Adriano comes clumping in, wearing one of the suits they make for NBA players. Doc whoops and cheers but I think he looks terrible. Adri’s at his best when he’s knee-deep in dirt and deer guts. Formalwear always makes him look like a caveman that got unfrozen ten seconds before he’s due in court. He seems to know it too, rolling his eyes at me and heading straight for the bar. He picks up Eli’s crystal decanter of scotch and drinks straight from it.
“Calm down,” Doc warns. “We need to stay sharp for this thing.”
But Adriano ignores him and keeps swigging from the decanter until Eli himself walks in looking like James Bond in his tux. He studies us with unsurprised irritation. “Of course, this is where I find you.”
“We’re ready, aren’t we?” Adriano shoots back. “And you can’t make us go to this thing sober.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Eli holds his hand out for the decanter and takes a drink. Smiling, he passes it to me. “Need help with your tie?”
“Yup,” I say, pulling the tie from my pocket. We swap, my Armani tie for the scotch, and by the time I’ve had a few swallows the tie is perfectly knotted. I slide it over my head feeling lame and grateful. I hand the decanter to Doc who refuses.
I frown at him, my expression mirrored on the face of the others.
“You’re not drinking?” Eli asks. “You?”
Doc raises his hands. “Is that so shocking?”
“Yes,” we say in unison.
Adriano narrows his brows. “What’s going on? You’re on something aren’t you?”
“No!”
All three of us keep staring at him until he raises his hands. “Fine. I’ve taken asmallamount of blotter acid.”
“…There it is,” Eli says to the ceiling.
“And molly,” Doc adds. “And ketamine. And half an Adderall. And I’ve got backups in case it all goes to shit.”
“For fucks’ sake Doc… Where’s the logic in that?”
“Fuck you, I’m nervous and I can’t get drunk ’til we’re at the reception and I know Parker isn’t gonna do anything.” Doc runs a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “We’re taking our girl into the eye of the hurricane. Who knows what might happen?”
It’s surprising to hear Doc say exactly what I’m thinking. Though he is by his own admission, high as balls. The four of us stand there feeling the weight of his words. Who knows what might happen? With the Whitehalls, with Parker, with anything?
There’s a small knock on the door.
“Guys,” January calls. “Can I come in?”
All of us straighten, the air of confused uncertainty vanishing along with our frowns. None of us want to worry her.
“Get in here, Tits,” Doc yells. “I wanna touch your dress. I want to stroke it like a cat.”
I groan. “Yup, that’ll be the molly.”
The door creaks open and January sticks her head around it. Her hair is piled on her head in an elaborate crown and her pink gown is covered in shimmering crystals, lightly scattered on the top but a rainbow forest at the hem. She turns, revealing her glittering train and pale back. “What do you think?”
“You’re stunning, Pryntsesa,” Adriano growls.
“Perfect,” Eli adds as Doc smooths a hand over her middle. “Mmm, silkyandbumpy.Textural.”
January smiles but her color is off. She’s white underneath her rosy cheeks, and she’s shaking a little, you can see it in her chandelier earrings.
“Are you worried, JJ?” I ask.
She nods.
“About the singing or Mr. Parker? Or your stepmother?”
