Kingston dropped his head into his hands.“We are so screwed.”
Ender patted his back.“It’s okay, brother.You’ve made it this far being Alice’s kid.I’m sure you’ll make it through Eden’s graduation.”
“Uh,” Eden said, raising a hand, “h-how a-a-about we first try to c-c-come up with a guest list?I’m not really w-w-wanting to have to entertain t-t-the whole town of Weston.”
“Fine,” Alice grunted.She clicked her pen and leaned over the notebook.“Rapid fire who we want there.”
Names started flying.
“Jim from the bank,” someone called.
“Mrs.Spangler,” Karmen added.
“Eli from the hardware store.”
“Don’t forget Pete, he fixed the mower last year.”
“Coach Daniels.”
“Eat—” Basil started, then paused.“Wait, is that a person or am I hungry?”
“Both,” Thorn said.
“Don’t forget about Ever and Lark from the Dairy Bar,” Calla added.“We should invite Ever’s parents, too.”
“And her boyfriend,” Clove chimed in.
Something in my chest twisted.
Sharp and unexpected.It hit fast enough that I couldn’t hide it completely.A low groan slipped out before I could stop it.
My dad’s eyes flicked to me immediately.
I shifted in my chair, picking up my coffee like that had been the reason.
“Still feeling like shit?”he asked.
“Yeah,” I said, even though that wasn’t what it was.
Alice kept writing, not noticing anything off.“Ever, Lark, Ever’s boyfriend…”
Boyfriend.
Didn’t like it.
Alice leaned back, looking over the list.“That’s only like thirty names.I think we just need to put it out for everyone to come.”
“Fucking Christ,” Wrecker sighed.“We are not inviting the whole damn town, Alice.I know things are quiet with the Northbound Reapers, but I think we still need to be a bit cautious.”
Alice pouted.“You said we could have a party.”
“Thirty people, plus our club and the Devil’s Knights, seems like a damn big party.”
“More like a rager,” Pipe grunted from the doorway.
Alice tapped her pen against the notebook.“I know there are more people we need to invite.”
“That’s enough,” Wrecker said.
