Four Doors Down(66)

I finally make my way downstairs, my dad looking pointedly at his watch. My mom turns to me in annoyance but breaks out into a smile when she sees me. “Becca, you look beautiful.” My dad grins in agreement with something like pride in his eyes.

“Thanks,” I mumble. Okay, so I made an effort. A big effort. I curled my hair and pulled it over to the side. I’ve made my eyes look all smoky by lining them with kohl eyeliner and the dress my mom bought for me is stunning. It’s a shimmery silver color that clings in all the right places, and the green of my jewelry brings out my eyes. Finally, I’ve added platform heels to give me some extra height. If Ryan’s going to ruin my life tonight, I might as well look good while he does it.

We exit our house and walk the hundred yards or so to the Jackson residence. You can already hear the music playing. There’s a huge tent built in their backyard and tons of people milling around. I lag behind my parents, still hoping for some sort of miracle that will excuse me from this party. The look my mom shoots me tells me I’d better get moving.

We enter through the front door, a man in a waiter’s uniform smiling and holding the door for us. Wow, they really are going all out. I look up and the entire Jackson family is standing just inside greeting everyone. My mother and father rush forward to hug Bill and Kathy. Ryan looks up and does a double take when he sees me. Clearly he wasn’t expecting me to come. You and me both, Ryan.

Lisa looks over at me and practically squeals. She rushes over to hug me. “Becca, you look absolutely stunning.” She gives me a tight hug and turns to her brother grinning. “Doesn’t she look great, Ry?”

He looks over blushing and mumbles something under his breath before turning away. Lisa grins at me wickedly and gives me a wink. What was all that about?

Bill and Kathy come over to say hi, each gushing about how good I look, and Bill makes me promise to dance with him later. Hey, maybe I should make an effort with my appearance more often.

Kathy smiles at me warmly. “We’re actually almost ready to eat. You missed cocktail hour so we’ll have to go straight to the tables.” I nod in agreement and follow my parents through to the tent, their friends smile and greet them, and I almost feel bad for making them late. Almost, not quite.

I’m standing around waiting for them when Kathy comes and wraps her arm around me. “Don’t worry, sweetie, we haven’t put you with us oldies. You’re at Ryan’s table.” I inwardly groan and face the direction she’s pointing to, but there’s only Jake sitting over there.

Okay, weird. I sigh and make my way over.

Jake whistles when he sees me approach. “You look smoking, Becca. Has Ryan seen you?”

I glare at him in response. He chuckles. “I’m guessing you’re still pretty pissed about that scene in the cafeteria?”

“You mean him telling the entire school my private business?”

Jake whistles at my tone. “Yeah, he shouldn’t have done that. But then you shouldn’t have ignored him all week after hooking up with him.” Yup, of course, he knows all about our kiss.

I glare at him and Jake holds his hands up in defeat. “Hey, I’m staying out of this from now on, but you guys should definitely talk tonight. Sort out your shit. He’s been like a caged bull all week.”

Ryan comes over and sits down. I don’t even glance at him, but my heart starts beating faster, especially when Jake gets up and leaves us alone, trying to give us some privacy or whatever.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he tells me.

I shrug in response. There’s not really much I can say to that.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that stuff about Charlie in front of everyone.”

“No shit.”

“I thought you’d gotten back with him.”

“Clearly. You told the whole freaking school.”

He looks away, glancing around the tent and then turns back to me. “I saw him outside your house.” Ah, so he did see us.

“I was telling him to go and not to come back.”

“So you’re not getting back with him?” he asks again, like he needs it reiterated.

“No, Ryan. I am not getting back with Charlie.” He opens his mouth to speak again, but I cut him off. “Let’s just leave it, Ryan, okay? If we talk, we argue. Let’s just get through tonight, then we can avoid each other for the rest of our lives.”

His jaw clenches and his mouth sets into a straight line. He looks pissed at me. Again.

“I’m gonna go get a drink,” I tell him, standing to move away. I’m not thirsty, but I need to get away from him, because right now he’s causing all kinds of mixed up feelings within me that I do not want to have to deal with.




I return to the table just as the first course is being served and concentrate on the plate in front of me while Ryan glares at me the whole time. Great, this isn’t awkward at all.

Jake gets bored of us by the end of the salads and disappears for a couple of minutes. He comes back with a couple of Ryan’s cousins who were clearly seated elsewhere. I nod hello but don’t get involved in the conversation. Whatever, at least now there’s not complete silence at the table. I look around wondering when I can make my escape. I turn back and catch Ryan looking at me with such anger I sink a bit lower in my chair. This night can’t be over fast enough.