A Bump in the Road

“This sucks.”

Austin spoke to no one as he stood alone, roughly twenty feet from the bar. Sipping from a glass of ice water, the school star bemoaned how his night–if not week–turned into a steaming pile of dogshit. It started with that weird drive to Wasp Lake in Owen Nevin’s car with two unlikely passengers in the backseat. One of whom Austin blamed for everything wrong in his life tonight.

“Tarver.”

The way the name came out as a growl revealed precisely how much Austin viewed Sean fucking Tarver as the bane of his existence. How such a loser could be so lucky to save Whitney’s life mystified the jock. And now the damn bookworm had nearly every single girl swooning over him.

“How does this fucking happen?”

Austin thought back to the cabin stay, regretting not putting an even greater pummeling to Tarver’s ass. He knew without a doubt that he would’ve had Nevin not broken up the fight. Sure, Tarver got in a few lucky punches, but Austin wrote that off as due to the winter weather. That made it harder for him to get his footing.

“How does that gnat get fawned over while I get ignored?”

Despite his spoken-aloud thought, the best Honey Hollow High quarterback in years wasn’t ignored at the New Year’s Eve ball. Austin hadn’t turned into a pariah after the Nosy Nectar video dropped. He still found a number of well-wishers stopping by to greet him, many of them seeking a rub off his shine of popularity. Only the numbers were noticeably less than usual.

What stood out to Austin came from his missing entourage. Where were his friends? The teammates who always had his back? They’d done the smart thing by skipping this dumb event. The sullen teen just knew that Oscar, Marcus, and Max were having the time of their lives at Milner’s party.

"Hell, I bet Xavier loves being the team leader at the party, even if he's merely the defensive captain."

Austin cursed everyone who chose to attend the house party. He even speculated that the backups would have more fun tonight than he would. Then, he turned his blame toward Heath and Toby for not showing up to have his back. They were his offensive lineman; their duty was always to protect him. At least Weston was at the charity ball. However, the left tackle's blabbing about Austin's version of the lake rescue turned out to be the big deal for everyone.

“Why am I getting called a liar? I did help save Whitney. Hell, I even helped save Tarver’s ass. And where’s the gratitude? Neither one has ever thanked me.”

Viewing himself as unjustly persecuted, Austin held others responsible for his version of the events getting distorted. His cousin, Kaia, clearly got a few facts wrong when she told Weston what happened. And Austin heard just how badly Weston told the tale with his embellishments. Sometimes, he regretted how oafish The Brawny Boys could be. Sure, they were his most loyal teammates, but their pea-sized brains often caused misunderstandings.

“Wait, where the hell has Weston been?”

Scanning the crowd, Austin scoffed at many of the pairs dancing together. However, he did pause at the incredulous sight of Polly dancing with Howie. His next-door neighbor was supposed to have a crush on him, so why was she dancing with his backup? That minor hurt exploded into troubling jealousy as he found Weston.

His blindside protector danced with Kaia. What the fuck?! His busty cousin should be dancing with him. Fuck this! I’m going over–

Austin's plan to cut in fell apart before it started as he found Kaia's big-breasted younger sister on the dance floor. Kelsey danced with Lexington Rogers. And to make it worse, Kelsey appeared enthralled by his mom's big cheersister's son.

“Fucking prep school punk,” Austin grumbled. Then, thinking he’d get payback with one of Lex’s sisters, Austin found them. “The hell?!”

The blond teenager couldn’t believe his eyes as he found Loren, the sexy, athletic third of the Rogers triplets, dancing with Kessler, grinding on her from behind. But what really got Austin wondering if this was all just a bad dream came from seeing Rowan, the pretty bookish triplet, up close to Winkie.

“Winkie? Winkie’s getting one of them?! We’re connected through our moms. They’re supposed to want me!”

Having to turn away from the infuriatingly incomprehensible sight, Austin nearly passed out at what he saw next. But, instead, after several seconds, the teen began to stammer.

“H-How…N-No…No! B-But…W-Why…Okay, I can tell why. Beyza’s starting to look fucking hot of late. How did I never notice? But how the fuck did she land HIM?!”

