Summer

Chapter 46

I hear the doorbell ring and head downstairs to open the door.

"I come bearing gifts," Cassie smiles, waving two bottles of wine in the air.

I'm slightly embarrassed by my decision to stay in PJs when Cassie's in a light-blue dress, but we're not going anywhere, so what does it matter?

We head into the living room, which honestly, I haven't been in all summer. It's a shame because it's nicely decorated with its wood flooring, waldra coffee table, and white walls. There's also a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted flatscreen TV, along with an iron metal wheel barrel chandelier that hangs from the ceiling.

I grab two wine glasses that hang from the bar cabinet, and Cassie and I plop down on the cream-colored sectional sofa. I wasn't planning on drinking tonight, but, hey, what's one drink?

"Cheers," Cassie says as we clink our glasses together. I'm careful not to spill the red wine all over the ivory venetian rug.

"So, how are you doing? And it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. Just tell me when to shut up and I will," Cassie says as she pretends to screw her mouth shut with her fingers.

"I'm fine, I guess," I shrug my shoulders and say as I take a sip of the Cabernet before placing the glass down on the coaster.

Cassie looks at me like she's trying to figure out what I'm feeling inside. "I don't like seeing you like this."

I let out a deep breath. "I'm fine, Cass, really. I got some more work done on that summer writing assignment, I feasted on pizza and ice cream. I'm doing great."

"But I see it in your eyes," she goes on to say. I tilt my head to the side, trying my hardest to pretend like I don't know what she's talking about. "Heartbreak," she clarifies. "Listen, you can sit here and lie to me all you want, I won't keep pressing you for the truth, I promise I won't. Just, don't lie to yourself."

I look at her, annoyed, because she knows that I don't want to talk about this. I didn't invite her here so that we can dwell on the past.

"Cassie, just stop. Please." The harshness in my tone catches her off guard. "Look, I'm sorry. I know that you mean well, but, please just trust me when I say that I don't want to dig deep into my emotions right now. I want to drink with my best friend and have a good night."

I look at her with hopefulness that she'll take what I'm saying seriously. She nods her head in agreement and takes a sip of her wine. "I can do that."

***

We pound the first bottle of wine in a matter of minutes, and while Cassie pours herself a third glass from the second bottle, I decide that my limit is two.

All of a sudden, her phone beeps with a text, and the smile on her face gives away the obvious.

"The boyfriend?" I tease her, and her widened smile confirms the answer. "What's he up to tonight?"

"He just texted me saying that he's at some kid Tyler's house. I think they're on the baseball team together. He said it's chill and that we should come, but I told him it's girl's night. Unless, of course, you want to go."

One, Liam would lose his shit if he found out that I left this house. And, two, I really don't want to run into Noah. I give her a sly expression, implying that she should already know the answer.

"That's what I thought," she catches my drift. "Well, the offer still stands if we change our minds."

"Yeah, I don't think I'm going to. Besides the fact that Liam basically has me under house arrest, the thought of seeing Noah worries me."

"Noah's definitely not there," Cassie says with certainty.

"How do you know?"

"Because Kyle gave me a rundown of who is. He said it's a pretty small crowd. Just some people from the team."

Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get out of the house for a little. If it's just a few people, then it's not really a party. Plus, I'll make it back in time before my brothers get home.

"I mean, we can stop by if you want," I tell her.

"I don't want to get you in trouble," she says.

"I won't, so long as I'm back by 12. Promise me that we can make that happen."

I can tell by the look on Cassie's face that she wasn't expecting me to agree to go. "That should be fine. But I don't know. Are you sure about this, Fee? What if your brothers come home sooner rather than later? You'll be in even more trouble than you're in now."

"Do you know your dad? I'm lucky if my brothers make it home by 1."

"True," Cassie agrees, but hesitantly.

"I'm going to change. I'll be back down in a few," I tell her, and she nods while taking a very large sip of her wine. She's going to need it. As will I.