Chapter 46: The O.C.
Gordon and I chatted a bit more about a few things until Marissa arrived. She placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, Jake, we're about to start. Maybe you'd like to sit closer to get a better view," she smiled.
"There's a seat near my parents," she pointed - and of course, it was exactly where the two women I had roasted earlier were sitting.
"Jake, I have another commitment. We'll talk more another day," Gordon mentioned, handing me a check.
"Appreciate you coming, Gordon," I replied, shaking his hand firmly.
"Who is he?" Marissa asked curiously.
"The one I told you I'd invite if you brought Haley to help as well," I explained, glancing at the $5 million check Gordon had left.
"So, congratulations, Coop. You're one of the people responsible for raising this money for the underprivileged kids," I grinned.
"How much is it?" she asked, still puzzled.
"Five million," I answered casually.
Marissa's eyes widened. "What??"
"Told you, he's a good guy to invite," I smirked and headed toward the table where my grandmother was seated. Alan and Charlie occupied the far end.
"There he is, my grandson," Grandma said proudly, motioning for me to sit beside her.
"We haven't met properly," a woman rose and extended her hand. "Julie Cooper, Marissa's mother. And this is Jimmy, her father."
I shook their hands. "Jake Pritchett… Harper."
"You put on quite a show," Julie smirked. "I've never seen Karen so angry."
"He really did," Evelyn smiled too, but with a look that said this was far from over. It seemed like Karen didn't have issues only with my dad...
I ignored the topic and turned to Kristen, who managed the donations.
"Here's Gordon's contribution. He expects full transparency with the expenses," I informed, handing her the check.
"How much is it, dear?" Grandma inquired, curious.
"Five million."
"Five million dollars?!" Alan blurted out loud, then quickly apologized. "Sorry, sorry!"
"He's a billionaire, Uncle Alan," I remarked, unfazed.
Marissa took the microphone. "Thank you, thank you all so much for coming. Every year, we organize a fashion show to raise money for underprivileged kids. It's such a good cause, you guys."
She continued, "And we couldn't do any of it without your support - the support of Fashion Island, all their great stores, and The Riviera Palisades Group."
Then All Around the World by Cooler Kids started playing.
♫♪ Hey, girl
Zippers and your pearls
When I walk through the door
I'm a debutante ♫♪
The first to walk the runway was Summer. When she saw me, she winked and blew me a kiss before turning and strutting back.
"Hey, big dog, you really got a good one," Charlie patted my chest proudly
"Finally one Harper that won't disappoint me," Evelyn whispered. Hard not to earn Grandma's approval - Summer was stunning and came from a wealthy family.
After a few more girls, it was Marissa's turn.
"She's so beautiful, you guys," Kirsten said, glancing at Jimmy and Julie
"Coop, I think you spent more on that dress than I make in a year," Sandy Cohen commented to Jimmy.
"That's why we trust him with our money," another man at the table chimed in with a grin. "I expect to die a very rich man, Jimmy."
Kristen leaned toward Jimmy. "You okay, Jimmy?" noticing his pale face.
"Uh, yeah, I just - it's a little stuffy in here," he muttered, looking flustered. "Honey, I'm going to get some fresh air, okay?" he told Julie before heading out.
Onstage, Marissa continued her walk down the runway. When she spotted me, she smiled directly at me.
"Marissa wanted to wear these Prada Mary Janes, but I told her she had to wear the stiletto Manolos," her mother remarked at the table.
Marissa has it hard. I'm pretty sure Jimmy's a fraud, and her mom seems like a shallow person.
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After the event, Claire came to pick up Haley. She was so exhausted from all the preparations that she didn't even complain about missing Holly's party.
Marissa also said she was tired and decided to leave with her parents.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to the party with us?" Seth asked.
"That's really strange coming from you, Seth," I looked at him.
"Yeah," he agreed
"That'll be good for you," Taylor, Ryan's girlfriend, chimed in, trying to keep Seth from changing his mind. Ryan stayed silent, just watching.
"She might be right. But for me, I have better things to do," I replied, and Summer appeared, grabbing my hand.
"Oh," Seth muttered, then, "Ohhh," finally realizing. "I'd do it too," he admitted.
"Eww!" Summer, already a little tipsy, exclaimed.
"Not with you!" he shot back, "But I would...you know..." he tried to gesture
"Okay, don't say anything else - she's my cousin," I interrupted before he could blurt out something very awkward.
Ryan pulled him toward the car.
"Take care, guys," I waved and guided Summer toward my car.
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"Wow, you were even more eager this time," I murmured, kissing Summer. We were both naked beneath her sheets.
"The way you handled those bitches turned me on, plus your suit..." she confessed with a grin.
"Summer, I don't want to ruin the mood, but I think we should talk," I said, my tone shifting slightly.
"About what?"
"You know what. We're both smart. I'm obviously not oblivious to some signs," I reasoned.
She sighed. "Marissa has been my best friend since first grade," Summer murmured. "We've never liked the same guy at the same time."
"She's vulnerable and lonely because of Luke and her family," I noted.
"She's been a magnet for drama since forever. Then you show up - it's like she lives in a drama show and you're straight out of a sitcom," Summer exclaimed.
"You're like her prince: stable, dependable, and from the kind of family she's always wanted. One where the family problems can be solved by jumping into the pool," she added, laughing with a touch of disbelief
"And to top it all off, all your other qualities," Summer concluded.
"So what do we do?" I asked.
"I can't ask you to stay away from her. You're the friend she needs the most. I've never seen her so happy and light as when she's with you," Summer said, placing a hand on her face.
"I'm not a cheater, Summer. But I don't do teenage drama either. If things ever get unbearable, I'll just walk away," I warned.
Then I teased, "Well, there's always the threesome option."
"In your dreams, Pritchett," Summer laughed, hitting me with a pillow.
"Yep, that'll be tonight's dream," I teased again.
"I'll kick you out of my bed," she threatened, but we ended up kissing anyway.
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