Life of the Party

by Christine Anderson

  I bit my lip as he bleared victoriously at me, obviously drunk. He approached me unsteadily, grasping my wrist a little rougher than intended and wrapping it around his back, then taking my other hand in his clammy palm. I stiffened at his touch and deliberately looked at anything but him as we moved about the dance floor.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with you.” Craig spoke finally. His breath smelt like wine. He scoffed and glared in Grey’s direction with total repugnance. “Why would you want someone like him? He’s got nothing.”

  “Actually, he’s got everything I want.” I retorted.

  “Yeah, he’s got looks. Those don’t last. I’m talking money.”

  “I don’t care about money.”

  “You say that now, but, you’ll change your mind, someday. By then, it’ll be too late. You’ll be kicking yourself for missing out on this opportunity.”

  I shook my head, determined to ignore him. We waltzed closer to my parents’ table, where my mother took the opportunity to smile and snap pictures of us.

  “Just look at them. Don’t they look great together?” She was exclaiming, loud enough to be certain that Grey could hear her. I groaned and shot her a look. It was obvious what she was getting at, but Mom could keep right on dreaming. Craig and I were never going to happen.

  “See? Even your mother approves of us.” Craig smiled. “I heard them at dinner. They don’t like your boyfriend, do they? Not as much as me.”

  “Like that matters.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Come on, Mackenzie. You know you could do better.” His eyes were bleary, his grin stupid. His hand moved down the bodice of my dress, resting just against the crinoline on the back of my skirt. I moved it back up.

  “No, Craig.” I sighed. “Just drop it, will you?”

  Craig chuckled, grinning at me in amusement. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “You do, do you? And what is that?”

  “You are playing hard to get. It surprised me, actually. But it works, okay? It works. I’m officially interested.”

  “That is not what I’m doing. Trust me.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then explain this ….” He caught me totally off guard. One moment we were the proper distance apart, and the next, his lips were mashed up against mine. A cry of surprise escaped my mouth, but before I could even think to push Craig away, he was already off of me. I staggered back in surprise, watching in stunned amazement as Grey’s fist slammed into Craig’s face and sent him sprawling backwards across the dance floor.

  There was a collective gasp from the reception guests as Craig landed on the ground in an undignified heap of Armani, I think a few people even shrieked at the sight. I couldn’t believe my eyes; I couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled from my throat as he struggled to collect himself, his cheek swollen and puffy with the beginnings of a handsome shiner.

  Greg stepped forward to avenge his brother, his face taut with anger, but Marcy grasped his arm and held him back with a quick shake of her head. My mother was absolutely livid; her face flushed deep red as she glanced around in apologetic embarrassment at the appalled wedding guests. Dad merely stood, his mouth hung open with shock and dismay that quickly turned to full on outrage. The veins stood out on his forehead as he turned his eyes to my boyfriend.

  “Are you okay?” Grey was indifferent to the hushed murmurs of the horrified guests and the heated stares from my humiliated parents. His blue eyes were concerned, edged with residual anger as he turned them to me, his handsome face still tense with aggression.

  “Yeah, I’m okay.” I couldn’t help but smile at him. All eyes were on us, everyone had stopped in their tracks—even the musicians stopped playing to see what would happen next, but I didn’t care if they all caught me smiling. I loved that Grey had punched out that arrogant jerk on my behalf. Craig had it coming.

  “Mitch, do something.” I heard my mother hiss as she glared up at my father expectantly. “Get him out of here!”

  Dad’s eyes narrowed at Grey as he cleared his throat and pointed his finger menacingly towards the door. “Son, I think it’s time you leave.” He threatened.

  “What? Why?” I stepped between them, indignant. “For stopping that creep—”

  “No, Mackenzie.” Grey placed his hand on my arm, and his touch was gentle, even though his face was furious. “Don’t …. It’s okay. I’ll go.” He shook his head. “I’ll see you later.”

