Thatthingshe was referring to was my sophomore-year talent show. My brother’s band had been waiting backstage after their performance. They were seniors and a shoo-in to win, which was stupid because all you won was a lame trophy and bragging rights. But back then, that was all they really wanted. Liam had snuck some liquor in to celebrate and offered me some while I was waiting to go on. He said it would help calm my nerves. I didn’t know what I was doing. The only alcohol I had ever tried before that night was one of my mom’s wine coolers. Six pulls from the tequila bottle later, and I could barely stand upright. I was puking out my insides the moment I sat down at the piano onstage.
Liam had videotaped the entire thing and sent it to everyone in school the next day.
Nina offered a sympathetic smile.
I shook my head. “It wasn’t just that one time. He’s never liked me, and he’s never been shy to tell me that. But it’s like he hates me even more now. I don’t get it. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“Have you thought about asking him about it? Clearing the air?”
“I’ve only been there a day. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t exaggerating things, but now… I don’t even know if I should stay.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You are not moving back home to live with your mother. Just stick it out for a few months. You have so many things going on right now, and I’m sure their schedule is full with band stuff. You’ll barely see the guy.” It sounded convincing, but I knew this wasn’t going to just go away by ignoring him.
“Yeah, I don’t know. Lexie seems pretty bent on keeping me close to her.” I laughed, watching her prancing toward us.
“Where have you two been?” Lexie whined. “Who wants to go up there with me?”
Lexie eyed me for a moment, but Nina swiftly grabbed her hand before I could decline. “I’ll join you, babe!”
I gave Nina a thankful nod when Lexie was busy jumping for joy. Nina shot me a quick wink. As they started toward the side of the stage, discussing song choices, I peeked over at the band’s table, filling up with more faces I didn’t recognize than ones I did.
Avoiding going over a little longer, I decided to hide in the restroom for a few minutes.
Feeling some strands of hair sticking to my neck from the heat of the packed bar, I fastened it into a messy bun. I stared into the mirror in the dimly lit restroom and tried to style it in a way that all the girls in school seemed to do effortlessly, pulling small pieces out to hang daintily.
A girl walked out of a stall while I struggled. One glance at her short-shorts, tight crop top, and fake eyelashes made my reflection that much more unappealing.
I ripped my hair tie out and stomped out of the restroom, colliding with the person waiting on the other side of the door.
“I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t see—oh, it’s you.”
“Sir?” Liam blinked and fixed his jacket. “How endearing.”
I looked down at his empty hands and straightened myself. “I see you forgot my drink.”
“Nah, they ran out. They got tequila though.” His annoying smirk returned, and my patience shattered.
“You’re infuriating,” I said, pushing him aside. “Grow up, Liam.”
“Ah!” A deep laugh echoed from his chest. “I do think we’ve finally broken her, folks!”
I snapped my head back.
“And only in the first inning.” He grinned.
“Is that what this is? Some kind of game to you?”
His brows pulled in. “What?”
“Never mind.” I shoved away from the hallway, feeling him follow.
“I wouldn’t go over there if I were you.”
I threw my hands up, exhausted. “And I suppose you’d rather I just left?”
“Actually, yeah. Not sure why you thought this would be fun for you anyway.”
“I’m beginning to question that myself.” I bit down on my lip. “Fine, Liam. I’ll leave as soon as—”
