Being There (8 page)

“Oh, you know me, it’ll cost more than a penny,” she winks before adding, “I was just thinking we are going to make this the best trip ever.”

“Let me tell you, I plan on having a helluva time!”

“Am I going to have to keep an eye on you?” She eyes me sideways, knowing I am the least likely to ruffle any feathers. So I just sit back with a Cheshire smile on my face foreshadowing the mischief we both know I will never get into. The radio is low in the background and I hear my favorite song playing so I lean over to turn the song up, but decide to ask one more thing.

“So tell me about Luke’s friend, what’s he like?” I’m interested, and it’s my way to show Nev that everything will be fine and life will go on. Besides, maybe he can keep me company.

“Well,” she trails, “I don’t know, actually, I haven’t met the guy.”

“I’m sure Luke has told you something about him?”

“I know that he owns his own business, but I’m not sure what type and that he lives in The Woodlands area. Luke says he was dating some girl for a while, but they broke up about two months ago. That’s about all I know,” she says with finality.

“Did you tell me his name?” I’m curious about this guy; I haven’t dated much since Seth, which was a few months ago, not that I’m looking. Right when she looks like she is about to answer my question, my phone buzzes in my hand, and of course it had to be my mom. She’s still worried about me and keeps texting to check on me and see how I’m holding up. I decide to take the call and put her mind at ease, even if just for a little while.

“Hi mom,” I answer.

“Hi baby, how are you feeling?”

“Great! Just sitting here with Nev, talking about her new man,” I glance at my friend trying to tease her. I hate how worried my mom is and I wish there were something I could say to take some of that from her.

“You didn’t tell her everything did you?”
Thank God
she picked up on my not so subtle voice cues.

“No, just a little longer, but we’re having a good time,” I look over and smile at my best friend who is drumming her hand on the steering wheel to the song. “Hey mom, can I call you when we get there?”

“Sure, sweetie. I love you, have fun.”

“I love you too, mom, talk soon.” When I hang up, I feel a tightness in my chest, but I don’t want to think about it right now, or the rest of the vacation, for that matter.

I decide to get back to my questions about Nevaeh’s new boyfriend, but before I can ask anymore, she starts to sing to the song on the radio; badly. I try to stifle my laughter, but it just comes out anyway so she swats her hand at me and in that moment, I decide to join in on the bad car karaoke. But I can’t help the yawn that escapes as the song finishes so she turns the volume down, no doubt wanting to talk more.

“So,” I drag out, “Drew texted me last night,” I confess.

“I didn’t realize that he had your phone number,” she questions.

“I didn’t either, it’s on Facebook for the world to see,” I admit, somewhat perplexed that my information was that available to him or anyone else.

“What did he have to say?”

“Not much. He asked me again to meet up with him, but I still didn’t think it was a good idea, so I opted out.” She doesn’t say anything so I finish with the words he left me with, “he said he misses me.”

She’s like a high school gossip that just found out a juicy tidbit to share with the world, “Really? What did you say?”

“Nothing. At first…but then, I texted him back and told him that
I missed him too sometimes and that was it.”

Just when I think she’s going to jump on my words and make me face things I have long since pushed down, she surprises me with her suggestion that I sleep. “We should be there in about forty-five minutes,” she notes, looking at the mile marker we just passed, “besides, you look like hell.”

“Gee, thanks,” it’s my turn to swing at her. She dodges and laughs briefly before turning to me in complete seriousness.

“Cass, are you sure everything is okay? You would tell me wouldn’t you…if something was wrong?”

“I’m good,” I assure her. I don’t want to stress her out, and if she keeps pushing, I may end up revealing more than I want to.

“You’re right, I am tired.” I check out my watch to give myself a distraction, “Forty-five minutes, huh? Wake me when we get there?” She looks to face the road and nods. I hate lying to her, but it’s just something I have to do for now.

Fortunately, my best friend doesn’t press me any further, and I appreciate it. I slink down into my seat, and once I get comfortable, I close my eyes and wait for sleepiness to overcome me. When I start to drift, Drew comes to mind again and I remember the graduation party that changed,
almost
, everything.

