She ignores the warning. "What's your excuse for her? Too pretty? Too smart? Or something else ridiculous?"
I sigh, knowing I'll never win this argument. She has too much spunk and gives too little fucks for her own good.
"She has a boyfriend, Grandma. They're actually coming tonight. Would you like me to introduce you?"
She huffs in frustration and waves me off. "No. No one could be a better catch than you, so I don't want to meet someone that she's clearly wasting her time with."
I wrap an arm around her and squeeze her in a hug. "I love you, Birdie. You'll always be my biggest cheerleader."
Her smile grows at my proclamation. "Of course. Always. I just want the best for you, you know that."
"I know. I would never change a thing."
But the sudden mention of Hailey is like a splinter in my mind, a nagging reminder that she still isn't here. She’s never late—it’s practically a joke between Remy and I that Hailey’s more punctual than someone in the military. I look around at my parent's decked out, lit-up backyard, scanning the crowd for the sunlight, silky blonde hair I know so well.
"I actually need to go look for Remy and her sister. I'll come find you later, okay?"
She pats my cheek with a smile and says, "Of course. Enjoy your evening, darling."
I make my way through the party, searching for either Remy or Hailey but not finding either of them. I even stop to ask my parents if they've seen them, but no one has.
I manage to keep my impatience under control for another hour, glancing at the time on my phone and debating just sending Hailey a text.
By the fifth glance at my phone, I decidefuck it, I'm just going to call her.
I almost don't think she's going to pick up, it rings so many times, but then I hear the call connect. For a moment, all I hear is heavy breathing.
"Hello?" I ask tentatively. "Hailey? Are you there?"
The breathing gets closer, and then I hear, "Jax!"
I pull the phone away from my ear to stare at it in confusion. When I bring it back to my ear, all I can do is repeat myself. "Hailey? Are you there?"
A giggle rings out through the line. "I'm here. Where are you?"
A frown creases my face as I start to pace around the backyard—as I try to figure out what the fuck is happening right now. "I'm at my parents' house. Did you forget about their anniversary party?"
"Of course not. I love your parents. Unfortunately, Steven and I will be unable to attend this evening. Please send them our regards." She says it with an exaggerated formal lilt, and even though it pretty much proves my thoughts, I ask the question anyway.
"Are you drunk?"
Another giggle. "Yesssir. Very drunk."
My frown deepens. I can't remember the last time I've seen Hailey really drunk—if ever. She prefers to be in control, so the most she'll ever do is get buzzed. Although now that I think about it, I've barely seen any drinks in her hand at all the past few months.
"Are you… okay? Did something happen?"
She sighs heavily on the other end of the line. "Nothing important. I just wanted to relax for once."
"Are you at home? Where's Steve?"
Now the sigh is angry. "I don't give a shit. He can go fuck himself."
My eyes widen at her hostile tone. Hailey is one of the kindest, most easygoing people I know, so to hear her curse is somewhat shocking. It takes me a few seconds to decide which question I want to ask first.
"Uh, that kinda makes it sound like something happened. Hailey, what's going on?"
She groans loudly. She doesn't say anything for a while, so I give her space to sort through her own thoughts. Eventually, I hear her sigh again, softly this time.