“Bay,” I reply confidently. No way he’d let another girl grind on him when he has Penny. Sure enough, as soon as a blond, sexy nurse turns her back to Bay and attempts to lean against his chest, he steps away. I can see him shaking his head at her, then walking away with Gabby.
The other two girls are dancing near Alex and E but haven’t openly tried to engage them yet. The blond saddles up beside Alexnext, but he sees her coming and sidesteps before she can get too close. He says something to E, and they both head towards our booth. “What do I get for winning?” I ask Seb before the guys get here.
“How about an orgasm, Sunshine?” Seb whispers right into my ear.
A shiver goes through me as E and Alex take seats beside us in the booth. Damn him, now I’m horny. Another thing my brain is trying to feel guilty about.
Bay joins us shortly with Gabby, a few trays of nachos between them, which we all happily devour.
Around 10pm, Seb and I get called up onto the stage for the costume contest. Neither of us win, but Seb comes in third place and gets a gift certificate for the water park and movie passes. Everyone gets a small treat bag of candy as they exit as well. After goodbyes, Ceres, Seb, Gabby, and I wait for Zander and Troy after the party to ride home.
Chapter 32
Summer
Nick’s scent is all but faded from the bedding in his room. I’ve slept here every night since he left, and it made me cry this morning when I realized it. I guess there’s no point in sleeping here anymore. Grabbing his pillow and phone, I trudge into my room with them. Laying the pillow on my bed, I grab clean clothes to get ready for school. Motivation is still very much lacking for me.
By the end of Tuesday, something in me snaps. We’re all down. Alex and Reesa are still painful to be around. E, Seb, and I are so awkward. Bay is sad but seems to have his shit together better than the rest of us. Even Gabby is quiet and has been eating lunch with us most days. I’m just tired of our group being so fractured. Alex’s situation is the only problem I might be able to solve, so I’m going to call Steven, after giving myself a pep talk.
I grab his number from Seb after school. It’s a stressful call to make, but I’m willing to do so to help Alex and start mending our friend group. I hope I’m right about Steven, because this is the only idea I have. I take a seat on my bed and dial. “Hello?” he answers on the second ring.
“Hello Steven. This is Summer, Alex’s friend.”
“Hello dear. This is a surprise. How are you?”
“Good, thank you. I’m not sure how to approach this, so I’m just going to say it. Alex needs help.”
“Is he okay? Has something happened?” The panic in his voice is clear.
“Not in that manner, no. Sorry. Let me start again. Alex is physically fine. I am calling because I’m very worried about him and I’m hoping you can help.”
“Tell me the problem and I’m sure we can find a solution, Summer.”
“Great. Thank you. This is a long story. Do you have time right now?”
“Yes I do. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Okay. Please let me get it all out at once, then we can talk.” Taking a deep breath to fortify myself, I begin. “The relationship between Alex and Reesa, starting in sophomore year, was entirely fabricated, at least on Alex’s end. Since both families approved of the match, and they got along well, they chose to date until the end of high school. Alex planned on breaking up with her before college, as he’s never loved Reesa.
“On Labor day Alicia gave Reesa her diamond ring, telling her she was engaged to Alex. Reesa rushed home to show her parents the ring and tell them about her engagement. Alex was camping with us, unaware of the incident. I saw Reesa wearing the ring at school on Tuesday. When I asked Reesa about it, Alex was stunned. Alicia submitted an announcement to the Charleston paper, which Alex read on Seb’s phone. I’ve never seen Alex so enraged.
“Alex spent weeks trying to end the engagement without causing a family scandal, but couldn't find a way. He caught Reesa and Alicia planning an engagement party, complete with invitations, and told them to stop at once. He planned a face-to-face conversation with you about all this in late September, but the hurricane canceled your homecoming.”
“Forgive me, my dear, but I have to ask. This sounds like the rantings of a jealous girl and not reality.”
“Alex is one of my best friends, but I’m not interested in him in that way. I have a boyfriend.”
“My apologies, but what you have told me is rather shocking. I knew when they started dating, it was for our families, but I assumed it had grown into something more. There’s a significant discrepancy between what you’re saying and what Alicia has told me.”
“I’m sure there is, but I swear to you it’s the truth. Steven, he’s miserable. I have a feeling you genuinely care about Alex’s well-being more than a potential scandal caused by your spouse.”
“His happiness has always been the most important thing to me.”
“Alex doesn’t know that. He worships you and prioritizes image and reputation above all else. He’s staying engaged for the family, endures all those social functions he hates, and hides Alicia’s flaws from you to spare your feelings.”
“Hold on now. This is a lot to take in. There have been problems with Alicia?”
“Many. No offense, but she’s not a good person.”