In the months that followed the infamous party at Rhen’s, I did my best to ignore the rumors about that night and the feelings that Drew seemed to have had for me. Things were still as normal as always, so I figured it was just Rhen putting his own insecurities out there, because it was all unfounded until graduation night. Rhen was throwing yet, another party, and this was the big one. Everyone had their own to do with their families, but the Class of ’07 was supposed to meet up for one last hurrah. I couldn’t have cared less about going, but Drew and Nev did. He called me that morning to make sure I wasn’t bailing out.

“Cass,” he said in a warning tone, “You are going.”

“Drew...” I huffed out in
aggravation; “I don't want to go to Rhen’s party tonight.” I had no idea why it was so important for him that I show up. “No one will miss me if I skip it,” I reminded him, trying to convince him to let me out.

“I’ll miss you if you don’t go. Come for me.”

“I haven’t done anything to those people, but they think I’m a bitch thanks to Rhen, and I still have no clue why.”

“Why? Seriously!” he raised his voice before verbally eviscerating me. “I don't know, maybe because you used to hang around these people before the breakup and never even tried to set the record straight about what happened. You never go around, so what should they believe? You act like you’re better than everyone else, or just maybe it is because you seem to have a perpetual stick up your ass. Take your pick.”

“You can be such a dick sometimes, you know that?” I knew what he was up to; he figured if he pissed me off enough, I would go just to prove everyone wrong. What he didn’t realize is that I just didn’t care anymore. High school was over and I was heading off to Texas A&M where a new world would open up for me.

“What, do you want me to sugarcoat it for you? Besides, it's not like I'm saying anything you don't already know.”

“And why would I want to go, again? You just proved my point.” I reminded him in a condescending tone.

“Because, today we graduate, and this party will be the last time you see most of these people. Go for me,” he pleaded. “Go for Nevaeh, she really wants to go, too.”

“Fine, but I am not taking care of your drunk ass, so figure out who our DD is or we have to stay there,” I said exasperated because there was no way I was staying at Rhen’s.

“Alright, I'll pick you up at nine and then we'll get Nev.”

I was quiet for a second before I finally spoke up with a stern warning. “Don't make me regret this, D,” I paused again and huffed, "I'll see you at nine." I knew it bugged him when I called him by that stupid name and only used it to irritate the shit out of him. I had given him the name because even though I had insisted that he called me Cassi when we met, his favorite name for me was Pia because it drove me equally as nuts as when I called him D.

“See you at nine, Pee-ah,” he spat out. I groaned as he hung up the phone, but I think I heard him laugh.

After the ceremony, mom and dad had a few people over for a small graduation party, but they kept it short because they knew I had other plans. Mom said she knew I was going to Rhen’s party and the only reason she didn’t give me hell about it was because I was going with Nev and Drew. Lucky for us, Drew’s younger brother Logan was going to be our designated driver for the night. I’m sure he was more than happy to comply because, not only would he be driving Drew’s new pickup, but also he’d get to be Nev’s chauffeur and he was head over heals for her.

Nevaeh and I decided to get ready at my house since it was on the way. I figured we’d be dressed in a hurry, but a momentary lapse in memory had me forgetting that Nev was all about the arrival. She fixed herself up in a pair of tight jeans and a sleeveless black halter-top and looked fabulous, as always. She demanded that I wear something equally sexy, but since I was going under duress, I protested by wearing my sexy jeans and a fitted t-shirt. I wasn’t out to impress anyone there. She was aggravated with my attitude, so she insisted on at least doing my hair and makeup.

Two hours later, we walked down the stairs and spotted a relieved Drew, silently thanking us for bailing him out of the conversation he was having with my dad. Since Drew was heading to UT, I’m sure my dad was asking about what programs they offered and warning him against becoming another drone. I
received the same lecture the day my acceptance letter came in from A&M.

“Your dad is intense when he wants to be,” Drew said as we got into his truck.

“How long have you known me? I’ve told you a million times, don’t talk politics, religion or education with the man to make it work.”

“
What does where I’m going to college have to do with the others?” he asked incredulously.

