Valentine's Day

Chapter 17

"I can't believe Jason planned this all by himself," Maddie said loudly so Liza could hear her over the couple that was giving an off key performance of Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back."

Liza was practically glowing that her fiance had planned a surprise birthday party for her. "I'm surprised too. I couldn't believe it."

"You're a lucky girl," Maddie said with a smile as Jason and one of his buddies took the makeshift stage to sing. "And you look great tonight." She added as she took her in friend's black hair and deep red sweater that dipped enough to make the most of her cleavage.

"You clean up pretty nice too," Liza replied taking in Maddie's deep sapphire colored blouse and black jeans.

"Thanks. Most of my fancy stuff is still packed and my options were limited," Maddie replied. "Jason didn't give me much notice so shopping time was limited."

"Oh I forgot to tell you...Jason invited the guys..."Liza threw out casually as she sipped her drink.

"What guys?" Maddie asked cautiously.

"You know," Liza waved her hand dismissively. "The Avenged Sevenfold guys."

Panic stirred in Maddie's stomach and she pulled a sip of her Stella Artois. "Are you kidding?"

"Well....he is friends with Tally and he's gotten to play golf a few times with Matt and Zacky. It would have been wrong to not invite them."

Maddie looked at her with a smile.  Maybe she'd get lucky and only those two would show up, if any of them showed up at all.  "That's great, Liza. The more the merrier."

"Really?" Liza asked. "So it won't be weird if Brian shows up?"

"Why would it be weird if Brian shows up?" Maddie asked defensively.

"Because you obviously like him and you think he doesn't like you," Horror came across Liza's expression. "What if he brings a date?" She said nervously.

"It's fine," Maddie said in a soothing tone. "He can bring whoever he wants. He and I are...just acquaintances." 

"Acquaintances," Liza repeated. 

"Exactly," Maddie smiled even though the thought of Brian bringing a date made her sick to her stomach. She needed distraction. "Look there's Abbi. Let's go catch up with her."

==========================

When Brian walked into the house Jason and Liza shared, he was pretty excited to see if Maddie was there.  Who was he kidding? It was her best friend's birthday party. Of course she'd be there. He'd managed to score an invite by sucking up to Matt who had made friends playing golf with Liza's boyfriend. Luckily Val hadn't used it as an opportunity to set him up with a date.

It caused a bit of a stir among the guests when they walked in together. 

"I guess no one expected us," Matt said as he steered his wife in the direction of an corner of the deck that overlooked the ocean.

"Or maybe we just have a few fans among the crowd," Zacky said as he pulled Meaghan's chair out for her to sit.

Brian rolled his eyes at his friend for such a gentlemanly gesture.

"Abbi knew we were coming," Val said as she looked around. "Oh check it out..they are doing karaoke. Matt, you should go up there and sing something."

Matt shook his head "I'm off the clock."

"You're a performer," she replied with a grin. "You're never off the clock."

Brian chuckled as he looked around.