gossip girl 12 终结- 第2部分

For　the　past　few　days；　they’d　spent　every　waking　hour　with　the　family：　Pete’s　former　U。S。　senator　dad；　Chappy；　his　Boston　debutante　mom；　Jane；　his　three　older　brothers；　their　wives；　and　assorted　cherubic　nephews　and　nieces　whom　Blair　couldn’t　even　try　to　keep　straight。　It　sounded　like　a　nightmare；　but　it　was　actually　heavenly。　Mr。　Carlson　was　barrel…chested　and　red…faced　and　told　corny　jokes　in　a　way　that　made　everyone　crack　up；　and　his　mom　would　randomly　recite　Anne　Sexton　poetry　at　the　dinner　table　without　being　drunk。　The　brothers　were　good…looking；　friendly；　and　smart；　their　wives　were　polished　and　weling；　and　even　the　kids　were　polite。　So　far；　it　had　been　a　perfect　holiday。

And　it　was　about　to　get　even　better。　To　celebrate　the　New　Year；　Chappy　had　booked　the　entire　family　at　an　exclusive　five…star　resort　in　Costa　Rica。　Obviously；　Blair　could　do　without　the　rain　forest　adventure　part；　but　she’d　heard　the　beaches　were　pristine；　the　sun　was　hot；　and　the　villas　had　the　most　incredible　mattresses。

Just　then；　there　was　a　knock　at　the　door。　“You　kids　decent？”　Pete’s　older　brother　Jason　called　as　he　entered。　He　had　the　same　lanky　frame　as　Pete。　Tall；　strawberry　blond；　and　handsome；　all　four　of　the　Carlson　brothers—Everett；　Randy；　Jason；　and　Pete—looked　like　they　could　be　quadruplets；　even　though　there　was　a　two…year　age　difference　between　each　of　them。　A　second…year　law　student　at　UPenn；　Jason　was　the　second　youngest　of　the　Carlson　brothers。　He　was　adorable；　and　Blair　would’ve　had　a　crush　on　him　if　she　wasn’t　dating　Pete。

At　least　she　has　a　backup。

“We’re　playing　charades。　Carlson　Christmas　tradition。　Your　presence　has　been　requested。”

“Do　we　have　to？”　Blair　suppressed　a　groan。　It　was　cute　in　theory；　but　they’d　played　charades；　Pictionary；　and　Scrabble　the　last　three　days。　Blair　was　extremely　petitive；　and　it　was　exhausting　simultaneously　trying　to　win　and　to　not　appear　like　all　she　cared　about　was　winning。

Maybe　they　should　shake　it　up　with　some　Truth　or　Dare。

“And　guess　who’s　requested　you　on　his　team　again？”　Jason　smirked；　flashing　Blair　the　trademark　white…toothed　Carlson　smile。　“Our　dad　loves　you！”

“Yay！”　Blair　replied　encouragingly；　mustering　her　enthusiasm。　She　followed　Pete　through　the　wide　arching　hallway　that　led　to　the　kitchen。　The　whole　house　was　a　contradiction：　The　walls　were　rough　wood；　but　the　polished　wood　floors　were　covered　in　antique　Turkish　carpets。　In　the　kitchen；　a　large　wood　stove　hunkered　in　the　corner　opposite　two　massive　Sub…Zero　refrigerators。　Several　overstuffed　yellow　chairs　sat　in　front　of　a　large　dormer　window；　each　one　containing　a　different　member　of　the　family。　Chappy；　in　a　cream…colored　cable…knit　Aran　Islands　sweater；　stood　in　front　of　the　whole　group；　calling　them　to　order。

“Scout！”　he　called　gleefully　as　he　spotted　Blair　and　Pete。

“Hi；　Mr。　Carlson。”　Blair　smiled　warmly　as　Chappy　clapped　her　on　the　shoulder。

“I　already　claimed　you；　so　back　off；　boys；”　he　announced　jovially　to　Pete’s　brothers；　who　all　smiled　politely　back　at　her；　even　though　Everett　didn’t　bother　to　look　up　from　his　iPhone。　“I’m　telling　you；　Scout；　I　don’t　know　how　I’m　going　to　manage　without　you　next　week；”　Chappy　continued。

“Oh；　well；　I’m　sure　we　can　play　on　the　beach　or　something；”　Blair　said。　She　blushed。　The　phrase　sounded　totally　inappropriate　when　she　said　it　out　loud。　“Play　charades　on　the　beach；”　she　clarified　quickly。

“Yeah；　but　what’ll　I　do　without　my　favorite　teammate？”　Chappy　shook　his　head　sorrowfully。　“No　offense；　Jane；　but　you　cheat。”

“I　do　cheat；　I’ll　be　the　first　to　admit　it。”　Jane　Carlson　had　wheat　blond　hair　cut　in　a　sensible　bob　and　was　tall；　with　an　athletic　frame。　She　was　wearing　the　same　style　sweater　as　her　husband。　“I’m　glad　you’re　on　the　straight　and　narrow。”　She　winked　at　Blair。

