Last Dance Read online

“Well, I did promise her someone nice”

  “Hey, Emery Klaus is nice.”

  DJ considered this. Emery was nice. But he was also extremely shy. And Casey would probably think he was kind of nerdish. And yet he was kind of cute and interesting…and smart. “Yeah, Emery might work. But I wonder what he’d think about Casey. I mean, she’s kind of mouthy sometimes and she’s definitely not a Christian.”

  “Maybe he’d consider her a mission.”

  “Funny.” DJ tried not to imagine Emery bringing his Bible to the prom and preaching to Casey. Not that Casey couldn’t use some of that. But still…

  “Or maybe he’ll just be interested because she’s so different from him.”

  “They say opposites attract.”

  “Can’t get more opposite than those two.” He chuckled.

  “And it’s not like we’re playing matchmaker, Conner. It’s just that I can’t bear the idea of Casey sitting home alone on prom night. She’s already depressed enough thanks to—” She had to remind herself that Conner didn’t know about the pregnancy.

  “Casey should be happy to be rid of Seth. But I know that’s not how it works.”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “I’ll talk to Emery,” he said. “Maybe I should call him first. Kind of give him a heads-up. You do the same with Casey. Then we can casually introduce them tonight.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Why don’t we just meet at the church? That’ll give me more time to talk to him.”

  “And I can sound out Casey.”

  “If this works, maybe we can start up a business.”

  “An emergency dating service.”

  He laughed. “See you tonight.”

  DJ closed her phone. Now all she had to do was to convince Casey that Emery would be a great date. But it wouldn’t be easy. And, really, DJ had to ask herself again, was it even worth it? Especially considering the bigger issue going on. She decided to just pray about it. Hopefully God had a bigger, better plan. She prayed that he’d show them.

  “What’s up?” Taylor asked as she came into the room.

  DJ told her about her concerns for Casey and what she and Conner were working on. Taylor just laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” DJ tried not to be offended.

  “Sorry, but I can’t think of anyone more totally the opposite of Seth Keller than Emery Klaus. Not that I think it’s a bad thing. Just pretty funny.”

  “Yeah, and Casey will probably say ‘Forget it.’”

  Taylor got a thoughtful expression. “Unless we really give this some careful consideration…”

  “How so?”

  “Well…” Taylor was pacing now. Not that you could call it pacing; it was more like strutting. “What if we both act like Emery is all that and a bag of chips.”

  “All that and a bag of chips?” DJ frowned. “Huh?”

  Taylor laughed. “It’s something one of mom’s roadies used to say.”

  “Oh, I think I get you. We act like Emery is hot, and Casey gets pulled in.”

  Now Taylor looked concerned. “But we need to make sure Emery doesn’t get hurt. He’s really a sweet guy.”

  “And he’s so shy.”

  “But this might actually be good for him.”

  “It might be good for Casey too.” DJ picked up her phone. “I want to let Conner in on our slight change of plans. He was expecting me to talk to Casey and get her kind of warmed up to the idea. But now we’re going in cold turkey.”

  Taylor giggled as DJ called Conner and filled him in. “I know it sounds kind of crazy,” she said finally, “but it might make this thing work.”

  “At least I’ll know not to get jealous when I see you flirting with Emery.”

  “You can get jealous if you want.” She laughed. “See ya later.”

  After DJ hung up, Taylor asked if she’d heard from Eliza.

  “No, why?”

  “I just wondered if she knows that we’ve given up on her campaign.”

  “I suppose someone should tell her,” DJ admitted, “not that it should really matter. I mean, it’s not like she’s coming back.”

  “Not at all?”

  “It sounded pretty hopeless when Daisy called her. Her mother is really digging in her heels.”

  “That seems so mean.” Taylor shook her head. “I mean, who would’ve thought I’d ever come to Eliza’s defense? But I do feel sorry for her.”

  “Me too.” DJ picked up her phone, then set it down again. “I just can’t bear to call her. Isn’t that kind of like kicking someone when they’re down?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I wish there was something more I could do to help.”

  “I really thought your grandmother would be able to straighten it out.”

