“I seriously don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” That’s not a lie. “This stuff with Colson would have been grueling without you around.”
Olive, who’s on the other side of me, butts into the conversation. I don’t mind. I like having her around. It’s making the fact that Everleigh is leaving easier. “When was the last time you talked to him?” my sister asks, her gaze swinging from the dance floor to our drinks on the bar top. She hasn’t had any alcohol tonight, and I plan to keep it that way since, last time I checked, she was taking antidepressants.
I’ve kept her in the loop where Colson is concerned, texting her with the latest updates. I’ve leaned on Sebastian and Everleigh, too, and it’s been one of the smartest things I could’ve done, especially after the situation with my dad.
It’s so much harder keeping things to yourself when you don’t need to. I learned that lesson the hard way. In such a short amount of time, I’ve done a complete one-eighty in how I operate. All because of Colson but also becausethisfeels better than what I put myself through for months keeping Dad’s infidelity a secret.
“Not since the night his mom was laid to rest.”
Olive blows her fringed brown bangs out of her face. She has her hair pulled back, but they’re too short to fit into the ponytail or stay tucked behind her ears. They give off these Zooey Deschanel vibes, and I’m here for it. “I don’t get why he’s being so difficult about it. If he likes you, why not lean on you for support?”
“Some people have a hard time doing that,” I tell her, giving her a glance that hopefully reminds her that I was no different just a few weeks ago.
“Yeah, well, I guess you two are a match made in Heaven then.”
“We’re not together anymore,” I remind her, pretending like it isn’t a shock to my system every time I think or speak about it.
Everleigh frowns and sips on her straw. “I hate that it has to be this way for you guys. You two were so good together. I mean, I wasn’t even with you half the time, but I could definitely feel it whenever he spent the night and would hang around even if it was primarily in your bedroom.”
I felt it, too. How right we were for each other.But then it all went up in flames.I’m learning that death makes a person reevaluate everything in life. It causes wedges. Massive craters the size of the Grand Canyon.
“Sorry,” Everleigh apologizes with a sad tone when I don’t reply. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I should keep my trap shut.”
“Believe me.” I huff out somewhat of a laugh. “Nothing you say is going to make me feel any worse than I already do.”
“Which is why we need to party it up,” Olive declares, lifting her arms and shaking her shoulders. “Do you know how hot we are? There has to be a couple of guys who want to show us a good time. Maybe buy ya girl an alcoholicbev-er-age.”
I give her a look. “I said you could come with us if you didn’t nag about booze.”
We both know I would’ve let her come regardless.
She waves her hand in my face. “Fine, fine.” She looks over at Everleigh. “She’s killing my vibe. We need to loosen her up. Shimmy those titties and get that bartender over here so this one can knock back a shot or ten.”
My friend cackles as if I’m not sitting next to her. “I think I’m in love with your sister.”
“While I think you’re absolutely gorgeous,” Olive compliments, “I’m definitely in it for the dick.”
“Olive!” I shriek.
“What?” She smirks. “I’m just saying. I’m flattered but also no thank you.”
“Please ignore her,” I say to my friend as I feel someone come up behind me.
Sebastian’s voice falls over my shoulder. He reaches forward, grabs one of the waters on the bar top, and chugs it. “Who are we ignoring?”
“Apparently me,” coos Olive, visibly gawking at Sebastian like it’s no issue at all that she’s checking him out. I’ve never seen her flirt as hard as I have tonight. It’s actually kind of entertaining. That, and I know Sebastian isn’t about to cross that line. “Want to take me out there and show me how to get jiggy, Sebby?”
Everleigh catches my eye, a smirk testing the corner of her lips as she mouths, “Sebby?”
“Ah sorry, Olive. I’m all danced out. I was just coming over for a bit of a break. Pretty sure Webber wouldn’t mind if you interrupted him, though,” he taunts back in jest.
She nearly gags. “Ew.” Then she realizes Sebastian is just trying to rile her. “That was wrong on so many levels.”
He cracks a cheeky grin. “Sorry. Had to after you pulled the ‘Sebby’ bit.” He shudders. “Never say that out loud again.” His hand settles on my shoulder, and he squeezes. Ever since things have gone awry with Colson, he’s gone the extra mile in checking in with me when he’s around. “You good, Vi?”
“I’d be better if this one didn’t always have something outlandish coming out of her mouth.” It’s true. My sister has been on another level since she arrived. I’m not sure if I should be happy about it or concerned. Instead of worrying, I’ve opted for going with the flow and not putting too much thought into it. I trust that if something was up with her, she’d tell me.
“Afraid I can’t help you with that.”
