“Ignore her,” Felicity said as she ushered me out of the store. “Kellie Ginly is just a jealous bitch.”
“She’s on the gymnastic team, right?”
Flick nodded. I’d heard the stories. Knew all about Asher’s preference for flexible gymnasts who all looked like carbon copies of one another. Blonde. Big boobs. Tanned legs that went on for miles.
Past preference, I reminded myself.
“Asher hasn’t touched any of them in months,” she reassured me.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Sure it does. You don’t always have to act so tough around me, you know. You’re one of my best friends, Mya.”
“I just hate it, you know? I left Fallowfield Heights because I knew Jermaine was only going to drag me down with him. But being here, the constant stares and whispers; it’s like a permanent reminder of the very thing I’m trying to escape.”
“You can’t let them win. The people who matter, who know you, don’t care about any of that. Asher doesn’t care about any of that. Besides, where’s the girl who told me to stand up for my man?”
“Oh she’s in here somewhere,” I said.
“Well, time to dig deep and find her because the Ginleys are good friends with Mr. Bennet which means Kellie will most probably be there tomorrow night. And if you don’t claim Asher, she’ll have no problem stepping into the role for you.”
My chest tightened as I imagined her trying to make a move on Asher.
“Now I’m certain I should avoid the party.”
“What?” Felicity gawked at me. “Why the hell would you say that? Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”
“Oh I heard you all right,” I ground out unable to think about anything but how hard I’d beat her ass if she so much as looked at Asher tomorrow night.
Because official or not, he was mine.
Just like I was his.
Chapter Sixteen
Asher
The house looked like Buddy the Elf had paid an overnight visit, if Buddy used high end ornaments and garlands to adorn every shelf and flat surface.
“What do you think?” Mom asked, putting the final touches on the main tree. There were at least another three scattered around the house, but this one… this was the showstopper.
“It looks great, Mom.” I grimaced.
“Gosh, just think, this is the last Christmas you’ll be here.” Her voice cracked and I felt like an absolute shit. Me and Dad were all Mom had, and she was right, I was leaving next fall.
“Don’t get upset. I’ll still visit. We’ll still celebrate the holidays together.”
“You’re a good boy, Asher.” She stepped back to admire her handiwork, wrapping her arm around me. “Thank you for doing this.”
“Mom, come on...”
“No, Son. I know this isn’t easy on you and I know you don’t understand why I tolerate your father. But he’s all I have.”
“Hey,” I gave her an easy smile despite the knot in my stomach, “let’s not do this now. It’s your big night. Your guests will be arriving soon.”
“How did I get so lucky with you, my sweet boy?” She rested her head on my shoulder as we both stood there staring at a Christmas tree so perfectly dressed it was impossible to see the imperfections.
Much like our family.
To the outside world we had it all. Money. The big house with the ostentatious yard. A successful career that saw my parents rub shoulders with celebrities and folks so rich it made us look dirt poor. But it was all a front. The shiny perfect life hiding a dark truth.
“Is your friend still joining us?”
Earlier, I’d caved and told Mom all about Mya after she caught me repeatedly checking my cell phone. I’d hesitated at first, but after the disastrous dinner the other day, I needed to have her in my corner.
“I hope so.”
“If she’s even half as special as you say then I’m sure she’ll be here.”
My eyes flicked to the front door. Guests would be arriving any second and within the next hour, our house would become the who’s who of Rixon.
The doorbell rang and Mom clutched her heart, startled. “Goodness, it’s showtime.”
Showtime.
The word echoed through my skull almost as familiar as my own name. She’d said both to me enough growing up.
Time to put on a show.
It’s showtime, my sweet boy.
Let’s take our places.
The script was our lives, our house the stage, and we always performed to our best. But lately, the cracks had begun to show. Mom was more emotional, and I felt myself fall further and further into the black cavernous pit inside me.
“Clark, Karen, so good to see you both.” Mom pulled Cam’s mom into her arms. “Gosh, you look radiant.”
“I feel good, thank you, Julia.”
“And Xander,” Mom craned her head around Karen’s shoulder. “Is he here?”
“Actually, we got a sitter. Thought I’d enjoy a rare evening without a toddler stuck to my side like glue. He’s fast asleep waiting for Santa.”
Mom cast me a wistful glance. “I remember it like it was yesterday. Well, I’m glad you’re both here. Andrew is around here somewhere. Come through, let’s get you both something to drink.”
My friends trailed in behind them, carrying an assortment of gifts and bags.
“What the hell is all that stuff?”
“Ask Felicity,” Jason grumbled. “She insisted on bringing gifts for everyone.”
“It’s polite.”
“It’s overkill, babe.” Jason pecked the end of her nose. “Where’s the bar? I need a drink.”
“Mya?” I asked Flick.
“She’ll be here.”
But she hadn’t rode with them. My gut twisted. Cameron must have noticed my frown because he squeezed my shoulder as he passed me. “She’ll come. Give it time.”
“Jase’s dad isn’t coming?”
Hailee blanched. “He and my mom got into it. They said they’ll be here, but it was bad. I haven’t seen them argue like that in a long while.”
“Rough.” I guess we weren’t the only family hiding secrets. “Looks like we all need a stiff drink then. Follow me.”
The clink of silverware against glass ushered the room into silence. It was standing room only at my mom’s annual Christmas Eve party, the sea of familiar faces all watching my father as he took center-stage to give what I could only assume would be another stellar performance.
I spotted Coach Hasson and his wife, Sandra. Then Jason’s dad, Kent and Hailee’s mom, Denise. They’d finally made it although I’d noticed they hadn’t spoken a single word to one another since arriving. Apparently, the Bennets were better actors than the Ford-Raines.
But one face was missing.
While my friends stood hand in hand with their girlfriends, I stood alone.
I’d checked my cell at least fifty times, wondering where Mya could have possibly gotten to, not wanting to believe that she’d actually stood me up on what was proving to be one of the shittiest nights of my life.