Page 34 of Bristol

“Let’s go grab a drink. The main event is about to begin,” Reaper says, opening the door of the office.

I follow him out into the house and walk back down the staircase and out into the brisk night air. The sun is fully set now and the string lights illuminate the terrace. There’s a small stage on the edge of the concrete with a band setup. They’re just about to get started, each member dressed in a black suit with multi-colored lights beaming down onto them.

A server walks by and offers me a glass of wine. I snag a glass and walk toward the crowd of people socializing. I spot Mikey and Mo standing together, both donning black slacks and a button-down, collared club shirt.

“Almost didn’t recognize you in that preppy attire,” Mikey says, taking a pull from his beer. Its inside of a koozie, but I know already that it’s a Budweiser.

“I clean up nice when I have to.”

“Sure are a lot cleaner today than you were when I left you last night,” Mo points out.

“That’s what they make showers for. Besides, Reaper was much more unclean and you’d never be able to tell it.”

Mo nods. “You’re right about that. If I didn’t know that he leads a double life, I’d never suspect it, that’s for damn sure. His spectrum is very broad.”

I chuckle. “That’s the understatement of the damn century.”

My eyes scan the crowd, searching for Bristol. She’s so easy to spot in that green dress. She’s in the same crowd of ol’ladies that she was in earlier when I was upstairs. She must feel my eyes on her because she begins looking around until her eyes lock with mine.

She lifts her hand and offers me a subtle wave with a smile. I offer her the same and excuse myself, walking toward her. Unable to stand being this far away from her for another minute.

I walk up behind her and drape an arm around her waist, pulling her body against mine. I feel her tense in my grip as my lips brush the spot on her neck just beneath her ear. I let her go quickly and take a step to her side before I linger there and lift her dress in the middle of all these people.

“Hey, Sebastian,” Loretta pulls me into a big hug.

“Hey, Mama.”

“You haven’t been around lately. You been getting into trouble?” she questions with a smile.

“You know it.”

Bristol smiles as she watches our exchange.

The band stops playing and the singer comes over the speakers with an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt your evening to welcome Mr. Kent Harlem to the stage. Please turn your attention to the dance floor.”

The singer hands Reaper the microphone and he takes it and begins speaking while he walks through the crowd. He talks about the party and the turn out and how wonderful it is as he makes his way to Kendra.

She smiles at him as we all clear a path, leaving her standing alone at the end of the walkway we’ve created.

“I have a secret that I just have to get off of my chest, though, love,” he says, stepping mere feet away from her. She tilts her head at him, her brows scrunching.

“I told you that this was a party for someone else,” he begins, stepping closer to her.

He reaches into his pocket and gets down on one knee, flipping the box open.

“But it’s really a party for us. Will you marry me, Kendra Elise? Be my wife.”

Tears stream down her face as she covers her mouth with both hands. She nods enthusiastically leaning down to kiss him. He stands up and puts the microphone to his mouth.

“SHE SAID YES!” he shouts, and the band begins playing again.

He shoves the microphone into his pocket and pulls Kendra into his arms. He places the ring on her finger and she cries even more staring at it. It matches the elegant black floor-length dress she’s wearing tonight perfectly.

Bristol leans into my side as we watch and let them have their moment.

Reaper triumphantly raises her hand, showing it off like he’s just won a gold medal and he wants the whole world to see it.

---