Stupid Favours - Favours Series #2

Chapter 31

"You need to bring your father to New York for the 12th." I get to the point of my discussion with Oliver the very same day.

He crossed his arms and raise a blond brow in defiance, clearly hating taking orders from a teenage girl.

"What makes you think he'd listen to me?"

"You're his beloved son, aren't you?" he turns away. "Tell him he can invite whomever and it'll give him a chance to rub elbows with the elites of New York. Mr Thompson will be there as well."

"You've thought all this through then?"

"What am I, if not prepared?"

That was a lie. I was never prepared. But, the smile I give quietens him.

"He will be suspicious."

I roll my eyes, "You're job, Oliver, is to make him not suspicious. Can you manage that?"

"Don't push the boundaries."

"What boundaries?" I smirk. I enjoyed power over people a little too much. In fact, I missed the feeling, having been holed up in Medfield, isolated, stagnant for so long.

It's obviously not healthy, but at least I'm self-aware.

"Just do what you have to and get him here. I'll take care of the rest."

"What exactly is the rest?"

"Specifics you don't need to know just yet. Just keep in mind what I told you. And our combined end goal should be to save your sister. Okay?"

He grunts in response and I take it as my cue to leave.

My plan was absolutely up to chance and confidence. But Oliver didn't need to know that. I had blackmailed him to use him as a pawn in the grand scheme of things. Now his time to shine has arrived.

If he does his part, and we do ours, we might be able to get Kat out of this sham of a marriage.

-*-*-*-*-*-

I still had 2 weeks of school to attend before our official winter break started. I'd already skipped a week and had tons of work to cover. So I left all the plans to Rose and Viv.

"How's planning going?"

"Perfectly. I missed throwing parties, this is the best way to relax." I spot my scrunched face in the mirror, before I change my expression. "I asked for pale cerulean, not fucking sky blue." I hear the blonde issue a militaristic command.

"Relax? Or do you just enjoy shouting orders?" As former queen bee of Thornton, she was bound to miss bossing people around. Then again, not being called queen bee didn't stop her from occasionally being a classic bitch.

"That's just a bonus."

I shake my head. "So did Katrina say she wanted pale cerulean or are you deciding for her?"

"She asked me to decide it all."

"Get her involved Carson. This is her big night. We might be hijacking it a bit, but I still want her to enjoy herself."

"And she will. She's just new to arranging a party at this scale. So I'm taking the reins."

"Fine, but make sure we have what we need."

"Of course." She pauses, the sounds behind her quiet. "I still think we should tell Michael."

"And let him derail everything?" Fuck no. "Rose, you said it yourself, he's given up. He's not going to fight it, so we'll fight it for him. Or at least for Kat."

"He'll throw a fit."

"And I could care less."

"And he cares too much."

"I think he cares too little."

"I'm not talking about the engagement."

My gaze drops to the floor, "Then?"

"He cares a lot...about you, and us, safety and what not. After everything-"

I cut her off, "I know."

I already knew what it felt like. Worrying about everyone and everything, calculating your next move to make sure you're safe. The waiting games, the nightmares, the fear.

"But it's behind us. Most of it. Our current demons are not too hard to deal with." I try my best to sound convincing. "Don't worry about Michael. He chose to sit out the minute he didn't tell us the truth.

"I have to get going, but keep me updated. I'll be in New York by Friday." We exchange goodbyes and I end the call with a heavy sigh.

Michael and I had spoken since his Halloween party, ever since I overheard him and Rose. I partially felt responsible for this mess. If only I'd turned down his offer that day.

My eyes flutter to the picture I'd unconsciously pulled up. Michael stood beside me, both of us in red, his arm wrapped around me like it belonged. I'd been smiling, solely because he'd tickled me. But his grin was genuine.

I think that was the last time I'd seen him really smile.

"Nothing was epic."

My voice echoes back to me and I feel stupid, making me switch off the screen.

"Should I be concerned you're talking to yourself?"

My head jolts to my door. Jerry holds it ajar, poking his head through.

"What the fuck Fisher?"

"Language Sanders."

"I could have been naked you know."

"Like there's something to see?" I chuck a pillow at his head, effectively snapping his head back. I smirk in victory and dodge his throw back.

"Enough delaying, you need to finish your stupid homework. Your mom is going to have my head if you're not done."

"I swear she thinks we're 8 year olds and not 18."

"You can't fool a teacher. Come on!"

I scoot to the edge of my bed. "Any chance I can get you to come next week?"

"No chance Cam. Not my crowd. I'd stick out and get bored fast."

"You could meet my friends."

"Don't you have some plan to concoct with them?" he quirks his brow.

I smile, "Oh if you knew."