The Divorce

51

Before I could outline to Gabriel that there was no way my small flick hurt him, an arm came around my shoulder from someone that was clearly too drunk and my body faltered from the sudden weight.

I turned to look at Katie.

"SHE MADE IT!"

I cringed at the high voice and turned to face her head on, allowing her to hug me. Gabriel's spare hand flew in to rescue the glass from my right hand before I dropped it.

Katie grabbed my shoulders, her fake nails digging into my skin as she leaned back, her eyes going over me.

"My gosh you've aged!"

She is true, I had, and it's not thanks to my boss behind me.

"You need to get botox like me," She looked over my shoulder at Gabriel, giving him a big smile, "Ooh nice." She let go off me, a little too hard and I was glad I didn't fall as she wrapped her arms around Gabriel.

"Hello, I'm your future sister in law!"

Katie gave him a quick hug and stepped back clapping her hands, "I'm so glad you guys made it!"

"Us too," I muttered, rubbing my shoulder where her nails were.

"I'll introduce you to Michael," she said looking at Gabriel, "I think you've already met his brother?"

"Yes, Mark picked us up from the airport," I reminded her. I could see Michael straight ahead sculling a beer. Ugh yuck.

I guess at these parties, if you weren't as drunk as everyone else, then you definitely aren't going to enjoy it.

Katie leaned into my ear, "This isn't Kyle is it?" she whispered.

"No."

"He looks nothing like the pic you sent me months ago."

"Because it's not him."

"I knew it! Good job, this one's better."

Great, I'm so glad I have your approval. I rolled my eyes instead.

"How are you all drunk already?" I asked instead.

Katie pulled back, confusion all over her face as she looked around.

"Who's drunk?" She asked, and perhaps her question would have been supported if she didn't sway on her feet.

"I can't see anyone drunk here?" she looked around, spinning a bit too fast. Gabriel's arm shot out a few centimetres away from her shoulder but she luckily didn't fall.

I took this opportunity to grab my glass off bubbles out of his outstretched arm, taking one large sip, emptying every drop of it.

"I'm sure you don't see it,"

Katie grabbed my empty glass, saying she would get me a refill and swayed her way away.

I turned to look at Gabriel and his still relatively full wine glass. Well, I guess he wasn't drunk, and I wasn't either.

"Interesting family."

"So is yours," I muttered, like his grandmother was better.

"It was complimentary."

"Your tone didn't sound like it," I pointed out.

I could see Katie join her group of friends in the distance, still holding my empty glass. I guess she wasn't coming back with the promised refill. I tore my eyes away from the groups and looked back at Gabriel, does he think we could hide in this corner and not be disturbed by anyone.