My brow furrows. I haven’t heard her mention Atticus’s girlfriend since that day at Checkers. Or, mentionme, I guess.
I’m not sure what to tell her. Saying no would be a lie, because I will be there. But if I say yes, she’ll be expecting a woman to show up with him, not me.
I decide to go with the safest response.
Cameron 4:48 p.m.
Not sure. You’d have to ask him.
There. NowAtticuswill have to deal with it.
I smile, already able to imagine his scowl and annoyed huff. He likes Cassie well enough, but hates people getting in his business. He’s like a grumpy lion.
Cassie replies with an energetic confirmation, and I repocket my phone.
Tonight will be fun.
Atticus trails behind me as I push open the front door of Cassie’s house. All of the normal suspects are here, which includes every person in Port Orford under the age of thirty-five.
So not many.
Lights are flashing, and the music is blaring; the wet bar has long since been utilized, even though the party should have started about thirty minutes ago.
I immediately spot Kim and Hailey dancing in the living room, with Michael drinking a bottle of water on the couch. It’s his sister’s birthday, so he’s bound to be here even though he’s nowhere near legal drinking age.
I make a beeline toward Kim, and I can feel it the moment Atticus breaks off, most likely to lean against a wall somewhere and brood.
“Cam!” Hailey greets, pulling me in for a hug that makes me wish I had a better mother. Or that Hailey was a bit older, and my mother herself.
“Hey, guys,” I say, letting Kimberly take me in her arms next.
“Thanks for coming,” she says, squeezing me tightly.
“Of course. Happy birthday!”
Kim grins, pulling away from me. “Get yourself a drink. Cassie is in the kitchen.”
I give her a nod, turning my attention to Michael, who seems to be deep in conversation with Phillip. I’m pretty sure he’s a senior in high school.
“Maybe I can join when I graduate!” Michael is saying, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, man. The community center accepts anyone who is eighteen or older,” Phillip responds. “I just joined this year.”
I don’t bother interrupting them. Instead, I peer around for Atticus and find he’s already run off somewhere, so I head for the kitchen.
Cassie is by the island, lining up more of those small, plastic shot glasses.
“Hey, Cas,” I call. “No parents tonight?”
“Nope, they gave us the house again,” she tells me, smiling as she pours Crown into each little cup. “Where’s Atticus?”
“Uh,” I look around the otherwise empty room. “Not sure. He ran off.”
And I’m leftalone, might I add. His aversion to meeting new people might be more serious than I thought. I’ll definitely be complaining about this later.
“We’ll find him soon enough,” Cassie jokes. “Now, shot?”
“I—”
