Page 40 of Check the Halls
"Istillfind you annoying," Foster adds, completely unimpressed.
Will grins. "But you annoy uslessthan you used to."
"Speak for yourself," Foster mutters.
Austin narrows his eyes, but I can see the tension draining from his shoulders.
"And now," I continue, smirking, "we’ve got new rookies to break in. Andyouget to help."
His expression morphs from understanding to something dangerously close to excitement. "Oh, hell yeah. Those assholes aren’t going to know what hit them.” He starts for the showers but pulls up short. “Hey! Does this mean I can come to your birthday party this year?”
Not this shit again. I am so tired of having to address his perceived slight at not being included in the small birthday dinner my sister cooked for me last year.
“For the fiftieth fucking time, Austin,” I groan. “There was no birthday party last year and there won’t be this year.”
I say it firmly, leaving no room for argument. But when I glance at Foster for backup, he pointedly avoids my gaze, suddenly very interested in something on his knee.
“Foster?”
Nothing. He remains hunched over, inspecting a fading bruise.
I step into his line of sight, arms crossed. “Foster.”
He sighs, finally looking up. “Yeah?”
I narrow my eyes. “Is Beth planning a birthday party for me?”
A beat of silence. Then, resigned but unapologetic, he nods. “Yes, she is.”
Fuck.
Will shakes with good-natured laughter. “You’re so dead.”
I turn on him, my sense of betrayal growing. “You knew about this, too?”
“Of course I did.” Will grins. “But I know how to keep a secret. Unlike some people.”
“Beth knows I can’t flat out lie.” Foster sighs, clearly disappointed with himself. “She wanted it to be a surprise. For your thirtieth.”
I know Beth’s trying to do something nice, but I don’t need or want a big celebration. “Turning thirty isn’t a big…wait. You turned thirty months ago and you didn’t have to have a party.”
Foster gives me a blank stare. “I don’t like people.”
This is true. Throwing a surprise party for Foster would be like presenting him his own personal hell, but gift-wrapped.
“Come on, Ben,” Will chimes in. “You’ve always loved celebrating your birthday.”
My birthday was always a good excuse to go out with the guys, have some drinks, some laughs, then take the prettiest girl in the bar home. But I feel so removed from that scene now and I don’t miss it.
Maybe it’s because I thought I’d have more by thirty. I have my dream job and a great condo, but I don’t have anyone to share it with.
Or is it that the person you want to share it with doesn’t feel the same way?
I thought I’d be over Maddy by now. Thought I’d meet someone new, or at least convince myself that I will eventually. But every time I see her, it’s like the universe is taunting me, showing me how great we are together and what could have been.
It doesn’t help that every time I close my eyes, I remember how we were. Her laughing at my terriblejokes. Singing off-key to the radio. Curled up in my hoodie, looking at me like I was her whole world.
And now someone else is.
