this is?” he said, showing her the algebra book on his lap.

“Oh, Janet, you were right. Steve is wonderful!  He’s helped me so much already. I may actually pass this class,” Cindy said beaming at him.

“Wish you hadn’t said that in front of him.  His ego’s inflated enough,” Janet said.

“Is not!” he snapped.

“That’s cuz of all the girls chasing him,” Cindy said. “But I mean he’s a great teacher, not a super stud.”

 “Good to know. But it is annoying,” Janet said. “Every day he gets a dozen phone calls from silly, giggly girls. Stevie needs someone sensible to straighten him out and kick his butt when he needs it. Cindy, you’re smart and a kick ass. You got the job.” She then walked away leaving them both stunned.

Cindy burst out laughing. “What the heck? Does she really expect me to kick your butt?” she said. “ I really like your sister. She’s so funny.”

“Yeah, sure. How do you know girls chase me?” Steve asked.

Cindy rolled her eyes. “Hello! You’re like, Mister Popular. Gotta be blind not to see it. My friends are all in love with you.”

He made a face. “Who are your friends?”

“Vicky Stratter, Hillary Gillen, and Patty Berg,” she replied.

He groaned. “Those skanks? You need better friends,” he said.

She gaped at him, her dark eyes as wide as they would go. “That’s exactly what Janet said.”

“Yeah? Why?”

Cindy looked down at her hands. “She said they’re not really my friends cuz…They uninvited me to their party. They were making fun of me and…being mean and stuff.”

“Hate girls like that! Knew they were skanks,” he said through clenched teeth. “You definitely need new friends. I can be your friend.” 

“Really?” she said, staring at him with those big, beautiful dark eyes.

Steve smiled, placed his hand on top of hers and nodded. He was suddenly in heaven.

Ch 48: What's not to like?

“What have I done?” Wes moaned.

Jasmine shook her head and sighed. This wasn’t good. She went to her bed and sat down beside Wes and patted him on the back.

“You got it bad, huh?” she said. “You really like her.”

He nodded.

“May I ask why you like her so much?”

He glared at her. “What the hell kinda question is that? You should know. She’s your sister!”

“Humor me,” Jasmine said. “Pretend I’m a total stranger. How would you describe Janet?”

He shut his eyes tightly, then after a minute’s contemplation he told Jasmine everything he loved about her sister. “Janet’s perfect! She’s beautiful, she’s charming, she’s adorable, she's compassionate, she’s funny, she’s so sweet, she’s sexier than should be allowed and she’s super smart. Smarter than me, anyway,” he said contemptuously. “She’s…she’s just…perfect. Everything I want in a girlfriend. I’m so damn stupid! I screwed up everything!”

“You missed a few,” Jasmine said. “She’s stubborn, fiercely loyal, at times rude, she holds grudges from infinity and beyond, she’s lovable, got a nasty temper, she’s always for the underdog and she holds people up to unattainable standards and then claims to hate them when they eventually fall off the pedestal she puts them on. You just fell off your pedestal, Wes. Did it hurt very much?”

He blinked at her dumbfounded. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, she likes you, Wes, a lot, more than she even knows,” Jasmine whispered. 

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? She hates me!” Wes shouted.

“Wes, you’re not listening to me,” she said, very quietly. “She wouldn’t be this upset if she didn’t like you so much. It’s just like with our dad. She and Dad were thick as thieves, until…”

“Your parents separated,” Wes finished for her.

“Yeah. She loves him, but claims to hate him because of what he did, but I hear her cry at night for him, just as much as Mom does. We all miss him, but for Janet, it’s like half her heart went with him. She hates herself for missing him so much and for still loving him when she doesn’t want to and she takes it out on him every time she sees him and anyone else who gets in the way. She wants to be with him, but hates herself for wanting to. Get it yet?”

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it and shook his head.

“No, I didn’t think so. Not many would. Girls aren’t easy to understand. Only reason I do is we’re twins. I know her and I know how she thinks.”

“If you know, tell me what I can do to get her back,” he said. “Please Jasmine! I’ll do anything.”

She smiled and stood up. “Why don’t you go downstairs and I’ll have a little talk with her, okay?  I can sometimes make her see sense.”

She pulled him up off the bed and shoved him down the hall towards the stairs. 

“Tell her I’m sorry I tricked her. Tell her I’m sorry I hurt her,” he said earnestly. “But tell her I’m not sorry for the time we spent together. It was the best time I ever had. Tell her the best since my mom died, okay? You tell her!”

