chapter twelve
Wren
It was a late start to the day after wallowing hungover in bed for most of the morning. But I am moving out of Dad’s home tomorrow and have more to pack. I had to get moving. Jay and I are silent as we head to The Beanery to pick up sandwiches and coffee. I am still sweating out alcohol despite having taken two showers already this morning. Gross.
“Hey Wren, you’re late today,” Steph says when we reach the counter.
“Yeah, late start,” I say. “We’ll have two caramel macchiatos and two turkey sandwiches to go.”
Jay looks down at me and I could practically feel his furrowed brows without even looking at him. “Don’t even start. I’ve seen you eyeing my drink every day. You’re allowed to like stuff.”
He mumbles his thanks, and we go to wait for our order. We remain mostly silent until our order comes. Jay hums a deep appreciative sound when he sips his sweet coffee. He lifts his mask to drink and I watch, transfixed, as his throat swallows. That peek of a tattoo is visible again on his neck, just below his collar. I wonder if it covers his biceps and curls up to his neck, or if it covers his chest and extends up. With a shake of my head, I tear my eyes from his golden skin.
“You like Krabby Patties, don’t you Squidward?” I ask as we leave The Beanery.
“It’s like candy. Too sweet,” he says even though he clearly chugged it down.
“Sure,” I laugh.
****
Packing up the rest of my belongings went quicker than I expected. There wasn’t much left in my room besides the furniture that is going to stay here. I look around the space, not feeling the least bit sad about leaving it. It has been my safe oasis for my entire life, but now it is well past time to create my own space. My own life.
“Jay, I found that birding group on Facebook. Many of them are part of a senior center and are bussed in, but other people can come on their own. They’re an open group and they meet on Wednesdays at the park,” I say, peeking into his room. He’s on his stomach on his bed, idly watching something on his phone.
“Wait, you want to go back there?”
“Duh, they’re bird watchers! I love birds! Of course I want to go back.”
Jay is silent for a moment. “They did not seem to like us.”
“They will like us. That was just a bad day,” I say with a shrug.
“Mmkay,” Jay mutters.
“Whatever, dinner is at seven. Dad’s having a dinner party to celebrate me moving out. Dress nice.”
“I’ve been briefed,” he says.
“Your little friend Lance will be there,” I coax, like I’m talking to a shy toddler.
He shoots me a glare, and I cackle as I leave.
****
Seven o’clock rolls around and I’m stuffed into a red dress that matches the red of Angelica’s tail feathers. She’s perched on my shoulder in a proud stance.
“Beautiful bitch!” Angelica croons when she sees Gemma in the foyer.
“Babes!” Gemma shouts as she comes toward me and Angelica. She’s wearing a powder blue cocktail dress and looks as heaven sent as usual. She kisses both my cheek and Angelica’s.
Lance trails behind, carrying two baskets. “Hello, Wren… Blade.”
“Lance,” Angelica greets with a bob of her head.
I realize I am not sure who Dad invited now that I hear the drone of male voices in the living room. I thought it was going to just be us and Gemma. Maybe one or two men from his work. That’s a lot of voices filtering out.
“Who all is here?” I asked Gemma.
“Girl, it’s your party. What are you saying?” Gemma looks at me like I’m crazy.
“I thought it was just us,” I say and hook my arm in hers before we swing into the living room.
I almost turn around and leave immediately. There are so many people in the room. Many I don’t recognize. This isn’t a common occurrence in my life. I take a step back, my arm sliding out of Gemma’s. A hard body stops my retreat and I startle. Angelica on my shoulder puffs up her feathers and tucks her head under her wing. Her talons sink into my skin to keep her place on my shoulder. Warm hands soothe down my arms to settle me and I inhale sharply. It’s the crisp scent of Jay’s soap. The anxiety in my chest releases a fraction of its hold.
“Right behind you,” he mutters. His voice is casual, but with the undercurrent of assurance. For the first time in my entire freaking life, I am thankful for the presence of Jay.
“Big bitch, help me!” Angelica squawks and flutters her wings to land on his shoulder.
Apparently, I’m not the only one thankful for him tonight.
“There she is!” Dad’s voice booms as he approaches me. His arms are out like he’s looking for a hug and the smile on his face is broad.
“Hi Dad,” I say through a dry throat. He hugs me tightly and I whisper, “Who are all these people?”
“These are my friends. They’re all here to celebrate your new home,” he says and pulls away.
I heard nothing about new friends before tonight. He normally told me when there would be someone new in the house. Apparently moving out revoked that privilege. I force a smile at all the people gathered. They are all watching with vaguely amused expressions. “Thank you all for coming!”
Everyone turns back to their conversations and Dad steers me to where two men are standing with a woman near the bar. A male Sparrow is behind the bar and watches us approach with a glass of champagne already poured for me. I take it with a muttered thanks.
“Wren, I would like you to meet Mr. Potter. He’s the CEO of the company that manufactures the biometrics cards in our watches. We’ve been working on some new projects together,” Dad says and gestures to the portly man with an obvious hairpiece.
“Hello,” I say and reach out to shake his hand. He grips only my fingertips and turns my hand so I’m momentarily shaking his hand up and down like a flopping fish.
I look at Dad. He once told me to never go into business with a man who couldn’t shake my hand. Was he seeing this? Gross.
“And this is his wife and son. His son, Grey, runs the marketing for his dad’s company. Isn’t that wonderful?” Dad continues.
I look at the woman and young man next to Mr. Potter. Mrs. Potter has big blonde hair and dramatic makeup. She smiles, but only her lips move. “Lovely to meet you,” I tell her with a smile. She looks me up and down and despite the lack of movement in her face, I can see her close judgement. Ohhkay .
