Bright by L. J. Swallow

Author:L. J. Swallow [Swallow, L. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

14

VEE

“Kill me now,” mutters Xander as he stares out of Heath’s car window.

I lean past Joss and wipe my hand across the misted window to peer at the small semi-detached house tucked into the end of a cul-de-sac.

“Stop being such a drama queen, Xan,” I say as I open the car door.

The cool hits my legs, reminding me for the second time in two days why I don’t wear skirts or dresses unless it’s summer. Or parties with ex-work colleagues when I’m faking bravado.

Following the incident with Stella and Charlotte, Heath and I made our excuses and attempted to leave. We managed, although Victoria cornered us again and asked me to bring “all my friends” to her party this evening. Apparently one I “couldn’t miss.” This time was my turn to look on in horror as Heath agreed. He’s not prepared to drop the Stella and Michelle mystery and decided this would be the perfect way to dig deeper.

I’m with Xander on this one—after years avoiding socialising with work colleagues, I’m suddenly more involved than I’d like to be.

“Two Christmas parties in two days. Xan’s going to need therapy,” Joss says with a chuckle as he climbs from the car. He slings an arm across my shoulders. I welcome his warmth and snuggle my head into his shoulder.

“So am I. We’ll stay here for the minimum time we need,” I remind Xander as he joins us on the pavement outside the house.

“And we know who we’re looking for?” he asks.

“Heath and Vee both know. We need to find Charlotte too and ask what happened yesterday after we left.”

“Uh huh.” Xan shoos me. “Go first, then, party queen. Knock on the door.”

I smile to myself as I make my way up the path towards the open front door where a couple sit on the doorstep deep in conversation and beer. The uberprotective Xander would never send me to face demons alone. What is it with him and humans? He has a real issue with people compared to the other guys, who tolerate or like them.

Victoria answers the door and greets me as if I’m her best friend, which of course means she needs to air kiss Heath too. I swear if she’d done more than air kiss him, she’d regret it. Joss gives her a tiny wave whereas Xander and Ewan lurk in the shadows behind.

She ushers us inside, sashaying in her twinkling silver dress. Partygoers and a Christmas song soundtrack fill the lounge room. Others mill around between the hall and kitchen in the small two-storey home. The heat stifles me, and I again vow to leave as quickly as I can.

I smile at the occasional person who recognises me and take part in a couple of drunken, loud, happy Christmas hugs with others. I’m unsure who looks like they’ll run first – Ewan or Xander.

Ewan’s lucky that he can keep his “don’t approach me” attitude thanks to his appearance. Xander’s sulky face and aloof attitude help keep people away from him too.

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