“C’mon, it’s not hard to follow his strange line of thinking,” I offered, waiting for the bulb to go off, but when it was clear he was lost, I sighed to enlighten him on how my dad’s crazy mind works. “State school…in the state’s capitol.”

He just shook his head and chuckled as we drove off. “It’s amazing you’re as normal as you are, and we both know that’s not all
that
normal.”

The three of us talked about the get together we had each had at our parent’s homes and whom we wanted to see at the party. It seemed none of us were eager to see anyone in particular, but we did have a rather vast list of those we wanted to avoid like the plague. When we arrived at the party, we tried to come up with a game plan, but it was drowned out by the music that was blasting across the house. Drinking games were in full swing and people had turned just about any open area into a dance floor. Drew grabbed our hands and dragged us toward the backdoor.

“The keg's out back,” he yelled over the music, but I tugged my hand, stopping him from continuing further. I stopped at the dining room table that was completely covered in booze of all varieties, so I made myself and Nev a long island iced tea before letting him drag us out the doors. Unfortunately we didn’t make it too far because just as we made our way past the kitchen a drunken Rhen started on some incoherent rant. I froze in place, hearing the shit he was spewing while Drew was impatiently trying to catch on.

“Excuse me?” I said, dropping Drew’s hand and walking over to Rhen. If I could shoot daggers at anyone, my ex would most definitely be on the receiving end. When I left his room tha
t night, ending things with him, it went from bad to worse. He made it his mission to drag my name through the mud, even saying some of it to my face. Drew had wanted to know what happened, but I kept the details to myself because it didn’t change anything.

Rhen walked over to me with a drunken smirk that made my stomach turn. He leaned right into my face, invading my comfort zone before repeating, "I said, 'Who invited the tease?'"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drew’s jaw clench and I immediately stepped in between he and Rhen, putting distance between the two of them. "All right Rhen, back off," Drew said in a threatening tone.

“What,” he said, gesturing with his hands up in a defensive stance, “I’m just surprised she returned to the scene of crime. You remember the last time you were here, don’t you,” he asked with pride.

“Actually I do,” I spat. “I’m sure your memory is hazy at best. Do you need me to remind
you
how it went?”

“Whatever, once a tease, always a tease,” he said to me before looking to Drew. “I’m surprised she’s here since she seems to think she’s better than everyone.”

“No, I’m not better than everyone, just too good for you,” I spat with disgust. 

When he heard his buddies razzing him, he righted his position, “how would you know?” Then he turned to Drew and gave him a warning, “watch out for that one,” he nodded over to me, “she’s not as innocent as you think.”

Just when I was going to level him with a healthy dose of bitch, Nevaeh grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the backdoor. “C'mon, let's take these drinks out back. If I have to listen to another minute of his bullshit, I may grow my own set of balls and kick his ass,” she said as she pushed past Rhen.

“You’re right,” I said as I yanked my arm away. “He’s just pissed he couldn’t close the deal.” I turned around to see a stunned Drew standing behind me with a murderous look on his face. “Let’s go Drew,” I said, holding my hand to him. He just shook his head and wouldn’t even look at me.

“You go ahead, I’ll be there in a bit,” he said, still never looking at me. I just turned around and left him behind, hurt that he would rather stand there and talk with the asshole that publicly humiliated me, not once, but over and over again. He was always so concerned with what people thought of him, that it sometimes made me doubt how good of a friend he really was. That pissed me off more, which led me to chug the contents of the red cup in my hand on the way out. As we walked to a table on the other side of the yard, I grabbed another drink and started on it.

“Whoa!” Nev said, trying to take the cup from my hand, “slow down or it’s going to be a short night for you.”

“Did you see that?” I yelled. “He stayed there with Rhen, after everything he said to me. Drew doesn’t even know the things he said the night I broke up with him.”

“Well, whose fault is that?” She asked, taking a seat next to me. “Besides, you need to take it down a notch. You’re assuming the worst in your friend right now, maybe he’s kicking Rhen’s ass as we speak.”

“He would never do that. Not that I want him to, but I’m a friend of convenience, those are the people he’s been friends with forever, he’ll always defend them. Besides, if he really cared, he’d be out here with us right now.”

