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“Big plans?” I continued staring at where he’d walked away.
“Something about a surprise. I think he likes a girl or something. He gets like this when he does.” He slammed the hood on the truck. “Guess I’m going on the roof.” He pointed up. You can stay or go, but it’s too dangerous for you to be up there.”
“Maybe for a little bit.” I sipped the cold water before following Russ through the house. When we reached the front deck, he climbed a ladder, and I started straightening up. I wanted to be helpful, and this gave me a reason to be here even if Casey didn’t seem to notice.
I spent over an hour organizing the Bradshaws’ deck, and staring at a shirtless Casey. The way the sun made his skin glisten made him look a bit like a Greek god. His muscles had muscles, and his dark floppy hair would be perfect to run my fingers through.
I was getting tired, and I knew I needed a shower before tonight’s barbeque. If I wanted Casey to see me as a woman, I needed to look and smell like one. “See ya tonight!” I yelled when Russ got close to the edge.
“See ya.” He waved and then went back to work.
ooooooooo
After showering off the sweat and grime from the afternoon, I curled up on my bed and fell asleep. My dreams were filled with thoughts of Casey. We were kissing, and he held me to him. I imagined what it would be like to be held by him, to cuddle up next to him, and have him tell me he loved me. I didn’t want to wake, and probably would have forced myself back to sleep if it wasn’t time to get ready for the barbeque.
I’d picked out a pink sundress, and had convinced my mom to let me wear some of her makeup. I stood in front of the mirror twirling from side to side. I looked pretty, and I couldn’t wait to see what Casey did when he saw me.
It wasn’t far to the Bradshaws’, so we walked as a family. Dad was wearing another Hawaiian shirt, and Mom had a dress similar to mine on. Jack kept shuffling his feet, causing sand to spray the backs of my legs. We were quite the crew walking down the street.
When we arrived, there were a few cars in the drive. “I didn’t think this was a party.” Mom sighed. “I would have offered to bring something.”
“I don’t think it is a party. Just friends.” Dad shrugged just as we reached the door, and were greeted by Mr. Bradshaw.
“Hey, Archers. Come on in.” He stepped back letting us pass into the living room. “Everyone is on the deck.” He motioned to the glass door that led outside.
The ocean was crashing in the distance. A grill was smoking in the corner of the deck, and Mrs. Bradshaw was sipping a glass of wine. Casey and a few of the guys from the party were talking off to one side, and Russ was attempting to get my attention from where he was standing on the stairs that led down to the beach. “Psst.”
“What?” I stormed over, rolling my eyes.
“I’ve got some booze. Come down here and drink them with me.” He started to pull me down the stairs, but I resisted.
“I wanna stay up for the party.” I scowled.
“Are you mental? Why?” He glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention to us.
“I have my reasons.” I was staring at Casey, and didn’t even realize it.
“You like him.” Russ laughed under his breath.
“I do not,” I scolded.
“You do too, and you’re too young.” He turned and went back down the stairs. “I’m drinking. You stay up there and be bored.” He waved me off, and I went back to mingle.
I spent most of the evening pretending to be interested in whatever conversations my parents were having. I thought it made me look mature, but in hindsight it just made me bored. I shouldn’t have wasted my time because after dinner, my dreams of being Casey’s girl flew out the window.
“I have an announcement to make.” Casey stood and cleared his throat. More people had shown up and I failed to realize some of them were older girls. “Most of you know Corrine and I have been dating for some time. Well,” he swallowed, “I asked her to marry me last night, and she said yes.” His smile grew, and this Corrine girl stood up beside him, and hugged him around the middle. People started shaking hands, I’m assuming her parents and his, and then the toasts started. At that point, I made a beeline for the stairs down to the beach.
“Change your mind?” Russ stepped out of the shadows from under the house, grinning drunkenly.
“Give me one of those,” I grumbled as I slipped my shoes off and stomped over to him.
“Help yourself.” He chuckled as he flipped open a cooler filled with ice.
If I wasn’t so hurt and angry, I probably would have realized that nothing good comes from drinking your anger and sorrow away, but I was sixteen and not as mature as I hoped for. I popped the top, and slugged it back before coughing at the disgusting taste.
“Still not your thing, huh?” Russell laughed. “Bring that out on the beach. Let’s take a walk, and you can tell me what’s really bothering you.” He tripped over his own feet as he stepped out onto the sand, and I followed after him hoping that if I spilled my guts, he was drunk enough he wouldn’t remember in the morning.
