Surviving (Surrender 2)

“I want it to be said again this year, I think we can come up with a better mantra.” Ella tells the group.

“Why don’t you work on that for us? You have until Raven’s bachelorette party to come up with it.” Kendall answers her.

“Time for drinks and stories. We have too much to talk about to worry about our fucking mantra. A bunch of shit has happened since last NNN. I personally want to hear about Will Turner moving in without anyone telling me.” Charlie looks right at Ella and winks.

The drink of choice tonight is Pink Panty Pulldowns. We all find a place in the living room to sit and wait for Ella to fill us in.

“Basically, I’m a bitch and really quick to jump to conclusions. What I saw at the bar that night wasn’t what I thought. When he took me to lunch a few weeks ago, he explained everything. We picked up right where we left off. And Charlie, he hasn’t moved in here. It’s easier for him to stay on week nights. My stupidity costs us four months.”

“I’m kidding, it doesn’t bother me at all. But you skipped over all the juicy details. Don’t think you’re getting away with that.” Charlie replies.

Ella takes a large gulp of her drink before continuing. “The night I saw him in the bar, he was working. His job was to watch that woman because her husband thought she was cheating. He explained he usually doesn’t do that kind of work, but this was a friend of Raven’s dad’s and because of confidentiality, he couldn’t say anything. She thought he was interested in her and attacked him outside the bathrooms. That’s when I walked up. He tried to talk to me dozens of times, but I ignored him. When I heard what a mistake I made, I was mortified. I mean what a bitch! But he didn’t care. He told me he wanted what we had back. So since three weeks ago, we’ve been trying to make up for lost time.” The glow on her face is transparent.

“I think it’s awesome. Now we need to find a way to get Harper her sexy badass boy and we’ll all be claimed women.” Kendall tells the group.

I whip my head to her so fast I get dizzy. “Ken! What the hell? You’re dating someone?”

“Sort of. I met a guy when I was here this summer for a weekend. We went out a few times during my visits home. We took it slow at first because of the distance thing but in the last two months, he’s made five trips to see me. And before you say anything, the reason I didn’t tell anyone but Harper is because I thought it was casual. Last weekend we talked about exclusivity. I’ve invited him tomorrow night to The Steamroom to meet you all.”

“I can’t believe this. That’s it! I’m declaring now: No more secrets from me! First it was Ella and Will, and now you and and–what the fuck is his name? Can I even know that?” I say a little louder than I meant.

“Yes, he has a name and it’s Brian. Calm your shit down, Miss Dramatic.”

“And let me tell you, he will fit in with our group just fine. He is really hot!” Harper informs us.

“Awesome! Now we need to get Gabe to get his head out of his ass.” Charlie announces. Harper gasps and the color drains from her face.

“Charlotte, I told you several times, it’s not going to happen. He doesn’t even notice me. I’ve given up on that. Maybe Brian has some cool friends. And it’s not like I don’t date. I met a guy at the restaurant the other night. We are having lunch when I go back to Atlanta.”

I refill everyone’s drink, and we order our dinner. Ella gets the short straw this year, so she gets to pleasure of shocking the delivery boy. Two pitchers of PPP’s later and endless stories about all of our relationships, I’m in pain from laughing so hard. Charlie is very vocal about her sex life and even though I really don’t want to know, I don’t stop her from talking.

Charlie surprises us with the demo video of “Surviving.” Mike allowed her to bring it with her since she told him it was our version of GNO. When the girls watch it, the room goes silent. I look at each of them trying to gauge their reaction, but I don’t get anything.

Abbi finally breaks the silence. “Wow, that’s really amazing.”

I smile since I feel the same way.

“Guys, I hate to even ask, but someone sent an anonymous email to the Sayge website. It was the picture of me and Finn I sent you all. Did any of you share it? “

They all shake their heads, and none of us can figure out who could have gotten a hold of it.

Charlie grabs a bottle of champagne and pours us each a glass. None of us really toast we just clink glasses. Ella puts on music, and we dance around the living room like idiots.

I don’t know what time it is, but there is a very loud pounding at the door. Abbi turns off the music and looks through the peephole then back to all of us.

“This doesn’t look very good. There are five seriously pissed off guys on the front porch. I’m pretty sure they know we’re up.” she whispers.

As soon as she stops talking, the pounding resumes and Jimi yells, “Abbi, I know y’all are there. We can see your shadows from the windows. Open the fucking door.”

Yikes! Jimi mad sounds strikingly similar to Declan mad. She turns off the alarm and slowly opens the door. We all watch in stunned silence as he grabs her around the waist and pulls her into an embrace. Before I understand what is happening, Declan, Blake, Will, and Gabe charge through looking furious.

“What the hell is happening here?” Charlie yells but Blake cuts her off with his own searing kiss.

I think better to open my mouth at a very scary bunch of boyfriends. Wait–why is Gabe here? There’s a flash in his eyes as soon as they land on Harper and her outfit. I think he actually growls. Since I am paying attention to this, I don’t realize Declan is right in front of me staring through me.

His eyes have darkened to a deep shade of emerald. And not in the good way.

“Declan, what’s going on?”