6. Chapter 6 #2
“Promise.” He kisses the top of my head, careful not to disturb my wig. “You’ve worked so hard on this party. Everyone’s going to have a fantastic time.”
I nod against his chest, willing myself to believe him. Adam’s been different lately, more attentive since our talk a few weeks ago. We’ve gone on a few dates, and he’s been making an effort to come home earlier. I want to trust that tonight will be as good as he says.
“Come on,” he says, taking my hand. “Let’s do a final check. Make sure everything is ready.”
I follow him out to the living room, where I’ve spent most of the day decorating.
Orange and black streamers hang from the ceiling, fake cobwebs stretch across corners, and plastic jack-o’-lanterns glow on every surface.
The table is covered with Halloween-themed snacks—deviled eggs with olive spiders, mummy-wrapped hot dogs, a cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin, and a centerpiece of cupcakes frosted to look like little ghosts.
“This looks incredible.” Adam squeezes my hand. “I can’t believe how much effort you’ve put into this.”
I feel a flush of pride at his praise. “The sangria is in the fridge. I made a big batch of it. And there’s a pot of chili keeping warm on the stove.”
Adam shakes his head, still looking around at the decorations. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“So you keep telling me.” I smile, feeling some of my anxiety ebb away.
The doorbell rings, and Adam gives my hand one last squeeze. “Showtime,” he says with a wink.
The first guests are a couple of people I barely know, friends of Adam’s from high school. I greet them warmly, offering drinks and directing them to the food. Adam stays by my side, his hand at the small of my back, a steady presence as more guests arrive.
For the first hour, everything goes smoothly. Adam introduces me to people I haven’t met before, makes sure I’m included in the conversations, refills my drink without being asked. I relax, thinking maybe I’ve been worrying for nothing.
And then the door opens, and Millie walks in.
She’s wearing a witch costume, but not the kind with warts and a green face.
Her dress is short and tight, cut low enough to show an impressive amount of cleavage.
Her long black hair falls in loose waves down her back, topped with a small pointed hat perched at a jaunty angle.
Her makeup is flawless; her eyes smoky and mysterious.
The room’s energy shifts immediately. People call out greetings, several of the men openly staring. Adam’s head turns toward her like he’s being pulled by an invisible string.
“Millie’s here,” he says unnecessarily, already moving in her direction.
I nod, forcing a smile. “I’ll get her a drink.”
“No, I’ve got it,” Adam says, already halfway across the room. “You mingle.”
And just like that, he’s gone, swallowed up by the crowd gathering around Millie. I stand alone by the snack table, watching as she greets him with a hug that lasts just a bit too long, leaning in to whisper something in his ear that makes him laugh.
I turn away, busying myself with the food. When I look up, a woman I vaguely recognize from previous gatherings is standing in front of me.
“Great party,” she says, helping herself to a deviled egg. “I’m Brooke, by the way. We met at Eric’s funeral.”
“Oh right, of course,” I say, although I still don’t really recognize her. “Thanks for coming.”
“So you and Adam went with The Princess Bride, huh? Cute.”
There’s something in her tone that makes me think she doesn’t find it cute at all, but I push the thought away. “It’s one of our favorite movies,” I say.
“Mmm,” she says noncommittally, then brightens as she looks over my shoulder. “Oh, there’s Millie! Excuse me, I should go say hi.”
And she’s gone too, leaving me alone again. I scan the room for Adam and spot him still by Millie’s side, the two of them laughing with a group of their friends. Their friends. None of these people here are interested in becoming my friend.
I take a deep breath and move through the crowd, attempting to join various conversations.
Without Adam by my side, people are polite but distant, their eyes sliding past me mid-sentence to check if anything more interesting is happening elsewhere.
I chat with a few of Adam’s coworkers, but the conversations die quickly, leaving awkward silences.
“Princess Buttercup, really?” Hailey’s voice comes from behind me, and I turn to find her dressed as Catwoman, sleek and predatory in black leather. “Isn’t that a bit… juvenile?”
“Adam and I love The Princess Bride,” I say, trying to keep my voice light. “We thought it would be fun to do a couples costume.”
