Page 4 of Alex
“Atoast,” Arthur says, holding up his bottle of beer. Everyone raises theirdrinks and he continues, “Here’s to you and me, may we never disagree. But ifwe do, to hell with you. Here’s to me.”
Yeah,that’s pretty much what I expected.
Theparty is a success if you consider a bunch of mid-twenties adults gettingsmashed, playing drinking games, and dancing to classic rock successful. Aboutthe time Mason starts giving Ian shit about his date not showing up, threescantily dressed women stumble in. It’s below freezing outside, as advertisedby three sets of pointy nipples.
Ianintroduces his date as Ivy while the others flirt and giggle. He shares theirnames as well, but I’m not really paying attention. I’m too distracted by thecolor of Ivy’s skin. It’s orange. Seriously, Oompa Loompa orange. It seems noone has told her tanning beds have a timer for a reason. Macy and Everlyexchange a conspicuous grin when she throws her arms around Ian and cries, “Bunbuns!”
Onehigh heeled shoe tramples the other and she nearly hits the floor before Iancatches her. “Whoa, babe. How much have you had to drink?”
“Couplemara-gritas, magritas, mar-ga-ri-tas,” she enunciates slowly, before passingout in Ian’s arms.
Shakinghis head, Ian turns to his friends. “Cam, Teddy, will you get her friends adrink while I tend to her?”
Hisbuddies are on their feet in half a second, leading the women into the kitchen.
“Hurryback, bun buns!” Parker calls, and Ian manages to flip him off beforedisappearing down the hall.
Withher and her friends safely out of earshot, Ev asks, “Where the hell does Ianfind these girls?”
“Achocolate factory?” Mason suggests, and Ev giggles.
“Iwant to shake some sense into him. He could do so much better.”
“Thansomeone who looks like they’ve been raped by a Cheeto?” Parker quips, andlaughter fills the room.
Ianreappears to a chorus of “bun buns!” He’ll never live that down. “Is she okay?”Ev asks.
“Fantastic.Passed out cold in the guest room.” He flops onto the loveseat, his shouldersdrooping.
“Youput her in the guest room?” Macy asks, as she’s pulled into Parker’s lap.
“She’snot puking in my bed.”
“Alwaysa gentlemen,” Jensen laughs, pulling Janet to her feet. “Dance with me, baby.”They get it started, and before long everyone is dancing and acting silly.
Aslow song comes on and everyone pairs up. Ev smiles and winks at me when Arthuroffers a hand to Ms. Den. A knot forms in my throat. It’s times like thisCooper’s absence really hurts. I picture his arms around my neck, his sky blueeyes on mine as we move to the music.
Thecountdown will begin soon and I don’t even have anyone to kiss. Oh, Coop. I’ddo anything to go back. To do that day again and never let you near the car. I’msurrounded by couples dancing and making out. Even sweater vest has foundsomeone. Ivy’s friends are dancing with Ian’s while he stands around lookingalmost as disappointed as I feel.
Asudden mischievous grin brightens his face as he approaches me, offering hishand, and everyone laughs when I allow him to lead me between the dancingcouples. Ev cracks up and takes a picture when I lay my head on his shoulderand sigh, “Oh, bun buns.”
Iknow what he’s doing and I’m sure the others do too. Acting goofy and making melaugh distracts me from my long thoughts. The song ends and Macy announces,“Five minutes until midnight.”
Weall refill our drinks and Ian flips on the T.V. so we can watch the ball dropin Times Square. Macy distributes whistles and horns from the party favor box.We count down the remaining seconds, and when the clock strikes midnight theroom is a deafening cacophony of cheers and whistles.
Everyoneis in a lip lock except for me and Ian. Arthur even gives Ms. Den a peck on thecheek. Maybe it was the alcohol, or Ian’s earlier silly antics, but I have anurge and go with it. The look of surprise on Ian’s face when I grab him anddrop a kiss on his lips is priceless. It was quick and light, not much morethan a peck, really. After a second, he laughs and hugs me, slapping my back.
“HappyNew Year, asshole.”
Theparty begins to break up about an hour later. “It’s past my bedtime, boys,” Ms.Den says.
Arthurfetches her coat and escorts her to the door. “I’ll walk you out.”
Cameronand Teddy leave with the nipple twins to get “breakfast” with Jensen and Janetright behind them. I realize I haven’t seen Macy or Parker for a while, andfind them passed out in my bed. Shit. Ian’s date is in the guest room, so Ifall into Ian’s bed. He can sleep with the drunk chick or ride the couch.
Plantingone foot on the floor helps minimize the room rotation, and I welcome thedarkness. At least I’m not going to cry myself to sleep like I did onThanksgiving and Christmas. I think I’m slowly getting better, learning to livewithout him. It’s taken me so long to get past the anger, the unfairness of itall. We just wanted a nice weekend getaway in Vermont, but we didn’t make itfar. The fog made the curve so hard to see and we went off the road, slamminginto a ditch. I walked away with a few scratches, but Cooper hit his head onthe steering wheel and died instantly.
Foronce, the memories of Cooper don’t follow me into my dreams. My last thought isof Ian’s soft lips and how they parted in surprise beneath mine.
