Page 4 of The Season of Secrets
“Okay, I’m not here to style you.” He snorts as he begins to walk down the hall. “You’ve got it from here.”
I close the door, a pang of sadness shooting through me that I can’t call the one person who would know exactly what I should wear.I mean I could call her,but there was a ninety percent chance she wouldn’t answer and a one hundred percent chance she’d call me back two days from now.
I stare at my phone for a moment, thinking about calling my mother before I decide on the next best person. I slide on the skirt and a black long-sleeved top that shows off a tasteful amount of cleavage and my favorite Jimmy Choo heels.
I press the button to Facetime Avery, the girl who lives next door and is the closest person I’ve had to a sister. It’s her junior year of college, and while she went to school in state, she’s still about forty minutes away and probably well on her way to being drunk for the night.
“Hello?” She holds her phone close to her face and whispers.
I frown, wondering why she’s talking so quietly.“Why are you whispering?”
“Because I’m at the library, what’s up!” She pulls the phone away and I see that she’s not wearing a stitch of makeup and her curly hair is pulled into a messy bun. Her hazel eyes are slightly red and I briefly wonder if she’s been sleeping. Avery is like my honorary little sister and I worry about her just like I do about my little brother Lucas.
“Oh, I figured you’d be out partying.”
“Ugh,” she scoffs. “I wish. I have my hardest final exam on Monday before I come home for winter break.”
“Okay, well I won’t keep you, but do I look okay?” I set my phone down and back up. “For my office holiday party?”
“Oooh yes! You look hot,” she whispers with a thumbs up, “but still sophisticated.”
“Thank you, that’s what I was going for! You’re the best.”I clap my hands.
She giggles and blows me a kiss. “Have fun!”
“Good luck with your test and see you next week!” I wave before hanging up.
Thirty minutes later, I’m making my way downstairs after ordering an Uber to grab the bottle of tequila I bought to take to Marissa’s house. Then, the thought hits me that maybe I should take something like champagne or wine and not something that could have people wanting to take their clothes off before we even get to the party.
“Dad! Can I take some of this champagne in here?” I call from his den, where he keeps all of his good liquor.
“Whatever you want, Rae!” He calls back.
I grab two bottles, leaving the tequila behind. I walk through our massive kitchen into the living room to find my dad seated on the couch flipping through the channels and it’s times like this I wish he had a woman in his life. He doesn’t do much but work and hang out with me and Lucas when we’re free, but Lucas goes to college in New York and I usually go out once a weekend. I feel like he’s probably lonely on those nights.
“Are you going out?” I ask, hoping he’s planning to leave the house at some point.
“No.” He shakes his head and sits up slightly. “Do you want me to drive you?”
“Yeah, that’s great. I’ll have my dad drop me off at a party.” I laugh, because I know my dad would drive me in a heartbeat if I wanted him to. “I just wasn’t sure if you had plans. You’re just going to stay in?”
“Yes, Rae.” He laughs. “My partying days are behind me.”
“You don’t have to party, you could go…to a bar and hang out?”
“I could.” He chuckles. “I do not want to.” He gets up and makes his way towards me putting his hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just…don’t want you to be bored.”Or lonely during the holidays.He’s barely dated since he and my mother divorced and I feel like it has to be hard sometimes.
“Well, I appreciate the concern, hon, but I’m fine,” he tells me with a smile. He wraps an arm around me and kisses my temple. “You look beautiful.” He gives me a playful nudge. “Very sophisticated.”
“That’s what Avery said!” I look down at my phone to check the status of my Uber.
“You talked to Avery?” He asks.
“Yeah, I needed a woman’s opinion.” I look up from my phone just as he moves away from me towards the refrigerator.
“How’s she doing?” He pulls out a beer.