No sooner do I speak the words does it start snowing. I roll onto my back and close my eyes, letting the snow fall slowly down to me. The snowflakes dance along my skin, landing on my eyelashes. Snow kisses Mason used to call them. Is this my sign? Is this enough for me to open my heart to someone else with his approval?
I’m crazy for planning this party. I’m not sure what I was thinking except I needed to get my mind off of things and what better way to do it than to have my girlfriends over for a mini party. The music is on and drinks are flowing. The girls are with my parents and we’re having a slumber party. I know it seems childish, but it’s better than driving home drunk.
I carry a tray of nachos into the living room. Josie, Jenna and Aubrey are on the floor, pillows surrounding them. We’ll all in our pajamas; it’s high school all over again. The only thing missing are the boys looming outside, ready to climb up the trestle. I wouldn’t put it past Liam to do that tonight.
“Okay, we should play a game,” Aubrey says with a smile. I’m glad she decided to come and hang out with us tonight.
“Oh, games are fun,” Jenna replies as she reaches for the nachos.
“Josie, these margaritas are good.” I don’t know how many I’ve had, but each one tastes better than the last.
“What game are we playing?” Josie asks.
“How about a slight variation of twenty questions,” Jenna suggests. “Obviously, we know a lot about each other and we’re getting to know Aubrey, but it’s girls night so let’s get down to the nitty gritty.”
“I’m game,” Aubrey says.
“Katelyn, remember when Mason had that party and we played spin the bottle?”
“Oh God,” I choke on my drink when Josie brings that up. “He got so pissed that we never made it into the closet, which I didn’t understand, since we were already… you know.”
“No, I don’t know, tell us.” Aubrey winks and Jenna starts laughing.
I roll my eyes. “You know…” I say nodding my head, but Aubrey just shakes hers. “Fine, we were having sex, so I didn’t see why it was so important to go into the closet. Only later did he tell me that it’s a rite of passage that all boys need to experience. Our next date, he took me to the freaking closet!”
They all start laughing. I can’t contain my laughter and snort so loudly that they all stop, only to start up again.
“Okay, okay, okay,” I say holding my hands up. “Seriously, my husband wasn’t always the most romantic, but…” I lose my thoughts. “Shots,” I call out to diffuse the tension I just created in the room.
Josie lines up the shots of tequila on my coffee table. “Lick, suck and slam, ladies, I’m almost a married woman.”
“Oh shit, that burns,” Aubrey says after she knocks hers back. I agree, but keep that to myself. “One more time,” she suggests, and none of us disagree.
Josie pours and lines them up. We count to three and repeat the process. We break out in a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
“Katelyn, do you think Liam will try and sneak in here tonight?”
“Yes, I do. And probably Nick too, although not at the same time.”
“Were they ever friends?” Aubrey asks.
“Not really. Nick had a crush on Josie and Liam is possessive,” I say. “Nick moved here and just tried to fit in, but Mason and Liam had a solid friendship and it was hard for him.”
“They get along now,” Josie adds.
“Nick really loves Noah, you know,” Aubrey adds with a smile. I know she means well, but this isn’t the time to discuss their odd family relationship.
“I know he does. We’re trying, Aubrey.”
“I know and he appreciates it. Can I ask a question?”
I stop mid-bite and crunch on the chip I just picked up, slowly. I want to hear what Aubrey has to ask. I need a little bit of excitement in my life, even if it’s at the expense of my best friend.
“Sure,” Josie says.
“When Nick asked you about the wedding, you told him that you hadn’t set a date, why?”
Josie shakes her head slightly before looking at Aubrey. She smiles, genuinely and I know she likes her and is glad that Nick found someone.
“It was awkward to talk about getting married less than a year after he and I broke up. I froze and blurted out the first thing that came to me. I meant no disrespect and I’m happy that you’re here tonight.”
The room grows quiet except for the sounds of chips crunching and the music playing in the background.
“Most public place you’ve ever had sex?” Josie blurts out.
I’m going to need more to drink if we are playing sex games.
“Bleachers,” Jenna replies.