Watching his sister's best friend's body shake to the beat, Austin quickly forgave her for kicking him in the knee earlier. If anything, he considered how he could make it up to her as his dick started to harden. Gawd, the things I’d do–

“Whoa! Don’t think those things. Lacey’s all the woman I need,” the teen told himself. “Sure, Lace is neglecting me tonight. That is some serious bullshit, but she is my girlfriend. I’m a loyal guy. And she’ll come back around once she sees Tarver isn’t quite the big hero.”

Nodding at his own statement, Austin began to list in his head all the great things he'd accomplished and his extraordinary qualities. Lacey just needed a reminder. And he planned to give her plenty of reminders tonight.

“I’m going to give her a midnight kiss that makes her cum. Then, I’m going to take my lady upstairs and bang my way back into her heart. After a few rounds of calling me God, we’ll be alright,” Austin declared. “Once I get back to school, everyone will forget about Whitney and Tarver after a few days. People will recall why I have the star status, bringing everything back to normal. No! Actually, it’s going to get way more awesome after Dad is elected mayor. Yep, this is all just a bump in the road.”

Turning back to watch Beyza, Austin added another thought.

"I'd better keep an eye on Rory. We don't need her to get any ideas about older guys from Beyza. Once Lacey's heart gets right again, I'll maybe even let her find Rory a nice, safe boy to date. That's the kind of good brother I am."

The snicker that came from behind nearly caused Austin to jump as he thought nobody had been close to him. Turning around, he found his teammate, Burton Dempsey, leaning against the wall while drinking his umpteenth cocktail. How does he keep getting those?

“Dude, just how many concussions have you suffered?”

“Wha–Fuck off, Dempsey!” Austin roared, storming off. “I should’ve gone to Milner’s.”

---

Peyton balled her fists while reminding herself to breathe deeply. She stood in the center of the elevator, surrounded by Kizzy, YoYo, Zara, Serinda, Sanna, and Chastity. Almost none of the other occupants appeared to have ever heard about silence being golden.

“You heard right, Eldermoss. Not only are your favorite–”

“And only!” Serinda chimed in.

“Very true. Not only are we possibly looking at hard time or going on the lam for a **** stunt, but Serinda and I are also taking part in yet another charitable endeavor for our dearly departed aunt,” Sanna said, facing her phone.

“We’re about to–”

“Hidey ho! I’m Chastity.” The honey blonde waited after cutting off Serinda. Finally, she asked, “Can’t they hear me?”

“We’re not live. We’re recording this for later,” Sanna explained.

“Oh! Hiya, boys and girls! I’m Chastity,” she greeted again with a wave. “And we’re about to help a famous author bring extra joy in the new year to children all across Honey Hollow.”

“Uh, I thought the books were just for the kids still at the ball,” Serinda pointed out.

“Okey-dokey!”

With that going on to her left, Peyton turned in the opposite direction.

“You know, I don’t need all this help,” she told the three Babybees. “It’s not that many boxes.”

“We understand, Miss Tarver,” Kizzy acknowledged. “However, we took a vote and are fulfilling our obligation to Sir Sean through his family.”

“That’s not necessary. I mean it,” Peyton responded. “And I’m not Sean’s only family still here.”

“Oh, we know that, Miss Tarver. Grammy Pepper thought you could use our assistance,” Kizzy revealed.

“Grammy Pepper? You just met her!” Peyton exclaimed. “And stop calling me that.”

“Shush!” Sanna ordered.

“Peyton, the kiddies are making movies. Try being polite,” Chastity whispered.

“Would you prefer to be called Sean’s sister?” YoYo inquired, biting back a smile.

“Or Dame Peyton?” Kizzy questioned hopefully.

“No.”

"Then, Miss Tarver, it is!" Kizzy and YoYo declared, with Zara shaking her head in the back.

DING

On the move, Peyton exited the elevator before the door finished opening. Glancing around, she checked which direction to go on the top floor. That proved to be unnecessary.

“This way, duckies! Follow the pied piper,” Chastity ordered, heading toward Suite 801. “Ta-da!”

Peyton slipped in the keycard to enter the Diamonds’ mostly abandoned suite. Almost immediately, the five teenagers oohed and ahhed, then squealed with joy.

“Holy crap!”

“Look at this place.”

“It’s like we won a contest.”

“Jiminy Cricket! Whitney’s never shown you her family's pethouse?” Chastity questioned.

“No!” the teenagers replied.

Peyton nearly corrected Chastity, but stopped. A pet house for trysts did sound like something Harvey Diamond might have. Next, she nearly asked the honey blonde for the location of the boxes before spotting them herself in the sitting area.

