Page 103 of Life of the Party

Your flight leaves Friday at four, and I’ll be there to pick you up. You’d better be

ready for the best weekend of your life. See you soon.

Love, Grey.

I read and reread the letter over and over again, my lips curving into a smile.

Grey and the guys were still at the studio. They’d hoped to be done already, but hit a snag when some of the songs were erased or something. The last time we spoken, hebroke the news that they wouldn’t be back in time for my birthday. I was disappointed, it was hard not to be, but I tried not to let it bother me. Even though it wouldn’t be the same, we could celebrate whenever he got back.

Apparently, that wasn’t good enough for him. I nearly squealed with excitement as I pored over the ticket he’d given me, memorizing my flight times and gate numbers. That was by far the best birthday present I’d ever received. I couldn’t wait to call him, to say thank you.

Charlie came into the kitchen then, still in her pyjamas, obviously hungover from the night before. I smiled at her, cautiously. Things were tense between us. I think she secretly hated that Grey and I had reconciled—that he’d been out to see me, that he called me every day. The moment she heard about the weekend we’d spent together and the song he wrote for me, her entire attitude towards me changed, like she resented me now or something.

I didn’t go to the clubs with her anymore; I really didn’t want to; I was content enough to stay at home and do some coke and wait for Grey to call. She still went out every night after work and got super wasted, sometimes she didn’t even come home. I worried about her, but every time I broached the subject, I almost got my head bit off.

Charlie glared at me, her blue eyes glazed beneath her heavy lids as she opened the refrigerator. I tried not to mind her resentment, though I really didn’t deserve it. I tiptoed around her, trying to be patient, trying to understand. The drugs helped.

“Where’d you go last night?” I set her pile of mail on the counter next to her.

She drank some orange juice straight from the container and wiped her lips on the sleeve of her housecoat. “Out.” She replied, glancing at her mail, taking another swig.

“Was it fun?”

“Loads.”

“Cool.”

That was the extent of our conversation, but it was actually an improvement.

“Oh, how sweet,” Charlie picked up the birthday card I’d gotten from my grandma. “Wait. Does this mean you’re going to come out with me this weekend? To celebrate your eighteenth?” She seemed to brighten at the thought.

“Uh…no.” I avoided her hopeful gaze. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Grey sent me a plane ticket…I’m going to fly up there for the weekend.” I admitted, bracing myself for her reaction.

Her face fell, her blue eyes narrowing. “Oh.”

“You could come with me? Between the two of us, we could get another ticket.”

Charlie chuckled darkly. “Thanks for the pity invite, Mac. I’d love to come and be your third-wheel for the weekend.” She scoffed. “Please. I’m not that pathetic.”

“I don’t think you’re pathetic at all.”

“Whatever. I can’t come anyway, I’ve got plans.”

“Charlie, come on. You don’t have plans. Come with me. I don’t like to think of you sitting here alone, all by yourself, for the whole weekend.”

“You worry about me?” She raised an eyebrow, like she didn’t believe it.

“Yes, I do,” I admitted.

Charlie scoffed. “Yeah, right. Do me a favour, Mac. Cut the bullshit, and just worry about yourself.” She put the juice back in the fridge and slammed the door shut. The noise made me jump. “Besides, I’m not going to be alone.” She smiled at me wickedly and then stalked out of the kitchen.

I wanted to ask her what she meant. I wanted to beg her not to do anything stupid, but she shut her bedroom door in my face, just like she’d done in our friendship.

Effectively keeping me out of it.

CHAPTER 42

I was tingling as the landing gear skidded across the pavement, my heart pounding excitedly as I turned the corner at the arrivals gate, searching the terminal for Grey. I spotted him easily; he was even more gorgeous than the last time I saw him. He smirked as I approached, his blue eyes taking me in. I didn’t want to do the whole embarrassing run-up-to-him-scene, but I couldn’t help myself. He was so close.

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