Life of the Party

by Christine Anderson

  Hey, happy birthday. I know it’s early, but I wanted to give you your present now. Your flight leaves Friday at 4:00PM and I’ll be there to pick you up. You’d better be ready for the best weekend of your life. See you soon.

  Love, Grey.

  I read and reread the letter over and over again, my lips curving into a smile. Grey and the guys were still at the studio, they’d hoped to be done already, but hit a snag when some of the songs were erased or something. Last time we spoke, he had broken the news that they wouldn’t be back in time for my birthday. I was disappointed—it was hard not to be, but I tried not to let it bother me. Even though it wouldn’t be the same, we could celebrate whenever he got back.

  Apparently, that hadn’t been good enough for him. I nearly squealed with excitement as I pored over the ticket he’d given me, memorizing my flight times and gate numbers. This was by far the best birthday present I had ever received. I couldn’t wait to call him, to say thank you.

  But Charlie came into the kitchen then, still in her pyjamas, obviously hung over from the night before. I smiled at her cautiously. Things had been tense between us lately. I think she secretly hated that Grey and I had reconciled—that he’d been out to see me, that he called me everyday. The moment she’d heard about the weekend we’d spent together and the song he wrote for me, her entire attitude towards me changed, like she resented me now or something. I didn’t go to the clubs with her anymore, I really didn’t want to, I was content enough to stay at home and do some coke and wait for Grey to call. But Charlie went out every night after work and got super wasted, and sometimes she didn’t even come home. I was worried about her, but every time I asked what or how she was doing, I almost got my head bit off.

  “Hey, how you doing?” I wondered politely, causally. Charlie glared at me; her blue eyes glazed beneath her heavy lids, and opened up the refrigerator. I tried not to mind her resentment towards me, even though I really didn’t deserve it. For the most part, I just tiptoed around her and tried to be understanding and patient. The drugs helped.

  “Where’d you go last night?” I set her pile of mail on the counter next to her. She drank some orange juice straight from the container and then wiped her lips on the sleeve of her housecoat.

  “Out.” She replied. She briefly glanced at her mail and took another swig.

  “Was it fun?”

  “Loads.”

  “Cool.”

  That seemed like the extent of our conversation, but it was actually an improvement. We stood in silence for a moment as I opened the rest of my mail, mostly bills. They were the one downside to living on my own.

  “Oh, how sweet,” Charlie’s voice was sarcastic as she picked up the birthday card I’d gotten from my Grandma. “Does this mean you’re going to come out with me this weekend? To celebrate your eighteenth?” She seemed to brighten at the thought.

  “Um … no,” I avoided her hopeful gaze. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Uh … Grey sent me a plane ticket; so I’m going to fly up there for the weekend.” I braced myself for her reaction; I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. I didn’t want to lie to her though.

  Her face fell, her blue eyes narrowing at me. “Oh.”

  “But … you could come with me? I’m sure between the two of us, we can afford another ticket.”

  Charlie chuckled darkly. “Thanks for the pity invite, Mac. I’d love to come and be your third wheel for the weekend.” She scoffed. “Please. I’m not that pathetic.”

  “I don’t think you’re pathetic at all.”

  “Whatever. I can’t come anyway, I’ve got plans.”

  “Charlie, come on. You don’t have plans. Come with me. I don’t like to think of you sitting here alone, all by yourself for the whole weekend.”

  “You worry about me?” She raised an eyebrow, like she didn’t believe it.

  “Yes, I do.” I admitted.

  Charlie scoffed. “Yeah, right. Do me a favour, Mac. Cut the bullshit, and just worry about yourself.” She put the juice back in the fridge and slammed the door shut. The noise made me jump. “Besides, I’m not going to be alone.” She smiled at me, wickedly, and then stalked out of the kitchen.

  I wanted to ask her what she meant. I wanted to beg her not to do anything stupid. But she slammed her bedroom door on my face, just like she had done in our friendship, effectively keeping me out of it.

