I look around at all the bodies crammed around. “I’ll stay put. We don’t want to lose our seats.”
The band is setting up, and it’s standing room only.
“Good idea,” she shouts over the drummer pounding a quick beat as he tests his equipment. The bassist joins in, but he isn’t hooked to an amplifier, so he isn’t as loud.
“I’ll get us a couple of waters,” I tell her as she meanders off, pushing through the crowd to get to the hallway where the restrooms are located.
A different bartender I haven’t met yet walks over when I wave at Morrison.
“What’ll you have, gorgeous?” the new guy asks, winking at me.
He’s a big, burly lumberjack of a man with a salt and pepper beard and a head full of white-gray hair. Total silver fox.
“I appreciate the compliment, but it’s not necessary. I’m a good tipper.” I wink back at him. “Two waters please. Bottled.”
“Coming right up, doll.”
Someone pushes in next to me, bumping my shoulder hard, then sits down in Harper’s seat. I’m about to tell the person that the seat is taken, but never get the chance.
Amelia cocks her head at me, her perfectly lined, blood-red lips pulled back in a sneer, and all I can do is stare. Her being here isn’t a coincidence. I’m surprised it’s taken her so long to seek me out.
“Well, if it isn’t my baby sister.” Her smile sends chills down my spine.
I keep my facial expression neutral. “Amelia,” I reply in way of greeting.
The last time I saw my sister was the night of our big fight in the kitchen a week before I slept with Jordan. It was also the first time I’d ever stood up to her. She threw a coffee mug at my head before storming out. Luckily, Natalie was out with her church group and didn’t see all the blood I had to clean up. When she noticed the ugly gash on my forehead the next morning, I lied about how I got it. I had become a master liar by that point after years of Amelia’s abuse. I told Natalie I slipped on the porch steps and hit my head on the railing.
The lead singer of the band tests his microphone and clears his throat, garnering the attention of most everyone at the bar and those sitting at tables.
Amelia coolly inspects her manicure, her fake fingernails painted a deep, ruby red. I’m tempted to tell her it clashes with her hair color, but keep my mouth shut.
“What do you want, Amelia?”
Her green eyes flash. I’m thankful for the room full of people. She won’t get violent when there are witnesses around.
Just in case, I mentally go over all the self-defense moves Harper taught me. If Amelia thinks I’m the same docile, weak girl who won’t fight back, she’s about to get the shock of her life.
The silver fox bartender comes back with my waters, and I pass him two tens to cover the cost plus tip.
“Can I get you anything?” he asks Amelia, giving her a lengthy once-over.
All men do. My sister is a raving bitch, but she’s also insanely beautiful. Sitting next to her, you’d never guess we were related. That’s how different we look. She’s all slender lines and willowy figure. Long legs and unblemished skin. Sleek red-blonde hair that flows to mid-back, and the palest green eyes and high cheekbones. No one sees the ugly that lurks underneath.
“I’m good.”
Amelia waits for the bartender to get out of earshot. She leans in close to my face, and I hold my breath to avoid inhaling the cloying perfume she loves to wear. It smells like rotten fruit, sickly sweet, and always made me nauseous.
“Stay away from Jordan.”
I was expecting her to say Chase. How does she know that Jordan and I have been hanging out or even talking? Did Natalie say something to her? Shit. I don’t have a good feeling about this.
“No,” is all I say in response to her veiled threat.
The band makes their introduction, and the room explodes with applause and whistles. The lights dim, and the lead guitarist starts strumming the intro licks to Lonestar’s “Amazed.” It’s one of my favorite songs, and one I would listen to ad nauseum in high school whenever I thought of Jordan.
I twist off the cap to my water and take a few swallows to ease the sandpapery feeling in my throat. The bottle is wrenched from my hand and water splashes everywhere. On my face, my clothes, the floor. There’s a napkin that was left on the bar, so I use it to dry myself off.
“Yes, you damn well will. You’ll also stay away from Chase. Jordan ismine. Chase ismine. Come near either of them again and I will make your life a living hell.”
