at seeming to be back in the same mental place with him, even if it was momentary.
I had faith we’d find our way back permanently soon—we’d struggled through more than this—but it still felt pretty shitty that what should’ve been a perfect night had been tainted by my feelings. Even though I knew I had a right to feel them and I didn’t regret telling him, I hated that it had happened at such an inconvenient time.
“Where’d you find the band?” I asked Drew in a poor attempt to prompt some normal conversation between us.
Despite having spent a good bit of the night together since I arrived, we hadn’t said much to one another.
“Xander.”
Okay, so you’re not up for talking.
Brody was nice enough to elaborate, and some of the awkwardness dissipated with his explanation. The singer was a guy Xander had roomed with as a freshman, and he’d talked them up. Once Drew had listened to some of their stuff, he was sold. They had an easygoing beachy vibe that fit well with the atmosphere. Drew and Brody had requested that they interject some of their original songs in between some covers so people would hear some familiar stuff, and it seemed to be working.
They’d set up on a small covered stone patio that Drew had made for that exact purpose. The only downside was that having a band there would be weather contingent. From the deck, I could see a small crowd gathering in front of the band to dance, and a lot of the people I didn’t even recognize, which was good because it meant that real customers were having a good time and not just the ones who’d come out to support us.
“Looks like everyone’s having a good time,” I said, pointing to the group. “It’s like a Jimmy Buffett concert without the parrots.”
“I’m not sure I know what that means.” The voice had come from behind me, but I didn’t need to turn around to recognize it.
“Toby!” the three of us screamed.
“You made it,” Drew said. “I thought Carter said you had a…thing.”
“Yeah, well, I wanted to surprise you guys, and Carter’s mouth is bigger than a Megalodon’s.”
“Hey, fucker, I heard that.” And there was Carter, grabbing Toby around the neck and pulling him into a headlock. “I don’t know what a megawhatever is, but I take offense to that.”
“It’s the biggest shark that ever lived. It could open its mouth wide enough for two people to stand one on top of the other.”
“Well, that’s stupid. Who would voluntarily stand in a shark’s mouth?”
Toby’s lips parted, but he didn’t seem like he wanted to answer right away. “No one,” he finally said. “It’s been extinct for longer than people have been alive.”
“Uh… That only makes your little fact that much more unimpressive. Besides,” Carter said, “sharks can’t talk, so nothing you’ve said makes any sense.”
It was pointless to argue with Carter, and I recognized the moment that realization swept over Toby’s face.
“You’re right, man. It was stupid. It’s good to see you, though.”
“You too,” Carter said, giving Toby a hug that was so tight it resulted in Toby getting lifted off the ground. “Dude, you put on some weight? You feel heavier.”
I knew better than to ask when Carter had picked up Toby last and why, but I couldn’t help but wonder. I guessed that Drew and Brody were curious about it too, but neither mentioned it. They just gave Toby a hug also.
“Hey, look.” Carter tapped Brody on the chest but didn’t look his way. “Old people dancing.”
We all glanced over the railing of the deck to see who he was looking at.
“Those aren’t just any old people,” I said. “They’re my parents.”
“Oh, shit, sorry. I’m surprised I didn’t recognize your dad. Maybe he looks different when he’s enjoying himself.”
“Your mom seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself too,” Toby added, his raised eyebrow indicating that her enjoyment wasn’t completely innocent. She had a drink in her hand and had just begun gyrating against my father.
My mouth dropped open, but Brody found the words before I did.
“That’s the most revolting thing I’ve seen since the morning after I had too much tequila and Mexican takeout.”
“Thank you for that image,” Drew muttered, his voice devoid of any emotion.
When I turned toward him, he looked to be in some sort of catatonic trance.
Unable to look away, we all watched silently as my parents laughed, drank, and spun each other around on the grassy dance floor.
“Well,” Drew finally said,