The Webb Birthday Party

I felt like an over-sized doll. I was perfectly able to dress myself, but Kaylee wouldn’t have it. Black slacks, shiny dress shoes that pinched my feet, maroon button down, grey stripped vest and a black tie to complete the look. This was probably the best dressed I’d ever been in my life. She’d taken me to an expensive men’s clothing store too, swatting my hand away whenever I pointed to something that looked good. My picks were never the right ‘brand.’ Kaylee kept it close to the chest, but I saw a number on the receipt she hid. I could have bought a fucking giant TV for what my pants and shirt cost.

It was when she took me to get my haircut that I realized this wasn’t going to be a typical birthday party. It was one of those fancy salons, not the fifteen buck fast food version of a hair cutters I normally went to. Here too, I had ****. Kaylee simply showed a picture to the stylist without even consulting me. I watched in horror as the stylist hacked away at my hair. I never did much with it, but it was nice and thick. Put enough effort into it and I could pull of a stylish bed head.

This though… I had no words.

I looked like a fucking tool. A douchebag frat boy with a law degree. I hated it. Bitching about it got me no sympathy from Kaylee either. “It’ll grow back,” was the only thing she gave me. I had enough product in my hair that I had to stay several feet away from an open flame or I’d become a human match.

Seeing what Kaylee wore almost made it all worth it. It was a similar shade as my shirt, but I found she wore the color far better than I. This wasn’t like the dress I’d seen her in before. What she had on weaponized her body. The fabric seemed to mold to her form, accenting every delicious detail. As her boyfriend, I was nervous. The dress was a tad too short for my liking and there was a lot of exposed flesh around her neck and breasts. The dress was making a statement: she was the best looking thing in the room.

The man in me loved it.

Combined with what looked like professionally done makeup and her highlights changing to a dark red, I almost didn’t recognize her. I think she found my tongue tied manner amusing, but there was a tension in her shoulders. Her mother was equally as beautiful, but that same tension was there that kept her teasing to a minimum. It looked like the two were going to war than a party. As we left their house, the limo waiting outside all but confirmed it. Wherever we were going, it was far above my social standing.

Being in a limo was amazing. The seats were like clouds as I did my best to relax, looking around like an awestruck child seeing the candy aisle for the first time. Kaylee’s parents made small talk, but I found I couldn’t focus. My nerves were eating at me.

“So. Uh. What are you dragging me into again?”

A tense smile answered me. “Just a small get together with some family and friends. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Uh-huh.”

She rested a hand on my leg. “Focus on eating and drinking everything you can. The food is the only thing that makes these things tolerable.”

“I just realized I don’t have a gift.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

The longer we drove, the more concerned I got. City gave way to suburbs. Suburbs gave way to undeveloped land. When we finally pulled off the main road, we drove through an open gate. My stomach twisted tighter the longer we drove. This was a long driveway. When we finally arrived at the house, my jaw hit the floor. It wasn’t a house, it was a palace. Driving around the circle, my eyes watched the fountain displays in the middle. Stupid thing was as long as an Olympic swimming pool. It was heated too considering it wasn't frozen. An honest-to-god butler, complete in the outfit, opened the door and helped Kaylee and her mom out before leading us inside.

“Might want to pick up your jaw,” Kaylee whispered with an amused smile.

“Kaylee, this—”

“Relax, Scott. Aunt Renee has some money, but this is still a party. Pretend like you belong here and you’ll be fine.”

'Some' money might have been the understatement of the year.

“That’s your advice? Fake-it-till-you-make-it?”

She smiled. “Oh, you want some advice how to not look like a country bumpkin and embarrass yourself?”

“Yes, please.”

She thought for a moment. Her smile widened. “Find a stick, shove it up your ass, then talk to literally everyone like they are a child. You’ll fit right in.” She hooked her arm through mine. “Relax. I’ll be right here with you.”

I managed a few breaths before we walked through the double door. If I thought the outside was nice, inside was a real life stereotype of every movie mansion in existence. Immaculate and luxurious, I instantly was lost in the splendor. The Webb’s didn’t even blink at the sickening displays of wealth. We were guided to a massive room where throngs of people were gathered. Eyes moved over to us as we entered. If I thought the judgment at school was bad, this was on a whole different level. The worse those at school could do is give me disappointed looks. Here, it was like they were trying to decide to considering me human or not. Fortunately, most of their attention was on Kaylee and her mother. They weathered the looks with stoic professionalism.

