Luke spotted them and shifted the ice from one arm to the other. “This is the last bag of theirs,” he told Chad. “What should I do with it?”
“Take it into the kitchen,” Chad directed. “Stevie and the others are there setting up.”
Luke nodded, then shifted his gaze to Callie. “Want to come along?” he asked. “Keep me company?”
“I’ll be in in a minute.” Callie kept her voice completely neutral this time, figuring that it wasn’t a good idea to encourage him anymore. “I’ve got to take care of some other stuff first.”
Luke obviously got the message. He looked surprised, then annoyed. “Whatever,” he muttered, heading down the hall.
Callie watched him go, feeling a pang of regret. He really was awfully sexy.… But when she saw Chad shoot her a quick wink and a thumbs-up before following his buddy toward the kitchen, she felt a little better immediately. Meeting a hot guy who was interested in her looks was one thing, but it was a lot rarer to find out that someone she barely knew seemed interested in being a real friend.
FOUR
“She’s here!” Stevie cried, rushing into the living room half an hour later. “Hey, everyone, listen up! Emily’s here. So get ready!”
Carole glanced up from the cup of soda she’d just poured out of one of the bottles in the kitchen sink. “I guess we’d better get out there,” she told Lisa, who was standing beside her munching on a cookie.
Lisa giggled. “Right. Time to sing. Let’s just hope Emily has strong ears.”
Carole smiled as the two of them hurried toward the living room. Stevie had arranged things so that Emily would arrive a little later than everyone else, and in the meantime she’d insisted that all the guests practice a little farewell song she’d composed especially for Emily. It was set to the tune of “Jingle Bells” and was rather grandly entitled “Fond Farewells: An Ode to Emily upon her Departure for Australia.” Carole, for one, still wasn’t sure she would remember all the complicated lyrics when the time came—especially the verse that rhymed “we’ll miss you” and “didgeridoo”—but she was willing to try, for Emily’s sake as well as to keep Stevie happy. And she was sure Emily would appreciate the effort.
Emily did. Her face lit up as soon as she entered the living room and saw the crowd gathered to greet her. “Hi, everyone!” she exclaimed, waving one of her crutches merrily. Emily had been born with cerebral palsy and could get around only with the aid of crutches, a wheelchair or a horse, though she hadn’t let that stop her from enjoying a full life and making plenty of friends, as evidenced by the welcoming calls that greeted her entrance from all sides.
“Welcome, Emily!” Stevie cried dramatically, stepping to the front of the group and quickly helping Emily off with her jacket. Then she turned to face the room and waved her arms for quiet. “All right, everyone. Don’t we all have something we want to say—or, to be precise, sing?”
On that cue, everyone launched into a slightly ragged but enthusiastic rendition of Stevie’s masterpiece. Or almost everyone, anyway. As she sang at the top of her lungs, Carole suddenly noticed that there was one person in the room who didn’t seem to be participating. Ben Marlow was hanging back near the edge of the group, looking uncomfortable and hardly bothering to pretend to mumble along.
What’s wrong with him? Carole thought with an uncharacteristic flash of annoyance at him. Why did he bother to come to this party if he doesn’t even care enough about Emily to pretend to have a good time?
She had been surprised when he’d arrived in the first place. When she’d mentioned the party to him that morning as she’d promised Lisa she would, she’d expected him to mutter an excuse for not being able to go. Instead, he’d merely nodded at the reminder and accepted her offer of a ride over from the stable.
I guess he’s just full of surprises, she thought with a shrug, returning her attention to the guest of honor. Fortunately Emily didn’t seem to have noticed Ben and was clapping along enthusiastically, laughing at the silly lyrics, her open, friendly face glowing with happiness. Everyone except Ben was clearly having a wonderful time, from Stevie and Alex and Lisa, to Scott and Callie Forester, to Veronica diAngelo and the gaggle of friends she’d brought with her. Carole estimated that there were at least thirty-five people at the party already—people from Willow Creek High School, from Pine Hollow, from Fenton Hall, and even from Cross County High School, where Phil went.
