She grabbed my shoulders. "Love you, girl."
"Love you, too." As I backed away so she could do her job, I blew her a kiss and returned to Meryl's side. And Jennifer's. And Chloe's. All normal-like and stuff, but-oh my God-I stood there dumbstruck and dizzy realizing just how profoundly everything had changed this summer.
The show ended, and I clapped so hard I think I busted a blood vessel in my palm. Let me just go on record saying, once again, all reports of Joaquin's mad dance skills and stage presence and, oh, utter hotness were grossly underreported. That boy's dancing indeed could bring tears to a person's eyes, regardless of whether or not you were having sex with him. Caressa hadn't been biased in the least!
We were utterly high on first-Broadway-show giddiness as we shuffled backstage to congratulate Caressa and Joaquin and the rest of the cast and crew. I'd been blown away, and although I know I have a tendency to exaggerate on occasion, this time I wasn't. The show rocked. It was the best thing ever, and the perfect cap to a strange, surreal, but really special summer.
The moment we saw Caressa, Meryl and I squealed with excitement and ran over to envelope her in a huge three-way hug, bouncing and giggling and basically being high school.
"It was phenomenal, Caressa," Meryl said, in this breathy voice that totally wasn't Meryl. "I'll remember it forever."
"It really was." I sighed. "And Joaquin-holy crap. You weren't kidding."
Caressa laughed, a bubbly, happy sound. "Didn't I tell you? Like, a million times?"
"You did," Meryl and I said, in stereo.
"You know what made this performance better than any other for me?" Caressa asked.
We waited.
"Having the Three Amigas reunited. You have no idea how much I missed it."
"Yes," Meryl said, with a sigh. "The Three Amigas."
We hugged again, and I caught a glimpse of Jennifer over Meryl's shoulder. She looked winsome and awkward, out of place. Chloe was deep in conversation with Sasha, and Jennifer stood simply alone, lips pressed together, eyes focused down. I felt a pang in my tummy.
Been there.
In a penultimate un-Lila-esque move, I pulled away from my best friends in the world and yelled, "Hey!"
Jennifer's gaze darted my way.
I gestured for her to join us.
With a tremulous smile, she waved me off. "It's okay."
"Jen, come on."
She approached hesitantly, as if I were the coyote and she were the cottontail bunny. Oh, how much a season changes things. "Seriously, I'm fine," she said, in an unsteady voice. "I don't want to barge in on a Three Amigas moment. Really."
"Oh, shut your hole." I yanked her pregnant ass into the fold and wrapped my arm around her.
She searched my eyes for some clue as to my total turnaround.
"Three Amigas, Four Amigas...whatever." I smiled, genuinely feeling it down to my soul. "I never was very good at math anyway."
Her eyes glistened, and she squinched closer. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank us," Meryl said. "Just be."
Jennifer bit her bottom lip and nodded.
The four of us broke apart and hooked elbows. Meryl and I on the outside, Caressa and Jen in between. Caressa glanced down at Jen with the regal confidence that scared off (well, used to scare off) all the guys. "From now on, you're part of us, we're part of you. Got it? As for your stupid non-friends come the first day of school?"
"Evil flying monkey posse," I said with derision.
Jennifer looked baffled.
"That's what we call Miffany and the others," Meryl explained, calmly.
Jennifer muffled a laugh. "It's so true."
"Duh." She doubted me? Scoff. "You don't have to worry about them anymore, okay?" I told her.
"But-"
"But nothing," I cut in. "True friends always have each other's backs."
"But-"
"Ah-ah!" I said loudly, as though training a puppy. "Trust me, those fairweather hags even come near the Three-"
"Ah-ah!" Caressa said, as though training her own puppy. Then she smiled at Jennifer. "The Four Amigas stick together through the good times and the bad. That's what Lila's saying."
"And believe me," Meryl interjected. "I suspect there will be a lot of bad times. Sorry." She scrunched up her freckly nose.