  “I did too.”

  “I mean, if they gave out awards for damage control, your grandmother would probably have a few by now.”

  DJ smiled. “Probably. But to be fair, a lot of times it’s by default or even just pure luck.”

  “So have you talked to her about why Eliza can’t come back?”

  “Grandmother?”

  “Yes. Did she say why Mrs. Wilton was being so stubborn?”

  “No…but I didn’t ask.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  DJ considered this. “Maybe so. That way I could tell Eliza that I really did give it my best shot.” She stood up and dropped her phone on the bed. “Okay, here I go…”

  “Want me to come for backup?”

  DJ considered the offer. “No, I think one-on-one might be best.”

  Taylor nodded. “Good idea. That way she won’t be on the defensive.”

  DJ made a praying gesture with her hands and Taylor nodded. Then, with very little hope, DJ went and knocked on her grandmother’s door.

  11

  “I DON’T REALLY WISH TO DISCUSS THIS,” Grandmother said firmly.

  DJ had just asked why Mrs. Wilton had refused to allow Eliza to come back to Crescent Cove. “But it makes no sense.”

  “Perhaps it doesn’t make sense to you, DJ, but it probably makes perfect sense to Mrs. Wilton…and to me.”

  “But what about prom and the fashion show and graduation?” DJ persisted. “Eliza will miss out on everything.”

  “It might be for the best.”

  “I can’t believe you actually think that.” DJ studied her grandmother. She was stretched out on her lounge chair with a copy of Vogue in her lap. “I thought you cared about Eliza.”

  The magazine slipped to the floor as Grandmother stood. “I do care about Eliza.” She walked over to the window, her back to DJ.

  “Then why won’t you help her?”

  Grandmother didn’t answer.

  “Did you even call her mother? Did you really try—”

  “Desiree!” Grandmother turned and faced DJ with a withering look.

  “But I—”

  “Enough!” Grandmother went over to her bureau and jerked open a drawer. DJ wasn’t sure whether to run or wait. Then Grandmother turned around with what appeared to be a Walgreen’s bag in her hand. She held it out to DJ.

  DJ took the bag and looked inside to see what appeared to be a used home pregnancy test. “Huh?”

  “Inez gave this to me before I called Mrs. Wilton.”

  DJ closed the bag and pushed it back toward her grandmother. “I don’t get it.”

  “Inez found it in Eliza and Rhiannon’s bathroom trash can.”

  “Really?” DJ was stunned.

  “Yes. I asked Rhiannon if it was hers.”

  “And she said no?”

  Grandmother nodded with a somber expression.

  “So you assumed it’s Eliza’s?”

  “Who else?”

  DJ didn’t know what to say.

  “According to Inez, the test was positive.”

  “Meaning?” DJ felt like she was on unstable ground here. Was it really possible that Eliza was pregnant too? How weird was that? Or was it mor
e likely that Casey had ditched her home pregnancy kit in someone else’s trash can?

  “It seems obvious, Desiree. Eliza is pregnant.”

  “Did you ask her?”

  “No…I haven’t spoken to Eliza.”

  “How about her mother? Did you ask her?”

  “No.” Grandmother looked appalled. “Do you seriously think I would ask Mrs. Wilton about something like this? I can only imagine what she must think of me…not only did her daughter suffer the…uh…the incident in Palm Beach, but now she’s pregnant as well.” Grandmother reached into her pocket to retrieve a handkerchief, and daubed her eyes with it. “I am so humiliated.”

  “But it’s not your fault, Grandmother.”

  “I was the one in charge here,” she said sadly. “This happened on my watch.”

  DJ didn’t know what to say. But she had a strong suspicion the pregnancy kit did not belong to Eliza. “Can I use your phone?”

  Grandmother looked puzzled. “Well, I don’t know…I suppose.”

  DJ quickly called Eliza’s cell phone and, to her relief, Eliza answered.

  After a brief initial exchange, DJ jumped right in. “I need to ask you something.”

  “What?”

  “Are you pregnant?”

