Beastly: Sequel to "Mr. Perfect"

Chapter 35: Scammers and Distractions

✨Evan (P.O.V.)

I was still staring down at Brittany, jaw clenched so tight, when I caught it out of the corner of my eye—my mom.

She was standing just behind Dave Owens, calm despite the chaos, her face unreadable. But then, she made eye contact with me.

It was subtle and quick, then she glanced at Jake.

Jake clocked it too as his brows lifted slightly.

Mom didn't speak, didn't make a sound. She just raised her eyebrows once more, then shifted her hand in the smallest motion—fingertips moved down her side, slowly brushing her thigh, then pointed toward her ankle.

That's all we needed.

She was going to stage a distraction. And damn, I appreciated it.

Jake and I shared a look, almost imperceptible, then both gave her the smallest nod.

The next second, her body tilted—

Thunk!

She collapsed to the floor with a sharp, dramatic cry.

"Ahhh!" she screamed, clutching her ankle. "Oh my God! My ankle—I think I twisted it!"

Both Brittany and Dave Owens snapped their heads around at once.

Brittany looked startled while Dave Owens looked annoyed.

Jake bolted towards her.

"Mrs. Owens, are you okay?" he asked, crouching beside her with exaggerated concern.

Mom—committed to the performance—let out another shriek the second Jake's hand neared her ankle.

"Don't touch it!" she gasped. "It—it hurts! I think something popped!"

I ran over, trying to keep my expression in sync.

"Mom, you okay?" I asked.

"I—I tripped on the edge of the rug," she winced, keeping her voice strained. "It was stupid. I didn't see it."

Dave Owens barked a harsh laugh, arms folded, face twisted in irritation.

"Are you blind now, Dianne!?" he exclaimed. "How the hell do you just fall like that!? Are you trying to break your own damn bones for sympathy!?"

I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

Jake and I each took an arm and slowly lifted her.

"I'll grab the first-aid kit," I said quickly, already calculating the next step.

Jake nodded.

"We'll get her into the bedroom," he said. "She needs to keep her leg up."

Then he looked right at Dave Owens.

"Can you help me take Mrs. Owens to the room?" Jake asked.

Dave Owens didn't move as his face twisted.

"Sh*t, she's fine," he said. "She doesn't need any damn help."

Jake clenched his jaw.

"Stop being bitter and just help your wife," he said.

Dave Owens scoffed.

"What wife!?" he said. "Sh*t, not after what she did! Not after she stabbed me in the back!"

I rolled my eyes so hard.

"She's hurt," Jake said firmly. "Just help her."

"Oh, she's hurt?" he said. "That's rich, coming from a woman who's trying to ruin me! You know she filed for divorce, right?"