Hailey’s eyes flick to where Adam stands with Millie, still deep in conversation with several other people. “Hmm. Well, I guess it is a classic. Though I always thought Buttercup was a kind of passive character. Just waiting around to be rescued all the time.”
The barb finds its mark, and I feel my cheeks warm. “She had her moments of strength,” I say lamely.
“Sure.” Hailey’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Anyway, great party. Though if you want a tip? Next time, maybe go easy on the decorations. It’s a bit much.”
She slinks away before I can respond, and I’m left standing there speechless, feeling as though I’ve just been slapped.
I glance around for Adam again, hoping he might have finally extricated himself from Millie’s orbit, but he’s still with her.
She has her hand on his arm now, leaning in close to be heard over the music.
“Don’t let her get to you,” Lauren says, appearing beside me with a glass of wine in hand.
She’s dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, complete with ruby slippers and a small stuffed dog in a basket.
“Hailey’s just being Hailey. Nothing makes her happier than knowing she’s gotten under someone’s skin. ”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I ask, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.
Lauren grimaces. “I guess it probably doesn’t. I’ve just learned that she’ll go away and find another victim if you don’t give her the reaction she’s hoping for. For what it’s worth, I think your costume is perfect. And the party is amazing.”
“Thanks,” I say, genuinely grateful for her kindness. “At least someone’s enjoying it.”
“Hey,” Lauren bumps her shoulder against mine. “A lot of people are having a good time. Adam’s friends can just be a bit…”
“Unwelcoming?” I supply.
“I was going to say ‘slow to warm up,’ but yeah, that too.” She looks around at the party. “Don’t take it personally. Most of them have been friends since high school or even before. They’re slow to let outsiders in.”
I sigh, watching as Millie throws her head back in laughter at something Adam has said. “I just want to be accepted as part of his life.”
“I know,” Lauren says softly. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my brother. He was happier in Colorado with you than I’ve ever seen him.”
“Was?” I ask, catching her use of past tense.
Lauren winces. “Is. He is happier with you. I just meant… well, things have been complicated since…well….”
“Since we’ve moved back here.”
“Eric’s death was a huge shock to all of us. And Adam has always been so protective of Millie.”
We stand in silence for a moment, watching the party swirl around us. Adam is now at the makeshift bar, mixing drinks for Millie and a group of their friends. He hasn’t even glanced my way in at least twenty minutes.
“I need to use the bathroom,” Lauren says finally. “Will you be okay for a few minutes?”
I nod, though the thought of being left alone again makes my stomach clench. “I’ll be fine.”
As Lauren weaves through the crowd toward the bathroom, I steel myself for another attempt at mingling. Before I can move, though, a voice speaks beside me.
“Not exactly the friendliest crowd, is it?”
I turn to find Jake, Lauren’s husband, standing next to me. He’s dressed as the Scarecrow to Lauren’s Dorothy, his costume thrown together with less care than hers.
“No, they aren’t”
“I’ve been with Lauren for years, and I still feel like someone forgot to show me the secret handshake.”
I laugh for the first time since Millie arrived. “Well, if you ever figure it out, clue me in.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” he winks, taking a sip of his beer. “Mount Pella’s a tough place to be an outsider. Everyone’s known each other since birth, practically. I don’t think they mean to be unfriendly, but they’re not great at letting new people in.”
“Except you,” I point out. “You’re not from here originally either, right?”
He lets out a short laugh. “It took almost two years for people to stop referring to me as ‘that guy Lauren married’ and start using my real name.”
I laugh despite myself. “Great. So how many years do you think I’ve got before people accept me?”
Jake’s expression sobers. “Look, I don’t want to overstep, but… Adam should do a better job of standing up for you. Of making sure you’re included.”
I follow his gaze to where Adam is now sitting on the couch, Millie pressed against his side as they look at something on her phone.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “He should.”
Jake clears his throat awkwardly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“No, it’s fine,” I cut him off. “You’re right.”
We lapse into silence, and I’m grateful when Lauren returns, linking her arm through Jake’s.