It’s nice that everyone turned out to see Emily off like this, Carole thought, humming along as the others hit a verse involving a description of the differences between a crocodile and a horse, the words to which she’d completely forgotten. When you’re about to do something really hard, like moving to another continent, it always helps to know that your friends wish you well.
Stevie perched on the arm of the living room sofa and glanced anxiously at her watch. Her song had gone over better than she’d hoped, and even now, fifteen minutes later, people kept stopping by to congratulate her on her lyrical talents. Still, she couldn’t manage to enjoy it completely, not when Phil still hadn’t arrived.
I hope A.J. didn’t decide to hijack the car on the way over here and drive off to Mexico or something, she thought, only half kidding. Maybe A.J. hadn’t resorted to anything as dramatic as kidnapping quite yet, but the way he’d changed since finding out about his adoption made Stevie ready to believe he’d be capable of almost anything. After all, if the kind, funny, sensitive guy she’d known for years could change overnight into a withdrawn, depressed, sullen jerk, who knew what else could happen?
Stevie knew she wasn’t being totally fair. As difficult as A.J.’s crisis had been for his friends—especially Phil—to deal with lately, it was obvious that no one was suffering more than A.J. himself. Still, it was hard for her to watch A.J. constantly dump all over Phil, who was only doing his best to help.
That’s probably why they’re late, she realized, wandering over to the window to check the street outside for Phil’s parents’ car. A.J. probably decided at the last minute to chicken out of coming to the party, and Phil’s there trying to convince him to come and have a good time.
She sighed, then did her best to smile as Nicole Adams, a classmate from Fenton Hall, came over to gush about the party. Stevie thanked her and then tactfully steered her toward the little clutch of people gathered around Scott, who was chatting casually about Fenton Hall’s various student regulations. Stevie was happy to see that at least half a dozen of their schoolmates were hanging on his every word, although she felt a little less happy when she noticed that among that half dozen was Veronica diAngelo.
I’ll have to take care of that situation after Phil gets here, she decided. If Veronica hangs around trying to distract Scott all night, he’ll never get to talk to everyone.
She glanced out the window again just in time to see a familiar station wagon pulling to the curb. “It’s about time,” she muttered, feeling relieved as she watched Phil, A.J., and Julianna climb out of the car. She hurried to the door to meet them, torn between eagerness to see Phil and a slight uneasiness as she wondered which personality A.J. would be wearing that evening.
“Hi!” she called as the trio came up the walk. “I thought you’d never get here.”
“It was all Julianna’s fault,” A.J. called back with a grin. “She took so long putting on her makeup, I didn’t think she’d be ready until Christmas.”
Julianna stuck out her tongue at him playfully, and A.J. responded by grabbing her around the waist and carrying her the rest of the way up the walk as she giggled and struggled to escape, her silky red hair flying as she tossed her head.
I guess that means they’re back together, Stevie thought as she greeted Phil with a quick kiss and then stood back to let the three newcomers enter. One of the first things A.J. had done after discovering that he was adopted was to break up with Julianna, who had been his girlfriend of several months. I guess it also means that A.J. is actually in a partying mood—thank goodness.
> Phil glanced around as he entered the house, which was packed with people, overflowing from the living room into the hallway, den, and kitchen. A few guests were even perched on the stairs, talking and sipping their sodas. The sounds of talk and laughter almost drowned out the dance music Stevie had put on the stereo, although a few people, including Lisa and Alex, were already dancing in a clear area in the middle of the living room.
“Wow,” Phil commented. “I have to hand it to you, Stevie. You really know how to throw a party.”
“Was there ever any doubt?” Stevie teased, putting an arm around his waist.
“Phil! A.J.! Julianna!” Emily exclaimed, spotting them and swinging toward them on her crutches. “I’m glad you came.”
“Sorry we’re late,” Phil replied, stepping forward to give Emily a hug.
“Better late than never,” she responded cheerfully.
A.J. leaped forward, pushed Phil aside, and planted a big kiss on Emily’s cheek, almost knocking her crutches out from under her. “Say it isn’t so, Emily!” he cried dramatically, making a goofy face. “Say you’re not really leaving us for a bunch of kangaroos!”
