Page 28 of Outcast
“Yeah, it’s our ten-year one,” Sasha said.
“Oh, lordy, don’t I feel old now? I remember you all coming in here as teenagers.”
She waved a finger from me to Allison. “Some things never change, huh? You two still make the cutest couple.”
“Oh, we’re not?—”
“You know what would just make that reunion so special?” Jody carried on, eyes lighting up. “You two should get engaged! Just think of the stories you could tell your kids.”
“Those would be some stories,” I agreed weakly.
Jody finished clearing our plates and walked off. I slumped back in my chair. Why? Why did everyone want us together so damn badly? We barely even knew Jody, and she was planning our proposal!
“It’s not a bad idea,” Todd said. “Emory could drop to one knee on the float. It’d be romantic.”
“For his high school reunion?” Sasha asked, skeptical. “A little vain, don’t you think? This isn’t about only them.” She flashed me a look. “No offense.”
“None taken. You’re right. This reunion is for everyone, and we have no desire to steal the show.”
Or any desire to get engaged, period, not that anyone listened when we told them.
Shortly after, we called it a night. I boxed up half the uneaten pizza to take home since I’d covered the tab. When you were a Gold in this town, that’s just what everyone expected of you.
Like so much else.
Marty hung back as I signed the receipt.
“Thought you were going to the bar with Todd and Sasha?” I said.
“Yeah, I’ll meet them over there, but it’s probably pointless. I can’t compete with big jock energy.”
“Are you kidding? You’ve got smart guy energy. It’s better than throwing a ball around or digging out sewers. Meaningful, you know?”
“Hey, a proper shitter is invaluable to people,” he joked. “Todd is saving us all our dignity.”
“Fair point.” I pocketed my credit card and picked up the pizza box. “I should get going.”
“Sure, I’ll walk out with you,” he said. “I just wanted to check in. You seemed a little off tonight.”
I sighed. “I hate this high school shit, you know? It just reminds me of how people see me, what they expect. I don’t know.”
“You mean they see the class president and prom king? Mr. Popular. It’s all kind of still true.”
“Doesn’t it bother you, people wanting you to be the same Marty you were ten years ago? Don’t you think we should grow and change, and I don’t know, pursuenewthings?”
“Well, sure, but Emory, you work for your family’s bank. You haven’t dated anyone since you got back from grad school. They see you and Allison, and you make sense.”
I groaned. “But why? Why does that make sense?”
“Because when haven’t you done what everyone expected? You’re a good guy, Em, but you’re trapped in a box that you built, you know? If you want people to see you differently, you have to actuallyshowthem you’re different.”
“Easier said than done,” I muttered.
Marty lingered while I opened the back door of my Audi and slid the pizza box inside. I slammed the door shut and turned to lean against it, arms crossed.
I was pouting, but I couldn’t seem to help it.
“What aren’t you telling me, Emory?” Marty asked. “This is about more than Allison.”