  His warm hand slid down my arm, and then, under the watchful eyes of my parents, he turned to go. The guests made a path for him like he was a pariah. My mom crossed her arms, her eyes flashing triumphantly, and dad shook his head at me in disgust. My eyes glittered angrily as I glared right back at them.

  I didn’t stop to think, I only knew that I was going with Grey. There was no way I’d stay there—not with them, not after this. I rushed back to my chair to gather my things, and once my mother saw what I was doing, she pounced on me.

  “What are you doing? Mackenzie, you are not going with him.” She whispered harshly.

  “The hell I’m not.” I grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair and took my purse from its safe spot on the floor. She stood in front of me as if to block the way, but I stepped easily around her.

  “Mackenzie Anne. Stop this, right now!” Mom insisted. Her protests fell on deaf ears. I completely ignored her. I paused only long enough to stop before Marcy, whose arms were crossed in fury, her dark eyes glittering with angry tears—and I was shocked to realize that maybe I’d ruined her wedding after all. I was sorry for it. I really hadn’t meant to.

  “I’m sorry, Marcy.” I didn’t have time for anything else. I had to catch Grey before he was gone.

  “Just go.” She demanded. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wasn’t welcome there anymore. But I didn’t care. I turned and fled down the same path Grey had taken, and no one tried to stop me.

  I didn’t look back.

  CHAPTER 38

  The wind sailed over us as we raced down the highway on his motorcycle. I clung to Grey, clad in his large black jacket, feeling just like Allison from my favourite movie Cry-Baby after Wade Walker picks her up from the charm school. My large crinoline skirt blew haphazardly in the breeze; I had to try and pin it down with my hands as best I could while still maintaining my grip on Grey’s muscular waist. He wore only his white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and I wondered how he wasn’t freezing. We’d been riding for a half an hour solid but there was still plenty of highway to go until we reached our little Podunk town. I snuggled down into his warm jacket and hugged Grey closer.

  When I caught up to him back in the lobby at the hotel, his fists were clenched with anger, the tension obvious in his stiff gait as he stalked across the polished floors.

  “Grey!” I had called, running to meet him. “Wait.”

  He half turned to me, his eyes lighting up with surprise, but then shook his head. “I’m really sorry, Mackenzie.” He walked on. “But I have to go.”

  “I know.” I panted, keeping pace with him. “I’m coming with you.”

  That stopped him in his tracks. He whirled to face me. “What?”

  “I said I’m coming with you.”

  “But … the wedding … your family … they’re going to be pissed at you.”

  “I don’t care.”

  Grey had stared at me a moment, hesitating. For a brief moment the scowl set upon his lips was replaced by the smirk I loved so much. He shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to me, the internal debate resolved.

  “Then you’re going to need this.” He stated, grasping my hand. “Come on.”

  Now I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist; my fingers could feel the taut, warm muscle of his abdomen beneath his thin white shirt. I felt so alive at that moment, clinging to Grey’s hard form, escaping from those that would come between us to ride off into the sunset. It was a warm summer night; the sun had just sunk below the horizon, bathin
g the sky in deep blues and purple, vibrant orange and pinks. I was exactly where I wanted to be at that moment, I would go wherever he would drive me, I’d be happy so long as we were together.

  There was something in the air. Something thrilling, I could feel it. Like the fire from our earlier stolen moments had been banked, and now the wind was feeding the flames, igniting them to burn hotter and hotter as we inched nearer to his empty house. The air was charged almost, thick with anticipation, like watching a lightning storm approach from the distance. I wondered if Grey could feel it too, the current of electricity pulsing between us. He was pushing the motorcycle unnecessarily fast, as if trying to cool the unbearable heat with the rushing, freezing wind. I was calm but breathless, excited—my racing pulse had nothing to do with the exhilaration of the wind in my face as its fingers twisted through my hair and breezed over my skin until my very nerves stood on end, and had everything to do with Grey.

  When at long last we finally pulled up before his house, it was totally dark outside. Anticipation tingled through me and I bit my lip in frenzied excitement, climbing slowly off the bike, my heart thrumming in my chest.