"But you won't be alone," Caressa said.
"Yeah. You'll always have us," I told Jennifer, even surprising myself. "We mean it. Those vapid wenches don't stand a chance against the Three Amigas."
"Four Amigas," Meryl reminded.
"Yes, sorry, habit," I said, pulling away. "Four. Strong and Solid." I smiled at Jennifer. "Trust me, they're powerless as long as we stick together."
I extended my hand into the center of the circle, palm down. Caressa laid hers on top of mine. Meryl followed suit. Then Jennifer-hesitantly, which made us all laugh.
One unexpected warm fuzzy moment, and, just like that, backstage of the theatre where Caressa had spent her summer away from us, I could hardly wait for senior year to a start, the four of us, all together once again. One thought kept running through my mind: Bring it on, evil flying monkey posse. Give it your best shot.
Cocky? Some might think so.
I guess we'll find out soon enough, won't we?.
About the Author.
Lynda Sandoval is the author of twenty-four books for both teens and adults, but her heart has always drifted toward the often heinous, sometimes hilarious, but always life-changing teen experience. Her first teen novel, Who's Your Daddy?, the precursor to Father Knows Best, was an American Library Association Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, landed on the New York Public Library "Books for the Teen Age" list, won the National Readers' Choice Award, and was nominated for the prestigious Colorado Book Award for best young adult literature.
Lynda's novels have spent several weeks on the Waldenbooks/ Borders Bestsellers list, peaking at #3, and her full body of work has racked up close to forty awards and list placements in the ten years she's been publishing. Her books have sold foreign translation rights in Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia, Portugal, Latin America, and the U.K. She has been featured in publications such as People en Espanol, Writer's Digest, the Romance Writers' Report, The Denver Post Book Review, and Romantic Times.
A former police officer and current 9-1-1 medical/fire dispatcher, she now serves as a mentor with the Nevada Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and as an instructor with the prestigious Big Sur Writing Workshops. She enjoys helping other authors ferret their way into the wonderfully nutso world of teen fiction. In her spare time (ha!), Lynda volunteers at Rainbow Alley, a LGBTQ teen drop-in center, and especially loves chaperoning the annual Queer Prom and cheering on the brave youth at the annual Gaybutante luncheon, held every National Coming Out Day.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books.
The Pleasure Set by Lisa Girolami. Laney DeGraff, a successful president of a family-owned bank on Rodeo Drive, finds her comfortable life taking a turn toward danger when Theresa Aguilar, a sleek, sexy lawyer, invites her to join an exclusive, secret group of powerful, alluring women. (978-1-60282-144-6).
A Perfect Match by Erin Dutton. The exciting world of pro golf forms the backdrop for a fast-paced, sexy romance. (978-1-60282-145-3).
Truths by Rebecca S. Buck. Two women separated by two hundred years are connected by fate and love. (978-1-60282-146-0).
