Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 92

Most of the Novak  family goes to Maryland that weekend for Hael's birthday party. Anna just flat out refused, and Lucifer gave up arguing with her fairly quickly, obviously sick of her cold remarks, and just let her stay home. Dean and Claire were invited to go with them, because at this point, they're practically family. Dean comes, but Claire opts to stay home because someone has to watch Misha, and she doesn't trust Anna to take care of him. And, of course, Gabriel, Sam, and Adam are still at college, so they can't come, either.

Due to having way too many people around, they end up getting to the party a few minutes later than everyone else. The party is at the other Novaks' house, which means there's an old trampoline, not that the "cool" teenagers Hael knows are willing to use something so childish. Castiel is excited for it, though.

Amara greets them at the door with a kind smile. "You made it!"

"That we did," Lucifer replies.

There's a brief conversation in the doorway before everyone makes their way to the backyard with the rest of the party. Hael stops her conversation to come greet them, but skips over everyone else to reach Castiel.

"Hey!" She gives him a hug, which he returns. In his hear, she whispers, "Andrea and her boyfriend are trying to steal my crown and you're all I've got so don't let me down." She pulls away with a smile. "It's nice to see you guys again! I'm gonna go talk to my friends, so go enjoy yourselves and don't mess anything up." She turns on her heel and rejoins her friends, who are all freaking out that she got the one and only Castiel Novak to show up.

Castiel lets out a long breath. "Great," he mutters. "Well, what should we do while we wait for the party to end?" He doesn't direct the question at anyone in particular, just kind of hoping someone knows what to do.

"Wait, is that...?" Dean asks, quietly, as if just talking to himself.

Castiel follows his gaze to see a boy just about Dean's age talking to a girl who might as well be a model. Castiel can't help but feel a pang of jealousy when he hears his boyfriend's tone. If he knows that girl, there's no way he never dated her, or at least hooked up with her.

"Wanna go meet a friend of mine?" Dean asks.

Not really, no.

"Sure," Castiel replies.

"C'mon." Dean gestures for him to follow, walking up to the two. "Benny?"

He gets both their attention instantly, but only this Benny guy seems to recognize him. He gives the boy a brief man hug.

"Hey, brother."

"Hey, Benny," Dean replies. "What are you doing here?"

"My girlfriend Andrea here is friends with the birthday girl," Benny explains. "She wanted me to come along, so here I am. Now, I can only assume you're here because your boyfriend." He looks over at Castiel when he says that.

"Good call," Dean replies. "Yeah, this is Castiel Novak. Cas, that's Benny Lafitte. He plays on the Patriots with me."

"Nice to meet you," Castiel replies awkwardly. He doesn't know sports, and he certainly doesn't know Benny, which is why when he sees Balthazar, he decides he can quickly excuse himself and leave the two to talk. Andrea seems to agree, and wanders off to talk to someone else, seemingly picking up that the two have a lot to catch up on.

"Ah, the celebrity guest stars have arrived," Balthazar observes.

"Not a celebrity," Castiel replies. "Just a cousin. At least for today."