Page 56 of Waiting For Ever
“So where is Mr. Wonderful? You should’ve brought him.” My mom keeps arranging the snack board like me having a boyfriend (if he is my boyfriend) is the most natural thing in the world.
“Working. He had to fly to L.A. to meet Allie for some work stuff.”
“Mom, Julian is internet famous. Some workout videos of him went viral on YouTube.”
“Okay, someone better pull those up.”
“I got rid of my social media a long time ago, so I’ve never even seen them. And we don’t have time for that right now. Later, okay? And where are the cupcakes?”
“Garage fridge,” they say in unison.
I just ducked my head into the fridge when I hear her voice. “Everly. I figured we’d see you here. How are you?”
Kendall.
Her saccharine voice drips fake kindness. We left the rolling garage door open because our garage has always doubled as a game room with a pool table and dart board. First with my dad and his military buddies, then with Via and her friends through high school and college. Most people use the garage like a front door.
I straighten up and turn around, my back to the wide opening, and face Kendall. She stands between me and the door that leads through the laundry room into the kitchen and my family—the only people who have my back in this town.
Chase stands next to her looking like he wished the floor would open and swallow him. As he should. He could’ve cleared all this up a long time ago. When it first happened. He and I both know I didn’t come on to him and that we didn’t sleep together. His guilt casts his eyes to the floor he’d seemingly like to fall through while he shuffles from foot to foot beside her. What did I ever see in these two? They look fake and plastic and . . . small to me now.
“Look, Kendall. Today isn’t about any of us. It’s for Ryan and Via. Can you just not? We can ignore each other.”
“Can I not? I just asked how you’re doing. And I haven’t done anything but be the victim here. We both are.” She gestures to Chase. “You took advantage of our kindness and Chase’s drunken state to sleep with him.”
“I didn’t sleep with Chase, and he knows it.”
“So do I.” Julian’s voice hits me like a cleansing wave just before his arms snake around my middle, pull me back into his chest and squeeze just a little. Every cell of my body exhales as he dips his head, his nose nuzzling just behind my ear, and places a soft kiss on my neck. “Hi,” he whispers in my ear.
“Hi.” I close my eyes at his embrace. When I open them, Kendall and Chase are both staring, mouths agape.
“Chase, we’ve already met. Kendall, is it? I’m Julian, Everly’s boyfriend. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but we both know that’s not true. Shall we go inside and celebrate the happy couple? Or should we discuss how you and your boyfriend lied about my girlfriend and how I know it’s true?”
“C’mon, Chase. We don’t have to listen to this.” Kendall grabs his hand to pull him inside.
“You’re right,” I find my voice. “You don’t. But if you think you’re going to continue your drama and bullshit inside, you can leave now. Today is for Via and you’re not going to fuck with it like you fucked with me. Your choice.”
“I think she means it, guys.” I hear the smirk in Julian’s words.
Then I see Via poke her head through the door, probably to see what’s taking me so long. She takes in the scene, and we make eye contact just before she realizes Julian is behind me. Ignoring Kendall and Chase, she squeals, “Oh my God, Julian? You made it. Ev said you were out of town.”
“Flew in just now. Didn’t want to miss it. Congratulations.”
That Via acted like she and Julian were old friends made me giggly. This is why Via fits in so well with the fake, plastic crowd. Not that she’s fake herself, but that she knows how to play their game. Maybe better than they did.
“Get in here and meet our mom.”
“We’ll be right there. I’m going to help Ever—ly carry the . . .”
“Cupcakes,” I fill in the rest of the sentence for him.
“Okay cool. Oh hey, Ken. Chase. C’mon in. Thanks for coming.” Via ushers them inside and closes the door behind her, but not before giving me the eyebrows.
I roll my eyes and turn to face Julian.
“Hi, pretty girl.” His finger traces circles around my ear—a habit that soothes me.
“Hi, Julie.” I kiss him, fully. I kiss him so long and deep that we’re both breathless when I pull away. “Perfect timing. How’d you even find me?”