  CHAPTER 42

  “Can I have a rye and Coke please?” The man next to me requested. I watched as the flight attendant gave him a little bottle of Crown Royal and a Coca Cola. Excitement surged in my stomach. In less than twenty-four hours, I would legally be able to do the same thing.

  I sighed and leaned back against my seat. The plane jostled and my stomach lurched with it. I had never flown before and I wasn’t used to the sudden bumping and dropping of the aircraft, which I found especially nerve-racking at twenty some odd thousand feet in the air. No one else seemed concerned though, so I tried to just relax and enjoy. It was hard to sit still since I was nearly bursting with excitement. I fidgeted, crossing and re-crossing my legs, pulling out my book and putting it away, sighing and staring out the window at the black nothingness outside. I’m sure I was driving the gentleman beside me crazy, but I couldn’t help it. Every minute that passed brought me closer to Grey and my fantastic birthday weekend. My very stomach was tingling.

  It wasn’t long before the landing gear was skidding across the pavement, the plane decelerating so noisily I could barely hear the pilot announcing the current time and temperature. I had made it. Grey was only minutes away. Waiting for the seats to clear ahead of me was almost torture, I bit my lip with impatience as the other passengers took their sweet-ass time collecting their luggage and moseying off down the aisle. Once in the jet way I motored past them and down the hallway.

  I took a few precious seconds to find a washroom and give myself a quick once-over. I wasn’t as put together as I would’ve liked since I didn’t dare ask Charlie for help, but I had picked some things up from her. My hair was up in a messy, punky ponytail; my eye make-up dark and smoky. I was wearing jeans and heels and a tight black turtleneck for the cooler weather, it was a classy outfit. I fixed my make-up where it had smudged and sprayed just a touch more perfume on, then reapplied my lip-gloss. I looked good, grown up, like the adult I was going to be tomorrow. I grinned on my way out the door.

  My heart was pounding excitedly in my chest as I turned the corner at the arrivals gate, searching the terminal for Grey. I spotted him easily; he was even more gorgeous than the last time I saw him. Grey smirked as I approached, his blue eyes taking me in, looking me over with blatant admiration. His dark, messy hair was beneath a hat, he was dressed warmly in a snowboarding jacket and dark blue jeans, and he looked so good. I didn’t want to do the whole embarrassing run-up-to-him-scene, but I couldn’t help myself. He was so close. I couldn’t wait even the time it would take to approach all cool and casually.

  I squealed with pent-up excitement and leapt into his arms, and he chuckled, hugging me to him. I snuggled up against his hard chest and breathed deep his delicious smell, a glorious smile on my face. He’d been gone for weeks, but already it felt like we’d never been apart, like we were picking up right where we left off.

  “I’m so happy to see you.” I exclaimed.

  “Happy Birthday.” Grey smiled and kissed me. “Did you have a good flight?”

  “I guess so. I’ve never flown before so I have nothing to compare it too.”

  “You’ve never flown before?” He laughed and took my bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and then grasped my hand tightly in his. “How did Little Miss Rich Girl make it to eighteen without flying before?”

  I slapped him playfully for the Rich Girl comment as he led me towards the exit. “I don’t know. My parents were always too busy working and studying and shit to take us anywhere.” I explained.

  “Ahh,” he nodded and held the door open for me. We stepped out into the night. It was cooler outside
, but not cold. The wind was brisk, cooling my flushed cheeks as we walked to the rental car—a sleek black Grand Prix that was parked alongside the curb.

  “Nice car,” I admired, getting into the passenger seat. Grey threw my bag in the trunk and then climbed in behind the wheel.

  “Yeah, we’re pretty much high-rollers now,” he shrugged. We laughed together for a moment, and then he turned to me, and his blue eyes were warm as he studied my face.

  “Now that we’re alone,” he smirked wickedly, “I should welcome you properly.”

  I giggled as he leaned across the seat, his hand reaching up to cradle my cheek as he gently kissed my lips. He tasted so good, I had almost forgotten how good. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer; it wasn’t long before my blood became heated, impassioned by his touch. He kissed me deeper, and the warmth of his hands sank through my clothes until I wished again that I weren’t wearing anything at all.