But　Blair　was　still　stuck　on　the　part　of　Chappy’s　sentence　that　implied　she　wouldn’t　be　in　Costa　Rica　with　them。　She’d　bought　five　new　Eres　bikinis　for　the　occasion。　They　made　the　most　of　the　five　pounds　she’d　gained　from　the　gross　food　she’d　been　forced　to　eat　on　Yale’s　meal　plan。　“Without　me？”　Blair　blurted　stupidly。

“I　mean；　I’d　bring　you　along；　but　we’ve　got　a　saying　in　the　Carlson　family…”　Chappy　began；　his　blue　eyes　shining；　as　if　he　were　about　to　deliver　a　stump　speech。　“I　believe；　when　it　es　to　vacations；　in　the　‘no　ring；　no　bring’　rule。”

“It’s　the　Carlson　curse。”　Jason　sighed；　elbowing　Blair　in　the　ribs　sympathetically。　She　stepped　away。　While　it　was　true　Blair　had　never　officially　been　invited　to　Costa　Rica；　she’d　been　invited　for　Christmas；　for　God’s　sake。　Wasn’t　that　even　more　exclusive　than　a　beach　holiday？　And　why　not　invite　her？　After　all；　she’d　brought　Nate　on　her　family　vacations　for　years　and　it　wasn’t　like　she’d　been　married　to　him。

Except　in　her　dreams。

“Blair；　we　love　you　and　we　want　you　in　our　family　for　years　to　e；　but　I　need　to　be　a　stickler　on　this；”　Chappy　explained　sympathetically；　as　if　she　were　one　of　his　constituents；　arguing　over　some　impossibly　arcane　rule。　“I’ve　raised　four　boys；　and　while　they’ve　behaved　around　you；　honestly；　these　gentlemen　cause　more　theatrics　when　it　es　to　ladies　than　the　Yale　School　of　Drama；”　he　finished；　shaking　his　head。

“Maybe　you　could　get　together　with　your　girlfriends　and　have　a　girls’　adventure！”　Pete’s　sister…in…law　Sarah　piped　up　from　the　corner　of　the　room；　stroking　her　Lilly　Pulitzer–patterned　eight…months…pregnant　belly。　“I　remember　when　I　heard　the　Carlson　rule；　I　had　a　great　time　with　the　Theta　girls。　We　went　to　Cancún！”A　look　of　happy　reminiscence　crossed　Sarah’s　lightly　tanned；　heart…shaped　face。

“You　did？”　Randy　asked；　shooting　a　look　at　Sarah。　“I　didn’t　know　that。”

“Sorry；　son！”　Chappy　clapped　Pete　on　the　back。　“Sorry；　Scout！”

Blair　narrowed　her　eyes　at　a　painting　that　hung　over　the　fireplace；　of　a　ship　in　what　looked　like　an　exceptionally　violent　storm。　What　a　boring；　random　piece　of　art　to　hang　in　a　house。　Suddenly　she　hated　her　stupid　nickname。　Scout？

Out　would　have　been　more　appropriate。

“Blair；　I’m　sorry；”　Pete　said　simply。　“I　thought　you　understood…。”

“What？　I　knew　I　wasn’t　ing；”　Blair　lied；　smiling　fakely。　Her　stomach　was　churning　wildly。　For　a　brief　second；　she　wanted　to　excuse　herself；　run　to　the　second…floor　bathroom；　and　puke　everything　she’d　eaten　for　the　past　five　days。

“Blair；　darling；　here’s　your　hot　chocolate。　I　made　sure　to　put　some　extra　marshmallows　in　there。”　Jane　pushed　the　steaming　ceramic　mug　into　Blair’s　hands。　“Won’t　you　sit　down？”　She　gestured　to　one　of　the　fortable　overstuffed　forest　green　chairs。

“Thanks。”　Blair　nodded。　She　squared　her　shoulders　and　turned　to　the　waiting　Carlson　clan。　No　way　was　she　going　to　let　the　Brady　Bunch　see　her　sweat。　“You　all　ready　to　play？”　She　forced　herself　to　smile；　a　plan　already　forming。

“Maybe　I　will　have　a　wild　girls’　weekend；”　she　whispered　in　Pete’s　ear。　“I　haven’t　been　to　New　York　all　year；　except　those　two　weekends　with　you；　and　those　don’t　count；　since　we　never　even　left　the　hotel。”　His　face　fell　as　he　no　doubt　pictured　all　the　raucous　fun　she’d　be　having　without　him。　Blair　raised　an　eyebrow　challengingly。　After　all；　she　was　a　woman。　A　Yale　woman。　She　had　places　to　go。

And　more　important　games　to　play。

make　new　friends；　but　keep　the　old…

“This　came　from　the　man　at　the　other　end　of　the　bar；”　the　skinny　bartender…slash…model　wearing　a　cheesy　Ed　Hardy　T…shirt　said　as　he　proffered　a　glass　of　Veuve　Clicquot。

