We all laugh.
“Happy Birthday, Shelby,” says Novy, giving her a quick hug.
“Hey, Shelbs. Happy Birthday,” adds Morrow.
I’m in her arms when Sully comes up and slaps my shoulder. “Hey, watch those hands, man.”
I jerk back and he laughs, slinging his arm around her shoulders.
“Who are you guys supposed to be?” says Novy, taking in her weird combo of button up shirt, bowtie, and long librarian-looking skirt. Meanwhile, Sully has his hair slicked back and he’s wearing khakis, a white shirt, and these leather suspenders with a gun holster.
“Hey,” I say with a grin. “You’re Rick and Evy. From The Mummy.”
“Yes!” Shelby squeals, launching forward to give me another hug and kiss my cheek. “I knew you were my favorite for a reason.”
“Hey, I thought I was your favorite,” Sully pouts.
“Mmm, you know you’re my main macho man,” she purrs, spinning around to wrap herself up in his arms.
“Okay, gross,” says Morrow, shielding his gaze. “It feels like watching my parents make out.”
“Parents fuck too, Cole,” she teases.
“And on that note, I’m gonna go get drunk.” He wanders off and Novy follows, leaving me with the O’Sullivans.
“Food is set up over in the dining room,” Sully explains, pointing that way. “All the soda and beer are in coolers outside.”
“Thanks,” I reply, glancing around the room. “Hey, are the Prices here yet?”
I assume wherever Rachel is, Tess will probably be nearby. I haven’t seen her all day. I sent her a couple voice memos, but she didn’t respond. I want her. And not just because I want to see her reaction to my costume. I just…want her.
“Yeah, they’re all here somewhere,” Sully replies, glancing over his shoulder. “Maybe check outside. Or we’ve got some games going upstairs.”
I slip past them with promises to Shelby that I’ll try the Southwest egg rolls. I’m blocked from reaching the dining room by a gaggle of rookies, including Flash, who is very disappointingly dressed as Superman, and Patty, who is dressed as a gladiator.
It’s only as he turns that I take in the full picture. A girl presses herself back against his chest. She’s dressed in a sexy Cleopatra costume with dramatic makeup, plunging cleavage on full display. Patty has his hands all over her. One is actually slipped inside her costume, stroking her boob.
“Ohmygosh, you look so hot,” she says at me, taking me in from head to toe.
“Thanks,” I say. “‘Scuse me.”
“You look just like Jax Teller,” she goes on, touching my arm as I try to move past.
“Yeah, well, that was the idea,” I reply, shifting away.
“You’re a starter, aren’t you?” she says, sizing me up again.
I nod, which means Patty may as well have just morphed into a potted plant. He glares at me like it’s my fault his date is pawing at me. I glare right back. I’m not above putting a rookie in his place. If he can’t keep this girl’s attention, that’s not my fault.
“Can you guess who I am?” his date asks, showing off her glittery costume.
I take a sip of my beer. “I thought the party theme was fictional characters.”
“Yeah, I’m Cleopatra,” she replies, brushing her hands down her sides.
Patty snakes his arm around her, pulling her against his chest. Over her head, he keeps glaring at me.
“Hence my confusion,” I reply at her.
She blinks up at me. “What?”
“Cleopatra was a real person. She’s not fictional. Neither was Caesar,” I add at Patty with a smirk.
“She’s not real,” his date replies with a laugh. “It’s from that HBO show.”
“Wow.” I glance up at Patty. “You two will have very beautiful children.”
Before he can respond, I spin around and move back the other way. Nothing is worth spending another second trapped in Rookie Wasteland, not when I know Tess is here. I step outside and nearly walk right into Mars.
“Whoa, sorry man,” I say, putting a hand on his shoulder to steady myself.
He glances over his shoulder at me, taking me in, his body stiff under my hand.
I do the same. “What the fuck are you wearing? Who are you supposed to be?”
“No idea,” he replies with an indifferent shrug.
He’s wearing a red beanie with a pompom, a blue and white striped shirt, and these bright aqua board shorts. “I don’t—” That’s when I see the rest of them. Standing not ten feet away over by the coolers are Doc, Jake, and Sanny. And then I’m laughing. “Dude, they made you Smee?”