Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jess had fallen asleep so she was still getting ready as the DJ and food showed up. When she did finally come downstairs some people had already arrived. She felt a little self-conscience about what she was wearing. Goldie had got her this outfit for Christmas. It was leather pants and silver top that like fur at the top. It was definitely something Jess would not normally pick out but then she was never one to show off her body. Kurt could have killed her. She sees Kevin and Howie getting themselves something to drink.

Jess - "Hey guys."

Howie - "Jessica!" He looks her up and down. "You look great."

Jess - "Thanks I feel kinda awkward I was going to go up and change."

Both - "No."

Kevin - "Don't do that you look beautiful. It's just not something we're use to seeing. Turn around and let us see it all." She slowly turns. "Wow you do have a great ass."

Jess - "Thank you." She rubs her butt. "It's big, but I like it."

Howie - "you do not have a big butt."

Jess - "Yeah I do its okay I'm use to it."

Loren - "Hey what you guys talking about?"

Jess - "Nothing Kevin and Howie were admiring my ass."

Loren raises an eyebrow at Kevin. "You were looking at my niece's ass."

Kevin has already had a few before they got there. "Well look at it. It's hard not to."

Jess - "Look at it this way Loren. Of all the asses here, mine's probably the safest for him to be looking at."

While they are discussing Jess's butt Brian gets there with out Christine. He sees her and goes out on the patio. They spend the better part of an hour missing each other. The place starts to get a little crowded. Jess really doesn't know anyone but she's mingling and having a good time. As much alcohol as she's consuming is also helping her be social. She was talking to some guy named Matt when she turned around and spilt her drink on Brian.

Jess - "Hi Brian. Where have you been I was looking for you? Oh I'll catch up with you later Matt."

Matt - "If you don't find me I'll find you."

Jess - "Okay." He walks away. "So hey I'm sorry about that. Oh it's white too. It's just OJ it should come out." She just rambles on.

Brian - "Jessica."

Jess - "yeah."

Brian - "It's okay. Can I talk to you?"

Jess - "No. I'm having fun and if we talk then we'll just both get all upset and then we won't be able to have fun anymore cause we'll be thinking and you know what Bri? I'm tired of thinking. Wanna dance?"

Brian - "Sure." He smiles.

Jess - "Okay let's go."

She takes his hand and they go to the patio where the DJ's set up. They start having a good time but the gods where just not cooperating with Jess that night. They get through one song and then he slows things down. Not knowing what else to do she take his hand and put it on her hip and they start to slow dance.

Brian - "You look really great tonight."

Jess - "Thanks my mom gave it to me for Christmas she said it was time for me to stop dressing like a boy. You know the hat and jeans, she would burn them all if I let her."

Brian - "it's not just the clothes I like your hair down. I had no idea it was so long." He brushes it off her shoulder.

Jess - "it's long and thick which makes it completely uncontrollable. It's be up before the end of the night trust me." They just move in silence each thinking the same thing. "I'm thirsty want a drink?"

Brian - "Sure go sit I'll bring you one." Jess goes and sits on this big rock AJ has by the pool. Brian brings her a soda. "Sorry didn't know what you were drinking."

Jess - "Soda's fine I probably need to slow down I don't have that high of a tolerance level."

Brian - "So how's your grandma?"

Jess - "Good. Well not good but better they've moved her out of ICU."

Brian - "that's great. When's she coming home?"

Jess - "Well actually she's going to be stay with my parents for a while until the can get her one of those retirement communities. She's not too happy about the idea but she's getting more used to it."

Brian - "well I knew everything would be okay. So how's work?"

Jess - "Okay I had to bride three people to time off this week."

Brian - "I'm glad you came down."

Jess - "me too."

Howie - "There you two are. Say cheese." He takes a picture the flash almost blinds them.

Jess - "Howie, what are you dong?"

Howie - "Taking pictures. Hey Christine's here. She's looking for you."

Brian - "Thanks. I'll catch ya later Jess."

Jess - "okay have fun." Howie sits next to Jess.

Howie - "Whatcha drinking."

Jess - "Something that's not strong enough."

Howie - "ever had sex on the beach."

Jess - "Howie that's a very personal question." Jess says sarcastically

Howie - "I mean the drink."

Jess - "I know you mean the drink. Come on let's go get one."

Some how Loren got stuck talking to Christine. She kept desperately searching the crowd for someone to talk to.

Christine - "So where is your darling little boy tonight?"

Loren - "He's with my parents."

Christine - "So are you going to call him tomorrow night to wish him a Happy New Years?"

Loren - "Actually where he's at it will be New years at about three in the afternoon."

Christine - "Oh really. Where is that?"

Loren - "Scotland." She is rapidly getting bored with the conversation then she sees Kevin. "Excuse me."

Christine - "Sure we'll catch up more later." Loren walks away. "Snobby bitch." Brian walks up behind her.

Brian - "hey what took you so long?"

Christine - "I had to look perfect for you honey." She brushes her hair off her shoulder.

Brian - "Well sometimes I'd rather you be on time and look less perfect."

Christine - "No need to get testy. I'm sorry. So where were you at?"

Brian - "Out by the pool." She sees Jess come in from that area.

Christine - "Oh my gosh look at what she's wearing?"

Brian - "Who Jess? I think she looks great." Christine gets a good look at what Jess is wearing. And notices how she doesn't look 'perfectly' put together.

Christine - "Is that what you're trying to tell me. That you wish I would look more like her!"

Brian - "No not at all. You look great baby. Honestly you are the most beautiful woman here." She grabs his face affectionately.

Christine - "And don't you forget it." She kisses his lips quickly.

Jess gets drunk, very drunk. The only reason she doesn't end up going home with some one is because AJ saw her heading to the door with Matt.

AJ - "Hey Jess where ya going?"

Jess - "Matt wants to take me for a ride in his convertible."

Matt - "It's cool man I'll take care of her."

AJ - "I don't think so Matt. She's a good friend of mine."

Matt - "You haven't even talked to her all night."

AJ - "She's a guest in my house, if she was sober and chose to go with you it would be one thing but she's wasted. She can't even stand." Nick sees AJ arguing with this guy that's holding Jess up.

Jess - "Hey Nicky!! What's up?" He comes over and looks at her closely.

Nick - "Jess are you okay?"

Jess - "Yeap I'm groovey."

Nick - "Groovey? AJ she's wasted and yeap she just passed out."

AJ - "Great come Matt help me take her upstairs."

Matt - "Alright she wouldn't be any fun throwing up."

Nick - "How chivalrous of you."

Loren notices the three of them carrying her upstairs.

Loren - "Need any help?"

AJ - "Nah we're just putting her to bed."

Loren - "Okay."

Kevin - "Hey you ready to get out of here?"

Loren - "Already it's still kind of early."

Kevin - "Trust me we're going to be seeing all of these people tomorrow night. I just want to spend some time with you."

Loren - "Did we 'spend time' together enough this afternoon."

Kevin - "I can never get enough of you."

Loren - "Okay let's go."