Ryan and I nod along with Amelia’s life story, while I watch Brett. He’s definitely familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Anyway,” Amelia says, finally taking a breath and seeing us again, “since this is a mini-college reunion, I thought, why not bring a fellow Southern California University grad? Brett, do you remember Roxy, Beth, Jamie, and Ryan?”
Roxy doesn’t make a move to welcome this additional guest. And if looks could kill, well…
Seemingly unfazed by the icy reception, Brett manages to set all of Amelia’s luggage down before extending his hand. It’s damp with sweat.
“Nice to see you again,” he says to me. He puffs out his chest and seems to flex his well-defined biceps. He must have been a college athlete. I’d guess football. His hair is cropped short, with a touch of salt and pepper. He exudes jock vibes, someone who has maintained his physical prowess and is proud of it.
“Were you in our class?” I ask. Brett looks smug, in that way in which a guy who has always been handsome is. Like he’s above us all.
“I was a little before your time. Not much. I was on the SCU football team, the squad that won the championship.”
“Nice,” Ryan says. Because what else do you say to an achievement decades old? Someone’s clearly still trying to relive his glory days.
Amelia swoops in, sliding her arm through his, making her claim. “Anyway, Brett was my TA way back in the day, when I took a prerequisite science class. We reacquainted ourselves at a bar in DC when he was in for a meeting,” Amelia says. “It’s sort of like dating the professor.” She winks. “Which, of course, I also did in college.”
“Of course,” Ryan says, laughing. “Welcome to Gentry House, my pride and joy. We have plenty of room. Let’s get some beverages and cool off.”
Roxy exhales.
Ryan says, “You have to let them stay now, don’t you? I mean, I know you like to control everything, but why not go with it? You used to be spontaneous, when you were young.”
I swallow, waiting for Roxy’s reaction as I take in the baby grand piano, the centerpiece of the living room and foyer area. A Steinway, of course.
“Fine, Amelia, you win,” Roxy says.
“That’s the spirit, sis,” Amelia says with a grin.
“Let’s go have that drink, shall we?” Ryan says, leading the way.
The tension in the air is suffocating as we all follow Ryan. And then there’s the past that’s haunting me too. We arrive in the kitchen as Roxy has regained her composure and takes charge of the room. She smiles at all of us, but her eyes have gone chilly.
And for the second time today I’m reminded that Roxy hates surprises.
7
Beth
I have to hand it to Amelia. Only she could find the nerve to crash a party. I’m surprised she wasn’t invited originally, since she was a big part of our group in college. She’s definitely on Roxy’s last nerve now. Maybe it comes from being Roxy’s closest confidante back in college; she knows what buttons to push.
As we walk down the hallway, Brett extends an olive branch to Roxy. “I’m sorry for being here. I thought we were invited.”
“You weren’t,” Roxy says but pastes on her sorority rush smile. “And you two met at a bar?”
“We did, yes,” he says.
“Apropos,” Roxy says with a smirk.
“Brett will be a good boy, Roxy. And I’ll be a good girl. Come on, lighten up,” Amelia says as she knocks her bony elbow into Roxy’s equally bony side. Amelia’s pearl necklace is a starkcontrast to Roxy’s flashy diamonds. But equally impressive. “The more the merrier, right?”
Roxy’s blue eyes flash, but a smile returns to her face as she tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. “Sure, fine. We’ll put you two in the pool house. It’s a big space and out of my way,” she says.
“Ooh, fun; we like our privacy,” Amelia says and winks at Brett.
Ridiculous.
“But first, our welcome drinks,” Roxy says. “I’m sure you’re parched, Amelia. I only hope my cocktail-making skills live up to what you’re used to on the DC social circuit. It seems like every time I see your photos online, there you are with a drink in your hand. All that glad-handing on the Hill must be thirsty work.”