“I will. Go on,” she said, giving him one last push. She turned to her room and went through the adjoining bathroom and into Janet’s bedroom.

Jasmine found her sister sniffling on the bed with the occasional tear trickling down her face. She looked nothing short of disheveled, her hair all over the place and her dress in disarray as she lay on the rumpled bed. She looked as bad or worse than Wes.

“Janet,” Jasmine spoke softly.

“Go away,” Janet mumbled.

“Sorry, can’t do that. It’s in the Good Sister Manual,” she said as she sat down on the bed and pushed Janet’s hair out of her eyes.

“If you start with that page, chapter and paragraph stuff I will kill you,” Janet hissed.

Jasmine stifled a giggle. “Janet, Wes messed up. He knows it. He’s sorry he tricked you, but he only wanted to get to know you. He likes you, so much it’s not even funny.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Janet growled.

“Then it’s too bad you already have, isn’t it?” Jasmine said. “Pity about the thin walls we got in this house. Wes had no idea you could hear everything he said about you as clearly as you would if you were right there with us in my room. Too bad you couldn’t see his face though. Anguished, I would say. Sorta like a sick puppy that’s been kicked around once too often. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t crawl into a corner to lick his wounds.”

“Why don’t you sell that to Hallmark. I’m sure they’ll like it, but I ain’t buying it!” Janet snapped.

“He thinks you hate him.”

“Got that right.” 

“No, you don’t,” Jasmine said. “He made a horrible mistake but, really, he didn’t do any harm. It wasn’t a real virus. Janet, you have a great guy that’s crazy about you. Give him a break, okay? He truly is sorry he’s upset you so much. He’s a good guy and--” Jasmine stopped abruptly. “Is that the doorbell? Who could that be?”

“Mr. Sebastian,” Janet said, sitting up and grabbing a tissue. She blew her nose. “He’s coming to dinner with us… with you. I’m not going.”

Jasmine glowered. “Don’t even go there! You have to go. Mom’s counting on all of us and I don’t care about your made up problems with Wes,” she snapped.

“Made up? He lied to me, he tricked me and almost ruined…”

“He ruined nothing so get over it! You look a mess. Fix your face and fix that nest you call your hair and come downstairs. Mr. Sebastian will get a kick out of seeing us together.”

“Fine! But you tell Wes to stay the hell away from me or I’ll rip him a new one…even in front of his father,” Janet snarled.

“I don’t know how that sweet disposition doesn’t get more lovesick boys after you. Don’t take forever,” she said, before walking out the door.

Janet stared at the closed door as another fierce battle took place in her head.

Jasmine's right. Wes didn’t do anything truly bad. The computer’s fine.

He’s a manipulative ass.

You mean like you?

I don’t have diabolical purposes in mind.

Neither did he. He only wanted to get to know you.

He’s just like every other guy.

He’s not anything like other guys and you know it. You’ve said it yourself.

He’s a lying jerk and I hate him.

Who’s the liar? You like him more than you’re willing to admit even to yourself.

I don’t like him at all!

No, of course you don’t and he’s not the sweetest guy ever … except for Dad…he even reminds you of Dad, doesn’t he?

All the more reason to hate him.

His kisses don’t send you to the moon, either, and the sky isn’t blue.

Janet put her face in her hands and burst out in tears all over again. She did like Wes, far more than she wanted to and she hated herself for it.

Chapter 47: Liars and hackers

For several minutes Janet stood immobile. Half of her wanted to confront Wes and make him retract everything he just said. Surely he was lying. He had almost admitted he was in love with her just a few minutes before in her room…sort of…kind of. 

The other half of her, however, wished to leave sleeping dogs where they lay. 

“We can still be friends since neither one of us is in love, he said,” she muttered to herself. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it? Well, she at least told herself it was. She shook her head and went back up the stairs.

Chapter 46: Playing games

Wes was exactly where Janet left him, at the bottom of the stairs looking up at her. As she came down with her laptop, he smiled and set her heart aflutter. She approached him slowly and couldn’t help smiling back.

When she stopped at the bottom step, he took the computer out of her hands. Then he did something she didn’t expect--at least she told herself she didn't. He wrapped one arm around her and kissed her…soundly. He made her knees go weak. 

“Wes,” she mumbled. "Mom said..."

"We're not in your room," Wes reminded her and resumed kissing.

Chapter 45: Old shirts and memories

“I love your mom,” Wes said.

