Misprinted Lies (Alice in Chains/Bruno Mars)

Carry On

"Bruno I just bought a new house! In Malibu! It's like...humongous," Lily said dramatically over the phone.

"Are you serious?" I said smiling.

"Yeah and I wanna have a party...with all the hooligans...girlfriends, wives, kids, everybody. Invite your sisters too. Hell you can bring Geronimo if you want."

I laughed a little. "You mean you're inviting people over to your house?"

"Yes, Bruno." I knew she was rolling her eyes. "I'm actually proud of this place."

"I'm proud of you, Lily." So damn proud.

Saturday came and I couldn't wait to see Lily's house. When we pulled up to the gate, it slowly opened. I could feel my heart beating with anticipation. The driveway was really long and covered by trees. Eventually the line of trees ended and the house was in sight.

It was beautiful, with the mountains all around us it was like a castle, exactly what she deserved.

"Whoa," Jessica said. It was the first word she said the whole drive.

"Holy shit."

I got out of the car, holding a bottle of wine and taking Jessica's hand. When Lily opened the door, I gave her a quick hug and handed her the wine.

"Aww thank you. You guys are early though."

I could feel Jess's eyes on me. "I wanted a private tour. This place is beautiful."

We followed her past the kitchen and she put the wine in the bar. The kitchen alone was the same size as her old house. I don't know why I was looking at the kitchen so long though. We walked out onto the pool and patio area, huge rolling mountains towering us from every angle. No one said a word or even made a sound. It seemed like even the birds got the memo to be quiet. Lily started walking around, closer to the edge of a little hill leading down to the side of a huge hill. There was a grassy area to the side.

"Alright, wanna see the rest of the house?"

"Lead the way."

There were skylights in nearly every room. The house was modern, but cozy at the same time. There was a pool table and a little arcade game in one of the back rooms. I whipped one of the balls into one of the sockets.

"I know where my nephew Jaimo will be hangin' out t'night,"

"Oh, he likes pool?"

"I mean he might be over it by now. He changes his mind more than I change my underwear."

She giggled and was about to make a snarky comment. "Well..."

"Don't you dare," I said. I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

The tour continued. She showed us a few guest bedrooms and finished with her own. The first thing I noticed was the view. It was even more impressive up on the second floor.

"Oh damn," I exclaimed excitedly.

I followed her out onto the balcony with a couple of chairs. The view was nothing but green mountains that seemed to go on for forever. Jess was still in the bedroom. "Baby come out here, it's incredible."

Jessica came closer and stopped at the door frame but didn't come out all the way to the balcony.

A little while later, it was party time. Before I knew it the house was crowded, the music blasting, and kids running around. We heard balls clinking together.

"I guess he didn't change his mind yet," Lily said, taking a sip of beer and heading to the pool table.

"Woo party at the pool table!" I yelled as we entered the room. The kids were playing on the arcade game too.