Elsie’s family was weird. But then, most families were. His sister, the best person he knew, was a recovered alcoholic. And when his parents had been alive, they’d thrown lavish parties that were ten times less interesting than this.
“Here’s the guitar.” Mrs. Bennet handed it over, and Will strummed it, checking the tune. She’d accosted him as soon as he walked in the door, asking if he had a talent to share. He should have known she’d find a guitar. Heck, if he’d asked for a bassoon or a French horn, she’d probably find a way to get those as well.
He hadn’t played in a while and never for a crowd. He quietly strummed, trying to remember chords while keeping an eye on the door. Jane had totally lied to him when she said Elsie was running late. If Elsie had planned on coming to this party, she would have mentioned it when they talked on the phone.
“You play guitar?” Elsie’s little sister wiped a smudge of chocolate off her lip and looked up at him with wide eyes. “Oh, I’m Kat, by the way. And you’re the dude Lydia vandalized. Sorry about that.”
Will bit back a smile. “Nice to see you again.”
“What are you going to play?”
He tapped the edge of the guitar. “I only know two songs. ‘Dust in the Wind’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.’”
“Ooh. Bill Withers. I love that song. Those are both kinda downer songs for a party, though.”
“You know who Bill Withers is?”
Kat shrugged. “Music’s my thing. Not playing or singing. I’m totally tone deaf. But I can name any singer or song from any era. It’s a gift.”
“So ‘Dust in the Wind’ is by…”
“Kansas, duh.”
“Okay, name three other songs by Kansas.”
She raised an eyebrow. “’Carry On My Wayward Son,’ ‘Point of No Return,’ and ‘Song For America.’”
Will was officially impressed. “I only know the first one. I’ll take your word on the other two.”
Charlie tapped him on the shoulder. “She’s here.”
Will looked toward the door and caught Elsie staring at him. She looked beautiful in her red sweater and fitted jeans. He smiled and gave a little wave.
“What’s your talent for tonight then?” he asked, turning back to Kat.
“My talent is being a part of the audience and clapping loud. All I have to do is threaten to sing and I’m off the hook. Oh, and I’d go with ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.’ The girls will melt.”
She blended back into the crowd, and Will tried to make his way over to Elsie. It was a little hard with the guitar. He held it straight up and down so the neck wouldn’t hit anyone. The house wasn’t big enough for the number of people they’d crammed inside, especially with the makeshift stage taking up a quarter of it.
Mr. Bennet stood a few feet ahead of him, smiling, but beneath that, was a look of pain Will recognized. When Gianna pushed herself too hard she often had the same look.
All the chairs in the room were occupied. Will came over and put a light hand on Mr. Bennet’s shoulder. “Man, it’s crowded in here.”
“Yes, it is. My wife lives for this.” His eyes widened when he realized who he was talking to. “Will, I’m so sorry about your car.”
“Don’t worry about it. Though I did want to talk to you about something. Can we head over here?”
Mr. Bennet nodded and followed as Will made a path over to where a set of kitchen chairs lined the wall, all occupied. Collin and Charlotte were sitting with their heads together, looking over a paper on Charlotte’s lap, but Will’s eyes gravitated to their feet. They were both wearing tap shoes.
“Hi, Charlotte.”
She looked up and smiled. “Nice to see you again, Will.”
Collin stuck out a hand, and Will shook it. “Your Aunt Catherine has been trying to get ahold of you. She’s mentioned her frustration to me several times.”
Will nodded. “Thanks for letting me know.” He looked to Charlotte again and motioned with his head to Mr. Bennet.
“Oh, Collin. We should get something to drink before the show starts.”
