AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nice to meet you, Bree.”
She smiles. Chrissy doesn’t look shit like she did in high school. For one, she’s obviously had some work done on her face and maybe lower, based on the tightness of her t-shirt. Garrett’s sister was always a little shallow, but infinitely nicer than her brother. She even scolded him for bullying Michel and others.
“What are you doing in town?” Chrissy asks.
“Oh, uh, I moved back. Needed a change of scenery.”
“How cool. We’re here for my mom’s birthday on Sunday. I live in Chicago with my husband.”
“Nice.”
An awkward silence falls over us for a second until Chrissy continues. “Have you seen Michel? He’s back.”
“Yeah, actually, I’m staying with him.”
Her eyes light up. “The bromance continues.”
I chuckle. “Guess so. He was my closest friend back in the day.”
“Yeah, I know. It sucks he had such a bad time here, but he seems to be doing pretty well for himself now. I even got an invite for his next masquerade ball. I mean, how freaking posh is that?”
“Moomm,” her daughter says. “Freaking is a bad word.”
“It’s a bad word for kids,” Chrissy says. “Not for adults.” She turns to me. “Ten going on twenty.”
I just laugh. “I’ll probably see you at the ball then.”
“Oh definitely. Can I just tell you how jealous Garrett is that I was invited and I don’t even live here anymore?” She laughs softly, glancing at her daughter. “We’re not close, to say the least,” she says, with her voice lowered. “In fact, my own parents aren’t excited to spend time with my brother. He’s… changed over the years. Not for the better.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“He’s just too proud to admit he’s failed and let someone help. I know Michel has offered.”
“I think that’s the last guy he’d accept help from.”
“Truth.” She leans in closer. “He’s got a massive drinking problem, and his temper is way worse than it was in high school.”
My brow crinkles. “Why? You’re nice. Your parents seemed okay.”
“No idea. He’s got some kind of chip on his shoulder and always has.” She shrugs. “Just avoid him if you can. That’s my advice.”
“Thanks.”
“I should get going before Bree gets antsy. Good to see you, Eli.”
“You too, Chrissy.”
As she walks off, I continue my mission to go see Michel and tell him about what I overheard. Stepping inside his office, I pause while Crystal finishes up a phone call, but Michel’s office door opens before she’s done.
His face lights up. “Eli.”
“Hey. Are you busy?”
“Never for you. What’s up?”
“Can we go to your office?”
“Of course.”
