Page 13 of Theo
"Oh shit, this goes way deeper than not being invited," I said.
"Megan said everyone discussed it, and they thought the party should be for couples only, so they decided not to invite me."
"Because they worried you'd bring your sketch-ass boyfriend to the party."
"I think I'm through with them, with all of them," she said with shaky resolve.
I pulled into the lot of the minimart and parked.I spun sideways to face her."Ace, you know that I love you, right?"
Her smile returned, but it was still frail."I do."
"That's all I've fucking got.That and the fact that I'd move a fucking mountain for you.I hate that they're acting like this, but none of them would do that for you.None of them would move a fucking mountain for you."It was a pretty stupid defense, but the conversation had landed solidly on me, like a bag of bricks.I knew her friends were petty and mean, but I never expected them to throw down this kind of grenade between us.
"I really am through with them," Lacey said.She looked over at me."If they're asking me to choose, then I've already chosen."
My throat tightened, and for once, I had nothing to say.I motioned with my head for us to get out of the car.She stepped out.I reached for her and pulled her to me.Her blue gaze peered up at me with a look that reached right into my soul."Lacey," it was the only word I could get out.
She hopped on her toes and kissed me lightly."It will always be you, Theo.Over everyone and anyone else—it will always be you."
I kissed her once more, and we walked in to buy cherry slushes.A few minutes later we were parked outside her house, our mouths cold and bright red from the drinks.We had a good laugh about how we both looked like clowns with badly applied makeup.It was one of those moments we'd had hundreds of times, just the two of us and so in tune with each other.We loved the same humor, the same movies, the same music.She was at the top of the class, and I was near the bottom, but we never ran out of things to talk about.All I knew was I couldn't imagine not being with Lacey Michaels.
Lacey rested her half-finished slush on the console and climbed over that same console to straddle my lap.She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.We were both lost in our make out session and hadn't noticed she'd kicked over the drink onto the gray upholstered seat.The old car had plenty of stains and scratches, but the bright red drink really took the stain-to-seat ratio to a whole new level.
Lacey sat down on my lap with a pout."Your new car."She looked close to tears again.
"You mean my new old car.It's all right, Ace."
"How can it be all right?Just look at what that red dye does to this mouth."She pointed at her lips.
"Oh, trust me, I've been looking at it, and I like it."I turned her face back to me and kissed her again.
She lifted her face and ran her fingers down my cheek."Are you sure you're not mad?"
I shook my head."Now, every time I see that stain, I'll think of you and think about the two of us making out in the driver's seat."
She giggled and pressed her mouth over mine again.
Present
I checkedmy phone like a fucking chump for the hundredth time.She was gone.Tomorrow she was getting married.I had no idea why she reached out to me after such a long time and especially when she was about to get married, but it seemed I was going to spend the next few months trying to forget the whole damn thing.
EIGHT
LACEY
It was yet another cocktail party.These people lived for damn cocktail parties where they could show off their designer clothes and jewelry and talk about boring shit like stocks and real estate.I'd put on a simple green dress and matching green pumps.George had bought me a diamond necklace a few months back, but I decided to wear the string of pearls I'd inherited from Grandmother Josie.
I was on my third cosmopolitan when George found me.I'd discovered an alcove just outside the main reception room where I could disappear for a few minutes and take a breather from vacuous small talk.
"There you are, honey."He raised a fatherly brow at the drink in my hand."How many of those have you had?Don't want the bride to wake up with a hangover."He was holding what I was sure was his third or fourth scotch on the rocks.Apparently, a groom hangover was acceptable.
"This is my third," I said plainly and then drained the glass.
He took the empty glass from my hand and set it down on the small writing desk in the alcove."There are some people I want you to meet," he said, excitedly.He took my hand before I could agree.We walked through the maze of gathered guests in the room.Joan had ordered expensive bouquets to display in massive silver vases throughout all the reception areas.There were almost more flowers than people and their perfume mingled with the array of expensive perfumes and colognes.It was a little like walking around the cosmetic counters in a department store where, on every corner, you met a salesclerk wanting to spray a sample of perfume on you.
We were heading to a group of three men, all of whom were wearing expensive black suits.Two of the men had the obligatory graying temples, while the third man was too bald for sideburns, or gray, for that matter.
"Gentlemen, here she is, Lacey, my future wife.Lacey, this is Randolph Meyers, Edgar Farrington and Joseph Nettles of Meyers, Farrington and Nettles.They have law offices in New York and Los Angeles."George was practically gushing as he spoke."They have some very influential and powerful clients, and they just happen to be looking for new associates."
