Page 79 of Ripped

Behind me, a houseful of people have already cracked open the booze, so he better get here before the party really gets started.

My phone buzzes in my hand. It’s Phyllis again.

“Hello?”

“Still no sign of him?”

“No, and I don’t want to message him and accidentally tip him off.”

She sighs into the phone. “Maybe he went to run errands or something.”

Who the hell runs errands when they’ve got a surprise party waiting for them at home? Argh.

A deep voice speaks in the background. “Leonard’s asking if you’d like us to come in. We’re parked down the street.”

“Yes, you might as well. No point sitting in the car if we don’t know how much longer he’ll be.”

“Okay, we’ll be right there.”

An older couple with matching heads of white hair come up the steps a few minutes later and I fling the door open for them. Phyllis immediately engulfs me in a hug so crushing that Mom would’ve approved.

“Oh my! Look at you!” She squeezes my arms a few times like she’s assessing a piece of meat. “Donnie didn’t mention how big and burly you are!”

“Um, thank you?”

“Come on, Phyllis, let’s not block the entrance.” Leonard shakes my hand quickly and escorts his wife inside.

I’ve spoken to them a few times over the past weeks. When I told them about my plan, they jumped at the chance to lure Donnie out of the house.

I “left for work” this morning and waited for the coast to clear before sneaking back in. Sawyer and Sebastian both came over early to help clear out the backyard and get all the food and drinks set up. Then all of Donnie’s old friends—including Leon and Tucker—came pouring in. Any doubts I might’ve had about whether this party is a good idea were eradicated as one after another said how much they missed Donnie and how excited they were to be at his birthday party again.

A movement through the window catches my eye and I yelp in excitement. I run into the kitchen where everyone is mingling.

“He’s coming! He’s coming! Everyone hide!” I wave my arms frantically, only to realize there isn’t really anywhere to hide in the open-plan kitchen. They all look around at each other, then back at me. “Uh… never mind. Just, shh!”

The front door cracks open and then closes again with a rattle. Donnie’s footsteps sound in the hallway, then stop. Silence. Nothing.

I hold my breath. Come to the kitchen, Donnie. Why isn’t he coming to the kitchen? It’s the first thing we do when we get home.

Someone snickers behind me and I throw a glare over my shoulder. Footsteps again, very faint, like Donnie’s creeping down the hall. Then he pokes his head around the corner.

“Surprise!”

He jumps and almost hits the ceiling. “Jesus fucking Christ!”

The look on his face is totally worth every minute it took to plan this party. It’s absolutely priceless. Donnie sags against the wall, hand on his chest.

“Oh my god, are you okay?” I ask, rushing up to him. “You’re not going to have a heart attack, are you?”

He glares at me but he’s smiling. “No, but not for lack of trying.”

I giggle. I can’t help it. This has been so much fun.

“Stop hogging him already!” Leon nudges me aside and drags Donnie into a circle of friends.

I drift back and let them take him. The house is filled with laughter ringing out above the music. Guests spill out of the kitchen onto the back patio and down into the backyard. It’s really nice to see the space being used like this, packed with people who love Donnie. This is what it was designed for, I realize. For parties, for people to come together and celebrate each other.

It’s sat empty for too long, but not anymore. Not if I have anything to say about it. It’s going to be the party house again—every birthday, every promotion, every new relationship, or new child. We’re going to fill it with people who are important to us.

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