Page 3 of The Neighbor's Son

“Are you going to his party? Reid told me everyone is invited,” Clara says, easily staying in step with my quicker pace. “You could probably use a little socializing.”

“I socialize with you.”

She nudges me with her elbow. “I don’t count.”

“I do it at work, too.”

“That really doesn’t count. Come on. Maybe we’ll see Travis and Cole. I’ll lure Travis back into my bed. You can bang the cop.”

I snort out a laugh, and quite frankly, it feels good to do it. “We’re not banging either of them. For one, Cole is friends with Derek. Secondly, I think they’re tag teaming Savvy.”

She stumbles to a stop. “Seriously? Their dead best friend’s daughter? But she’s like a teenager.”

“Eighteen. Same as Brayden in a few days.” I arch an eyebrow at her to argue. “Guess we don’t need to go to the party now.”

“Nice try,” she says with a smirk. “We’re going. Besides, I need to see if it’s true.”

I think Travis is just an infatuation. Clara tends to want things she shouldn’t have. Since he wasn’t interested after their one-night stand, it only made her want him more. I hope one day she can find a guy who truly appreciates her for her and not just someone to be used for a good time.

We speed walk past Linda’s house, so we don’t get roped into babysitting her two little monsters. Finally, we make it to Clara’s place. I follow her inside where she pops open a bottle of wine.

The walking was just an excuse to get me out of the house.

This is where she really wanted me. Truth is, it’s where I want to be too. I gratefully accept the glass and take a sip. It’s probably about as bad for me as the gummy worms I’m addicted to, but it’s much needed on this terrible day.

We settle on her sofa, kick off our shoes, and spend the next several hours talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly that is my life.

I’m going to move on from Derek. I have to. Somehow, in the past couple of years, I’ve lost myself. No wonder Derek was done with me. The Casey he fell for in the beginning is not the Casey I am now.

I’m not sure the hurt of losing the baby, and a good man, will ever go away, but I have to keep going. Iwillkeep going.

As I accept another glass of wine and warmth buzzes through me, I am filled with a fresh wave of hope. It’s something I haven’t felt in many months.

I will find love again one day.

Maybe I’ll even get that family I ached for too.

Until then, I’m going to focus on being happy.

It’s long overdue.

Brayden

Sometimes Dad tries a little too hard to make up for Mom’s neglectful tendencies. This whole birthday party he’s throwing me is kind of embarrassing. There’s no better way to broadcast what a lonesome loser you are than to have your dad invite all your neighbors in lieu of actual friends.

The one real friend I have here was an arranged friendship that Dad organized for me.

Seriously, why am I so fucking awkward when it comes to people?

My phone buzzes and I snatch it from my pocket, eager to do something with my hands. Standing around waiting for people to arrive is too much for my nerves. I don’t like being on display. I like to observe rather than be the one being watched.

Savvy: I’m so sorry I’m going to miss your party. Got called into work. I’m still new, so I don’t want to make Aiden or Vale mad.

I deflate now that even my arranged friend can’t make it.

What if the only person to show up is Dad?

Can we just go to dinner at my favorite diner instead like I originally wanted to do?

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