That was life, wasn’t it?
And if so, would Ash and Summer stick it out with me, no matter what drama life tossed our way?
Or would I be right here again, another four years from now… disappointed, just that little bit more fucking jaded, and starting the fuck over again?
* * *
When I got back to Cary’s place late that night, Courteney’s car was in the driveway. The house was dark, so I figured it was safe to make a pass through the kitchen. I dropped off some beers I’d picked up to replenish a few I’d drank, plus some extras.
When I headed through the foyer, toward the living room at the back of the house, the light from the TV screen was glowing off the walls.
I found Courteney curled up on the couch, watching some horror movie in the dark. I could never understand how she was always watching that shit. She’d been into horror movies since she was small. Used to watch them with Cary.
But doing it alone at night, with the lights off?
At least the volume was pretty low.
Maybe she was sleeping?
I slowed my pace, in case I was about to wake her up.
“Hey,” she croaked, lifting her head.
I stopped in my tracks.
She looked a mess. She was wrapped in a blanket, with a glass of water next to her and a wastebasket on the floor in front of the couch.
“Are you sick?”
“Kinda. More like… hungover.”
“At two in the morning?”
“It’s called day drinking. You should try it.”
I took a couple steps closer. “How much did you drink?”
“Uh… a lot? Sangria goes down way too easy.”
I went and sat down on the chair next to her, taking a good look at her face.
“Relax. It was a garden party, and it was chaperoned. Shayla’s dad was there.”
“You need anything? I can bring you some food.”
“Oh fuck, no. I can’t eat.”
Hmm. I stared at her for a minute while she pretty much avoided eye contact.
Was she for real?
Or was this just another ploy?
I got up. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be out back.”
I headed for the door, but stopped again when I heard her voice.
“Hey, Xander?”