“Goodness gracious! I get to give a tour just like Whitney!” Chastity exclaimed in joy, motioning for the girls to follow.

Relieved at getting a moment of privacy, Peyton began moving the stacks of boxes from their spot next to the couch over toward the door. Her well-earned quiet time vanished within two minutes as a knock at the door sounded.

Grumbling, Peyton yanked the door open to find Tamsin, Webster, and a luggage cart.

“I figured you could use this,” Tamsin said as Webb pushed the cart inside.

“Uh, thanks,” Peyton replied, grateful for the thoughtfulness. “I did get roped into bringing along some helpers, but this is far better.”

“They haven’t arrived?” Webster asked, scanning the front of the suite.

As if on cue, his answer arrived.

“Holy shit!” Serinda squealed.

“The rumors are true,” Kizzy added.

“Whoa! I wonder how many women have been fucked in there,” YoYo speculated.

“Eww!” Zara and Sanna squealed.

“Don’t freak out. It’s not contagious,” Kizzy pointed out after at least one girl jumped away from the hot tub.

“Yeah, I bet Whitney’s dad didn’t have enough time to fuck anyone in there before the ball started,” YoYo guessed. “Or maybe…”

“Girls! What did you all pinky swear in Mr. Harvey’s bedroom about potty language?”

“Sorry, Chastity,” a chorus of five voices apologized.

Back in the sitting area, Tamsin arched an eyebrow at Peyton.

"Somehow, I inherited Sean's candy-stripers," the coed explained in defeat.

Webb’s deep laughter brought five of the six back into the main section of the suite.

“Mr. Whelan!” Chastity exclaimed, hopping on her feet at seeing one of her heroes.

“See? I don’t need your help any longer, girls,” Peyton announced, gesturing to the luggage rack.

“And we shall treat this cart as if it were Sir Sean himself,” Kizzy counter-announced, taking up a spot at one end of the cart.

YoYo did the same at the other end.

What did I do to deserve this? I’m a good friend. A well-behaved daughter. A caring sister. Yet, karma seems to like making me its bitch, Peyton groused.

Kneeling down to open one of the boxes, Webster picked up a copy from his Milo & Whiskers series. He gave a quick estimation of the total number that Chastity purchased.

“There are a lot of books here. Just how much did you spend, Miss Kupp?”

“Fudgeberries,” the receptionist mumbled. “It’s for a wonderterrific cause!”

“This has all been gone over already. Dr. Tarver wants the receipts–all of them–and will reimburse Chastity,” Tamsin relayed, although Webster had heard some of that previously.

“My mom is doing that?” Peyton asked.

“There was a back and forth between the Diamonds and your mother, but she won the argument,” Tamsin explained. “Although I believe Mr. Pierce might start enforcing a spending limit for Chastity’s good causes.”

"Schnookerdoddles!" Chastity gasped in horror at the possibility. Then, seeking to change the subject, she began pestering Webster about the spinoff book for Cassandra's Story Society. "Will Milo & Whiskers make an appearance in Ruffy's book?"

“Sure. It will be a role reversal compared to their books. Milo and/or Whiskers will make cameos, but probably not in every book,” Webb revealed.

“Will other friends from the neighborhood be in it?”

“Very much so. I’m thinking of Ruffy finding love.”

“Shut the front door!” Chastity shrieked. “Is it a new doggie, or will that pompous Pomeranian, Prada, finally see the light?”

“I think Prada will be in the mix,” Webb hinted, smiling at how the honey blonde hung on every tidbit. “Ruffy’s also going to have to deal with a few troublemakers.”

“Slidy and Skippers, no doubt,” Chastity declared, shaking her head in disgust. “Those squirrels are always causing trouble.”

“Okay!” Peyton interrupted. “Perhaps you two can talk about this down–Or better yet, Chastity can help Webster with the book signings. Does that sound good?”

For a moment, it appeared as if the receptionist might hyperventilate at the mere possibility. Tamsin started to hurry to get a bag, but Webster whispered another detail about Ruffy’s upcoming book that drew Chastity’s attention.

"Good! We only have a little time until midnight. So we'd better get this downstairs. I suspect not only do you girls want to be in the ballroom for the ball drop, but the parents won't want their younger kids up much later."

