"I'll keep fiat in mind if they start asking me to take out the garbage," I threw back at him. "Thanks for calling."
I hung up before he could respond, but I was sure his ears had turned red.
Despite all that and despite Ami's warnings, I did feel sorry for Trevor, and I had every intention of finding a way to visit him, if I could. I wasn't sure how his parents had reacted and whom they blamed. I didn't want to complicate the situation any more than it was, especially for Wade, but I couldn't help wondering what stories would be made up about me now.
As if she could hear my thoughts, Lynette Firestone called minutes afterward
. I had just started my homework.
"Hi," she said, and before I could even say hello, added, "everyone's talking about what happened to Trevor at your house. Was he drunk? Did you let him in, or did he fall trying to get into your room? Did you invite him?" she asked, not pausing or taking a breath between questions.
"How did you get this phone number?" I asked first. I was sure Trevor wouldn't have given it to her, and now I wondered if Waverly was giving my number out to everyone as a joke.
"Your cousin gave it to my mother," she replied. "She thought we could be friends and that you needed a friend, especially now."
Why was it so important to Ami that I be friends with Lynette Firestone, one of the most unpopular girls at the school?
"So tell me. What really happened?" she pursued.
"I just heard this morning that something did. I was asleep the whole time. Thanks for calling," I said.
"What?" I heard her say as I hung up.
Soon after, Ami came by to remind me to dress for dinner. She was making Wade take us to what she said was one of the more expensive steak houses.
"I need meat tonight," she declared. "I have to build myself up."
She pretended to flex her biceps, laughed, and went to get dressed herself.
When we descended the stairs together, Wade came out of the living room, and we were both surprised to see his father beside him.
"Dad's decided to come along with us tonight," Wade said. The look on his face and the way he said it made it perfectly clear that it was Basil's idea entirely.
Ami stiffened and pursed her lips.
"We're not discussing what happened here last night, Basil. It's over and done with."
"I'm sure it is," he said, smiling at her. His eyes, however, went quickly to me, and the smile on his face told me exactly from where his thoughts were coming. For the first time since I arrived, I truly felt a sense of danger.
14 Driving Lessons
. Basil insisted that he be thought of as my escort for the evening.
"Celeste is my date tonight," he said, and directed Ami to sit in front so he and I could sit in the rear. Before we reached the restaurant, he was holding my hand and talking like a teenage boy, bragging about his skiing ability, the trip he took to Europe last winter, and how he's always been a great athlete, which he said, kept him young.
Although Ami had insisted he not talk about the events of the evening before, he teased us both about them, claiming our castle walls had been scaled, and the fair damsel within was in great danger.
"I can see I might have to spend more time at the house as long as we have this fair beauty living behind our walls and gates," he said.
"That's like having the fox in the chicken coop,"
Wade commented, and to my surprise, Basil roared with laughter instead of being insulted.
When we arrived at the restaurant, he did try to be charming, opening doors for me, holding my arm when we entered, pulling out my chair for me, explaining and reviewing the best things on the menu, and recommending what he thought I'd like the most. He talked about other places he had been since his wife's death, describing his visits to Asia and Africa, where he went on a hunting safari, their foods and wines and scenery. At times it felt as if only he and I were at the table. Both Wade and Ami were left out of the conversation."There's nothing more enriching than traveling, Celeste," he told me. "And traveling in style."
"Yes, well, that takes money," Wade muttered, finally interrupting his father. Basil turned around slowly and replied in deliberate and strong tones.
"Which she's going to have. I can tell," he said, winking at me. "I know the winners from the losers, Wade, and this girl has winner written all over her." He leaned toward me and whispered, "All over."