Emerge (23 page)

~Laney~

“
H
appy Birthday, Laney! Wake up, wake up, wake up!”

Okay, Bennett is bouncing on my bed and I fear greatly she’s going to fall on me any minute.

“I’m up, I’m up!” I tell her, laughing. It must be because it’s my birthday, the big 1-9. I never wake up in a good mood.

“Look on the table, birthday girl!”

I look over and see the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers waiting for me. I get up to go inspect and count 19 red roses, with lilies and baby’s breath mixed in; it’s breathtaking. I check the card hesitantly.
I would give anything to be there with you today. I love you, birthday girl. XO, Evan.
I can’t remember the last birthday I spent without him and a silent tear trickles down my cheek.

“Who are they from?” Bennett asks from behind me.

I quickly brush away the tear before turning to answer her. “They’re from Evan. Aren’t they beautiful?”

“They’re amazing, Laney. Are you okay?” she asks, concern etched across her face. She rubs my back. “It’s not okay to be sad on your birthday, chica! I know we haven’t spent much time together lately, but I have all day blocked off to ring in your 19
^th
with cannons!”

She really is a little ray of sunshine, this girl; I’m guessing she’s never screwed over a friend in her life. I silently vow to never compare her to Kaitlyn again. “I’m good, Bennett, I just miss him, but we’re gonna have a great day! I’m so glad to have you here with me. Thank you.”

“Thank me tomorrow morning! You’ll see…” She laughs and my phone rings.

I know it’s my dad, Evan wouldn’t call this early. “Hi Daddy,” I answer.

“Happy Birthday, slugger! You feel any older?”

I laugh and tell him I’ve only been up a little while, so I’m not sure how I feel yet, then tell him about the flowers Evan sent and that Bennett apparently has a lot planned for me, although I have no idea what yet.

“Well now, I’ve got your presents here, kiddo, we can open ‘em when you come home, okay?”

I agree that sounds great and that I love him and will see him soon. I decide while I’m at it to call Evan.

Of course, the early hour does nothing to deter the cheerfulness in Evan’s voice. “Happy Birthday, munchkin, what are you doing up?” I babble happily, describing Bennett’s wake-up call, and thank him for the flowers.

“I know you’re not a big flower girl, but I had to send them since I’m not there to hand you something. God, how I wish I was, Laney. I have something for you, though, when I see you.”

We reminisce for a little while about all my past birthdays and what we did, both cracking up at the funny, tender memories. He doesn’t mention the Kaitlyn thing and I’m glad, I refuse to talk about that today.

“Anything weird yet?” he asks quietly, perhaps afraid of the answer. On some birthdays, my admirer “strikes” with flowers, but not every year, and the 19
^th
is good so far.

“No, nothing I woke up to.”

He lets out a deep breath. “Good, good. Okay, enjoy your day, my love.”

Bennett has sat back silently the entire time, but I can tell she’s chomping at the bit to get going on our day.

I bask in happiness during my shower, thinking of how lucky I am. My birthday has barely started and I have a great friend ready to wow me, a dazzling arrangement on my table, and I just talked to two of the most unbelievable men on the planet—and they love me. Some things have sucked lately, but all in all, I’m pretty damn blessed…and I’m going with that.

I
love the spa—
who knew?
I let Bennett treat me to a manicure and pedicure, my first of both. I even went with the massage and blushed through gritted teeth for a bikini wax (you only live once, right?)…but when they sit me in the chair to get my hair done, I call bullshit.

“Bennett,” I lean over and whisper, “enough. Where are you getting all this money, woman? I can’t let you spend this much on me.” She doesn’t respond, but rather shoots me a friendly sneer and texts something. My phone dings.
Did she really just text me from a foot away?

Zach:
I chipped in, chillax and enjoy, sweet girl.

Looking back at Bennett, I roll my eyes. “You could have just told me that, ya’ know,” I snicker.

“Nope, he told me to do exactly that.”

Laney:
Well thank you very much! Will I see you today?

Zach: You will. Happy Birthday! C U soon.

I chicken out on my hair. They almost had me talked into a major change, but instead I go for a trim and some very long bangs; that’s as radical as I get. After thanking all the cheerful people who have pampered us all day, we meet Zach for lunch, where I give him a big hug in thanks; he really is so sweet. After lunch, Bennett and I head to the local mall where I refuse everything she offers to buy for me. W
here does this girl get all that money
? Surely Zach didn’t chip in that much.

Finally back in the room after the best day, I collapse on the bed. “I’ve had a great birthday, Bennett! Thank you so much, you’re awesome!”

“
Have had—
Laney, you’re so naïve it’s precious. Girl, you ain’t seen nothing yet, we’re just getting started.”

“What? You can’t possibly have anything else planned! You’ve done far too much already, really.”

“You’re wasting time arguing with me and you’re gonna want to go get ready.” Her red curls bounce and she’s wearing a devilish grin.

Surprisingly, I’m not the least bit apprehensive. If I’m totally honest, I can’t freaking wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.

“Your hair’s already done, so just shower, shave your legs and meet me back out here. I’ll take care of wardrobe, your highness.” She blows me a kiss and gives me the “shoo shoo” with her hand.

Oh my, what else could there be? If I have to shave my legs, it must be serious.

I get out of the shower and yell to Bennett for further instructions. She comes in and touches up my hair and does my make-up. Finally satisfied with her work, she brings in my dress for the night; one I’ve seen in her closet before. Frankly, it makes me nervous from the hanger.