“Thanks。”　Serena　van　der　Woodsen　glanced　down　the　long；　dark　oak　bar　of　Saucebox；　the　new　lounge　in　the　just…opened　T　Hotel　on　Thompson　Street。　Breckin　O’Dell；　a　handsome　but　boring　actor　she　vaguely　remembered　meeting　a　few　times；　held　up　his　own　glass　of　champagne　and　saluted　her。　Serena　nodded；　brought　the　flute　to　her　lips；　and　took　a　healthy　sip；　even　though　she　preferred　vodka。

“Oh　my　God；　you　should　totally　date　him。　His　agent　has　ridiculous　connections。”　Amanda　Atkins　yanked　on　the　sleeve　of　Serena’s　black　Row　scoop…neck　jersey　dress　in　excitement。　“Can　we　get　some　shots　down　here？”　she　called　to　the　bartender。　Serena　smiled　sheepishly。　Amanda　was　an　eighteen…year…old　recent　LA　transplant　best　known　for　her　role　in　a　dorky　sit　about　a　fashionista　girl　from　Paris　who　moves　to　a　farm　in　Tennessee　to　live　with　her　redneck　uncle　Hank。　Recently；　though；　she’d　been　cast　in　an　indie　film　about　snowboarders　who　dropped　acid；　and　was　trying　to　break　free　from　her　good…girl　reputation。

Another　shot　and　she’s　almost　there。

“Maybe；”　Serena　responded　unconvincingly　to　Amanda’s　ment　about　Breckin。　She　stared　at　the　clear　bubbles　fizzing　to　the　top　of　her　glass　as　if　they　held　the　secrets　to　the　universe。　If　she　looked　around　her；　she’d　see　tons　of　Breckin　O’Dell　look…alikes　with　gel　in　their　hair　and　fitted　pressed　shirts　from　Thomas　Pink。　They　buzzed　around　Serena；　Amanda；　and　her　other　two　actress　friends；　Alysia　and　Alison。　They　called　themselves　the　three　A’s；　even　though　Alysia’s　real　name　was　actually　Jennifer。

The　three　A’s　were　admittedly　a　little　too　into　material　things；　but　they　were　also　goofy　and　fun　and　never　turned　down　a　party。　Usually　Serena　had　a　blast　hanging　out　with　them；　but　tonight；　she　felt　a　little…　off。　It　was　two　days　after　Christmas　and　her　parents　had　just　left　for　their　villa　in　St。　Barts；　while　her　brother；　Erik；　was　already　back　in　Melbourne；　Australia；　where　he　was　spending　his　sophomore　year　abroad。　It　wasn’t　like　Serena　wanted　to　spend　New　Year’s　Eve　with　her　family；　but　she　also　didn’t　like　waking　up　in　their　huge　Fifth　Avenue　apartment　alone。　She　downed　her　champagne　in　one　gulp；　telling　herself　that　she　just　needed　to　have　fun。

After　all；　she　is　the　expert。

“Hey；　you’re　that　farm　chick！”　one　spiky…haired　brunet　guy　stuttered；　not　looking　Amanda　in　the　eye。　He　wore　a　pink　and　white　striped　button…down　and　his　teeth　were　Chiclet　white。

“Yes。”　Amanda　sighed。　“I　am。　But　I　have　to　stand　over　here　now。”　She　took　two　steps　away　as　Alysia　and　Alison　snorted　in　laughter。　Serena　offered　the　guy　a　sympathetic　smile。　Even　though　she　was　beautiful；　she　was　never　mean。

An　infuriating　bination。

“God；　you’d　think　Knowledge　would　know　to　not　to　let　guys　like　that　in。　Did　you　see　his　hair？　It　was；　like；　sprayed　on。”　Amanda　flipped　her　long　blond　extensions　over　her　shoulder　as　she　named　the　beefy　bouncer　whose　job　was　to　keep　Saucebox　as　exclusive　as　possible；　even　though；　to　Serena；　it　felt　exactly　the　same　as　every　other　bar　she’d　been　to　recently。

“Serena？”

Serena　whirled　around；　ready　to　have　another　one　of　those　so　what　are　you　working　on　now？　conversations　with　someone　in　the　industry　she’d　probably　met　once。　Instead；　she　saw　a　familiar；　smiling　face　that　immediately　took　her　back　in　time；　and　eighty　blocks　north。

“Oh　my　God；　Iz！”　Serena　squealed　excitedly。　She　slid　off　the　smooth　oak　bar　stool　and　threw　her　arms　around　Isabel　Coates；　a　fellow　Constance　Billard　alum　who’d　gone　to　Rollins　College　down　in　Florida。　Her　skin　was　deeply　tanned　and　her　thick　dark　shoulder…length　hair　had　been　straightened。　Her　chest　looked　suspiciously　larger　than　it　did　the　last　time　Serena　saw　her。　Sh