Everyone nodded as Zara finally rejoined them.

“Um, have you seen it outside lately? The light snow is turning into rain.”

“That’s great!” Kizzy cheered.

“No, it’s not. It’s freezing rain,” Zara explained. “It’s going to ice over the roads at this temperature.”

“Kitty whiskers,” Chastity gasped. “I have to drive home tonight.”

That statement caused Tamsin to jerk her head toward her co-worker. Not because of the honey blonde’s fast and furious driving habits. No, there was a much simpler reason.

“What are you talking about? You have a room.”

“Nopey-dopey!”

“Yes, you do!” Tamsin insisted. “I’m in Room 323, and you’re directly across the hall in 324.”

“How did that happen?!”

“Florence set up all our rooms,” Tamsin explained, meaning Dalton’s secretary. "Didn't you get your keycard and bring your bags--Your bags are still in my room, aren't they?"

“By Caesar’s ghost,” Chastity said in a hushed voice before glancing around and leaning forward. “Will they make me wash dishes or work as a housemaid? I spent grande dinero mucho on the books.”

The teenagers currently in Spanish class figured out what Chastity meant, even if she butchered it.

“Mr. Pierce isn’t charging you.”

“You’re being comped!” Sanna pointed out.

“Heavens to Betsy! Does that make me a whale?”

Peyton’s mouth opened with the intention of explaining why she wasn’t. However, those words just became jumbled.

“No, you are not a whale, Chas,” Tamsin explained. “The Witzler is not a casino.”

“Golly! That’s a super relief. I thought I went and missed something.”

---

“Ohmigawd!” Lacey screamed.

Once finished, the petite redhead shoved Kaitlin, Caterina, and Aurora. They and the rest of the cheerleaders looked at Lacey as if she had gone mad. Then, she pointed.

“Holy…” Kaitlin started but was unable to finish.

“No. No! NO!” Cat increasingly said as the sight registered in her brain.

Rory couldn't even speak as she leaned forward more and more while squinting. It turned out to be Yumi leaning over next to the cheerleading actress, which snapped everyone out of their shock.

“Whatcha all looking at? Hey! Who’s the boy dancing with Beyza?”

“Boy? Boy?! That’s no boy!” Cat shouted.

“Well, I’m sorry! I’m not good at the gender fuel stuff yet,” Yumi cried.

“It’s gender fluid, and that’s not what Cat means,” Roxie explained.

“That’s no boy; he’s a man,” Katie stated.

“What the fuck is Beyza doing with Archer Bowe?” Lana demanded to know, freaking out her old cheer squad.

“Is this bad?" Yumi asked Lacey.

The petite redhead vigorously shook her head. After her scream, she couldn’t process any more words. Just the other day, Lana and Poppy struck out with Archer. Now, granted, Steph managed to land him, but the longtime heartthrob of Honey Hollow had extremely picky tastes. He also had a legend at twenty-four that rivaled Whitney’s dad.

Lana immediately raced over to grill her younger sister about this development. Poppy stormed just off the dance floor to kick a chair before returning. Even Tuesday began demanding answers from the girls who knew Beyza.

"Hello, how may I help you?" Yumi inquired while the other girls speculated over what the hell led to this point. "Okay, just a moment, please."

Yumi turned to walk over to the besieged Aurora. As Beyza’s best friend, nearly everyone had surrounded her. Sliding through the crowd, Yumi began to poke Rory in the back while apologizing for the interruption.

“What is it?” Cat demanded.

“Um, Rory, a boy is here for you.”

“Tell him to wait his turn,” Yanet replied.

“Who is it?” Rory asked, barely looking over her shoulder.

“The Metropolis boy.”

Rory nearly knocked Yumi over as she spun around wildly.

“K-Kieran!”

“Great! Another cute older guy taken,” Iona grumbled, earning dirty looks from several cheerleaders.

Lacey covered her heart with her hand as she watched Rory rush over to hug Kieran. Then, she realized something.

“Shit! I need to go keep Austin away from them,” she informed her cheermates.

“Why?” Yumi inquired.

“We’ll keep an eye over here too,” Roxie said, expecting Kaitlin to explain the why to Yumi.

Only Katie was too busy searching the ballroom for who should be with Kieran. Finally, she stomped forward to interrupt Rory and Kieran.

“Where’s your cousin?” she demanded to know. “Where is Palmer?!”