Grey smirks down at me and reaches out a hand for me to shake. He shakes it properly before stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. I shiver in discomfort. It was a weird touch. “Hi,” I say, kind of awkwardly. His hair is also voluminous and combed over to the side. I can’t help but be amazed all three of them have equally terrible hair. Was it a family aesthetic? Like, was this a choice ?
“Grey here loves exotic birds,” Dad says. “Perhaps you could tell him about Angelica?”
“Um, sure,” I said. “She’s an African Gray Parrot. I’ve had her since I was a child.”
“Is she really? I would have thought her to be a painted pigeon!” Grey says and looks up at Angelica on Jay’s shoulder behind me.
Was he kidding?
“Pigeon?!” Angelica squawks, clearly terrifying Mrs. Potter. She crouches behind Mr. Potter and lets out a cry.
“Excuse me, I need to speak to…” I trail off and immediately exit the conversation. I feel Dad’s glare on my back as I scurry away, clutching my champagne.
“Wren!” I hear my name being called.
It’s Connie, my dad’s secretary. I smile and approach her. “Hi Connie, it’s nice to see you. Love this dress.”
She looks down at her floral dress and blushes. She’s been working side by side with my dad almost as long as Hawk. It’s been a source of pride for me that my dad kept his secretary as she aged, and he didn’t toss her out when she wasn’t a hot young thing like so many of his friends did. She is undoubtedly beautiful, but her loyalty and cohesiveness with Dad kept her employed with him for so long. She doesn’t let him get away with anything and she keeps him productive.
“Wren, I’d like you to meet my nephew, Carlson,” she says and gestures to a man I hadn’t seen next to her. He is maybe an inch taller than my five foot self and his round face makes me think he’s a teenager. His blond hair is gelled into place and doesn’t move as he nods his head at me in greeting.
“Hi,” I say with a wave.
“He’s graduating this month from NYU,” she says proudly.
Oh, so not a high schooler.
“That’s great! Congratulations,” I say with a big smile.
“Thank you,” Carlson beams. “I hear you’re moving out of the city.”
“I am,” I confirm. “Ready to settle somewhere quiet.”
“I could live nowhere else,” Carlson laughs good-naturedly. “This city is in my blood.”
“Mm, yeah, the pollution gets to us all,” I say sarcastically.
Jay coughs to stifle a laugh behind me. I forgot he was there.
Carlson and Connie stare at me, not understanding my joke.
“Oh, I see Gemma. I have to speak with her. It’s nice to meet you Carlson. Always nice to see you, Connie.”
I duck out of the conversation, eyeing Lance with Hawk against the back wall. If Lance is there, then Gemma is close by. I beeline straight to him. “Where’s Gem?” I ask him.
He points to where she’s surrounded by a group of young men, none of which I know. She’s talking to them and hamming it up. Her celebrity mode is On. She eyes me coming over, and she gives me a “What The Fuck?” expression and excuses herself from their circle. They groan at her departure and she waves demurely back at them. She leans down until our foreheads are almost pressed together and growls, “Why didn’t you tell me this was a meat market?”
“I had no clue,” I whisper frantically to her. “I’m so sorry!”
She snorts a laugh and kisses my forehead. “I guess I must say… be careful what you wish for.”
“I didn’t wish for this!” I hiss at her and down my now warm champagne.
“You complained that none of the men your dad set you up with wanted the connection bad enough to date you,” Jay says behind me.
“Jay, suck a dick,” I spit as a Sparrow switches out my champagne glass with a new one. She gives me a quick look that conveys her awareness of the situation at hand. “Thank you, Sparrow.”
Jay clears his throat. “Your father wishes me to convey the message that you should agree to two dates.”
“Jay, give me your gun. I’m going to kill him,” I groan.
“Babe, I thought you wanted more choices,” Gemma says uncertainly.
“Yeah, but… this feels gross,” I say and wipe my sweaty hand down over my dress.
“Hawk says he’ll help you bury the body,” Jay says and Gemma laughs.
“Well, I brought you both presents,” Gemma says to change the subject.
“Presents?” I ask.
“Yeah, a housewarming present,” she says and gestures to the baskets on the end table.
They’re delicately packed twin baskets of candles, soft blankets, a plant, a bottle of wine each, and… Potty Spray. A loud laugh escapes me, and I clap a hand over my mouth.
“I figured living with a man was going to get smelly and disgusting. Jay, you must spray this in the toilet first—”
“Wren!” Dad’s voice calls out. “Come and meet Mr. Rodriguez!”
“I’m going to miss seeing you every day,” Gemma says, her voice thick.
“Me, too,” I say and fight the tears welling in my eyes.
“I’m so happy for you, though. This is perfect for you, and I will come visit so often you’ll make me a room,” Gemma says with a sniff.
“There’s a pull out bed in the couch,” I say and clasp her hand.
“I’m not bunking with him,” Gemma says and juts her chin out at Jay.
“You’re not,” I laugh.
“Wren!”
“If I don’t see you, good luck tomorrow,” Gemma says.
My throat is too tight to reply.
“Quick, chug that before you go talk to your next suitor,” Gemma says and shoos me off and wipes the corners of her eyes. Lance pulls her closer to him and hands her a tissue.
I join Dad for the next round of introductions after chugging my champagne. A Sparrow shoves a small plate of hors d’oeuvres into my hand next and I steel myself. In the end, I agree to two dates. One with Grey Potter, simply because he was the first to ask and a man with hair like that must have an interesting story. And one with Levi Rodriguez because he didn’t use his height to stare down my dress.