  “You’re shaking.” Grey noticed as he grasped my hand.

  I just shook my head, unable to speak. I wasn’t trembling from the cold. If anything, I felt overheated from his proximity as we walked together towards the front door. It was cool and stuffy and smelt of stale cigarette smoke inside the darkened house. Grey went ahead of me, flipping on the lights and opening some windows as I stepped out of my ballerina high heels and shrugged out of his coat. The night air felt cool against my heated, dewy skin, but brought no relief to the glowing warmth within me.

  I couldn’t take it any longer. Grey stood with his back to me, his white shirt sleeves rolled up against the hard, dark muscles of his arm, completely sexy and totally irresistible even at that angle. He took some bottles of beer from the fridge and set them on the counter to open.

  “There’s not much for food here. Are you hungry?” He asked casually.

  “No.” Not for food, anyway. I gulped and took a shaky breath, biting my lip.

  “Hey,” Grey smirked, “you okay? You look kinda flushed.”

  “No.” My voice was barely audible. Then, with some nerve I didn’t know existed, I kept his eyes locked in my gaze, and with a trembling hand I slowly undid the zipper on the back of my dress. Grey watched me, stunned, his blue eyes burning as the gown fell to my feet—crinoline, sequins and all. I saw his fists clench, his jaw tense. I stood before him in nothing but my black strapless bra and lace underwear, letting him take me in; his gaze languid, savouring. Then, with one last brazen shred of daring, I reached up and pulled the pins from my hair until the black curls were tumbling wild and free, cascading around my shoulders.

  “Mackenzie ….” His voice was low, throaty and uneven. He seemed to be hesitating, but even then, he couldn’t rip his eyes away. Grey stared at me in awe, his fists clenching tighter as if to keep from reaching for me. “… Are you … sure?”

  “Yes.” I declared breathlessly. “Yes, Grey … please ….”

  In a matter of moments I was in his strong, warm arms, his lips furious—feverish against mine as he crushed me to him. I kissed him back with just as much fervour, my hands in his hair; cupping his face, pulling open the buttons of his shirt … I couldn’t get enough of him. I couldn’t be close enough to him. My heart sailed with happiness; my lips smiled as I kissed him everywhere that I could reach.

  “I love you, Grey, I want you …,” I whispered into his ear. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he lifted me up against him, and staggering with passion, he carried me down the hallway and into his bedroom.

  I was no longer a virgin. The thought made me smile, like now I was part of some exclusive, special club, like Grey and I had this great secret to share. I had never imagined being so intimate with someone, so totally … naked in every sense of the word. I loved it. It was everything I’d ever wanted, and more. Thrilling, pleasing … just … satisfying. I sighed contentedly and blew the smoke from my mouth, thankful I’d waited all those years and finally done it with someone I actually loved.

  I’d felt so safe the entire time, Grey made sure I felt that way. Even in the heat of the moment, in the throes of utter lust and passion he’d held back, forcing himself to stop until he knew for sure that this was what I wanted. His eyes had been so brilliantly blue, so full of care and concern for me when he asked that I would’ve said yes anyway, even if I hadn’t been one-hundred percent certain.

  He was relaxed now, his face was peaceful, satisfied as he lay back against his bent arms and smoked. I cuddled up against his chest, my arm thrown over him, my fingers trailing lightly down his taut skin. It was dark in his room; his bedside lamp cast dim light upon us and threw long shadows across the band posters covering the walls. The moon was almost full; it shone brightly in the summer night sky, glowing in through the uncovered window to rest gently upon our bare skin.

  “When do you have to go back to the city?” My voice was faint; I was already saddened by just the thought of his departure. Now that we’d started exploring these unchartered waters, it seemed a total shame to drop anchor for the next few weeks. I was eager to discover the unknown, impatient to continue the adventure. Like everything I’d every experienced with Grey, once I got a taste, I only wanted more.

  “My flight leaves Monday morning, early. It was the first I could get …. The guys will probably be pissed at me for not being back sooner.”