“First things first,” she says and proceeds to slide black thigh highs up my legs.
Oh, dear Lord
. She then hands me a black thong made out of dental floss and a matching lace, strapless, push-up bra.

“Um Bennett, I really don’t want to be arrested for prostitution on my birthday, thanks though,” I say with more seriousness than sarcasm as I shimmy the items on under my robe.

“Hush, silly, these are just the undergoodies to make you feel sexy on your special day, there’s wrapping. Now lose the robe.” She pulls the thin black dress over my head.

The dress is way too short, too thin, too tight, and too low cut. I can’t leave the house like this, NO WAY. I try telling her this, several times, my voice in full-out panic, but she assures me that tonight will be semi-private and I look great, it’s my birthday, yada yada.

Next she adorns my wrist, ears and neck with sparkles and a princess crown on my head—now that part I like! “Oh crap, I forgot, no necklace,” she says as she removes it.

I have to ask. “Is there a no necklace rule at the brothel?”

She blows a raspberry at me but doesn’t answer specifically. Yup, we’re headed to a brothel and they don’t want girls to get their necklaces caught in the cages—I knew it!

There’s a knock on our door but I don’t care, I’m not leaving this bathroom, no way no how.

“Where’s the birthday girl?” I hear Tate ask.

“She won’t come out,” Bennett whispers, like our room is so big I can’t hear her.

“Laney, are you decent? I’m coming in!”

Oh shit—that’s Sawyer. “Um, no, I’m far from decent.”

I see the door crack behind me and his head pops in. A flirty smile lights up his face. “Hot damn, woman, please jump out of a cake on my birthday!”

“Not helping, Sawyer.”

“Laney, you look fucking amazing. Come on, shy violet, it’s your birthday, strut your stuff!”

“Really? It’s not too much? Or too little, I mean?” I fight the urge to bite my nails, an old habit that’s hard to break.

“No way, it’s perfect. It’s ‘I told ya there was a hot body under here’ meets ‘I kick ass cause it’s my birthday.’ I swear you look hot, now come on. I gotta find some ass now that you got me all worked up,” he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the bathroom.

I walk into the living area and Tate’s jaw hits the floor. Bennett jumps up and down, clapping.

“Um, Laney, one more thing?”

“Yes, Sawyer?” I’m afraid to ask.

“
That’s
what you should wear for pajamas!”

Everyone laughs, even me; he’s crude but irresistibly loveable. He really has grown on me; he’s quite charming with those big blue eyes and dimples. Yes, his eyes are definitely blue, like sapphires.

“Okay, okay, let’s pregame toast, people.” Tate pours us each a Solo cup of champagne, only the classiest in college. “To Laney’s birthday, a great night, a great year, and awakening for all!”

We all tap and down the chilled, crisp liquid. Whoo! That stuff will go to your head. I can’t help but wonder where Dane is? Surely after the knee-buckling kiss he wouldn’t miss my birthday? I just can’t bring myself to ask, though.

“To the chariot!” Sawyer exclaims and we all follow.

“Have fun, sweetie, it’s your day and I’m right behind you,” Bennett whispers as we walk down to the parking lot.

A
short limo ride later we arrive at The Kickback. I don’t even ask who paid for the sleek ride because I give up on that mystery; surely someone’s about to drop over from all the plasma they’ve donated for money, and then I’ll know the culprit. Oh crap, I didn’t grab my ID! Oh well, I don’t have to drink.

There’s no line at the door and the bouncer just lets us in with not one check. We walk in to total darkness, and I’m frazzled for just a second before people jump up into beaming lights and yell “Surprise!”

First thought: I don’t know this many people, who’s here? I see Zach front and center, I have Bennett, Tate and Sawyer yelling behind me, hmmm. I spot Drew with a girl I don’t recognize and several girls from my softball team, some with what look like dates—that was so nice of them to come. I then I realize we have this place to ourselves, how’s that possible? They have to be losing a ton of revenue on this. And where is Dane?

“Are you surprised, sweetie?” Zach bear hugs me and asks with a kiss on my head.

“Oh my gosh, yes! How did you guys pull this off?’

“I’d tell you, but then I’d have to spank you. It
is
your birthday,” he teases and I slap his arm.

Several of the girls from the team come over and greet me, a few even hand me cards; it’s touching, really. Maybe this new team could be
my
team, my new sisterhood. Several guys are introduced to me. Some are dates, some aren’t, but I keep flicking my eyes around the room, trying to spot only one guy.

Tate has jumped behind the bar and is starting to sling drinks. I just order an “anything” when Sawyer scoots in beside me.

“So, Laney, I gotta say, I thought you were the exception, but softball girls are fucking hot!”

“Um, thank you?”

“WHO is the brunette in the red to our 3’o clock?”

I look over his shoulder; ah, he has a good eye. The Andrews twins, Avery and Kirby, are gorgeous girls and they’re a pitcher/catcher combo, which of course means they’re cool as hell. Honestly though, I don’t know which one we’re looking at this very moment. The only difference I can find is that Avery, the pitcher, is taller, so since there’s only one of them right now, I have no idea.

“It’s either Avery or Kirby Andrews,” I tell him with a shrug.

“Or?” It takes him a minute, and I bite back a giggle as I watch him work it through his mind. I see when it dawns on him, I have to laugh and he literally rolls his eyes up into his head and groans, “if you’re teasing me, I’ll beat you…are you telling me there’s two of that? Like twins?”