Page 6 of Theo
"Right, a future with Mr.Doctor.Great.Don't even know why you bothered to text."
"Well, maybe I wanted to find out how you went from being my best friend, the boy I loved more than anything, to a traitorous, callous asshole."
"That's your version of the story, Ace.And it's wrong.I never touched Everly.All I know is your dad came over that day?—"
"Wait, what day?When did my dad see you?"
"I don't know.It was like right after you told me to fuck off and then refused to let me give my side of the story."
"Wow, we're still on that gripe," she said.
"Yep, well, it had a big effect on my life.And then your dad told me to stay away from you and that I was going to ruin your life because you had a bright future ahead.He didn't say it out loud, but he was letting me know that I wasn't part of that big future because I was not heading anywhere."
Lacey didn't say anything.The only sound coming through the phone was from the distant party.She was right.We had way better music blasting."I'm sorry, Theo.I had no idea he talked to you.It was none of his business."Someone called her name."Look, I've got to go.I'm sorry, Theo.I'm sorry about—I don't even know.I'm just not sure about anything anymore.Good luck with your racing career."
She hung up before I could say anything else.I felt like I'd been run over, and at the same time, it felt like electricity was coursing through my body.I hadn't talked to Lacey Michaels since she left Trayton.It was good to hear her voice, even if the conversation didn't go the way I hoped.Stupidly, I imagined us talking about how much we missed each other and about how we should have ended up together.Still, just hearing her voice—that was going to stay with me for a long fucking time.
FOUR
LACEY
"Who were you talking to?"George asked with a good dose of accusation."We're having a party, in case you missed it."It seemed my fiancé had had enough of me today but then I'd warned him that these massive social events were my worst nightmare.
"I'm coming.I just had to talk to someone at the office.I'm all in now," I said.
"The office?"he scoffed."Why does an online legal advice firm need an office?"George was still pissed about me walking away from a promising position at a renowned law firm.The fact that the boss kept grabbing my ass didn't seem as important as the prestige of his future wife working in one of the top firms in the city.We'd had a huge argument about it, and in the end, he agreed that Carl Vox, the law partner, was an asshole and it was good I left the firm.But when I took a position at an online legal advice firm, his head practically exploded.
"I'm not even responding to that."I picked up my pace, ahead of him.He took hold of my hand and stopped my progress.I looked back at him.I'd always found him incredibly good looking, but sometimes his arrogance showed through the handsome façade and it ruined the whole vision.He pushed up a smile, but it looked forced.
"Look, honey, I know this is all stressful, and my mom, well, I know she can be pushy?—"
I laughed dryly."That is a very gentle word for it.Pushy is a friend who convinces you to buy the green dress instead of the blue, even if you know the blue is more suited to your complexion.Your mom literally made every decision about this wedding, right down to the color of the fucking napkins.By the way, I hate the rose color she picked.If there is one color on the whole spectrum of colors that I dislike it's that rose color."
George sighed.He did it to show me that I was being dramatic, and he was always the voice of reason.It was obnoxious and condescending."Look, hon, we've just got to get through this weekend.Next week we'll be on a plane to Europe for our honeymoon."He tried to take me into his arms, but the timing was all wrong.I wanted to stay in my overdramatic moment, so he realized this wasn't just pre-wedding nerves.He was terrible at reading my feelings.
I pushed him away.
His jaw tightened.George Plunkett II was not used to being rejected or turned away.He'd been his parents' golden child from the second he was born.Joan had had a complicated pregnancy and couldn't have a second child, so they'd put all their time and money and power into bringing up a man who they considered human perfection.He was close to it in many people's eyes, mine too, at first.But every once in a while, George did something that made me realize that perfection was strictly in the eye of the beholder.
"Look, Lacey, go inside and get yourself a drink.You need to relax and enjoy.We'll get through this chaotic weekend and start our lives, and once we move into the Ketteridge neighborhood, you can quit your current job and get serious about stepping back into a real law firm."
I stared at him, frozen to the spot and thinking it would take way more than one drink to relax."Wow, you just threw out a couple of grenades in quick succession.Presumably thinking I wouldn't take note of either, but—" I shook my head."Wow.Just wow."
"Look, I know you didn't like the Ketteridge development but everyone we know is buying a house there.The developer is creating an unbelievable suburban utopia with only top-of-the-line materials and appliances.We don't want to be left out."
"Those houses look like something from a science fiction movie.I don't want a house that will tell me when I'm cold or hot or when my cookies are properly baked.I like my cookies gooey thank you very much.And as for my job, I enjoy working online with clients.Yes, most of them are strapped financially, but that's the whole point of the company."
"We'll talk about this later," George said."Let's get to the party."We reached the steps to the veranda where half the guests had gathered for before dinner cocktails."And get yourself a drink.Something that'll take off that edge and make you smile," he said curtly then walked away.
Joan always seemed to have radar when it came to me."Lacey, dear, I want you to meet the women in my garden club."She paused to frown at my face."Your makeup is starting to look a little faded.Maybe you should go freshen up first, but don't be long.Everyone has been asking about you, and you've been absolutely invisible.I'll be out on the veranda.We're gathered close to the rose garden.Hurry, please.And possibly smooth down some of those unruly hairs.You look as if you've just come off the beach."
I let her continue with her list of complaints and insults.In fact, I was thrilled she found me lacking because it meant I could disappear from the party yet again.
"See you in a few minutes," she said and hurried off, her high heels clattering on the tile floor.
I dashed in through the French doors and made my way past the closest bar set up.I grabbed a glass of wine, lowered my head and zigzagged around various gathered groups for a quick escape.
"Lacey, where are you going?"Mom caught up to me.She smelled of wine and perfume.She took my arm and gave it a little tug."Sweetie, you need to be more social.People are mentioning that they've hardly seen you."