“Everything okay?” she asks, looking between us.
“Fine,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just feeling a bit of a headache coming on.”
Lauren’s brow creases with concern. “Do you want me to get Adam?”
“No,” I say quickly. “He’s busy. I think I’m just going to lie down for a bit. Would you mind… would you mind keeping an eye on things out here?”
“Of course not,” Lauren says, squeezing my arm. “Take all the time you need.”
I slip away, moving through the crowd without drawing attention. No one stops me; no one even seems to notice as I retreat to the bedroom.
Once inside, I close the door behind me and lean against it, letting out a shaky breath. The noise of the party is muffled in here, just a distant hum of conversation and music. I move to the bed and sit down, carefully arranging my skirts around me.
I don’t know how long I sit there, staring at nothing, before there’s a soft knock at the door.
“Caitlin?” Adam’s voice. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” I say, not bothering to get up.
The door opens, and Adam steps inside, looking concerned. “Lauren said you weren’t feeling well.”
“I have a headache,” I lie, unable to meet his eyes.
He sits beside me on the bed; the mattress dipping under his weight. “You sure that’s all it is?”
I shrug, picking at a loose thread on my skirt. “What else would it be?”
“I don’t know.” Adam sighs, running a hand through his hair. “But you’ve been off all night. And now you’re hiding in here.”
“I’m not hiding,” I say, but the protest sounds weak even to my own ears. “I just needed a break.”
Adam is quiet for a moment, studying my face. “Is this about Millie?”
The direct question surprises me. Adam usually dances around the subject, pretending not to notice the tension Millie causes. “Why would you think that?”
“Because every time she’s around, something like this happens,” he says, sounding frustrated. “You get quiet, and find some reason to leave.”
I finally look at him, anger flaring. “Can you blame me? You haven’t spent more than five minutes with me since she arrived.”
“That’s not fair,” he starts, but I cut him off.
“Isn’t it? You promised you’d stay by my side tonight, Adam.”
He has the grace to look ashamed. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just—”
“It’s just what? You got distracted? Forgot I existed? What?”
“It’s not like that,” Adam protests. “Do you know what a rough time she’s been having lately? She wasn’t even sure if she was going to feel up to coming tonight. So yeah, I’m happy she’s here and having a good time and I’m going to spend some time with her.”
“It’s always something with her,” I say, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “There’s always some reason she needs your attention more than I do.”
“That’s not fair,” Adam repeats, his expression hardening. “She’s my friend, Caitlin. I can’t just ignore her when she’s hurting.”
“And what about me? Do you not care that I’m hurting too? Do you have any idea what it’s like to stand in a room full of people who’ve known each other forever, who all act like I’m completely invisible? To watch my fiancé ignore me while he tends to another woman?”
Adam opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, a voice calls from the hallway.
“Adam? Where’d you go? Beer pong is about to start!”
Millie. Of course.
Adam looks torn, glancing between me and the door. “I should…” he begins.
“Go,” I say flatly. “Of course you should go. That’s what you always do.”
“Caitlin—”
“Adam!” Millie’s voice again, closer this time. “Come on, we’re waiting for you!”
“I’ll be right back,” Adam promises, standing up. “We can finish this conversation in a few minutes.”
“Sure,” I say, not believing him for a second. “A few minutes.”
He hesitates, clearly conflicted, but Millie calls his name once more and the decision is made. He gives me one last apologetic look before slipping out the door.
I wait, listening to the muffled sounds of the party continuing without me. Minutes stretch into an hour, then another and another. The noise gradually dies down as guests leave. Still, Adam doesn’t return.
Eventually, I hear the front door close one last time, followed by silence. Then Adam’s footsteps in the hallway, stopping outside the bedroom door. There’s a pause, a moment where I think he might come in.
But then the footsteps move away, toward the kitchen. The sound of cleaning up begins, glasses clinking, trash bags rustling.
I lie back on the bed, still in my Princess Buttercup dress, staring at the ceiling. The tears I’ve been holding back all night finally spill over, tracking silently down my temples and into my hair.
Adam doesn’t come back. I’m more convinced than ever that he never will.