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Theturnoutforthebook launch is great. The bar is full, but I can’t believe all these people came here for me. Most likely they came for the Open Mic Night, but that’s fine. It’s still great advertising. I smile and watch as a group of girls hover around the small pyramid of books I have going on at the bar. Several people are drinking and sitting at the small tables, waiting for Open Mic to open. I will be reading a passage from my book.
Steve came through with his pumpkin flavored items, given it is October and fall is in full swing. The door opens and a chill wind sweeps through the room, making the candles flicker. The room smells of pumpkin. Given Steve has made a menu of pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin milkshakes, I’m not surprised. He even found a pumpkin ale I have yet to taste. I’m keeping my expectations low. There is no way pumpkin beer can ever taste good.
“Lucas!”
I turn at that familiar voice, my smile growing as I see Rachel make her way through the crowd, followed by Hunter and Alex. She’s wearing a large black coat—larger than it really needs to be. It’s fall, not winter. Hunter and Alex look nice in their leather jackets and button-downs. It’s nice to see them dressing for the occasion. My gaze shifts, finding no Seth in sight and I can’t help the disappointment blooming within me.
“Where’s Seth?” I ask, the moment Rachel meets me. I probably should have started with “welcome” or “so happy to see you”. Too late to go back now.
I notice the subtle grimace Rachel makes and how Hunter and Alex give each other a look.
“He couldn’t make it,” Rachel starts uneasily.
“Something about needing to take the late shift,” Hunter adds.
Alex doesn’t say anything, but I notice the way he rolls his eyes. Those two rarely get along, but I’ve been noticing the tension between them has worsened. I kind of miss them fighting openly. This silent battle has me walking on eggshells.
“But I thought he had the night off?” I find myself blurting out while looking between everyone.
No one is meeting my gaze, which means Seth clearly took the shift out of spite. Most likely more words were said, but everyone is speaking kindly for my sake. God, fucking dammit. It’s just a book. Yeah, it’s about us, but no-one is going to know. I changed the names. Some of the events are different. Hell, I made him a nicer guy. I should have made him out to be the brat he is in real life.
“I can’t believe he’s still angry with me,” I say, louder than intended and earning a few looks.
Rachel hooks her arm in mine and leans close. “Don’t worry about him,” she says before giving me a chaste kiss on my cheek. “This night is about you. Not him. Now let’s go grab some food and be merry. I desperately need one of those cookies.”
“Did someone say cookie?”
I look behind me, finding Steve there, carrying a platter of pumpkin cookies and cheesecake. Rachel’s eyes grow and she practically salivates in front of me as she grabs two cookies and a small plate of cheesecake.
“These smell so good,” Rachel moans.
“We also have milkshakes,” Steve says in a sing-song voice. “Shall I get one for you?”
Rachel’s head bobs up and down. “Yes,” she says between mouthfuls. Crumbs dot her lips and her tongue darts out to wipe them away. Usually, I would be turned on, but instead, I can’t help watching her, my worry growing with each passing second. It wasn’t that long ago she was vomiting and calling in sick and now she’s cramming food into her mouth like nothing is wrong.
Not only that, but I can tell she’s put on weight. She’s wearing baggier clothing, yet none of it is hiding as much as she thinks. Her face is slightly swollen. Her hips are a bit bigger. Even now, as I look down at her large coat, I see she’s wearing a baggy black sweater dress, but it still cleans to her waist, emphasizing her growing stomach.
Hunter was right. She’s upset about something. It’s the only thing that can explain her strange appetite and her weight gain. That, and she seems stressed all the time with work and class. Why isn’t she talking about it? Or, more importantly, why haven’t I noticed it until now?
“Hey, bro!”
I flinch, only noticing now that I’ve been staring at Rachel way too long. Looking beyond her, I find Mike heading our way with Charlie in tow. Charlie wrinkles her nose as she dodges a group of girls, giving them a scowl when they knock into her shoulder. Mike doesn’t seem to notice. He has a hand on one of my books, lifting it above his head as if to protect it from any beer spills.
“I can’t believe I know someone famous,” Mike says excitedly while stopping in front of me. “I am so totally buying this. You getting one too, babe?”
Babe, as in Charlie, grimaces and shakes her head. “I don’t really have the time to read right now. Gotta focus on my final project.”
She’s kind of being bitchy, but then again, she has a point. Rachel has been crazy busy with her final projects, as well. Ah, senior year. Don’t miss it at all. “Understandable,” I say politely. “Glad you could make it.”
“Dude, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Mike says while taking my hand and giving it a firm shake. “I’m so excited to read this thing.”
Charlie raises an eyebrow. “Really? You? Read?”
Never mind. She’s a bitch. Just what the fuck is her problem?
Mike shrugs. “Sometimes. If it catches my attention.”
“Like that ever happens,” Charlie mutters with a flick of her hair.