Emily giggled and shoved him aside, grabbing Phil’s arm for balance as she rearranged her crutches. “Sorry. I’m afraid it’s true.”
A.J. covered his face with his hands and pretended to sob. “No, no, nooooo!”
Julianna laughed loudly and grabbed A.J.’s arm, hugging it to her. “Hey, don’t be too upset,” she said breathlessly. “At least we get to party with her for one more night.”
“Hey, you’re right!” A.J. looked up quickly and grinned widely. Grabbing Julianna, he spun her around and did a quick little tango with her while she and Emily laughed.
Stevie felt slightly puzzled as she watched A.J. continue to kid around with Emily and the others. On the one hand, he was acting a lot more like the fun-loving, life-of-the-party guy he’d been before finding out about his adoption. But Stevie couldn’t help thinking that it was really just an act. A.J. had always been funny and lively, but at the moment he seemed downright manic, almost as if being friendly was costing him a great deal of effort.
It’s like he’s trying to convince us—or himself, maybe—that he’s back to normal, she thought, glancing over at Phil to see whether he was noticing the same thing she was. But he’s trying a little too hard.
Phil met her eye and shrugged, making it clear that he had noticed. For the first time, Stevie realized that A.J. hadn’t spoken to Phil or even looked at him since they’d arrived. That seemed to indicate that he hadn’t forgiven him yet for spilling his secret to his parents, which Stevie guessed might also have something to do with the weird way he was acting.
He’s probably just nervous, she told herself as A.J. picked up a squealing Emily and carried her off in the direction of the living room with Julianna trailing along behind carrying Emily’s crutches. This is his first big social appearance since his secret came out, and on top of it all he’s not speaking to his best friend. That would be enough to put anyone on edge. He’ll relax after a while. She bit her lip as she caught a glimpse through the living room doorway of A.J. jumping onto the sofa and starting to dance, almost stepping on George Wheeler, who’d been sitting there. I hope so, anyway.
Half an hour later, Lisa’s party mood was in full swing. Miraculously, she’d been able to keep her vow to forget her worries and have fun for one night. Banishing from her mind all thoughts of Prancer’s health, her mother’s disturbing relationship with Rafe, her anxiety about Thanksgiving, and her own secret about Skye, she had joined in the festive mood of the people all around her. After Stevie’s silly welcome song, Emily had been so mobbed with friends and well-wishers that Lisa hadn’t been able to get near her, so she’d dragged Alex off to dance and they’d been having a great time ever since. Alex didn’t share her natural grace on the dance floor, but he was enthusiastic, and that was enough for her.
Now she laughed out loud as he spun her around under his arm, almost sending her crashing into a group of Fenton Hall students who were dancing nearby, and then pulled her to him, holding her tight. “Stop,” she protested happily. “You’re all sweaty.”
He hugged her tighter, rubbing his moist cheek against her own. “Is that a problem?”
Lisa pushed him away, still laughing. “You’re a beast,” she told him fondly, reaching up to push back a lock of his damp brown hair. “But I might forgive you for that if you go get me a soda.”
“Your wish is my command, beautiful lady,” he said, grabbing her hand and kissing it with a flourish before turning and pushing his way through the crowds in the direction of the kitchen.
Lisa was still laughing at his antics when she saw Gary Korman, a guy who was in several of her classes at school, wandering toward her, his tall, thin body bent as always in a slouch that made him look as if he’d just crawled out of bed and wasn’t quite awake yet. “Hi, Gary,” she greeted him, still breathless from dancing.
“Hey, Lisa,” he replied, tossing his head to clear his long curly dark hair out of his eyes. “Pretty cool party, huh?”
