Josh didn’t understand the novelty of a half-naked lady bursting out of a cake. He sat back against the velvet couch in apathy. The roaring cheers of his peers pierced his eardrums as he faked a sly smile towards his best friend. 

Adorned in tacky golden sunglasses, a glittery sash, confetti, and cake bits, Will laughed boisterously as the stripper shook her chest in his face. 

“A cake stripper? Really? How tacky can you guys get?” He looked over at Josh and shook his head. Josh simply raised the green bottle in his hand and winked. Their long distance jest was interrupted by the haphazard toss of single dollar bills. 

“I love you, sexy stripper lady!” Marty tossed another wad of singles in the air, flushed red with alcohol. 

“You know she won’t give that back, right?” Jamie sat to the left of Josh absently feeding a nearly passed out Ethan on her lap. 

“Whatever. You’re not even supposed to be here, James,” Marty stuck his tongue out as he rolled over the couch to head to the snack table. Jamie shrugged her shoulders.

“Willy doesn’t mind,” she raised an eyebrow, “Right?” Will flashed a thumbs up over the stripper’s shoulder as she hovered over him. 

“Yeah, see? Plus, if I went with the other group, it would’ve been awkward. I don’t really know his fiance that well.”

“Wait!” Ethan shot up from Jamie’s lap, half-eaten chicken wing in mouth, “Who’s getting married? I hope it’s Will and--” A loud crash came from the snack table. 

“Ouch.” Marty was covered in cheese and crackers. The whole group began to roar with laughter. As Jamie got up to assist Marty, Josh looked over and locked eyes with Will. 

Pure mirth shone through his deep brown eyes despite the deep purple lighting that engulfed their faces. And Josh felt lighter. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ TEN YEARS AGO ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“So we’re all just gonna pile into this tiny ass car?” Jamie scowled as she gave the light blue ford fusion a once-over.

“First of all, her name is Jackie, and you WILL show her respect,” Ethan twirled the keys on his finger, “Second, yes we are.”

“SHOTGUN!” Marty raced to the door, accidentally body checking Josh into Will. Rolling her eyes, Jamie opened the back door and slid in. 

“Where do you wanna sit? Middle or side?” Will gestured to the two open seats. Josh looked in and thought for a bit before looking back at him. He shrugs. 

“I don’t really care.”