Nev knew better than to argue with me when I was worked up like that, so she sat with me while I continued to drink, despite her protests. We made small talk with a few classmates who wandered over, and wished everyone good luck as they walked away. Three drinks and an hour later, Drew decided to rejoin us, but the damage was done, as far as my liquored up brain was concerned. I was having a good time until I spotted him approaching our table and I couldn’t be bothered to hide my irritation.

“Go away Drew,” I said turning to face him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in confusion as he sat down near me.

“Nothing’s wrong, why don’t you just go away and hang out with your friends,” sober, I would never sound so ridiculous, but there I was, saying things I had kept to myself for a long time.

“I’m
trying
to hang out with my friends right now, but one is being a bitch. Care to explain what I did to deserve it?”

“You did nothing, Drew. As usual. Always worried about what everyone thinks of you, why are you here? Someone might see
you talking to us. Oh wait, maybe they’ll think you’re a nice guy talking to the losers. You bailed on us to be with people you think matter and I'm so over it." I slurred at him.

“What in the hell are you even talking about right now? That sounded like too many fucking stupid tiny rants combined into one and I don’t even know where to start,” he stated with an easy tone.

“Just leave, or I’m going to get Logan to take me home,” I said, turning away from him.

“How much have you had to drink?” he questioned as he picked up my drink from the table.

“Fuck you! It’s none of your business,” I bite back in anger.

“That's a Long Island iced tea,” Nev said as though she were speaking to a two year old. She continued in the same tone, "Since you’ve been inside, she’s had two, that one in your hand is her third.”

The light must have switched on because he changed tactics and put on his caretaker cap, which just added to my drunken anger. “Hey,” he said reaching for my hand. “Why don't we get you something to eat?”

“I’m fine, I don’t need to eat,” was all I said in response. Even drunk, I knew I was being pretty mean, but it’s not like I wanted to be there anyway. “Just go and enjoy the party, we’ll see you when it’s time to go.”

“No, we came here to have fun,” he said, stepping into my space before finishing angrily. “I don't know about you, but I'm having a fucking awesome time!”

Nev looked at Drew with raised brows, some unspoken command followed her words, “Give us a few minutes, we'll come find you.”

“Fine,” he said as he started to walk off.

Once he was out of earshot, Nevaeh turned on me, something she rarely did. “I love you, but you are acting like a bitch. Drew didn’t do anything wrong and you didn’t even give him a chance to say where he’d been. Just because you didn’t want to come, doesn’t mean you have to ruin it for everyone. Rhen was being an asshole, I’ll give you that, but you need to let it go.”

“Whatever. Why don’t you go and enjoy yourself. I’m fine hanging out here.” I knew it sounded pitiful, but I just didn’t care anymore.

“Bullshit! Get your ass up, we’re going inside,” she demanded as she pulled me to my feet. “Walk!” I followed her through the screen doors and where she spotted Drew playing a round of beer pong. I tripped over the door guide when Nev grabbed me by my arm to save me from completely falling on my ass, when he rushed over to help me. It was clear that Nev had had enough of me because
she shoved me into his arms and said, “Your turn,” before walking away.

Drew tried to put his arm around my waist to lead me back outside. He was persistent with his grip, so I just stopped resisting, and when a song I liked came over the speakers I was ready to dance. In a snap I was in a good mood, forgetting why it was that I was even mad at my best friend in the first place. I just wanted to dance, so I dragged him into the living room to dance with me. I know it was a rare sight that I was drunk, but even more so that my guard was down so much that I was really enjoying myself. Fortunately for me, Drew was an excellent partner, mirroring my movements with his own. I just let the music move me anyway I wanted, and not realizing I had an audience whispering around me, I turned to face Drew and wrapped my arms around his neck. I continued moving against him, prodding him to follow my lead, which he seemed to do well enough. We remained dancing for several songs and I was starting to sweat a little too much, so when the last song ended, I moved toward the front door to get some air. Just as we were exiting the masses, a slow song came on. He tightened his grip on my hand and pulled me back to dance a little longer.