One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin Page B

appear soft against the night, his wide face a complex system of lines and grooves. He scratches his chin again. I realize that Mom’s right, Loch has developed a classic movie star chin. He’s like a tall scruffy gentleman come to escort me to a ball or something. I step back, shivering, although I’m not so sure it’s from the cold anymore. Without this new venture, there’s a real possibility we could all drift away from each other. I can’t lose my boys. I just can’t.
    â€œOpen for business,” I say with a nervous smile.

twelve

    T URNS OUT L OCH HAS TO WORK ON the night Lemon requested. He just isn’t comfortable quitting his Teddy Bear Factory job until the fake date market has been tested. I don’t blame him. And Cowboy has plans with his dad, but at least he isn’t studying. So that leaves Ollie to jumpstart the business. Terrific.
    I’m still the new girl at Winston, which colors me an outcast for most people there, so I need a female liaison to arrange the dates, even though they aren’t really dates. They are what they are: lies. Who better for the liaison job than Emma Elizabeth Swanson?
    When I approach her with the business plan at lunch, she agrees to help, jumping up and down with excitement, and sticks by my side for the rest of the week. Such clinginess would normally irritate me, but I must admit the female camaraderie feels good. And she welcomes me with open arms. I’ve never had that before.
    Mom nearly faints when Emma follows me in the door after school on Friday, various junk food in tow. Mom’s eyes light up. “Emma! How nice to see you again!”
    Emma throws out a cool “Hey, Mrs. Richards” before dumping her stack of potato chips, Junior Mints, and Dr. Pepper on the counter. Mom and Emma chat for a few minutes about the nutritional value of Dr. Pepper—both agree it should be a food group—before I have to drag Emma and her mountain of food to my room for preparations.
    On the way up the stairs, we run into Brian. “Whoa,” he says, waving his hands in surrender. “Watch out. Teenage girls on the loose.”
    I hate it when he says stuff like that. Like being a teenager and being a girl automatically labels me crazy, insane, and dangerous. Emma offers up a hello, but I drag her by the wrist to my room, ignoring Brian. Only after my door is closed and locked do I feel relaxed enough to let out a belch. I plop down on my bed, my head aching from another week of Winston homework. Emma gives me a look. And then she burps so loud I think the window might shatter.
    I stare in shock.
    â€œWhat? Don’t let the manicure fool you,” she says. “I can be totally disgusting and love it.”
    I laugh. “Well, that was a good one.”
    She proudly raises her chin and pops open a Dr. Pepper. “Thank you kindly. So.” She slumps down beside me. “What’s the plan this time around?”
    I fill her in on my semi-plan, which isn’t much, but I figure it’s best to start simple.
    Ollie will need some guidance. I’m not sure he understands what being a gentleman means. So we’ll go over to his house first to make sure he dresses in attire that conservative parents will love. And then we will send him on his way and wait. If Lemon approves of the product we provide her, the $200 will be dished out to the appropriate employees. Those employees being Ollie, Emma, and myself for this round. I want to give Loch my share, but I know he won’t accept it unless he earned it. We’ll just keep things even. Fair. Simple.
    â€œAm I crazy for doing this?” I stuff a handful of Junior Mints into my mouth.
    â€œMaybe. Maybe not.” Emma loosens her ponytail. “Thanks by the way.”
    â€œFor what?” Not like I’ve done anything yet. I should probably be thanking her. The look on Mom’s face when I walked through the door with Emma was