  “No, of course not! Good grief, DJ. Don’t you think I have enough problems? Being pregnant would really be the icing on the cake. Why would you even ask—”

  “Sorry, but Grandmother was under the impression you were.”

  “But why?”

  “Never mind about that. Do you still want to come back for prom and everything?”

  “I wish I could.”

  “Do you think it would help if Grandmother spoke to your mother?”

  “Well, that was the plan, DJ. But for some reason it fell apart.”

  “That’s because Grandmother thought you were pregnant.”

  “But that’s just plain crazy.”

  “I know, Eliza. That’s why I think we need to start over.”

  “But is your grandmother willing to talk to my mother? I mean, to convince her that I need to come back?”

  DJ looked at her grandmother to see what looked like confused relief on her face. “Yes, I think she is.”

  “Well, Mother’s not here right now, but she’ll be back soon. How about if I tell her that Mrs. Carter will call around seven—does that work?”

  DJ turned to Grandmother. “Can you call Mrs. Wilton at seven tonight?”

  Grandmother simply nodded.

  “She’ll do it,” DJ told Eliza.

  “Oh, I hope this works, DJ!”

  “Me too.”

  “Thanks!”

  DJ hung up, then turned to Grandmother. “Eliza is not pregnant.”

  Grandmother sank down onto her chaise lounge and sighed. But then she looked at DJ with troubled eyes. “Then who is?”

  DJ didn’t say anything.

  “Desiree?” There was a warning in Grandmother’s voice.

  DJ still kept her mouth shut.

  “Oh, my goodness!” Grandmother’s hand flew to her mouth. “It’s not you, is it?”

  DJ rolled her eyes. “No, of course not.”

  Grandmother leaned back and sighed. “Who then?”

  “I can’t say.”

  “But you know.”

  DJ nodded.

  “I do appreciate your sense of loyalty, but I will get to the bottom of this.” Grandmother frowned. “I know it’s not Eliza or Rhiannon or you.” She held up three fingers. “That leaves Kriti, Casey and Taylor.” Again she had a stricken look. “Oh, please, tell me it’s not Taylor.”

  DJ pressed her lips together, then shook her head ever so slightly.

  “Oh, I’m so glad that it’s not. Poor Taylor. She’s been through so much and she’s been doing so well.” Now Grandmother held up two fingers. “I certainly hope it’s not Kriti. Her parents would be absolutely furious.” She eyed DJ carefully.

  Again DJ shook her head ever so slightly.

  “So it’s Casey.” Grandmother made a sad tsk-tsk sound. “Well, that’s not terribly surprising.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Oh, it’s not that I don’t like Casey, but she’s had such a chip on her shoulder for so much of the time. She was unhappy to come here and she has been so moody and difficult…it just seems that she’d be the one to get into this kind of trouble.”

  “Please, don’t tell her I told you.”

  “You didn’t.”

  DJ nodded.

  “Do her parents know?”

  “No.”

  “She should tell them.”

  “I know. That’s what I keep telling her.”

  “What about the father? Does he know?”

  “It’s Seth Keller. And he knows.”

  “Oh…the Keller family.” She made the tsk-tsk sound again. “They will not be pleased about this.”

  “Who would be?”

  Grandmother made a forced smile. “Well, some families are more tolerant than others.”

  “Casey is worried her parents will be really upset.”

  “I’m sure they will be.”

  DJ was unsure how much to say but since the cat was already out of the bag, she just plunged in. “Casey is considering an abortion.”

  Grandmother nodded sadly. “Yes, that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “But her parents are really against that.”

  “And that doesn’t surprise me either.”

  “So Casey is pretty confused.”

  “Understandably so.”

  “Taylor and I are the only ones who know. Well, and Seth.”

  “And how is Mr. Keller handling it?”

  “Like a great big jerk.” DJ filled her in on Seth, the breakup, and his taking someone else to the prom.

  Grandmother’s expression grew sour. “That’s very unfortunate.”

  “And Casey’s really depressed,” DJ said. “I know she needs to talk to someone…I mean, someone besides me. Someone who can help her to figure this thing out.”

