“I guess she’s giving a middle finger to the Selection. Good for her.” I snicker as we pick up more baskets and bring them over, placing them with the others. I didn’t like her, but I’m here for anyone with enough balls to do something like this.
Once we’ve finished with our section, we move to help the others.
“Summer’s dumb for leaving. Like, who would give up such an amazing opportunity? What if they were going to pick her?” I overhear Meagan say.
“It was smart for her to leave. We all know there’s no competition. I’m the one being chosen in the end, but the bitch could say something to me,” Samantha snaps.
Seeing her folly, Meagan stumbles to fix it. “Of course. She was sparing herself the inevitable heartbreak.”
Shay snorts, “I wonder if they ever get tired of sucking the shit out her batty hole.”
“Ladies, it’s time to get these baskets loaded.” the event planner instructs.
Sam and her lemmings groan but finally start to help, and we’re done and ready to head out to deliver baskets.
As I get in the backseat of the car, I pull my phone back out and look at Summer’s picture again.Why would you stop talking to your friends all of a sudden?The thought niggles in the back of my mind the entire time we drop the gifts off at each center. So much that I don’t realize when Thomas pulls up outside my house.
“Ariah, we’re here,” his voice coaxes me out of my wandering thoughts. He’s standing with the door open.Shit, I really was out of it.
Rubbing my forehead, I step out of the car, “Sorry, T, I didn’t even notice we were here.”
“What’s going on? You’ve been out of it almost the entire time,” he inquires, walking me to the front door.
Stopping, I contemplate momentarily before I blurt out, “Has anyone heard from Summer or her parents?”
“The family has decided to take a break from the stress that the Selection process has caused them,” he responds stoically. “Now, go inside. Tonight’s a big night for you, Miss Bradford.”
My thoughts begin to scatter for a different reason. “Ugh. Why did you have to remind me? I was enjoying my perfect plan of avoidance,” I whine, stepping inside.
He laughs, and I know he thinks he’s redirected me, but I know an evasive maneuver when I see one. I won’t make a big deal out of it now, but I make a mental note to find more information on Summer’s whereabouts as I climb the stairs.
* * *
I stareat my Dad and the twins, all decked out in matching tuxes.
“How long do we have to wear these stuffy penguin things again?” Kellan asks, pulling at the bowtie.
“Yeah, this thing keeps giving me a wedgie,” Kylan adds, picking at said wedgie.
I have to hold my hand over my mouth to hide my laughter. Jamie, however, giggles until she’s snorting. She looks beautiful in her pantsuit. She refused to wear a dress, much to the stylist’s dismay. Jamie said, “I don’t need to be in a stupid dress to be pretty.” Dad was entirely on board with her decision.
Shaking his head, Dad says, “Just a few hours, guys.” Then, we’re all piling into the SUV.
As we pull up to the Edgewoods’ house, Dad’s expression smooths out, his laugh lines disappearing instantly. “Okay, tonight is serious. Remember what we talked about. After tonight, everyone will know you as a Bradford.”
My stomach bottoms out. I’m not looking forward to this announcement.
Dad squeezes my hand. “I know, Ry. This isn’t what we want, but it is what we must do,” he says before turning to grab the box lying on the seat next to him.
“I know. I’ll be fine.” I nod, taking another deep breath before exiting the car and heading to the front door.
The door opens by the time we make our way up the stairs, and the work we’ve spent weeks planning is on full display. Wes’s house has been transformed into Christmas in New England. A giant pine tree is off to the side by the floor-to-ceiling window. It’s decorated in white, gold, and red, the color scheme for the evening.
I watch as Dad takes the box he carried in and walks to the tree before opening it and taking out our family ornament. As he hangs it, we stand by his side as a bellman announces our entrance, and I brace myself.
The burly man looks at his paper and then back to where we’re standing. His gaze oscillates between what’s written and the family before him. His shock is quickly masked as he puts back on his professional demeanor and bellows, “The Edgewood family would like to welcome the Bradford family to the town’s annual Christmas ball.”
Gasps break out around the room, the loudest shriek belonging to Samantha before a woman who looks just like her leans in and whispers in her ear. Samantha’s posture straightens, and her lips thin.
