Page 38 of Life of the Party

“Can you give this to Mackenzie?” Charlie handed Grey a slice of pizza she’d warmed for me. “She hasn’t eaten in like, three days.”

“What are you, anorexic?” Zack wondered.

“Not on purpose,” I decided, watching in delight as Grey sauntered over. He sat next to me on the couch and handed me the plate, his smile melting me into the cushions.

“How does someone accidentally become an anorexic?” He wondered, leaning forward, a beer in his hand, his face tilted towards me.

“I don’t know…I’ve just been preoccupied, I guess.”

“Too preoccupied to eat? You’re not sad again, are you? I thought we cured that.”

“Oh, we did.” I set the pizza down on the side table and lit a cigarette instead, settling back comfortably, “I’m just not hungry.”

“So, what happened with Riley? You two work it out?”

I grimaced at the reminder. “Kind of? We decided…no, I guessIdecided we shouldn’t be friends right now.”

“Oh yeah? Because he’s leaving?” Grey took a swig of his beer, his blue eyes totally innocent. I stared at him for a moment, trying to grasp what he was saying.

“Because he’s leaving…Riley’s leaving?” I tried to quell the panic rising in my chest. I wouldn’t freak out until I knew what Grey was talking about.

“I guess so. He came in today and gave his notice. Right after graduation, he’s going out east with some chick, for college? I thought he would’ve told you.”

“Yeah. That would be nice.” I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. Riley was leaving me for good. We’d grown apart—rapidly, too rapidly to make any sense. We’d decided not to be friends. And now he was leaving me. With the Christian.

This was worse, worse than anything before it. Even though we’d agreed to go our separate ways, deep down, I knew Riley was still around. I knew, ultimately, if I needed him, he’d be there for me. And vice versa. It went without saying; it didn’t need to be spoken. But how could that be if he wasn’t here? When was he going to tell me they were leaving?Washe going to tell me? I let out a sigh, burying my head in my hands.

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew.” Grey said. “But, since he’s quit, I’ll probably be moving to nights. So we’ll get to work together more, anyway.” He nudged me.

I straightened, managing a weak smile for him. Buoyed by the thought.

“Come on, let me cheer you up.” He nodded towards the kitchen.

“Oh, I’m not allowed.” I declined, regrettably. “Not until I’ve eaten something.”

“I can fix that for you.” He leaned over and took the pizza Charlie heated for me, folding the whole slice into his mouth. I watched him chew for a minute, laughing.

“That’s impressive.” I giggled. He mumbled something incoherently, holding up his hand for me to wait until he swallowed. He was trying not to laugh.

“Okay.” He swallowed again. “Okay. Pizza’s all gone. You’re allowed now.”

“You did that for me? How gallant.”

Grey chuckled. “Ready?” He held out his hand.

Of course I was.

CHAPTER 17

“If Grey doesn’t love you after tonight…,” Charlie looked at me again, smiling in satisfaction. “There is something wrong with that boy.”

“He’s just in this for fun, Charlie. Remember?” I took a drag of my smoke and blew it out, staring at my reflection. We were in Charlie’s bedroom, where she had dressed and made me up, yet again. It looked like she was improving with practice; the woman staring at me in the mirror was…hot, vivacious…stunning.

A short, sleek, long-sleeved black dress hugged my frame, low-cut enough to make me a little uncomfortable, though Charlie promised results. My hair was in loose, glossy dark curls that tumbled around my shoulders and down my back, kept from my face by a thin silver headband. My make-up was phenomenal—dark, smoky eyes and almost startling red, full, pouty lips that looked like they didn’t belong to my face. I wore black leather boots—high heeled with a pointy toe, which curved around my calves most becomingly.

I had to hand it to Charlie. I looked unbelievable, especially given that we hadn’t really slept yet from the night before. I think I napped maybe an hour or two on the couch sometime earlier in the day…it was more of a slip into unconsciousness I couldn’t really remember. Most of it had been a happy blur of drinking and cocaine and Grey, Grey, Grey…

We’d hung out all night. Like friends. There’d been no more touching or kissing or making out, but the tension was there, like there was a possibility for more. I’d wanted there to be more, had thought about nearly nothing else, but loved the time with him anyway. He was so much fun to be around, so easy for me to talk to.

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