Chapter Twenty-Two
Jenson and I finally go to bed, but I sleep fitfully. I’m worried about Calvin telling my family before I have the chance to. When I wake up for the third time, I get out of bed quietly and grab my cell phone. I take it to the bathroom, sit on the floor with my back against the tub, and call Sheldon.
He answers on the fourth ring. “What’s up, little sister?” I can hear music in the background.
“Not much. Just wanted to see how the boys’ night out is going. I thought the bars closed by now.”
“Yeah, they do.” Sheldon’s voice comes through the phone so loudly I’m afraid Jenson will hear it. “But McArthur’s says they’ll stay open as late as we want. Isn’t that great?”
“Great,” I say unenthusiastically. “And you’ll be hung-over and nauseous for your wedding tomorrow.”
“Oh, Olive, don’t be such a downer,” Sheldon says. “I can sleep till noon. That’s the great thing about a night wedding.”
I don’t say anything. My throat tightens as I feel how real it all is, my brother’s wedding, and I feel like a rebellious teenager hiding a boy her parents would disapprove of. I suddenly feel like I might scream and cry at the same time.
“Hey, what are you doing now?” Sheldon asks me.
“Just can’t sleep, I guess.”
“Why don’t you come meet us for a drink?” Sheldon suggests. “You’re like one of the guys, right?”
I sigh. “Sure. I suppose.”
“See you in fifteen minutes.” Sheldon’s hung up before I can answer him.
I leave a note on the bed so Jenson won’t worry if he wakes up and finds me gone, then I go get dressed.
* * *
When I arrive at the bar, I take a moment before walking through the doors to fix the bun I hastily fastened my hair into. My hair’s a mess, really—I’ve been in bed for hours, tossing and turning. I take a breath and walk into the bar, not really sure of what I’m going to find. I’ve never been to a bachelor party before.
Sheldon and his group of seven are the only people here. The bartender looks up in surprise as I come through the door, but Sheldon calls out, “Hey, Olive! Come on, and get a beer!”
His face is flushed from the alcohol, but his blue eyes are mirthful. He gives me a drunken hug as soon as I reach him and makes sure I know everybody. Darryl, Finn, and Boo, his three best friends from high school; Cara’s brother, Seth; and Daphne’s husband, Todd, who can barely stand up straight. Darryl, who I’ve known since the third grade, immediately brings me into a conversation they’re all having on politics.
“Oh, God,” I say. “Politics and drinking are not a good mix.”
But I get drawn in for over a half hour while I nurse a beer Sheldon throws into my hand. I come to my senses when I see Todd beginning a game of quarters.
I try to get Todd to quit drinking, but he won’t hear of it. Then Sheldon calls me over to a table. “I’m getting hitched in less than twenty-four hours,” he says to me, clinking his beer to mine. “Awesome, isn’t it?”
I smile at him. “It is awesome. I’m happy for you.”
I take a big sip of my beer and look out again at Todd and Seth playing quarters. I think of Jenson and of the conversation I had with him earlier that’s caused me such a sleepless night. “So, you haven’t run into any reporters tonight, have you?”
Sheldon clinks his beer to mine again. “Nope. I think they’re all sleeping so they’re well-rested for my wedding tomorrow. Not because of me but because the mayor’s only son is getting married.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I say slowly, hoping he’s onto something and the media will be more focused on Sheldon than any sort of potential scandal.
“Of course I’m right. I’m brilliant when I’m drunk,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “On that note, I think I’m going to go home.”
“I’ll come with you to your house!” Sheldon says.
I hear the panic in my voice even as I try to sound calm. “I’ll drop you at your place, sure.”
“No, let me stay on your couch.”
