Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,59

I couldn’t exactly do this at someone else’s place. We’ve got food. We’ve got music. I think I’m doing okay.

Mya enters the kitchen holding a case of beer. She gives me a quick hug.

“It’s still so weird to see you with a boyfriend,” she says.

I grin. “I know, right? I have a man. I’m hosting parties. I made punch. Who is she?”

Casey comes in next with Andre right behind her. She puts a covered plate of cookies on the kitchen counter.

“Thanks for inviting us!”

Everyone is here. I guess it’s time to get this party started.

“Listen up, everybody!”

All eyes turn to me.

“The reason we invited you all here this afternoon isn’t just for a party. It’s because I had something I wanted to tell you.”

Sensing the change in tone, Mya leans over and turns the music off. Milo sits down on the couch next to her and grabs her hand. Casey crosses her arms over her middle protectively before moving closer to Andre.

“Um, seven years ago my life changed for the first time. Then five years ago it changed again. But that’s the past and I’m looking forward to the future.”

I glance over at Vin, who nods encouragingly.

“Anyway, that’s why you’re here. To help me celebrate something that’s really important to me.”

I reach up for the ribbon I attached to the ceiling earlier. With one yank, a massive banner unrolls. It spells out the words CANCER FREE in huge pink letters.

I take a little breath and then start doing the dance I practiced. Then I sing at the top of my lungs.

Check One. Check Two.

I want to share some news with you!

Hip thrust.

My humps. My bumps.

Now my ta-tas have no lumps!

Booty shake.

I end with my arms over my head. I look over at Vin who is shaking his head in disbelief.

Since no one is reacting appropriately to my awesome news I figure maybe they need to hear it again.

Check One. Check Two.

Mya jumps up. “Wait a minute. Just hold on.”

I let my arms fall back to my sides. “I guess you guys might have some questions.”

“Ariana,” she whispers tearfully.

Oh crap. This is what I knew would happen. If she cries then I’ll cry and I promised myself that nobody was frickin’ crying at my party. This is supposed to be a celebration.

Casey comes closer and threads her arm through mine. The guys back off, tactfully giving us some space.

“I’m sorry, okay? I just didn’t know how to tell you that my boobs tried to kill me. It’s not the easiest conversation starter.”

Mya puts a shaky hand to her chest. “You said seven years ago?”

“And five years ago. It came back,” I remind her softly.

Suddenly she gasps. “That time you had to go out of town. When you said you were getting a boob job–“

“It was a boob job. Technically. Just not the kind you thought. I had a tumor removed. And some radiation.”

With every word Mya’s face falls further. Then she hurtles herself into my arms. I hug her back, overwhelmed with how lucky I am to have friends who love me this much.

Casey wipes her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I give her a hug, too.

The guys are watching with that awkward energy men always have when they don’t want to get emotional. To be honest, all the estrogen in the room is making me a little lightheaded too so I decide it’s time for cake.

Vin comes over and kisses my forehead. “You okay, baby?”

I nod. It’s time to clear some of the depressing vibes from this room.

“Okay, I can’t handle all this sappiness. Come on, guys. It’s time to eat my I beat cancer cake!”

I retrieve it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Then I place it in the center of the card table I set up just for this purpose. They all gather round.

Andre sees it first and clamps his lips together, trying not to laugh. When Casey stands on tiptoe to see what he’s looking at, her mouth falls open.

The cake I got at the bakery the prior day has been wrapped in brown paper while it was in the refrigerator. I didn’t want to scandalize anyone on the street while I was walking to my car. Also, I figured Vin deserved to be surprised just like everyone else.

It’s shaped like two huge boobs. The nipples are made with little red candies. It says Suck It Cancer! in pink icing.

Mya gasps. “Ari!”

I shrug. “It’s my party and I’ll have ta-ta cake if I want to!”

Once we’ve cut