“Who?” But I know. I know before she says it.
“Julien.” She doesn’t look at me, still watching him across the room. “Do you think he likes me?”
My throat closes. Words pile up behind my teeth—he’s mine, I slept with him, he kissed me against a wall before we came inside, he said he needs me—but they won’t come out.
Because she doesn’t know.
Because I haven’t told her.
Because I’m a coward who’s been sneaking around instead of being honest.
“I—” My voice sounds strangled. “Why do you ask?”
“He’s been so nice to me. Taking me to the lake, carrying me when I couldn’t walk.” She hides behind her cup. “And he’s… I mean, look at him.”
Julien laughs at something Ramirez says, head thrown back, throat exposed.
“We used to be close. Before everything.” Amelia’s fingers trace the rim of her glass. She is looking at him like he’s the answer to a question she’s been asking her whole life. “I always thought maybe, when I got better…”
And here I am. Sister of the year.
“Amelia—”
The door crashes open.
My father staggers through, clutching a bottle of brown liquor. His shirt’s untucked, hair mussed, face flushed red. “What the hell is this? Some kind of party?”
Ramirez reaches for the MP3 player, turning the volume down but not off. Cameron stops dancing, hiding Sienna protectively behind him.
Dad’s gaze lands on Amelia. “You. What are you doing here?”
“I—”
“You should be in bed.” He sways toward our table. “You’re sick. You need rest, not—” He waves the bottle vaguely at the room. “—this.”
“Dad.” I stand, positioning myself between them. “We’re just having a bit of fun. Amelia’s feeling better.”
“I am.” Amelia pushes to her feet. “I’ve been resting during the day?—”
“Resting.” Dad laughs, sharp and hollow. “Right. That’s why you were out at the lake today with him.” He points the bottle at Julien, before his attention swings to me, eyes bloodshot. “And you. Where were you?”
“I—”
He stumbles closer, invading my space. The whiskey smell rolls off him in waves, turning my stomach. I flinch back automatically, chair legs scraping against wood.
“That’s what I thought.” He laughs again. “Too busy throwing yourself at the next best man like a whore.”
Whore. Is this all I deserve?
Julien appears at my side so fast I don’t see him move. “Don’t you dare.”
“Or what?” Dad faces him. “You’ll hit me?”
“Stop it.” My voice comes out small. Weak.
Why can’t I be stronger? Why do I always shrink when he?—
Dad’s face twists. “I’m her father. I’ll talk to her however I damn well please. She’s been sneaking around, abandoning her responsibilities?—”
