Page 107 of Go Find Less
Clearly these women have been planning this day, and I’ve been out of the loop, because from her tote, Alex produces a bottle of tequila and sets it down on my kitchen counter, pushing her oversized sunglasses on top of her head.
I lean toward Piper, whispering, “There was a group text for this that I was left out of, wasn’t there?” She gives a knowing smile, patting me on the shoulder and then turning to her best friend.
“I think Seer can help with that one.” She hitches a thumb back at my fridge. “I stocked up on a few options for mixers, for them and for us.” And just like that, Piper’s made herself at home in this house, and all I can think to myself is that it’s about damn time someone did.
Piper
Several hours, and several pitchers of margaritas later, we’re lounging on the patio while Seer wades in the shallow end of the pool, bringing handfuls of water onto her shoulders. She’s reapplied the “waterproof” sunscreen about four times, and I can’t blame her - if I was that pale, I’d be careful too.
“So let me get this straight,” Frannie says from the lounger next to me, taking a deep draw from her cup. “You didn’t know this kid existed for years.”
“Correct.”
“And when you found out, his parents said the mom was crazy and making shit up?” Seer adds from the pool.
“Also correct,” Alex says.
“But then they decided the DNA test was wrong, it’s his kid, and you’re what’s standing in the way of him having a picture perfect little family back in bumfuck, Kansas? Not…you know, cancer?” Frannie sounds less sure of her question the longer it goes on, but I laugh.
“Yes. Yes to all the crazy shit, it happened, I have receipts.”
“So do I,” Vic chimes in from his seat next to Carla, where they perched at the outdoor dining table a little while ago.
“Fuck me, Piper.” Seer shakes her head, dipping down until only her head is above the water line. “I mean, you and I both know there’s never an excuse for alcoholism, but damn if that shit wouldn’t put me over the edge.”
I shrug - I’m so used to talking about all of this, so desensitized to it, that sometimes I forget how crazy it sounds.
“No, ma’am,” Carla says, sipping on a glass of the cherry limeade that Seer made for us. “Don’t act like you didn’t wade through a river of piranhas and come out still breathing on the other side.”
“Thanks for that visual.” Vic shudders, and Seer splashes water at him playfully. “Hey, now, I’m not disagreeing.” He looks between Seer and I, like he’s assessing how much I’m willing to share with our new friends - my second shrug tells him what I’m thinking. I have no secrets anymore. My entire life played out on social media like a fucking Lifetime movie. The least I can do is let these women in on that part of me, that part that so impacts my relationship, or whatever I have, with Fitz. “I had to speak at that funeral.” Vic drinks down the rest of his margarita in one gulp before continuing, rolling back his tan shoulders like he’s trying to push the words out of his chest. “I watched the way they pretended like you didn’t exist, like none of us existed.” He nods his head toward Alex, the only other person who was there that day with us. “And it fucking sucked.”
Frannie lets out a deep exhale, tossing back her margarita too and then picking up her phone from the side table. “I don’t know how you did it without going crazy.”
“I mean, I didn’t do it without going crazy.” I laugh half-heartedly, sipping at my own drink. “I pretended I was fine, and eventually I couldn’t pretend anymore, and I just drank until I couldn’t feel anything.” I swallow, the lump in my throat forming as I see Alex looking at me from the corner of my eye. “And then the people who care about me pulled me out of a really dark, deep hole.”
“That one,” Seer says, pointing at Frannie next to me, “is a huge part of my sobriety.” She leans on the white tiled edge, crossing her arms in front of her. “My rock bottom, was…” She makes a face that screams the word “yikes,” but points to her ear, and from here I can just see the end of a hearing aid, similar to what my grandad had before he died. Discreet and small, but packs a punch.
“You rang?” I turn in my seat to see Fitz at the door, sliding it closed behind him and looking at his sister. He’s been inside most of the day, working on a project I think mostly to let us have some girl time - you know, plus Vic. Over her shoulder, Frannie snaps her fingers, holding up an empty glass. Clearly she summoned him from her phone.
“More libations, dear brother.” I snort as he rolls his eyes, looking at Seer in the pool.
“There’s another pitcher in the kitchen,” she says simply, adjusting her short ponytail. “Just add some ice before you bring it out.”
“Any other requests?” His tone is sarcastic, at least, I read it as sarcastic, but I can tell that Vic, Alex and Carla are unsure and immediately look at me for my reaction.
“You could come out here and join us,” I suggest, and his gaze immediately softens when it meets mine.
“Let me finish up the email I’m working on, and I’ll be back out here.” He gives me a small smile before turning back through the door.
“Christ on a cracker,” Frannie blurts, and there’s a beat of silence before we all burst into laughter. “What? I’m sorry, did my brother just agree to stop working and come have fun?”
“Trust me,” I start, “it’s almost as startling to me.” I pick up a chip from the bowl next to me and plop it in my mouth.
“I’m telling you, it’s the promise of unlimited head.” Carla knows I’m about to go after her, because she jumps out of her chair, and while she runs away from my aim of one of Roscoe’s tennis balls at her backside, it does successfully hit her in the ass.
“There is no unlimited head happening,” I snap, swatting at Carla with the spicy vampire romance I’d brought outside with me as she walks by.
“From either of you? Because, truly, he has some groveling to do.” Alex gives me a pointed look over her sunglasses, and I hear Frannie make a vomiting noise. “From your blush, though, I’m guessing he’s not a Hollister.”