“Sure.” I nod. She drops her head, knowing I’m agreeing to get her out of my hair.
She heads out the front door just as Rachel is coming back in with Frisky. They exchange a quick hello, and we close the door behind them.
“Aspen was here early, all good?” Rachel asks. She gives me a look, and I know she knows something. She was at the party last night. I’m sure she has one of the versions of what happened.
“I know you know something, please just tell me what it is so I can get some sleep,” I grumble.
“You know I don’t give in to gossip. Cari posted some videos to Instagram last night. I don’t know if they’re still up, but I took screen recordings just in case, to show you. I didn’t know where you went after the party.”
“What was in the videos?” I ask, confused.
“Last night when you left, there was a bit of talk about you screaming at Cari and how she didn’t handle it so well. Thevideos were posted to her story of her crying on the bathroom floor next to the toilet. And one of her songs, I think, was dedicated to you,” Rachel explains.
“You’re joking?” I deadpan. Cari’s social media brand means everything to her. It was all perfectly curated and scheduled ahead of time. No way would she wreck that by looking drunk and insane for her fans.
“I don’t know if it’s still up, but it was last night.” Rachel reaches into her back pocket, unlocks her phone, and hands it to me.
On the screen plays a video of Cari, mascara streaking down her cheeks. She’s in the living room of the party, with what looks like a Cheeto in her hair, singing at the top of her lungs. I have to really listen, but I realize it’s the song ‘Death of a Bachelor’ by Panic! At the Disco. Cari sings the lyrics off-key:
Alone at a table for two, and I just wanna be served
And when you think of me, am I the best you’ve ever had?
Share one more drink with me, smile even though you’re sad
Then the video changes, she’s in a different room, first just a close-up of her face, like she’s just opened her camera. She’s got her head resting on the white porcelain that must be Aspen’s toilet.
“Well, don’t listen to me, guys. Apparently, I know nothing. I thought—” She stops to gag, I think she’s about to throw up on camera, but she stops. “I thought this was something real. I thought she liked me, but of course not. I was so stupid. How could I wreck everything? Everyone is better off without me. I always wreck everything.” She starts sobbing, and then the video cuts off.
“Holy shit.” I hand Rachel back the phone. Cari looked like she had hit rock bottom.
“I don’t think it’s your fault. I know there was a lot going on last night. But I thought you should know, people thoughtmaybe you broke up with her or something. I tried to clear up any rumors I heard, but you know how gossip is.” Rachel frowns.
I pull out my phone to see if there’s anything still posted from last night. But everything seems to have been taken down; no wonder Aspen was checking in on me. Cari looked absolutely wrecked. I knew she wasn’t going to take this well, but did she do all of this because of me?
Chapter Nine
CARI
“Rise and shine, babe!” River shouts, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
Why the hell is my head pounding so hard? My mouth is as dry as the time I tried those terrible homemade gummies in college. I groan and open my eyes as much as they’ll allow. River is sitting on the edge of the bed holding a glass of water in one hand and something else in the other.
I eagerly grab the glass of water and sit up. Then I open my eyes properly, trying to ignore the hammering in my head when I see she’s holding out two white pills. Ah, right, last night was the Halloween party. I must’ve gotten drunk, and that’s why I am in pain. I guess I decided to sleep in the guest room instead of heading home.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“Are you awake this time?” River looks at me.
“Yeah?” I don’t know what she means.
“You woke up three hours ago, and I tried talking to you, but you fell back asleep.” River sighs. Her mouth forms a hard line, and I realize now that she’s pissed at me. It happens rarely withus, but when she’s pissed, this is the look she gives me. Flared nostrils and all.
“What happened?” I try to be as alert as possible.
“You were a train wreck at the party last night. An absolute mess, but I’m guessing you don’t remember any of that?” she asks. I shake my head, but then wince at the pain. “I have no idea how much you drank, but I’m seriously worried about you. Do I need to check you into rehab or something?”
“What? No. This is the first time I’ve been drunk in like a year. Why would you say that?” I ask.
