Page 43 of We're All Liars
When I get downstairs, there’re all watching me like they’re waiting on me to sprout a second head. “What is it?”
“A gift from me.” Mom holds out a small velvet box. “Well, kind of from Pawpaw, too, because he gave it to me the day I graduated.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, not wanting to think about how he might be here if Dad had not murdered him. There was no way I could bring myself to tell my mother, not to mention I’d have to say how I pried the information out of him, but Ryder and Cade know everything. Which I’m guessing is why Cade has a supportive hand on my lower back as I open the present.
Once it’s open, I pull out the necklace, a B pendant dangles from the chain as Mom says, “He said it was a reminder that I have Benoit blood and can accomplish anything.”
“Thank you” is the only thing I can think to say. This is why I didn’t want to deal with all of this. It’s all about the sappy shit that doesn’t matter. “Let’s go before I change my mind.” The balcony is starting to look more appealing than the stage.
We ride over to the school in Cade’s truck as I shift against the seat.
“You can sit on my lap if the seat is scratching your ass.”
“Yeah, then I’m sure I’ll have a dick up my ass.”
“Not a bad idea.” He laughs as he reaches over and clasps my hand. A few minutes later, we’re pulling into the parking lot of the school and making our way to the field where there’s a swarm of white. The girls all in white dresses and the guys in their white suits. There’s a teacher walking around passing out yellow bouquet of roses. She goes to hand me one, but I don’t take it. Cade grabs it from her and tells her, “I’ll hold it until she’s ready.”
The woman is happy enough and moves on. “Ready for what? For the ceremony in our virginal white dresses to let them know we’re virtuous?”
“No one thinks you’re virginal,” Topher teases as he runs up behind me, slings an arm over my shoulder, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad you changed your mind.”
“Yeah. I didn’t have a choice.”
Ava makes her way over, standing beside me as the guys start talking about something. Neil hurries up, trying to tuck his shirt into his pants and adjust his tie. “Did you get dressed on the way over here?” I ask him as he grins.
“Nope. Just got dressed in the hallway near Ferguson’s office.”
“Oh my God,” Ava exclaims. “You know he put a camera up to see who was shitting on his desk, right?”
“Yep. And I hacked into the feed and put it on a loop. He really didn’t invest in that great of software. His fault.”
“Wow.” Cade looks at Neil and laughs. “Remind me to tell this story to your kids.”
Neil blushes and Savannah does the same as she tells us, “That is going to be a long time from now.”
“Yep. We’re going to be busy for a few years. Me at Yale andsomeonewill be occupied with her nursing program nearby.”
“But you are coming back to visit, right?” Topher asks Neil who looks more devastated than anyone to be losing his buddy.
“Of course. And y’all can come visit us on break. Or just bail on Tulane and come with us.”
“Dude, I would”—Topher really does seem bummed—“but my little brother needs me nearby.”
I knew that was why Topher bought his house back from the bank to keep his little brother in the same home. And it might be why I accidentally transferred another million into his account. Besides, I owed him after he helped me with the Warren situation. He didn’t stab him in the shoulder, but he did help me get him good enough that he won’t ever be able to get his dick up again.
Ava adds, “And I need him nearby.”
I’m happy for them. I really am. But this is too much. “Let’s get this stupid thing over with.”
Thankfully, the ceremony and posing for a thousand pictures are done and we’re heading to Topher’s after a quick pit stop to change clothes. When we get there, the bonfire is already going. “Guess I’m not lighting it.”
“I’ll find something else for you to set on fire, like marshmallow or something.” Cade finds a spot for us to sit on the side of the levee.
“Can we go now?” I ask after about ten minutes.
“Are you really ready to go? We can’t leave yet.” Cade watches me as I stand.
“Then let’s go get a drink because I’m about to fall asleep.” He reaches up and grasps my hand, pulling me to the ground where he hovers over me. “Great. Now I have grass in my hair.”