“Lisa!” My eyes went to the voice and did a double-take. The woman was a few years older than Lisa, but damn if she didn’t carry that age with impossible grace. She had the ‘took my breath away’ level of beauty, and I had to take a deeper breath than normal after my lungs forgot what they were doing. Red hair framed her perfect face as her dark green eyes locked with Lisa’s. Each step brought my eyes lower, drinking in her form. There was a dangerous plunge to her dress, giving an eyeful of her large breasts. Now, my preferences ran towards the petite, but seeing her… What I wouldn’t do to get my head between those beautiful twin—

An elbow nailed me in the side. Kaylee had a fake smile pasted on her face. “You’re staring,” she said in a voice only I could hear.

“How is my little sister doing?” the redhead asked, wrapping Lisa in a hug. Despite the display before me, why did I feel like I was watching two actors trying their best to put on a show?

“Renee, it’s been too long,” Lisa said warmly. They separated, giving each other big smiles. Renee’s eyes flicked to the man beside her sister. “Toby.” The way she looked at him made me suspect they knew each other a little too well. “Looking good, as always.”

Toby wasn’t as awestruck as I was, giving her an easy smile. “Not as well as you. Happy birthday, Renee.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes swept to us and I unconsciously felt my back stiffen. “And look at you! You get more beautiful every time I see you,” she said as she gave Kaylee a hug. Releasing her, they continued to rest their hands on each others arms. “So, what number are you up to now? Break a hundred yet?”

With a light laugh, Kaylee shook her head. “Not quite.”

“Have to be getting close though.”

“Seventy-seven.”

“Almost there. Weren’t you and Kayla trying to keep the Webb tradition going?”

She gave me a quick look as I watched the exchange with a growing sense of confusion. “Things changed.”

Kaylee’s aunt followed her gaze to rest on me. “Speaking of change, a new face!”

“Scott,” Kaylee said as she moved to my side. “This is my aunt, Renee Webb. Aunt Renee, this is my boyfriend, Scott Hoffman.”

“Boyfriend! Kayla told me you got one, but I didn’t expect—” She stopped suddenly, giving me a smile. Why did it feel like she had been about to say something offensive there? “It’s wonderful to meet you, Scott.” Her eyes shifted to something behind me. “Ah! I’ll have to speak to you all later. Please, enjoy the party! Food and drinks are,” she made a gesture that pretty much encompassed everything around her. Without another word, she swept past. She smelled as wonderful as she looked. Already, I could hear her greeting someone else.

Eyes moving back to Kaylee and her mom, both dropped their fake smile. “Can we go home yet?” I was surprised when Lisa of all people asked that.

“Now, Dear. We agreed—”

“I know,” she said with a monumental sigh. “Where is the champagne? I hope the cheap bitch isn’t using the same shit she was last year.” She was already walking deeper into the room.

Mr. Webb sighed, looking to us. “I’ll keep an eye on her. You two behave, yeah?” He said with a wink.

“We’ll probably find some dark corner to fall asleep in,” Kaylee said. Her dad left with a chuckle as he went after his wife. Before I could say anything, Kaylee turned to face me. “Well, now that you’re finished eye-fucking my aunt, shall we go get some food?”

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head. “I—”

“I’m messing with you. I’d be more concerned if you didn’t.”

Not knowing how to respond, I kept my mouth shut. With Kaylee at my arm, she guided me into the room and around clusters of people. She greeted several as we passed, but didn’t bother introducing me to them. We didn’t stop until we reached the massive buffet-style food table. She expertly grabbed a few options, placing them on a small plate. Handing me the full plate, she repeated the process. Together, we found a small area off to the side of the room and ate. Best food in my life.

“Good?”

I nodded, chewing happily. This wasn’t so bad. Great food, the best company, and no one bothered us.

“What was that whole thing with your aunt?” I said after finishing my second helping.

“Hmm? Oh, that,” she said with a shrug. “Mom and Aunt Renee slept with over a hundred guys by the time they graduated high school. Kayla and I were working to continue that tradition.” She stopped to give a passing server a smile as she lifted a glass of bubbling liquid off the tray. Taking a sip, she wrinkled her nose. “Mom’s going to be pissed when she tastes this.” She gave me the glass. “You can finish it.”

“I’m not twenty-one.”

“That’s adorable,” she said with a laugh. When I still didn’t drink it, she rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Just drink the damn thing.”

I took a cautious sip. Holy shit. Delicious.

“Vile, isn’t it?”

This was disgusting? Now I wanted to taste the good stuff. There was a mix of amusement and curiosity in her gaze as I quickly finished off the glass. “So…” I said as she took the glass from me. “This goal…”

It looked like she was surprised we were still on the topic. “As I said, my priorities changed. My aunt makes it seem like it was a bigger deal than it was. I was never actively working towards it.” She shrugged. “I’ll get there eventually. Who cares if it was before or after graduation?” Swapping out the empty glass for a new one, she shoved the glass at me. Taking it, she grinned as I sipped at it. “I can’t believe you like that.”

