The Secret Keeper Holds On by Brea Brown

Author:Brea Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wayzgoose Press

18

Game Night

“Tell me again why we’re inviting Wes to this thing tonight? Isn’t he going to be the odd man out?” Brice asks from the living room, where he’s arranging plates of finger foods for our upcoming evening with Jen, Jared and Mitzi, Marianne and Clark… and Wes.

“Not as much as you think,” I mutter before saying more loudly so he can hear me from the kitchen, where I’m stocking the fridge with assorted beverages, “I think he’ll be fine! I get the impression he doesn’t have much of a social life, and I feel bad that we haven’t had the chance to help him get to know more people.”

Brice appears in the kitchen doorway, slightly out of breath, sweat shining on his forehead. I resist the urge to “coddle” and ask if he’s okay, but when he complains about the temperature of the house, I suggest, “Why don’t you take off that sweater vest? I’ll crack a window in the living room when everyone gets here.”

While he peels off his outer layer of clothing, he says, “Anyway, I thought Wes gave you the creeps.”

I laugh. “I think I give him the creeps, so we’re even.”

“What?” His head reappears from under the sweater, which he drapes on his walker.

“Never mind.” When he grins and seems like he’s not going to drop it, I promise to tell him later.

In all the hubbub last night, I didn’t have a chance to tell Brice about the misunderstanding between Wes and me, but I don’t think now’s the time to bring it up. It’s not that I’m keeping it a secret, but it’s not exactly an “Oh, by the way…” conversation.

I was exhausted by the time Pastor found us sitting quietly (really, just sitting) and told us he was leaving and we’d be the only two people left in the building. First, though, he made sure we were okay, and his genuine concern prompted me to rather impulsively invite him to our house tonight for the gathering we’ve had planned for Jen’s last night in town. Ben had already begged off, having plans with the Youth Group, so we were facing uneven teams for the games I’m sure Mitzi will force us to play.

Plus, I felt bad that his efforts to pay “Jennifer” a “social visit” yesterday were thwarted by all the drama in the Northam household.

Anyway, “Jen doesn’t seem to have a problem with him,” I add before lowering my voice, in case she comes downstairs while we’re talking about this. “And I think he has a thing for her.”

Brice laughs loudly but quickly puts his hand over his mouth. When he’s finished laughing, he says, “Really? Oh, the poor guy.”

“What do you mean by that?” I ask, equally amused but feeling a duty to defend my friend if he’s making a dig against her.

He widens his eyes. “She will eat him alive.”

“I think he might be hoping for that.”

Throwing his sweater at me, he protests. “Hey, now. Keep it clean.”

I snatch the clothing from the air before it hits me in the face.

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