“No. I think I’m finally in control.” I walk to the door.
She steps closer. Runs a finger along the hem of my shirt. Soft, teasing.
“C’mon, Liam,” she purrs.
“No.” I take a step back. “Please leave. Now, I’m bored.”
Her voice drops to a whisper. “Liar. You still get stiff when you think about me.”
“I get hard when the wind blows,” I deadpan. “Nothing to do with you, specifically.”
She scowls. “Fuck you, Liam.”
“You keep trying, but no thank you.” I gesture for her to leave.
“You think you’re the only one who’s scared of losing something? I didn’t join Fireball to fall for you. I wanted to be in the band. I wanted to matter. But you—” She chokes on her words. No tears fall. It’s not grief. It’s fury. “You think Padraig’s the only thing I can burn,” she snaps.
I nod. “If you start lighting matches, we all go down. You included.”
She fucking hates me for saying it out loud.
“Don’t make me your enemy, Felicity. Don’t ruin your, our shot over something we both agreed wasn’t going to last.”
She gulps. “I don’t want to be your enemy. I want you to want me.”
“I did.” I meet her eye. “Then I didn’t. I’m being honest.”
She stares at the door. Doesn’t move.
“For what it’s worth, I didn’t lie to you,” I add. “I didn’t handle it right either. I’m sorry for hurting you.”
She storms out.
When she’s gone, I lock the door. Sit down. Dig the heels of my hands into my eyes.
I’ve never lied to my twin. I’m going to correct my error immediately.
No more hiding.
No more running.
Fireball is my life.
I’m done setting fires I don’t know how to put out.
eight
Avonna
One Month Later
Todayismysixteenthbirthday.
It’s also my wedding day.
To a sixty-two-year-old man, with four other wives. I heard there was a fifth, but no one’s seen her in years. My sister also found out he didn’t want me at first. Said sixteen was too old. I was too mouthy.
Apparently, the Elders promised him a seat on the Counsel and gave him free rein to take charge of my penance. It makes me shudder to think about it.
