“Okay, that’s easy enough,” she nods. I watch Gabby work her magic. She doesn’t take long to wet, cut, and dry my hair, styling it into long curls. My hair is light and fullof life after she’s done. I didn’t realize how scraggly it had become. “You’re very good. It looks wonderful, Gabby,” I compliment her.
“Thanks,” she beams. “Now, your face. I’m just going to do light eyeshadow and mascara to bring out your eyes and some lip gloss. It will look totally natural.”
“Sounds good.” I freak out a little while my eyes are closed, and she’s touching my face, but Gabby ignores it and starts talking to me as she works. When she’s done, I hardly recognize myself. I look like me. Well, the old me. I look healthy and vibrant and…happy. I look happy. Tears pool in my eyes, but I refuse to cry tonight. “Thank you so much, Gabby.”
“Aww, you’re welcome, Summer. Happy to help. Now go get your guys and have some fun,” she says, leading me to the door.
I walk back out to the living room and find Seb and Nick waiting at the island, but I don’t see Troy anywhere. Seb whistles. “Damn Sunshine. You’re beautiful.”
I think I turn seven shades of red, but I look up and give him a small smile. “Thanks, Hurry. You look nice too.” He does. He’s got a tight red Henley on that shows his muscles, with jeans and black boots. I look over at Nick, who’s scowling again. “Hi Nick.”
He looks me over, and his scowl deepens. “Shortie,” he grunts.
I know I look okay, so I don’t understand why he’s getting grumpier. “Your face is gonna get stuck that way one of these days,” I point at him.
Seb thinks it’s funny, but Nick just grunts as he heads for the door, and we follow behind. Alex is pulling up in his SUV as we get outside. Seb opens the passenger door for me as I hop in. “Hi Alex,” I smile.
“You look lovely, Summer,” he replies with a warm smile. “You cut your hair,” he notes.
“Gabby just cut it for me upstairs.”
“She’s very talented,” he nods as he pulls out onto the road. Alex drives west towards Charleston. Rick lives in E’sneighborhood by the water, but on the northern side of the bridge, opposite Alex. It’s another large plantation-style home with a gated driveway, and there are many cars parked along the road already.
Alex finds a spot to park, and then I follow the guys around to the back of the house. A long patio stretches along the house, topped by a second-story veranda. At one end is a fire pit, a large table sits in the middle, and a TV and couch are at the near end. Several bonfires burn in the backyard, surrounded by chairs. Lots of people are here, but it feels spacious being outdoors. I see E and Bay emerging from the house as Seb calls to them. They join us immediately. “It’s really crowded in there right now,” Bay tells us.
“E and I will grab everyone drinks then,” Seb offers. “You guys find a comfortable spot,” he tells us, as he grabs E’s hand and goes towards the house.
“Let’s go towards the fire pit,” Bay points towards the house. We follow along and grab seats around the circular fire. I end up between Alex and Nick against the house wall. The guys greet the few people already sitting there, but I don’t recognize them.
“Will Reesa be joining us tonight?” I lean over and ask Alex.
“No, she does not enjoy these types of gatherings,” he shakes his head. He doesn’t seem to spend much time with his girlfriend. I wonder how it works. Not my business, though.
The guys come back quickly with a six-pack of soda and a case of beer. Alex, Bay and I grab a soda each while the rest of the guys are drinking beer. It’s not long before people come over to congratulate E and Seb. Cara and four other girls in tight, skimpy dresses and heels join our group. They have some type of cocktail in their hands, but their eyes are already glassy.
Luckily, Seb and E are on the grass side of the fire pit, opposite us, so I don’t have to dealwith them.
I don’t know if more people have arrived, or the ones in the house have come outside, but soon the patio area is full. More lights and heaters turn on around us, and the music gets louder. Alex and Bay get into a conversation with a few guys near them. I’m feeling a little lonely and awkward as time goes by, but I’m rescued by Holly and Jaxon. Holly is waving, making her way over to me. She grabs a chair and sets it down beside mine. “Hey girl,” she smiles. Her eyes are a little glassy, but she seems fine.
“Hi guys. How are you?” I ask as Jaxon picks Holly up and sits down in the chair with her on his lap.
“I’m happy,” she giggles. Jaxon rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling at her with affection. Or is it love? I remember what Seb said about the two of them.
“I can see that.” I smile back. Holly chats about school and friends of hers as she sips her beer.
“I’m hungry,” she announces, looking around. “Let’s roast marshmallows. Come on Summer. They always have marshmallows down by the bonfire,” she tells me, standing up. I look around at the crowd. Can I get through without anyone bumping into me? I’m not sure. The crowd is getting drunk quickly.
Nibbling my bottom lip, do I ask one of the guys to come with me? Seb and E are still talking to the group surrounding them. Alex is talking to a different guy now. I look at Nick, who is already watching me, and raises an eyebrow. “Need to get to the bonfires,” I point.
He nods and stands up. “Bay,” he yells. Bay looks over at us standing and at the crowd and nods, getting up too.
“Yay,” Holly exclaims, pushing her way through the crowd with Jaxon on her heels. Bay offers his hand, and I grab it as we follow behind them, Nick taking my back. We make it out and away from the patio without incident, so I let go of Bay’s hand as Nick steps up to my other side. Holly stops at the farthest fire where I see a table set up with water, roasting sticks, and s’mores supplies.We each grab a stick, and Bay grabs a chocolate bar, a bag of marshmallows, and a box of graham crackers.
We sit on a bench as Bay places marshmallows on our sticks for us. I get my marshmallow close to the fire to brown it, but Holly just sticks her marshmallow right in the fire, then blows it out. “It’s faster,” she shrugs, “and I’m hungry.” Jaxon helps her make a s’more, and she’s soon moaning her delight as she devours her food. Chuckling at her, we all enjoy our s’mores. Alex joins us shortly after.
“I need to pee,” Holly shouts, jumping off Jaxon and running for the house as Jaxon gets up to follow her. He passes the hot girl I saw having sex with Nick as he moves through the yard.
She heads towards us and plops down on Nick’s lap with a 6 pack of beer. Snapping a cap, she hands him one, then opens one for herself, setting the rest on the grass. Nick says nothing, not pushing her off. Interesting. Seb said he didn’t date, so this must be a regular hookup.
