I scrub down my dining room table since the charcuterie board won’t be a board at all, it’s going to cover the entire table. It’s going to be a masterpiece. Then, I jump in the shower and put on a baby blue and white, tie-dye cotton onesie. I know Cato’s going to show up with matching tiny undies for everyone, but I’m not feeling it tonight. Something tells me Brie will object, too.
My brain wanders as I methodically slice bread and roll prosciutto. It’s strange how I was so quick to adjust to my new normal. I spent the last four years of my life having the same schedule, the same activities, the same people in my life. All it took was a couple months of being around the Warrens for me to be lonely without them.
I’ve gone back to my previous lifestyle, doing things for myself and hanging out with my friends, but I miss them. All of them. I even miss being bounced on by two tiny humans at 8:00 a.m. after only sleeping five hours. I miss spending Sundays with the family, doing family things. It’s so unlike me, I never even did those things when Mom and Dad were around. I was too busy with friends, or later in high school, with Jax.
Yet here I am, wishing I was spending my Sunday at the boardwalk with sherbet in hand.
I’ve just finished spreading chocolate cherries and fresh blueberries in-between meats, cheeses, bread, pretzels, asparagus, and a hundred other bite-sized food, when there’s a knock at my door.
“I’ve arrived, bitches,” Cato yells from the entryway.
“In here.”
“Holy fucksticks, babe. You went all out.” Cato struts in and snags a chocolate covered strawberry.
I smack his hand. “That’s for the party.”
“Still cranky, I see.” He backs away from the table, cradling his hand.
“I’m fine. Just, you know, off.”
“This is when I tell you that I told you so. Because I told you so.” He places a hand on his hip.
“You and everyone else.”
“Has he called?”
“Nope.” I sniffle, biting back emotion. “I didn’t think he would. I mean, he has so much going on.”
“Don’t make excuses for his sorry ass. If he wanted to he would.”
A knock sounds on the door, saving me from continuing this conversation. Cato runs for the door.
“It’s busty Brie,” he announces.
The beautiful blonde follows him in, a broad, white grin spread across her glossy lips.
“So this is how you guys party.” She sets her bag down on the sofa and darts right to the table of goodness. “It’s about time you idiots invite me to one of these.”
“I figured you needed a little cheering up after what happened with Hank.” Cato’s lips curl back in disgust.
“It’s fine. I’ve accepted I’ll be alone forever.” She swipes a pretzel and tosses it in her mouth.
“Why doesn’t her hand get slapped?” Cato sasses.
“She’s been through some shit. I’m commiserating.”
“Yeah. We’re sad and sad needs carbs to feel better.” She wraps her arms around my middle.
“I wouldn’t worry, Brie. You’re young, hot, and have fantastic tits. You’ll find someone.”
“You still need to fill me in. Cato said things didn’t work out with Archer, but he didn’t say why because Jax was around.”
“I doubt he’d even care. He’s off in la-la land with Mr. Moneybags.”
“Dante’s not so bad. You’d like him.”
“I know. I think I’m just jealous.”
Brie side-eyes me. “You still have feelings for him?”
“God, no. But I’m the one who’s been out and open since high school. I should be the one settled and happy. Not his closeted ass.”
The door opens for the third time, Jarrett and Fernando entering this time.
“We’re here, we’re queer, and we brought wine.” In each of their hands are two bottles of wine.
“It’s going to be one of those nights, huh?” I mumble.
“Duh,” says Fernando.
“First thing’s first.” Cato runs over to his glittery, gold duffel and pulls out four matching shiny blue undies and one shiny pink panty and bra set. “Let’s get comfy.”
The rest of us groan.
“Hell no, man. My dick won’t fit in that.” Fernando gripes.
“He’s right, it won’t.” I agree.
“Wait, have you two battled swords?” Brie’s eyes widen.
“It’s not like there are many options in Brigs Ferry Bay.” Fernando shrugs.
“Hey!” I point a finger at him. “You weren’t complaining when you had your giant dick up my ass.”
“Okay,” Jarrett interrupts. “That’s enough. Cato, we’re not wearing that. Fernando, let’s pop some bottles.”
“Fine, but I am. I want to be comfortable. How about you, Brie?” He puts his hands into prayer position. “Pretty please?”
“Fine, but if you tell Jax about this, you’re dead meat.”
He grabs her hand and they trot to my bedroom, leaving me laughing. Maybe Cato was right and this was exactly what I needed to get things back to the way they were. I had a full life without Archer.
After everyone has wine, food, and are changed into comfy outfits, we gather in the living room. Cato and Brie nestle together on the love seat, a blanket wrapped around them since they’re wearing next to nothing. Jarrett and Fernando are on either of my sides on the sofa.
“So spill. What happened with Archer?” Brie asks.
“Sara happened.” Jarrett crosses his legs.
“I can’t blame Sara. But Archer overreacted when I had to fire Sara. Which we could’ve worked out because the next day he was sorry. Then she tried to kill herself and everything kind of spiraled from there.”
“Didn’t you move in while she was away?” Cato asks, feeding Brie grapes.
“Yes. He didn’t have anyone to watch the kids and I felt bad. We agreed it wasn’t the time to work on us. It’s for the better. He needs to focus on his family and not worry about a boyfriend.”
“You are awfully needy,” Fernando says.
I gape. “And you aren’t, Mr. I-won’t-date-someone-from-Brigs-Ferry-Bay?”
“It’s incestuous. I’ve known you fools my entire adult life.”
“Anyway, he wasn’t ready for a relationship. He lost his partner in a boating accident in Alaska and he has survivor’s guilt.”
“And you had ‘I’m not good enough for anyone because my high school boyfriend wouldn’t leave the closet for me’ guilt,” Jarrett adds.
“Wow. You two are quite the pair,” Brie says.
“Pretty much.”
“It’ll be fine.” Jarrett rubs my knee placatingly. “Give it some time. I did some meditating on it and set some intentions for you. It’d work better if you did it yourself, but someone’s too superior for meditation.”
“What about you, Jarrett? Any prospects on the horizon?” Cato waggles his brows.
“Who, me?” He rests a hand on his chest. “Unfortunately, I think I’m doomed to be a crazy cat gay for the rest of my life. The only thing I’m worried about right now are those bitches across the street trying to steal my business.”