“Never had it before.”

“Poor, poor child. I wish you could have come with us for New Years. Mom got this great bottle from France.” She closed her eyes as if trying to relive the moment. “I’d give up sex for a month—no two—for another bottle of that stuff.”

That was one hell of an endorsement. As I sipped at the champagne, I glanced around the room. There was something off that I couldn’t put my finger on. The more my eyes scanned the room, the larger the feeling became. It seemed like a normal adult party. People stood around, ate, drank, and talked. People flowed from one group to the next. Handshakes, hugs, and laughter cut through the mummer of conversation.

It hit me all at once. There were a lot of guys. It was a subtle thing because our school had a close ratio, but this was more ****. If I had to guess, I would feel safe betting there was a one to one ratio of men to women. That was among the guests. The staff were almost exclusively men as they weaved through the guests with graceful poise. Even more shocking was how many faces I recognized from news articles and TV. These weren't just family friends, but politicians and prominent business women.

My mind turned back to Kaylee who was still talking about how much she hated these parties. My attention snapped back when I heard her mutter a curse. Looking over, I found a pair of people approaching. They were our age, and I recognized the young woman. If I didn’t know better, Kayla could have easily passed as Kaylee’s sister. There were some subtle differences, as Kayla was a hair shorter, her blond hair a few shades lighter, and unless that dress of hers was working some sort of black magic, she had at a cup size on Kaylee.

I really needed to stop looking at them, but they were right. there. That dress wasn’t helping a bit. It drew my eyes right towards them.

“Let me do the talking, okay?” Kaylee muttered.

“Kaylee,” Kayla said as she spread her arms out. I saw Kaylee smile as she closed the distance. The two girls hugged while us guys looked each other over. He looked like he had a stick stuck up his ass, so Kaylee's advice was apparently legit. The way he looked down his nose at me was like I’d shit on his shoe or something equally vile and offensive. Attitude aside, the guy was up there with Sean in the looks department. Leaner, but he still had that annoyingly charming face—even if it was smeared by the smug look of superiority. I was glad he was Kaylee’s cousin, because he was probably right in her strike zone.

“Ryan Webb,” he said with an arrogant drone to his voice as he offered his hand.

“Scott Hoffman,” I said. It was like shaking a wet noodle. His attention turned to Kaylee as he wiped his hand against his leg.

Asshole.

“Good to see you, Kaylee.” Kaylee remained stone faced. That was odd. I’d never seen her so outwardly hostile to someone.

“Ryan,” she said with the barest of nods.

He glanced at me with the corner of his eyes, head not moving one iota my direction. “The boyfriend, I assume?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmph. I heard you got one. I was curious what sort of man would catch your attention. I can’t help but say, I am disappointed. Your standards are slipping, cousin.”

I think it was the ****, but there was a flash of anger as I took a step towards him. The words were right there on my lips, but Kaylee beat me to it.

“He’s five times the man you are, cousin.”

There was a sneer on his face as he took a step closer. Kaylee stood her ground, even as her head tilted back to look him in the eye. The guy even had a few inches on me. “Plenty of beds upstairs. Shall we put that to the test?”

Letting out a huff of breath, she shook her head. “Big words from a man who has to pay for a lady’s attention.”

Beside him, Kayla snorted as she held a hand to her mouth to hide the smile. There was a story there and the reaction was immediate. A flash of anger crossed his face and I legitimately thought he was going to hit her. I was already moving, standing next to Kaylee with a balled fist and an empty champagne glass. The quick movement made me woozy, but I straightened quickly. Ryan stared down at me before giving me a mocking smile.

“I see now,” he said, looking back to Kaylee. “Such a loyal pet.” His eyes roamed over Kaylee. There was no effort to hide his lewd thoughts. Kaylee said nothing, weathering the violating gaze stoically. “Very well. If you ever want to mount a real man, you know where I’ll be.”

The sheer fucking arrogance of this asshole. He turned and walked away. I took a step after him but was stopped by a hand on my arm. “Don’t.”

“But—”

“It’s not worth it, Scott.”

“Seriously,” Kayla said as she joined us. “My brother is a fucking asshole. You need to be careful and stick with Kaylee or me. He’ll be lurking around, waiting to get you alone then try to goad you into starting something.” She shook her head. “He’s always doing that. Manipulative prick.” She took a deep breath and put on a smile. My heart fluttered when she aimed it at me. Damn. She was too much like Kaylee and it was doing weird things to my mind. The **** too. “But enough about that prick. I hear your team is still undefeated.”

I let the two talk, backing away slightly. Somehow, I’d managed to get my hold of another glass of champagne. They really should be IDing people here. With so much **** floating around, it would undoubtedly get into the hands of a minor.