At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks [63]
Jeremy spotted his agent across the room. Nate was wearing a tight three-piece suit, the top of his head was shiny with perspiration, and there was a spot of pizza sauce on his chin. He seemed more out of place than Jeremy. Noticing Jeremy’s stare, he waved a slice of pizza.
“Yeah, that reminds me . . . thanks for inviting your friends to my bachelor party.”
“Who was I supposed to invite? I tried the guys at Scientific American, but they didn’t seem all that interested. Other than them, the only names I could come up with, besides your brothers and Nate, were females. I didn’t realize that you were such a hermit while you lived here. And besides, this is just the pre-party to get us in the proper mood for the evening.”
“I hesitate to ask what’s on the agenda later.”
“Don’t bother. It’s a surprise.”
A roar from the crowd erupted as people high-fived. Beer sloshed here and there as the replay showed Iverson sinking a long three-pointer.
“Hey, did Nate talk to you yet?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because I don’t want him ruining the evening by talking about writing all night. I know that’s a sore subject with you right now, but you’re going to have to leave it behind when we hit the limo.”
“Not a problem,” Jeremy lied.
“Yeah, sure. That’s why you’re over here leaning against the wall instead of watching the game, right?”
“I’m preparing myself for the evening.”
“Looks more like you’re pacing yourself so you don’t get in trouble. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re still on your first beer.”
“So?”
“So? It’s your bachelor party. You’re allowed to cut loose. In fact, you’re supposed to cut loose. So how about I get you another beer and we’ll get this party started.”
“I’m fine,” Jeremy insisted. “I’m having a good time.”
Alvin studied him. “You’ve changed,” he said.
Yeah, Jeremy thought, I have. But he said nothing.
Alvin shook his head. “I know you’re getting married, but . . .”
When he trailed off, Jeremy stared at him. “But what?”
“This,” Alvin answered. “All of it. The way you’re dressed, the way you’re acting. It’s like I don’t know who you are anymore.”
Jeremy shrugged. “Maybe I’m growing up.”
Alvin began peeling the label off his beer bottle as he answered. “Yeah,” he said. “Maybe.”
Once the game ended, most of Alvin’s friends lingered near the food, doing their best to finish off the last of the pizza until Alvin finally shooed them from the apartment. When they were gone, Jeremy followed Alvin, Nate, and his brothers down the stairs, where they piled into the waiting limousine. Another case of beer was on ice inside, and even Nate was getting into the spirit of things. A lightweight when it came to alcohol, he was swaying after only three beers, and his eyelids were already at half-mast.
“Clausen,” he was saying. “You need to do another story like the one you did with Clausen. That’s what you need to find. You need to bag another elephant. Are you hearing me here?”
“Bag an elephant,” Jeremy said, trying to ignore the boozy breath. “Got it.”
“That’s it. That’s exactly what you need to do.”
“I know.”
“But it’s got to be an elephant.”
“Of course.”
“An elephant. Do you hear me?”
“Giant ears, long trunk, eats peanuts. Elephant. Got it.”
Nate nodded. “Now you’re thinking.”
Across the car, Alvin moved toward the front to give directions to the driver. A few minutes later, the car rolled to a stop; Jeremy’s brothers finished the rest of their beers before crawling out.
Jeremy was the last to get out, and he realized they were at the same trendy bar where he’d gone to celebrate his appearance on Primetime Live in January. With a long granite bar and dramatic lighting, the place was as sleek and crowded as it was back then. Beyond the glass windows, it seemed to be standing room only.
“I thought you might like to start here,” Alvin said.
“Why not?” Jeremy said.
“Hey!” Nate called out. “I recognize this place.” He turned around. “I’ve been here before.”
“C’mon, big boy,” Jeremy heard one of his brothers say. “Let’s go on in.”