Janet didn’t look at him, but she nodded. “We have that in common then.” She shook her head looking at the food, tons of it covering nearly every surface of the kitchen and she sighed. “Enough here to feed the neighborhood. Good thing we got Troy. He’s practically a garbage disposal.”

Wes laughed.

Janet finally looked at him and raised her eyebrows. “Wes, where’s your shirt?” she said.

“Jasmine took it. You look beautiful,” he said.

Janet rolled her eyes. “Just the same dress only in blue. What did she do with it?”

Chapter 44: Memories of Mom

Wes stared after Janet as she walked up the stairs and even after she had turned the corner and disappeared down the hall with his sister. Why did he have the feeling he’d screwed up beyond repair?

“So, whatcha do to piss her off?” Troy asked.

“Nothing. Think you can get me a towel? You almost live here,” Wes said.

Troy laughed and went into the power room off the foyer then threw him a towel. “Told you it wouldn’t be easy with her, but you’re doing far better than I thought you would. So...still like her?”

Wes rubbed his hair dry and glared at him. “Of course! What kind of question is that?” he snapped, thoroughly annoyed.

“Just asking. Some guys lose interest as soon as they get to know a girl. Happens all the time,” Troy said, shrugging. 

“Not gonna happen with me,” Wes said.

Chapter 43: Ticked off Yenta

“Where have you been? Church has been over for hours. No one’s that religious,” Troy said as he opened the door for Janet, Wes and Cindy who dripped water on the tiled floor. The torrential downpour had soaked them before they could reach the sanctuary of the porch.  

“When did it start raining?” Troy asked, looking out past them to the puddling rain on the front lawn. 

“Just a minute ago and we were at a party, if you must know,” Wes answered.

Chapter 42: Rain on her parade

Wes had the drinks for himself and Janet and was about to go back to her when he turned and saw Luke hugging her. 

His heart dropped to his stomach. “What the f…Son of a bitch is stealing my girl,” he muttered through clenched teeth. 

It took all he had not to crush the glasses in his hands.  He started going toward them, but before he took two steps, his father stopped him.

“Wesley, I didn’t realize it was this late,” Donny said. “I’m going to be late for my appointments.” 

“Ah, okay,” Wes said, peering around his father to keep an eye on Janet.

“You want to stay? I could pick you up after I’m done. I shouldn't be a couple of...” Donny said.

Chapter 41: Not that kind of proposition

“Okay, so what’s her name again?” Janet asked in a whisper. “She’s beautiful!”

“That’s Amy Bartoli,” Wes said close to her ear. “She’s going out with…”

“With Danny’s brother Marc,” Janet finished for him.

He shook his head. “They’re cousins, not brothers.”

Janet’s mouth dropped open. “But they…”

“Look so alike, I know,” Wes said. “All the guys on that side of the family have the curly blond hair, the same blue eyes and the dimples, every single one of them. Wait, that’s wrong. Marc’s older brother looks just like their dad, but he’s the only one.”

“There’s a couple of boys at our school who…”

“Yep, Damon Marlin and his brother David and Jason Hellerman. They’re all cousins.”

“Oh, I love David! He’s so cute and funny, too. He has…”

“Autism, yeah, I know. I’m good friends with Damon. He’s the captain of the soccer team and he’s very protective of David,” Wes said, never taking his eyes off of Janet even as she watched the singers.

“What?” she said, when she finally noticed he was staring at her and not at Amy.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“But you’re looking at me. You should be looking at her. I’ve never seen anybody so pretty,” Janet said.

Wes smiled. “I have.”

Janet wondered why Luke didn’t get Amy to be his backup singer. She could really sing plus she would be great eye candy for the stage. She was tall and lean and had glossy straight black hair and stunning gray eyes which gave her an exotic look. She’d be perfect!

“You know, there’s a girl at our school that does look a lot like her. Only difference is her hair is curly. I don’t remember her name. Jane or…”

“You mean Eric Monroe’s kind-of-girlfriend, Jacklyn. Yeah, she does look a lot like Amy. Totally different personalities though, day and night,” Wes said.

“So, you know her?”

“Jacklyn’s a stuck-up cheerleader and a real bimbo. Amy’s bordering on genius, like real genius.”

Janet smiled impishly. “Like you?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Like Einstein.”

“So, why didn’t you try for her before she got with Marc? She would’ve been perfect for you and look at her! She’s gorgeous. I won’t be able to find you a girl half that good,” she said.

He looked at Amy and shrugged. “Not my type.”

“Then you gotta be gay,” she grumbled, folding her arms in front of her chest.

