I briefly consider asking Max to turn around and take me home, but something in me shuts that idea down. If not now, when? I survived Mexico, I survived my speech, I can survive this.
Charlie comes out of the house to greet us, but before he can say anything, Jason Simon rides up on a beach bike and nearly runs Charlie down. “Duuude! We need more salsa and chips at the beach!”
He’s drunk, wearing a wet pair of surfer shorts, and his eyes are rheumy. I don’t really know Jason, but I assume he’s surprised to see me here. I gird myself for a rude comment.
But all he says is: “Hey, Kylie. Rockin’ speech.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“I’ll let someone know,” Charlie tells Jason, and then he turns to us as Jason zooms out of sight.
“Hey, hey, hey.” He and Max bump shoulders. “Glad you guys are here.”
“Thanks for, uh, having me,” I say. Jesus, I’ve got to stop thanking people.
“Um…about what I said in the car…I don’t really want to get into it tonight,” Charlie says to me, after throwing Max a significant look. I gather he and Max have already discussed this.
“I would never say anything,” I promise.
“I just need to do this in my own way, in my own time,” he says.
“I get it. Totally,” I say. And I do. I respect Charlie enormously for what he’s done, but I’m aware that it’s a long road and he’s only at the beginning of it.
Charlie leads us through a lush courtyard and into the house.
“I need a beer,” Max says.
“Outside by the pool, bro. But it’s a friggin’ packed house, so it could take a while. I’ll catch you guys later.”
Charlie disappears into the crowd. Max takes my arm and leads me through a sumptuous hallway and into a living room the size of my whole house. There are people everywhere, hanging out on huge leather couches, their feet splayed across heavy wooden coffee tables. The room bleeds into a high-tech open kitchen and dining room, with a table that must seat twenty. This place could seriously give Cloudbank a run for its money.
I feel like I’m getting the stink eye from people as Max and I make our way through the living room. Maybe I’m imagining it. People are going out of their way to say hi to Max, but no one really acknowledges me. Sonia Smithson rushes over and hugs Max. She pulls back and stares at me.
“What are you doing here, Kylie?” she asks. I guess I’m not imagining it. What did I expect? I hate her.
“I’m a part of the catering staff—you know, summer job,” I say.
“That’s awkward,” Sonia states, without any sense of irony.
Max laughs. “She’s here with me, Sonia.” He throws a proprietary arm around me.
Sonia’s eyes go wide, like she’s seen a ghost. And then she sort of backs away.
“Ignore her, she’s an idiot,” Max tells me.
He ushers me out to the back patio, which has an unimpeded view of the ocean that momentarily takes my breath away. Wow. I can’t even fathom waking up to this view every day. There’s a pool on the expansive lawn, and a guy wearing a chef’s hat is barbecuing at a huge outdoor grill, flipping burgers and shrimp kebabs.
“Pretty awesome, huh?” Max asks as he sees me taking in the scenery.
“Yeah. Totally.”
Max and I take a seat on a lawn chair, looking out at the pool. Lacey Garson and Richie Simson play tongue hockey on chairs across from us. Other couples lie on the lawn, drinking and making out. A few guys toss around a football out by the cabana. A small crowd of people are dancing on the far side of the lawn, where a DJ is set up. It’s my first high school party. Possibly my last. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.
“You okay?” Max asks.
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“I am. I just, I don’t know. I guess I need to get used to…everything. Being here. Us. Them. You know, it’s all new to me.” I smile at Max to reassure him. I know I’m giving him a false sense of security. But what else can I do? I’m trying.
Max pulls me close, holding me tight. I see Lacey gawking at us. She leans in to Richie and whispers. He turns to stare at us as well. Here we go.
“Lacey and Richie are looking at us like we’ve just robbed a bank,” I say. Max doesn’t even bother to look at them.
“Who cares?” he says, and then he leans in and kisses me for the whole world to see. At that moment I understand with total clarity that he believes in me, in us, and it gives me a shot of confidence. He’s right; who cares?
“I’m sorry about Lily,” I say. “Is she okay? Is she here?”
“You didn’t see her when we came in, sitting on Luca Sonneban’s lap?” Max laughs. He doesn’t seem bothered at all by the turn of events.
“I missed that. Probably the stage fright. I think I was focused on the floor.”
“Yeah, you were pretty freaked out. It was cute.”
“I’m glad I amuse you, Langston.”
“What can I say, Flores? You’re a quirky chick. And I dig that about you.”
I laugh, because it’s true and it’s probably not going to change anytime soon. Good thing Max likes it.
“That was fast, Lily hooking Luca,” I say.
“Not for Lily. She’s kind of a record holder in that category.”
“Isn’t that awkward? I mean, you and Luca are friends.”
“Not for me. Luca’s really into her and has been for years, and I’m really into you, so it’s all good.”
“I’m really into you too,” I say.
“Well, isn’t that special.…”
Max and I look up to see Will looming above us.
“You two lovebirds are a sight to behold,” he says. Next to him stands Juan. They’re both wearing well-tailored suits. Will’s is a dark gray with pinstripes, Juan’s is navy blue.
“You’re wearing a suit!” I say.
“You know how I love Tom Ford’s work,” Will says.
“Your idea?” I ask Juan.
“All Will. He insisted on buying us matching suits. I didn’t really have much to wear, but I would have settled for clean shorts and a T-shirt,” Juan says. “I think we’re ridiculously overdressed.”
“We come bearing In-N-Out burgers,” Will says, holding up a large bag.
“Excellent,” Max says.
Will reaches into the bag and plucks out a burger. He hands one to Max and then passes out burgers to me and Juan.
“No way I’m eating one of those. Have you seen the spread here?” Juan says.
“You have no idea what you’re missing,” Max says.
“He’s from Mexico. Forgive him,” Will says.
“Those burgers will kill you,” Juan says.
“Maybe, but they’re worth it,” Max says, polishing off the burger. “Loved the mirror. Impressive work,” Max tells Will.
“I thought you’d appreciate it,” Will says.
“I’m keeping it as is,” Max says. “For posterity.”
Will laughs. I have no idea what they’re talking about.
From across the lawn I see Jemma Pembolt, one of Lily’s faithful lieutenants, striding toward us. She looks determined and pissed. Shit. She comes right up to Max.
“You are such an asshole, Max. I can’t believe you brought Kylie to the party. I mean, the body’s still warm.”
“Lily’s here with Luca. I think she’s okay with it,” Max says.
“You’re such a self-centered prick. Of course she’s not ‘okay’ with it. She’s just letting Luca lick her wounds,” Jemma says, her well-toned arms folded across her chest like some kind of South American despot.
“Jemma, chill.” It’s Lily who has suddenly materialized, with Luca at her side. While he stands dutifully next to her, Luca looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
Lily gives me a level gaze. It’s not hateful, but there’s no warmth to it either. I get it. She’s doing the best she can to preserve her dignity, and I’m certainly not going to make it any harder on her.