  Grey seemed to share the sentiment. Regretfully he broke away from me, but his breathing was shallow, his eyes narrowed lustily. He sat up and started the engine.

  “We should go.”

  “Where are we going?” I wondered shakily, trying to catch my breath.

  “You and I,” he smirked at me as he pulled into traffic, “are going back to my hotel room.”

  Heat washed through me, anticipation, excitement. “Yes, we are.” I smiled.

  Grey drove the car much like his bicycle—revving the engine, switching lanes, tearing through the city streets. I was thankful for his frenzied driving. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him; it’d been way too long.

  He put on a Rage against the Machine CD and the music came blaring through the speakers, loud and rowdy. I lit a smoke and sat back, letting the music rev me up, getting me in the mood to party, in the mood to go wild. I couldn’t wait.

  “So, where are we going tomorrow night?” I wondered, yelling to be heard.

  “Uh, there’s this club we like not far from the hotel,” Grey yelled back, “everyone’s going to meet us there,” he laughed, “and I hope you’re in the mood to get fucked up.”

  “Why’s that?” I smiled.

  “Well, I may have … talked you up a little. All the guys from the studio want to meet you … I kind of bragged about how much you can drink. They really want to prove me wrong. You may be in for some trouble.”

  “I can handle it,” I declared confidently.

  “I don’t know. I think its gong to be crazy.” Grey laughed again.

  “Don’t worry baby,” I smiled and blew out my smoke, “I’ll make you proud.”

  He grinned at me. “I know you will.”

  We pulled up at the hotel not long afterwards. It wasn’t a Best Western or any other moderately priced hotel like the kind I’d imagined. This was a swimming pool, penthouse suite kind of hotel. I glanced around in surprise, waiting as Grey hurriedly grabbed my bag from the trunk and tossed a Valet his car keys.

  “This way.” He took my hand again and led me into the lobby. The girls at the reception desk greeted him warmly—maybe a little too warmly—and they threw me a glare as we passed by. I wanted to stick my tongue out at them, but instead I wrapped my arm around Grey’s waist as we walked through the foyer, tucking my hand into his back pocket. I hoped that would get my point across. We got into the elevator, alone, and Grey pressed floor twenty-three. Slowly we lurched upwards.

  “Those girls totally want you.” I pointed out.

  “Do they?” He shrugged innocently. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Yeah, right.” I rolled my eyes. “Come on, I’m sure girls have been throwing themselves at you this whole time.” I tried not to think of the distinctly female voice I’d heard over the phone that once. “You can’t tell me you don’t notice.”

  Grey just shrugged again, but his eyes were gleaming mischievously.

  “Are you ever tempted? Even a little bit?”

  He looked down at me, a smirk on his lips, and shook his head. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because. None of them are you.”

  I smiled bashfully at his answer. The elevator opened onto our floor with a quiet ding, and Grey took my hand in his and squeezed it. I followed him happily down the hallway, pausing as he unlocked the door to his room and then ushered me inside. It was bigger than average, not quite a suite, with two queen-sized beds and a little living area and kitchenette all done in the typical hotel neutrals. The bathroom held both a shower and a Jacuzzi tub. As Grey set my bag down and took his coat off, I looked around, opening the blinds and staring out at the city lights below us, twinkling prettily against the inky night sky.

  I could see Grey in the reflection of the window. He strode up behind me, and smirked, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me tightly against him. The room became charged, almost buzzing with the instant electricity that flowed between us, electricity neither one of us could resist. I arched against him as he bent and kissed my neck.

  In moments we were wrapped around each other, frenzied and frantic, and it was all I could do to keep from ruining his clothes, I couldn’t rip them off fast enough. He pushed me back against the bed, pressing me against it, crushing me to him. We flung the rest of our clothes off, quickly, roughly, until there was nothing left between us but skin. My heart sang in my chest the entire time, this was all still so new to me, but it felt so right there was no denying how good it was.

  No denying how good we were, together.

