Page 124 of Life of the Party

“You could say that.” I grinned.

CHAPTER 50

I was dying. I tried to swallow and my poor parched throat scraped in protest. Unwillingly, I opened my bleary eyes, desperate enough for water that I forced my weary muscles to work and get me out of my bed. It was cold away from Grey’s slumbering form. I leaned on the wall and made my way painfully to the kitchen, trying to hurry, knowing the faster I made it there the faster I could get back in bed.

It was quiet in the house, still early. I padded to the sink, clad in nothing but Grey’s black t-shirt and my underwear, filling up the closest cup I could find with sweet, cold water. I chugged it back, my throat sorely struggling to swallow down the liquid, easing as the cool wet relieved the tightness there. I sighed, my eyes barely open, and poured myself another cup.

As I drank, I noticed the door to Charlie’s room was wide open, her bedding rumpled and empty. I frowned with concern, and my heart went out to my friend, knowing her state and why she was in it. Zack.

I bit my lip as I remembered the harsh reception he’d given Charlie the night before. We’d gone over to Grey’s after the brief stop at my parents. Charlie only came in with me because Zack was out. He was supposed to be out, anyway.

But Zack was there, standing in the kitchen, catching us by surprise. Charlie stopped when she saw him, startled as he looked her over, from her head to her toes.

“Sorry.” He’d chuckled, shrugging in explanation. “It’s just not worth it.”

I’d watched a spasm of pain shadow Charlie’s beautiful face, but she composed herself quickly, turning for the door, slamming it on her way out of the house.

I’d followed her, my heart breaking for her, into the cold, wintry evening.

“Charlie, I’m so sorry,” I called. “Forget about Zack, he’s nothing.”

“Whatever.” She made a noise, a half-laugh, half-sob, storming down the sidewalk.

“Charlie, wait. I’ll come with you.”

“No. Stay with Grey, Mac. I’m fine.”

My breath was icy in the cold air. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Go find Courtney, go to Jack’s house.”

“No, Charlie.” I followed her out to the car, lowering my voice so the neighbours couldn’t hear. “Please, don’t go to Jack’s. Grey says it’s not safe.”

She made another noise, a half-sob, half-scoff, and shook her head at me. “Perfect.”

“Charlie…”

“Just go, Mackenzie. It’s okay. I’ll be okay, I promise.”

She got into the car. I stepped back onto the sidewalk, watching in worry as she peeled away, her red taillights bobbing off into the night.

Grey met me at the entry, stopping me before I could get back inside and really let Zack have it. I was seething, partly from the horrible, hideous day I’d had but mostly out of worry and anger for my friend. If anything bad happened to Charlie, anything at all, I was going to place every ounce of the blame on Zack.

“Come on, sugar. It’s for the best.” Grey had convinced me, with the warmth of his arms, to let it go. I relented and leaned against him, but my tension didn’t ease any. I knew what I needed to make me feel better, to help me get over the stress of the day. To help me forget I’d lost my job and stolen from my mother, to help me forget the leer on Roger’s face as he jingled his belt buckle.

To help me forget what I’d almost done…

“Don’t be upset Mackenzie. Please?” Grey misread the look on my face, thinking it was worry for Charlie. His blue eyes were pleading. “How can I make it better?”

Grey hated to see me upset, ever. He would do anything to make me happy again.

An idea occurred to me then, something I never would have considered before, but I was desperate, and I’d discovered a weakness in Grey that could be easily manipulated.

Me.

I shut my eyes and leaned against him, letting a sob-like shudder run through me. He felt it and his arms reacted, pulling me close. His hand stroked my hair, reassuringly, and he kissed my cheek just below my ear.

“What’s the matter, Mackenzie? Tell me.”

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