  “Yes, you’re right. She does need someone.”

  DJ felt hopeful. “Do you know anyone?”

  “I’ll give it some thought.”

  “And you won’t be hard on her, will you?” Suddenly DJ was worried. “Casey is already really miserable.”

  “Yes, I’m sure she is. And, no, I won’t be hard on her.”

  DJ leaned down to hug her grandmother. “Thank you!”

  “I should thank you, DJ.”

  “And don’t forget to call Mrs. Wilton,” DJ said as she headed for the door. “Eliza is counting on you!”

  Grandmother just nodded sadly. As DJ walked back to her room, she felt a little flicker of hope. Oh, she didn’t know if Grandmother would really be able to talk sense into Mrs. Wilton, or if Grandmother would know who could help Casey, but it felt good to have someone else—an adult—involved in finding these answers.

  12

  “I HAVE AN IDEA for someone who could be my prom date,” Casey announced from the backseat as DJ was driving to youth group.

  DJ and Taylor exchanged glances.

  “Who?” Rhiannon asked eagerly. She was in the backseat with Casey.

  “Lane Harris.”

  “Hey that’s a great idea,” Rhiannon told her. “I can’t believe we didn’t think of that already. Lane would already have his tux lined up and everything.”

  “Wait a minute.” DJ turned down the road to the church. “We don’t know for sure that Eliza’s not coming back.”

  “I thought it was hopeless,” Rhiannon said.

  “Yeah,” Casey agreed, “you said—”

  “Something came up,” DJ said quickly. “Grandmother is talking to Mrs. Wilton at seven.”

  “So you think there’s a chance?” asked Rhiannon.

  “I think so.”

  “That’s great.” Rhiannon said.

  “Yeah, just great.” Casey sounded deflated again.

  “We’
ll still find you a date,” Taylor called back.

  “That’s right,” Rhiannon agreed. “There are lots of guys to choose from.”

  “Yippee,” Casey said without even a slight glimmer of enthusiasm.

  Soon they were in the youth hall. DJ had made sure to get them there early enough for some “social interaction.” And she was pleased to see that Conner and Bradford were both talking to Emery. So it was the most natural thing in the world to go over and join them. Casey was the only one who didn’t know Emery, and Conner introduced them.

  “I can’t believe you don’t know Emery,” Taylor said as she squeezed in between Emery and Conner. “Because he is entirely worth knowing.”

  Emery’s cheeks were flushed. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

  “Emery was just telling us that he got accepted to Princeton.” Conner directed this to Taylor. “You’ll have to tell Harry that he’s got another Princeton man to take his side in the ongoing battle of the universities.”

  Taylor laughed. “Yes, Emery, you should join us at the lunch table if you want to see a bunch of seniors acting like second graders.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” he said.

  The chatting and banter continued, and DJ actually thought they were all doing a pretty decent job of making Emery look good for Casey. Plus, Emery really seemed to be enjoying the attention. And when it was time to be seated, DJ had to ask herself—why hadn’t they done this before? Not for Casey’s sake, but for Emery’s? Here was this really nice guy who happened to be uber-shy…and with just a little encouragement, he was suddenly smiling and joking and having fun. Really, what had taken them so long?

  Rod Michaels, the youth pastor, was talking about how God loved to give people second chances. He told the story of the disciple Peter and how he denied Jesus—not just once, or twice, but three times. And yet Jesus forgave him and Peter became one of the strongest Christian leaders of all time. “Sometimes we need to fall flat on our faces,” Rod said finally, “to realize how much we need God. Because after we’ve tried everything and blown it and feel like total failures, we begin to understand how weak we are and how strong God is. Our perspective changes and we’re ready to ask for help. Let’s ask God for help now.” Then he led them in a prayer, and it was all DJ could do not to nudge Casey with her elbow as in hint-hint. But she didn’t.

  As usual, they had refreshments and games afterward. Conner invited Emery to partner with him against DJ in a game of pool. So DJ grabbed Casey to be her partner. “I better warn you,” Conner told Emery, “DJ is a shark, and I’m guessing Casey might be too.”