Lost Along the Way(14)

Just then, the door opened and Jane slid inside. “See, I told you she’d be here,” Meg said as she waved her over.

“I’m so sorry I’m late. I had an audition that ran later than I thought it would and I couldn’t find anything to wear and then I completely misjudged how long it would take me to get all the way up here. You look amazing, Cara!” Jane said as she leaned in to wrap her in a hug. Cara immediately felt herself tense because she could smell the booze on Jane’s breath. Was she really running late because of an audition? Or was she late because she’d rather stop off at a bar with some of her random roommates than celebrate Cara’s engagement with her?

“Were they serving wine at the audition?” Cara asked. She knew she shouldn’t be picking a fight with Jane, but she’d reached her breaking point. Jane’s complete lack of interest in the biggest event of Cara’s life wasn’t something she felt like ignoring anymore. This was as good a time as any to have it out with her.

“Huh?” Jane said. “Why would you ask that? I had a glass or two while I was getting dressed. So what?”

“The ‘so what’ is that you’re two hours late and you had to have wine to come up here?” Cara asked. If she sounded disapproving and judgmental, it was because she meant to. She didn’t think Jane deserved to be let off the hook for her behavior anymore.

“Cara, don’t start an argument. She’s here; that’s all that matters!” Meg said. She looked around to make sure no one could overhear their conversation. “It’s your engagement party. Now’s not the time to do this!”

“No, Meg. I think now is the perfect time to do this. I’d like an honest answer, Jane. Did you really need to get liquored up to come support your best friend?”

“Yes,” Jane said without hesitation, which surprised both Cara and Meg. “If you expect me to party with you all night and pretend that I’m happy you’re going to marry this guy, then I’m going to need some wine. Lots of it, in fact.”

“You’re supposed to be one of my best friends.”

“I am your best friend, and that’s why I’m telling you the truth. If you’re going to call me out for being late and insinuate that it’s because I was partying downtown somewhere, then I’ll be completely honest with you. I’m sorry I’m late because it’s rude, but I’m not sorry that I was spared two hours of watching Reed boss you around. It’s hard to stomach.”

“You’re shameless, and jealous, and it’s sad. I’m moving on with my life, Jane. I’m sorry if that makes you feel abandoned or something, but you don’t have to try to rain on my parade.”

Jane laughed out loud, her eyes wide and glassy from the wine. “You think I’m jealous of you? Are you serious? Cara, I swear to God if I die alone an old shrew in a cardboard box downtown, I still will not be jealous of you. How can you say that to me? I only want what’s best for you, and I’m telling you this is the worst decision in the world. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to pretend otherwise. I can’t do it. I’m not that good an actress.”

“No kidding,” Cara said.

“Now that was just unnecessary,” Jane said, looking legitimately hurt for the first time in a long time.

“I’ll never forgive you for this, Jane.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, and I sincerely hope you get over it. If you’re going to stay mad at me because I told you the truth, then our friendship isn’t as strong as I thought it was. I thought we were supposed to be honest with each other no matter what.”

“You guys, stop. You’re turning this into something much bigger than it needs to be. Let it go. We can talk about it later. Jane, let’s go get a glass of champagne,” Meg said.

“I was also telling you the truth when I said you look amazing, Cara,” Jane said as Meg tried in vain to drag her away. If the compliment was supposed to assuage her anger, it didn’t.

Cara made her way through the crowd and grabbed Reed’s sleeve to separate him from his friends. “Are you having a good time?” Reed asked.

“I was until Jane decided to show up drunk. Do you believe her?” Cara said. “She just waltzes in here almost two hours late and after more than a few cocktails and doesn’t seem to think that’s a problem? She made up some bullshit story about an audition running late, but the truth is, she’s jealous that I’m getting married and she hasn’t gone on a date with a guy in months. Does she think I’m that stupid that I don’t see it? She’s one of my bridesmaids and she shouldn’t be acting like this. What is wrong with her?” Cara’s ire was evident, and she was hoping Reed would say something to soothe her.

“Honestly, Cara, the better question is what’s wrong with you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know why you even talk to her. She’s beneath you. Even if you don’t believe that, she’s definitely beneath me, and I don’t need my wife socializing with deadbeats like her. I don’t know why you even invited her.”

“How can you say that? She’s one of my closest friends; of course I was going to invite her,” Cara said. She found it odd that two seconds ago she had been ripping Jane apart and now she was defending her, but it was one thing for her to insult her best friend; it was another for Reed to do it.