Page 26 of When You're Home
“That’s practical,” she muttered.
“I know.” Tori shrugged. “But that’s Paul.”
“Well, we got you something together.” Lia pulled an envelope out of her back pocket.
“You guys,” Tori warned. “Seriously. I don’t need anything.”
“Oh, stop. We knew better than to buy you booze or bring any other party favors up here tonight. But you couldn’t expect us to do nothing for our favorite girl.”
Tori accepted the envelope as both of her friends watched and waited for her to open it.
“I’m not going to be able to see anything up here,” she muttered to herself. It was true. The Perry Farm was on the far side of town, part of the original township, and there wasn’t another house for at least two miles on either side.
“Just tell her what it is,” Cory demanded.
“Fine,” Lia relented. “We got you a salon gift certificate. I saw you weren’t on the schedule next Friday or Saturday, so I assume Rhett has something special planned for your birthday?”
“Yeah, there are some plans,” she admitted. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her friends. But no one really knew the details of her arrangement with Rhett, aside from the fact that an arrangement existed. It was just easier to keep things separate from their friends when they had already blurred so many lines together.
“’Kay, you can be like that if you want. There’s enough on the gift certificate for a haircut and a bikini wax, in case that’s required for your secret plans.”
Tori felt her face flush in the dark. She gave Lia a playful shove, forgetting for a moment that they were sitting fifteen feet off the ground.
“Victoria! Did you really just try to push me off the damn roof?” Lia was already laughing as she returned Tori’s shove and looped an arm through hers.
“You know we love you. And we both just want you to be happy.” Lia’s voice was lower now, her tone more serious. “Happy Birthday, Tor.”
Tori felt the blush in her cheeks deepen. She was touched by their gift and equally appreciative that they didn’t push for more details about her plans with Rhett. She really did have the best friends.
“Thanks, guys. Seriously. I love you both.” Tori linked her other arm through Cory’s as a quietness fell over the trio. Cory and Lia sipped their drinks while they all listened to the soft moos out in the pasture.
“Okay, enough birthday talk,” Tori finally broke the silence. “I feel like the three of us haven’t hung out in ages. I need all the updates. Should we start with who’s sleeping with Jake?” She knew Cory and Lia had both been with the guy in some capacity over the last few months, but she had no idea where things stood between any of them now.
“No comment,” Lia replied automatically.
“That’s not fair, Lia! Don’t put me on the spot,” Cory protested. “Your Jake baggage is way heavier than my Jake baggage. Honestly, mine’s barely baggage. It’s a carry-on. No, no, wait. It’s the personal item you get to bring on the plane in addition to the carry-on.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Lia laughed, taking another sip of her drink. “There’s just not that much to tell.” She shrugged, finishing her beer and crushing the can flat.
“So no one’s hanging out with Jake right now?” Tori clarified.
“I’m definitely not,” Lia replied quickly before continuing. “We had a thing going on around the holidays. I blame all the twinkle lights and ornaments Mike hangs above the bar. Jake just looked extra yummy and very much available a few months ago. But he’s a fuckboy, and he’s always been a fuckboy. I told him I didn’t see us going anywhere long-term and he bolted.” There was a sadness to her explanation. Tori knew there had to be more to the story.
“Aurelia,” she sighed, pulling her best friend into her for a side hug. She squeezed Lia’s shoulder softly before turning to Cory.
“And what says you, Mr. Personal Item?” Tori felt Lia smirk against her shoulder.
“I mean, Jake’s hot. He’s loud, and he’s charming, and we all know he’s secretly rich. He’s like the rowdier, bisexual version of Rhett.” Cory gave Tori a pointed glance. “He’s been flirting with me on and off since last summer, then he finally made a move in the walk-in last month.”
“You guys! Sitting on the roof. Making out in the walk-in cooler at work. These are things we are seriously too old for now!” Tori admonished them.
“Oh, we did more than just make out,” Cory confessed.
“Uh, yeah. I walked in on it. Can confirm,” Lia added.
“So let me get this straight.” Tori turned to Lia first. “You were hooking up with Jake and pushed him away, then you walked in on him and Cory hooking up? Why aren’t you two upset with each other about this?” she demanded. She knew Lia and Cory were close, but she also recognized she was the glue that held their little group together. Had they just been pretending to get along for her sake?
“I literally had no idea about Jake and Lia’s… thing… when I hooked up with him,” Cory defended himself.