  “Monday?” I was elated by the news. “Really? That’s awesome.” That meant I got Grey to myself for another whole day. I shivered excitedly and smiled. “I’m sorry about the guys, though. Were they mad that you left?”

  “Yeah. Well … more like … they didn’t understand it.” Grey chuckled wryly. “I didn’t understand it either, really.”

  “Didn’t understand what?” I turned my head to look up at his face.

  “Well …,” he avoided my gaze, like he always did when struggling for words. “I mean … there I was … in the studio, doing the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do … and I couldn’t stop thinking … about you.”

  “About me?” I couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes. You.” He cleared his throat. I nestled back against his hard chest.

  “Then … why didn’t you call?” I wondered. It just didn’t make any sense to me. “I wanted to hear from you so badly.”

  “I know ….” He rubbed my arm. “I’m sorry. It was stupid. I guess I just … I’m not used to … needing people, you know? I’ve always just kind of been on my own; I’ve never really needed anyone else. But then, when I was gone … when I realized how badly I missed you … it scared me. I tried to deny it; I didn’t want to admit how badly I … need you. But I do.” He stroked his hand through my hair, sending little shivers through me. I listened intently. “I thought it would get easier, but it didn’t. I just had to accept it. And once I did, I knew I had to see you. I couldn’t really take it anymore. I wanted to call you then, but I wanted to see you more, and I knew the moment I heard your voice, I’d give it all away. It was hard, but I wanted you to be surprised.”

  I smiled, touched by his admission. I loved that he needed me just as badly as I needed him, the thought made me happy. “Well, I was surprised. You have no idea.”

  “Good.” Grey smirked. His lips spread into a grin, and then he chuckled. “But not as surprised as Craig Donovan was.”

  “No.” I laughed with him, remembering the way Craig had flailed across the dance floor, picturing the look of total shock on his face when Grey punched him.

  “I don’t know, maybe it was stupid of me. But it felt really, really good to hit that guy.” Grey mused. “Just listening to your parents rant and rave about him all night, I mean, it’s obvious that they’d prefer you with someone like him.” Apparently Grey hadn’t been as impervious to their little comments as I thought. “And then seeing him kiss you … I just … I
guess I lost it.” His fists clenched unconsciously at the memory.

  “I’m glad you did. He deserved it.” I sighed. “And, Grey … I’m sorry about my parents. I had no idea they’d be so … horrible.”

  Grey shrugged. “Whatever, it’s fine. I didn’t expect them to welcome me with open arms or anything.”

  “Why not?” I frowned. “You deserve that much.”

  “Because Mackenzie,” Grey smirked at me again, like I was missing something obvious. “Look at me. I’ve got nothing. I’m a twenty-one year old cook; I’ve got no house, no education … nothing but my guitar and some lyrics and this crazy hope of making it big. I’m not exactly the guy parents dream about for their daughter.”

  “But that’s not fair.” My frown deepened. “To just judge the outside stuff, the stuff that doesn’t even matter … it’s so stupid. If they gave you an actual chance and really got to know you, I know they’d love you … just as much as I do.”

  “I doubt that.” He shook his head. “You’re blind, Mackenzie. I mean, you think I’m this amazing guy, but I’m really not. I’m a loser, a total screw-up. Everyone can see it but you.”

  “Grey,” I was appalled. “You are not a loser. I will never forgive them for making you feel that way.”

  “Everyone in that room was thinking the exact same thing when they saw us together. Even I’ve been thinking it.” He looked down at me then, his smirk fading seriously. “You could do better, you know.”

  “Better?” I repeated, as if trying to make sense of the word. “How could I do better?” I sat up slightly so he could see the sincerity in my expression. “Who else would leave the studio … their dream … just to be with me for a weekend? You … you take care of me; tonight you gave me your coat and went without, just so I wouldn’t get cold. And you cared enough to wait for sex until I was really, truly ready. Who else would do that?” My voice was soft, earnest. “Grey, trust me, there is no one better for me than you.”