Wes put his arm around her shoulders. “I think you know I’m not gay and I think you also know which kind of girl is my type,” he hissed in her ear.

“Yeah, an imaginary one,” she retorted, standing up.

“Where are you going?” he said, grabbing her hand.

“I’m thirsty. I’m getting a drink. Would you like something?”

“No, I’ll get it for you,” Wes said standing up. He stared at her for a second then took her face in his hands and kissed her. “You know. You’re just not willing to admit it to yourself.” He kissed her again and left.

Janet stared after him wondering what he meant by that. Just as she decided to follow him and find out, something huge blocked her way. She looked up and saw Billy grinning at her.

“You’re in my way, Billy,” she said, stepping to the side. He followed. “Hello! I can’t get around you if you do that, you big lug.”

“That’s the point. We need to talk. Come into my office,” he said, putting his arm around her and steering her out of the noisy, crowded room and into a sort of alcove between the kitchen and the dining room. There stood Alana and Luke beaming at her as she approached.

“Your office?” Janet said, laughing. “Do I need a lawyer?”

“Not yet,” Billy said mysteriously. "Ive a proposition for you."

"Well, I don't think Joanne and Wes are gonna like that too much," she joked.

He threw his head back and laughed. "Not that kind of proposition."

“What’s up?” Janet said, looking from one smiling face to the other.

“We want to ask you something and we want you to say yes,” Alana said, her emerald eyes practically glowing.

“All right, yes. Happy?” Janet said smirking.

Luke laughed. “Actually, yes, we will be when you know what we want you to say yes to.”

“Okay,” she said, curious now. “What?”

“You sing great,” Alana said.

“Thanks,” Janet replied. “And?”

“And…Luke needs a backup singer…” Billy said.

Janet’s eyes went wide.

“And we’d like her to be you,” Luke said.

Janet’s mouth fell open.

“Your voices would mesh so well, Janet. I just know it,” Alana said, eagerly.

“And you’ve got stage presence,” Billy said. “That’s extremely important.”

“And you know music. You understand it. I can tell,” Luke said.

Speechless, Janet stared from one anxious face to an eager one to a serious one.

“What have you guys been smoking?” she finally said.

They all laughed, but they went back to looking serious again. 

“I really could use someone like you to help me,” Luke said.

“Help you? Me?” Janet said, still trying to get a grip on this.

“We wouldn’t ask you if we didn’t think you could do this. This is real, Janet,” Billy said. “This isn’t a game. We want and need someone who is as serious about music as Luke, with a genuine love for it. Luke is extremely talented and he’s going places. I’m making sure of it.” Billy glared at Luke who grimaced ready to protest. “Despite what he thinks.”

“Cripes, you’re serious,” Janet whispered.

“I’ve already got a gig lined up for him a few week from now. This one’s for charity, The Adams Gala benefiting the Port Orianco Medical complex. It was going to be just him, without a band, but if you could be there and sing with him…” 

Janet gasped. “At the Gala???”

Alana placed her hand on Janet’s arm and smiled. “Janet, it would really help him out. All the songs we’ve picked so far would sound so much better with a female backup,” she said.

“Why dontcha get Amy? She’s awesome!” Janet said.

Luke shook his head. “I asked her out of desperation, but she really didn’t want to. She’s busy with college and…”

“College???” Janet shouted. “Isn’t she still in high school?”

“Yes and no. Long story,” Billy said shaking his head.

“She would just be temporary, anyway. She wouldn’t want to do it full time,” Luke said.

“Full time?” Janet said.

“It's not just a one time thing. This is a real job, a career. There’s a wedding in a couple of months and others are interested in booking Luke for their weddings and there’s a concert or two that I’m still arranging,” Billy said.

“Holy moly, you really are a rock star then?” Janet asked, gaping at Luke.

“More like a wedding singer,” Luke said, smirking. “Which is fine with me. It’s what my dad and mom do.”

Janet looked from one to the other and back again.

“Will you sing with Luke, Janet?” Alana asked. “Please?”

Janet blinked several times then smiled. “Jasmine won’t believe I’m singing backup for Luke Tramaine.”

“You’ll do it!” Alana shouted then hugged her.

“Knew she would!” Billy said, taking his turn and hugging Janet clear off her feet.

“Thanks, Janet,” Luke said and he hugged her too. “I’ll try not to be a tyrant.”

Janet giggled and held on a little extra. 

She would be singing on stage with a local rock star. How cool was that?