Page 74 of I Blame the Alcohol

Lou blinks at me, “Is that a movie?”

I shake my head solemnly, “No, no it is not.”

Popping the lid back into place, I stand up and march towards my room, returning seconds later with my laptop in tow.

“Time to get you up to speed, my dear. You can thank me later.”

We watch the twenty-minute segment in complete silence, the cinematic masterpiece of hot bodies covered in neon paint leaving little room for conversation. By the time the clip ends, Lou is holding the necklace Wes got her, a slight flush staining the base of her neck.

“I understand now.”

I nod without comment, giving my roommate time to absorb the educational lesson I just gifted to her. She shifts on the dorm’s uncomfortable couch to look at me.

“Does this mean Caveman Cody will be your date to the party?”

I smile coyly, “Maybe.”

Lou claps her hands with excitement.

“It’s about time! Wes and I made bets on when you two would become official.”

“I mean, we haven’t had the official boyfriend/girlfriend conversation yet…”

Lou’s excitement drops noticeably, “Wait. But you are together, right?”

“We are, but we haven’t discussed labels or anything. So, depending on the terms of the bet, I don’t know if that qualifies.”

Lou taps her chin, face pensive, “I said you two would be together before the end of the break, Wes said by the New Year.”

“Then tell him we got together over the break. Christmas Day, if you want to get technical about it. That way you win.”

“I really don’t mind losing.” Lou’s grey eyes take on a mischief glint that I am proud to say is one hundred percent my influence, “Buttechnicallythat wouldn’t be cheating since I got it from the source, so…”

“So, you win fair and square. I can write and sign a statement if you need evidence.”

“Nah, Wes will take my word for it. I’m sure he has already hit up Cody for the same information.”

I reach over to give my best friend a hug, “God, I missed you over the break. How was meeting the family?”

Lou smiles, “It was really great. Wes’ family was so welcoming, and his sister and I really hit it off.”

“Lacey, right?”

“That’s right. She's coming to Taber next year, actually.”

“And how did Christmas with your family go?”

It comes as no surprise to hear Wes managed to charm all the Mackenzies within the short week he was there. I haven’t met anyone who matches Wes’ level of charisma and charm, never mind his ability to befriend anyone and everyone. Lou’s boyfriend might come off as over-the-top dramatic most of the time, but when it comes down to it, he's truly a genuine person beneath all the charades. And in my opinion, that is what drew the two of them together.

A bittersweet pang hits my chest as I listen to Lou’s stories of Christmas shenanigans and family meltdowns. Her stories are so full of passion and familial love that it makes me nostalgic for the holidays and mishaps my own family used to have.

“… You should have seen everyone’s reactions when Wes mistook Uncle Randy for my infamous Uncle Jamie. Took him over an hour to get back in Randy’s good books.” I laugh, picturing the scene with ease.

We spend the better part of the next hour catching up, shamelessly (at least on my end) swapping sex stories and spilling every unshared moment we’ve had over the last few weeks.

Finally, Lou clears her throat and steers us back to the matter at hand, “So, what were you thinking outfit-wise?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got that one covered.”

---