The Great Pretenders

Chapter 18

Lucy's POV

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Zoey asked me for what seemed like the 100th time. "That's quite a shiner you have going there."

"Sure Zoey, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt at all," I said pressing the bruised area around my eye.  I winced  because it did in fact hurt a bit. I had taken an elbow in the soccer game and it had been a solid shot. Winning the game definitely made it worth it though.

"What time did Matt say they'd be done?" she asked hesitantly as we entered the party where Matt told me they'd be after their show.

"We said they had to be done by eleven, being minors and all. It's eleven thirty now. And it's not far so..." I explained. I waved at Lana as I saw her standing with Charlie Albertson by the sliding glass door.

"Will Zacky be here?" Reilly, who tagged along with us, asked tentatively

"Zacky?" I asked surprised. "Um yeah, he'll definitely be here. Do you like Zacky?"

Reilly blushed "What? No. Of course not. I mean he's cute in that rebellious dark and mysterious way."

"So you do like him!" I cried loudly.

"Like who?" Lana asked as we walked up.

"Reilly likes Zacky," I said taking a sip of her soda.

"Zacky picks his nose," Zoey replied un-phased

Lana shook her head "How did the game go? And what happened to your eye?"

"You should have seen it," Reilly replied "Elbow straight to the face."

"Ouch," Lana  said trying to touch it and I slapped her hand away. "It doesn't hurt. And we won by the way. On to the next round."

"That's awesome," Lana smiled at me. "Hey you guys remember Charlie, right?"

"Yeah," I said amiably "what's up Charlie?"

"Hey Luce, that's quite a shiner you've got there," he replied.

"Thanks for noticing," I said scanning the crowd.

"They are out on the patio," Lana said lifting her drink to her lips "Their set ended about 30 minutes ago. They just got here."

"Want to go out there?" Zoey asked.

"Not me," Lana said happily "I'm gonna hang here with Charlie."

Zoey nodded but looked at me.

"Sure," I said trying to keep my excitement out of my voice "We can set Reills up with Zacky."

"Gross," Zoey rolled her eyes as we made our way outside.

"No more gross than you and Who nose boy," Reilly countered.

I spotted him immediately across the balcony. He had a full bottle of beer in his right hand and he was lounging his long frame gracefully against the rail watching Brian as he was jumping up and down animatedly telling a story. The rest of the crew was listening with great amusement. I noticed Lacey was leaning into Johnny lovingly. I was glad. It was about time they made it official.

Matt's gaze turned toward us as we approached and his dimples appeared on his face. "Lucy."

Brian turned to give me a huge grin and called "I think her name is Lucy but they all called her loose."

"Like I haven't heard that one all my life," I replied "Seriously Haner, you need some original material."

Matt stood straight and leaned to give me a kiss on my cheek, the scent of many beers already on his breath. He noticed my bruised eye when he pulled back. For a second, he looked angry. "What happened to your face?" he growled.