If At First

Part 6 - Chapter 5

Her expression shifted to one of understanding. "You don't know who Haven Casey is, do you?" she asked. She had an uncanny way of asking questions that didn't sound at all like questions.

"I know he's 'Gas-station-guy'..." I replied, assuming now that I was missing something.

"I know! That's why Janey told me what Tommy said!"

"What? Why?"

"Why did you think he told her?"

"Because he's nosey and bored."

"How do you not...!" She sighed, looking frustrated with me. "Okay, well not only is he 'gas-station-guy', but you live under a rock."

"This is not news."

"Haven Casey is practically like... like, royalty. There's actually a good chance he might be royalty somewhere. He's one of the most 'eligible bachelors' in the U.S.?" She paused, waiting in vain for light to dawn, "...And probably some other countries, too. His family is unimaginably wealthy. They own, like, the east coast...and perhaps the west coast, maybe some stuff in the middle for all I know, plus hotel chains and coffee chains, and all kinds of other chains. One or possibly both...-no, I think it was his grandmother- She was an actor in the sixties. And a lot of the rest of his family members are super influential in political circles. Any of this ringing a bell?"

My mind reeled. How did I not know this? Was that why his name sounded familiar? Had I heard of him?

"Ooh!" she exclaimed, "You remember that movie we saw that one time in that storm when Gary almost hit a skunk and you screamed until he let you drive and we ended up getting lost?"

"How are you still mad about that? I found the way home."

"Haven dated the chick from that movie! For like, a long time. Turned out she was an evil-troll-monster though, so they broke up. Broke his heart according to US Weekly. Anyway, that's not everything," she continued, "but I can't remember it all. I'm telling you, this guy can't walk down the street without people throwing themselves at him." She paused, taking a breath, "And he just danced with you in front of all of David's parents wealthy, powerful friends." She finally stopped and looked at me.

"Wow." I responded, feeling as though I'd just been put in my place, "That's an impressive resume. A little on the vague side, but...but he's still just a guy, right? It's fine, I won't talk to him anymore if you think it'll ruin his reputation or something."

"Seriously Tab, you'd have a better chance with a Kennedy."

Nice, Danni. "A Kennedy?"

"Please tell me you know who the Kennedy's are."

"Shut-up." I tried to remain unconcerned, though I was a little hurt. She's only married a few hours and already turning into a snob.

In a flash, the events of my last meeting with Haven came rushing back and I felt the color drain from my face. "Oh, no."

"What."

"Ummm....." I laughed nervously. "Okay, so I didn't say anything at the time because it didn't matter, but I have to tell you something."

"What."

I lowered my voice and backed closer to the window behind the flowers. "So when we were in Vegas, remember how I left the pool and got lost?" She nodded encouragingly. "Well, the truth is I sort of, maybe, actually blacked out in an elevator and woke up with Haven and some other guy in the hall outside their hotel room,"

"Excuse me?" She blinked.

"...and I mayyyy have led him to believe that I was a wealthy, possibly famous-type dodging the paparazzi." Saying it out loud made it sound more insane than I thought it possibly could. "But I never thought I'd see him again, and I assumed he was just being stuck-up! I didn't know he had reason to be stuck-up."