“It’s not that dreadful Mary is it?” She frowned as she looked at me and I saw that cold, calculated look in her eyes that made her look so unattractive.
“Mary what?” Meg came up to us.
“Nothing.” Suzannah rolled her eyes.
“Hi, Bryce.” She smiled.
“Hi, Meg, you look beautiful tonight.”
“Oh thanks,” she giggled. I had always felt bad for Meg. She was Suzannah’s best friend, but she had always lived in her shadow. It was like she didn’t realize just how beautiful she really was. She seemed to think she would have no life if it weren’t for Suzannah. She’d even turned down her acceptance at the University of Chicago so that she could go to the local State school with Suzannah.
“How is Mike?”
“Good, thanks.” She giggled again. “I think he may propose soon.”
“Oh, Meg, do stop talking about yourself. You’re insufferable.” Suzannah told her friend off as the doorbell went again. “Let’s go and get a drink.”
“Okay.” Meg followed her friend to the kitchen, meekly, and I sighed as I heard my mom squeal when she saw Suzannah. She had always loved Suzannah and was most probably hoping we would get back together. But then she didn’t know about Suzannah’s betrayal.
“Well it looks like everyone still loves you, eh son?” My dad looked at me with narrowed eyes and I frowned at him.
“I already told you, I’m not going to work for you, dad.”
“It would be a shame if everyone knew what Eddie wrote in his suicide note.”
“What are you talking about?” I looked at him in shock. “What note? I never heard about any note.”
“I kept the note private.” He looked at me with a hint of a smile. “The police handed it to me when they found it on the scene. Still in the envelope. Turns out that Eddie didn’t just decide to kill himself out of the blue.”
“Oh?”
“Turns out that there was an incident—or two incidents—that led to him taking his life.”
“Well, aren’t you going to share them with me, father?” I kept my voice unwavering, I couldn’t let him see how much his words had bothered me.
“No, not now.” He smiled and opened his arms. “Go and enjoy your party and your friends. I would hate for anything to ruin your night.”
“I’m sure.” I turned around and beamed at Suzannah who had walked back out of the kitchen.
“Come on, Bryce, let’s get some music on and some lights out.”
“Sounds good.” I was happy for the opportunity to walk away from my father, but my head was spinning. What exactly had Eddie written? My father had talked about two incidents and I felt my insides shivering. I had a fairly certain idea what the first incident was, but the second one I could only guess at, though I was pretty sure I knew what that was as well. I thought about my reaction from that night and closed my eyes. There were so many things I wished I could change from high school days. Soo many words I said carelessly that had gone on to destroy lives.
And then the doorbell rang again and I rushed to answer it before my father got there.
It was Lexi, my beautiful Lexi. She looked angelic and hopeful standing there in her emerald green dress.
“Hi, Bryce.” She smiled sweetly and I kissed her on the cheek.
“Hi, Lexi.” I felt the words catch in my throat. I hadn’t been sure that she would actually come. I was soo happy that she had. I looked at Anna and Luke standing next to her, with sour looks on their faces, and I could tell that neither of them wanted to be at my party, but who was I to blame them? “Hi Anna, Luke. Thanks for coming.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for the invite.” Luke said, reluctantly, and I had to admire him for his grace. I didn’t know if I would have been so nice. It had been obvious to me for years that Luke had been carrying a torch for Lexi. You had to be blind not to see it. I was envious of their easy friendship and a selfish part of me wanted it to end. I didn’t want this handsome, clever guy hanging out with the girl I wanted so much.
“My pleasure,” I beamed and flicked my hand through my hair. Lexi watched me and I grinned inside. I hadn’t lost my touch. “Come inside please, guys, let’s get some drinks.”
“Your place is wonderful, Bryce.” Anna smiled at me.
“Well, my parents’ place,” I grinned. “I’m sure my first place will be a pigsty.”
“You’re moving out?” Anna looked surprised.
“Yes.” I spoke without thinking, surprising myself at my quick answer. I hadn’t really thought it out before now. “Yes. I’m moving. As soon as I can find a job and pay some rent.”
“Lucky,” Lexi laughed. “I wish I could move out.”
“Why don’t you?”
“My mom,” she sighed.
“Oh.” I cocked my head. “Well maybe you can move out, too.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” Luke frowned.
“I think it would be fun. You’re mom is too crazy,” Anna laughed.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about Anna,” Luke admonished her.
“Oh God forbid Lexi moves,” Anna said, bitterly.
“Guys.” Lexi rolled her eyes and grinned at me. “Who knew my moving would be such a big issue? But I’m twenty-two; I want to be on my own now. In my own place.”
“I agree.” I linked my arm through hers and walked towards the kitchen. “I think its weird that so many of us still live at home in our twenties. What happened to wanting independence?”
“The economy,” Lexi laughed and I smiled at her honesty.
“Oh, money.” I nodded.
“I don’t think you have a problem with money though, Bryce,” Luke interjected. “At least you never did in high school.”
“Well my parents were responsible for my upkeep then.” I kept my tone normalized.
“You and your friends always seemed so entitled,” he continued.
“Luke.” Lexi turned around and punched her friend in the arm and I felt a wave of jealousy roll through me. I didn’t like to see Lexi touching another guy, especially not a guy I knew had the hots for her.
“Hey, Bryce, let’s do shots, man,” Ryan called out to me as we walked into the kitchen.
“Sure, what do you want?”