Cadence said nothing.
“I’m not trying to throw anything in your face. I know you’re hurting, okay? But I thought maybe if we all hung out, it would ease some of the tension,” Avery said. “I want you to be happy.”
Cadence didn’t even know what that meant. How would hanging out with Avery and Dylan make her happy? It was a stupid comment, and it pissed her off.
“I’m super, actually.” She checked her cell phone. “And late. I’ve gotta go.”
“Leave the attitude when you come over,” Avery said. “This Friday at seven.” She didn’t bother to say goodbye, and Cadence couldn’t care less.
***
It was Oliver and Kim all over again. Massive jealousy mixed with an alarming degree of hatred. Hatred. That wasn’t like Cadence to feel hatred. Only when her alter ego emerged, and she wasn’t there. If she were, she’d have lunged across the table at Avery, who chatted pleasantly about her coursework. Coursework? Who gives a shit? Cadence didn’t know who this chick was. Avery was nineteen. This girl across the table was a little thirty-something grownup talking about thirty-something grownup things. Her plans after graduation. Her 401(k). The girl made minimum wage at a lingerie store, and she had a 401(k)? Fuck your 401(k), Avery, Cadence thought.
“More wine anyone?” Avery offered.
Cadence nodded, and smiled sweetly.
“Did you guys hear about that concert happening at the Tabernacle?” Avery asked as she filled Cadence’s wine glass.
I’m soooo getting drunk tonight, Cadence decided.
“Oh, those local DJs?” Mark asked. “Yeah. I’m getting tickets tomorrow.”
“Already did,” Avery said. She smiled. “I figured we could all go.”
“Since when do you like instrumental hip hop?” Cadence asked. It came out just the slightest bit accusatory.
Avery ignored her tone. “Dylan’s been introducing it to me slowly. At his store,” she said, grinning at her new boyfriend. She reached up and pinched his cheek.
Yep. Getting drunk. Then barfing, Cadence thought.
“Remember how I had to walk you through a record player and how it works, Cadence?” Dylan asked.
“Uh huh.”
“Ditto for this one,” he said, nudging Avery.
“And what do you think about it?” Cadence asked Avery.
“A record player or the music?”
“The music.”
“I like it. It’s chill,” she said.
Cadence responded by shoving a piece of garlic chicken in her mouth.
“Anyway, what do you all think about going?” Avery asked.
The boys nodded. Cadence shrugged.
“I’ll have to check my calendar,” she said.
“Oh, you have a calendar now?” Avery asked, chuckling. It was a patronizing chuckle that sent Cadence over the edge. Internally, anyway.
“Yeah. I do. And I may be hanging with Michael and Carrie that evening.”
“You don’t even know what evening it is because I haven’t said yet,” Avery replied.
“Okay then. What evening?”
“February 10.”
“All right. I’ll have to check my calendar,” Cadence replied. And then she added slowly, “I may be hanging with Michael and Carrie that evening.”
Dylan and Mark eyed each other from across the table. They were good at communicating with one another silently. They learned through several years of bar hopping and serving as each other’s wingman.
This is exactly what I was talking about, Mark’s eyes said.
Fuck you, Dylan’s eyes answered.
“Is there something you need to get off your chest?” Avery asked.
“No. Why?” Cadence replied.
“Because you’re acting like a total bitch right now.”
“So anyway . . .” Dylan interjected. “That movie starts at nine. We better wrap this up if we’re gonna make it in time.”
“I’m sorry you’ve gotten that impression. I don’t know what I said to make you think I’m acting like a bitch,” Cadence said.
“Oh, please. You’ve had an attitude since you walked through the door,” Avery replied.
“I don’t have an attitude. I’m just tired,” Cadence explained.
“Liar.”
“Maybe we oughta get going,” Mark suggested. “You know. For good seats.”
“Don’t call me a liar,” Cadence said evenly.
“Well, that’s what you are. I don’t know what your problem is. I didn’t do anything to you,” Avery snapped.
“I never said you did. In fact, I never said anything about anything. I don’t have an attitude. I’m sorry you think that. I’m also sorry we can’t see the movie with you.”
Cadence hopped up from her seat and threw her linen napkin on the table.
“What the fuck with these napkins?!” she screamed unexpectedly. “Did you actually go out and buy these things?”
“So what if I did?!” Avery yelled back.
“You’re nineteen, Avery!”
“I’m well aware of that, Cadence!”