  CHAPTER 43

  The moment I awoke the next morning, my eyes flew open and a wide, ecstatic smile spread across my face. It was my birthday. I was eighteen! I’d been looking forward to this day for years and now it was finally here. Legally, I was an adult. There was no bar that could deny me, no liquor store off limits, no cigarettes that ever had to be booted again. I was finally eighteen!

  I turned over and wrapped my arm around Grey’s slumbering form, pressing kisses along his shoulder and his neck. I was excited and eager to share my happiness with him, ready to start what was sure to be one of the best days of my life.

  “Good morning,” I whispered in his ear. Even my voice was smiling. Grey groaned into the pillow, trying to ignore me, but the corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. I knew he probably wasn’t used to such exuberance first thing in the morning, but I couldn’t help myself. I was too excited to just let him sleep.

  “Grey,” I gave him a little shake. “Grey, wake up.”

  His blue eyes were bleary as he slowly blinked them open, and he looked up at me with affectionate tolerance. “… Why? Is the building on fire?”

  “No.” I shook my head.

  “Is Zakk Wylde on the phone for me?”

  “Uh … no.” Who the hell was Zakk Wylde anyway?

  “Then why do I have to get up? There’s nothing the least bit exciting going on today.” He resisted, nestling back into the pillow. “Shut the blinds, could you?”

  “Grey!” I slapped him playfully. His blue eyes opened abruptly.

  “Ouch. What was that for?”

  “You know what it was for.”

  “Oh, okay, you’re right.” He nodded. “I did forget something important.”

  I waited, blinking at him expectantly.

  “The fight is on tonight. It’s a good thing there’s nothing going on. I really want to watch it ….”

  Grey couldn’t finish. I attacked him gleefully, trying my best to pin his arms down against the bed. We wrestled around for a moment, laughing, but he was way too strong for me. In a matter of seconds, our roles were reversed and he flipped me over, holding me back easily against the mattress.

  “Grey,” I protested, breathless with giggling. It wasn’t fair that he was so strong.

  “What? Was there something else?” His handsome face leaned over me, his blue eyes light with amusement, his lips smirking innocently. “Oh, wait. Now I remember.” He bent down and kissed me. “Happy Birthday Mackenzie.”

  “Tha
nks.” I smiled up at him, wondrously, gloriously happy.

  “So what do you want to do?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. I wanted to get wasted, that much I knew, but it was a little early for that. There was something else though, something I really, really wanted to do, something I’d wanted to do for ages. The thought made me giggle with embarrassment. “Okay, there is one thing, but you’re going to laugh at me.”

  “Me? Never.” Grey smiled.

  “I want to go buy some cigarettes.”

  He looked confused. “Oh, are you out? I’ve got some here … somewhere.”

  “No, I’ve got some, but … I want to go buy some. Grey, I can buy them now!” I nearly squealed with excitement.

  Grey shook his head at me, laughing incredibly. “Wow. It doesn’t take much to make you happy, does it?”

  “No. Not when I’m with you.”

  “Oh yeah?” His blue eyes gleamed.

  “Yeah.”

  Grey pulled me towards him and kissed me, gently, his lips lingering. “Do you think you could wait for your cigarettes … just a bit longer?” He wondered, his breathing uneven as his lips moved slowly down my neck.

  “Uh, yeah.” I bit my lip and arched into him, shutting my eyes as the heat rushed through me. “I think I can manage that.”

  “I’ll take a pack of Export A Gold regular, please.” I asked politely. The store clerk just looked at me, completely uninterested, like he didn’t realize this was a pivotal moment for me or something.

  “Can I see some I.D?”

  “Sure!” I exclaimed proudly. Grey chuckled behind me. I pulled my wallet out of my purse and flipped it open excitedly.

  And then my heart stopped.

  My license was missing. Frowning, I quickly thumbed through the rest of the cards in my wallet, but it wasn’t there. Hastily I patted my pockets, and then rummaged frantically through my purse, but to no avail. I looked up at Grey, panicked, stricken.