Father Knows Best by Lynda Sandoval. High school juniors and best friends Lila Moreno, Meryl Morganstern, and Caressa Thibodoux plan to make the most of the summer before senior year. What they discover that amazing summer about girl power, growing up, and trusting friends and family more than prepares them to tackle that all-important senior year! (978-1-60282-147-7) In Pursuit of Justice by Radclyffe. In the dynamic double sequel to Shield of Justice and A Matter of Trust, Det. Sgt. Rebecca Frye joins forces with enigmatic computer consultant J.T. Sloan to crack an Internet child pornography ring. (978-1-60282-147-4) The Midnight Hunt by L.L. Raand. Medic Drake McKennan takes a chance and loses, and her life will never be the same-because when she wakes up after surviving a life-threatening illness, she is no longer human. (978-1-60282-140-8) Long Shot by D. Jackson Leigh. Love isn't safe, which is exactly why equine veterinarian Tory Greyson wants no part of it-until Leah Montgomery and a horse that won't give up convince her otherwise. (978-1-60282-141-5) In Medias Res by Yolanda Wallace. Sydney has forgotten her entire life, and the one woman who holds the key to her memory, and her heart, doesn't want to be found. (978-1-60282-142-2) Awakening to Sunlight by Lindsey Stone. Neither Judith or Lizzy is looking for companionship, and certainly not love-but when their lives become entangled, they discover both. (978-1-60282-143-9) Fever by VK Powell. Hired gun Zakaria Chambers is hired to provide a simple escort service to philanthropist Sara Ambrosini, but nothing is as simple as it seems, especially love. (978-1-60282-135-4) High Risk by JLee Meyer. Can actress Kate Hoffman really risk all she's worked for to take a chance on love? Or is it already too late? (978-1-60282-136-1) Missing Lynx by Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou. On the trail of a notorious serial killer, Elite Operative Lynx's growing attraction to a mysterious mercenary could be her path to love-or to death. (978-1- 60282-137-8) Spanking New by Clifford Henderson. A poignant, hilarious, unforgettable look at life, love, gender, and the essence of what makes us who we are. (978-1-60282-138-5) Magic of the Heart by C.J. Harte. CEO Susan Hettinger and wild, impulsive rock star M.J. Carson couldn't be more different if they tried-but opposites attract in ways neither woman can resist. (978-1- 60282-131-6) Ambereye by Gill McKnight. Jolie Garoul is falling in love with her assistant. The big problem is, Jolie is a werewolf. (978-1-60282-132-3) Collision Course by C.P. Rowlands. Tragedy leaves Brie O'Malley and Jordan Carter fearful and alone. Can they find the courage to take a second chance on love? (978-1-60282-133-0) Mephisto Aria by Justine Saracen. Opera singer Katherina Marov's destiny may be to repeat the mistakes of her father when she becomes involved in a dangerous love affair. (978-1-60282-134-7 Battle Scars by Meghan O'Brien. Returning Iraq war veteran Ray McKenna struggles with the battle scars that can only be healed by love. (978-1-60282-129-3) Chaps by Jove Belle. Eden Metcalf wants nothing more than to flee from her troubled past and travel the open road-until she runs into rancher Brandi Cornwell. (978-1-60282-127-9) Lightbearer by John Caruso. Lucifer dares to question the premise of creation itself and reveals that sin may be all that stands between us and living hell. (978-1-60282-130-9) The Seeker by Ronica Black. FBI profiler Kennedy Scott battles ghosts from her past, deadly obsession, and the evil that haunts her. (978-1- 60282-128-6) Power Play by Julie Cannon. Businesswomen Tate Monroe and Victoria Sosa are at odds in the boardroom, but not in the bedroom. (978-1-60282-125-5) The Remarkable Journey of Miss Tranby Quirke by Elizabeth Ridley. When love enters Tranby's life in the form of a beautiful nineteen-year-old student, Lysette McDonald, she embarks on the most remarkable journey of all. (978-1-60282-126-2) Returning Tides by Radclyffe. Insurance investigator Ashley Walker faces more than a dangerous opponent when she returns to the town, and the woman, she left behind. (978-1-60282-123-1) Veritas by Anne Laughlin. When the hallowed halls of academia become the stage for murder, newly appointed Dean Beth Ellis's search for the truth leads her to unexpected discoveries about her own heart. (978-1-60282-124-8) The Pleasure Planner by Larkin Rose. Pleasure purveyor Bree Hendricks treats love like a commodity until Logan Delaney makes Bree the client in her own game. (978-1-60282-121-7).
everafter by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam. Valentine Darrow is bitten by a vampire on her way to propose to her lover Alexa Newland, and their lives and love are placed in mortal jeopardy. (978-1-60282-119-4).
Summer Winds by Andrews & Austin. When Maggie Turner hires a ranch hand to help work her thousand acres, she never expects to be attracted to the very young, very female Cash Tate. (978-1-60282- 120-0).
end.