She nodded, dodging just in time to avoid a flying arm as several girls she didn’t know danced enthusiastically past her. “I can’t believe so many people came,” she said, glancing around at the crowds. Emily was standing near the doorway talking to George Wheeler, Polly Giacomin, and a couple of other Pine Hollow riders. Stevie and Phil were dancing nearby. A.J. was goofing off across the room with Julianna and some other friends. Scott Forester was leaning on the end of the sofa, talking animatedly with several schoolmates. Everyone seemed to be smiling and having a good time. And more people kept pouring in all the time, arriving singly, in pairs, or in larger groups and quickly melting into the noisy, active excitement of the party.
Gary blinked his large, soulful brown eyes. “Listen,” he said. “I hate to be a downer on a night like tonight, but I have to ask. What result did you get in that physics lab yesterday? I’m afraid my group bombed it.”
“It was a tricky one,” Lisa admitted. “What we did was …”
She went on to describe the lab as she waited for Alex to return with her drink, swaying gently to the music as she talked with Gary. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so relaxed and happy.
At the same time, Carole felt a little giddy as she pushed her way through a shrieking knot of Fenton Hall girls on her way to the kitchen. A couple of friends from school had dragged her onto the dance floor soon after Emily’s welcome song, and now she was exhausted. But she had to admit that she was having a fantastic time. Once she’d managed to stop worrying about Samson and all the work she wasn’t getting done at Pine Hollow, she had found herself really getting into the spirit of the evening. Even Ben wasn’t weighing much on her mind anymore, although the few times she’d spotted him lately he had looked just as grumpy and bored as he had earlier.
Too bad he can’t lighten up for once, she thought, moving aside to avoid a guy who seemed to be inventing some kind of bizarre interpretive dance all by himself in the living room doorway. Maybe then he’d realize that this party is a total blast. I should try going to parties more often—at least once the Colesford show is over.
She mopped her brow and hurried on down the hall, looking forward to downing one of the cold sodas Stevie had sunk into the ice filling the kitchen sink. When she entered the kitchen, she found George Wheeler standing in front of the sink talking to a classmate and drinking grape soda. “Hi,” Carole said. “Is there any of that left?”
“Not in here,” George said in his soft, tentative voice. “I snagged the last one. You could check the laundry tub.”
Carole nodded and moved on, dodging a boy she didn’t recognize, who had his head buried in the Lakes’ refrigerator, where he seemed to be exploring the contents of the vegetable crisper. Soon she was hurrying down the short, narrow hallway leading to the small laundry room that separated the Lakes’ garage from the rest of the house. She arrived just
in time to see Alex reaching for the garage doorknob.
“Hey,” she greeted him. “Where are you going?
“Would you believe me if I said I was going out to wash my car?”
“Nope.” Carole smiled. “Especially since Stevie claims you’ve never ever washed that car since you two got it.”
“Okay, okay, you caught me. I guess I’ll have to trust you with my secret.” Alex smiled, put a finger to his lips, and then peered past her down the hallway as if making sure that no one could overhear. “Here it is. Lisa asked me to get her a drink. You know that flavored iced tea she likes so much?” Alex rubbed his hands together. “Well, I stashed a few bottles of it out in the garage fridge yesterday where nobody else would find it and drink it.”
Carole giggled. “Pretty sneaky.”
“Hey, what can I say? I’m an excellent boyfriend.” Alex grinned. “Come on. If you promise not to give away my secret, I’ll let you have one bottle from my stash.”
“Okay.” Carole didn’t really care about the iced tea, but she followed him willingly, thinking it would feel good to get out into the cooler air in the garage for a few minutes.
The two of them chatted about Emily’s move as they walked into the garage together. Alex flicked on the overhead light, then went straight to the half-sized refrigerator against the back wall.
“Okay, let’s see now …” Alex swung open the door, then stopped short, looking surprised.
“What?” Carole asked. Her view of the refrigerator’s interior was blocked by the door. She leaned over to peer inside. “Did someone find your—Whoa! Is that beer?”
Alex nodded slowly. “Chad stowed a couple of cases in here yesterday—I guess he forgot when he left for his party.”
Carole wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about. She hadn’t even known that Chad was in town. But she just smiled nervously in response. “Hey, maybe you should bring Lisa one of those instead,” she joked. “That would surprise her even more than the iced tea.”
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