“I’ve gotta see what my choir boy has in his liquor cabinet.”
“It’s not going to be impressive, but I know that I at least have a nice big bottle of Grey Goose the show gave me when I made the top ten.”
“That’ll do the job.”
I nodded, searching my cupboard for a shot glass.
“Is this your family?”
Jess was standing at the fridge, staring at the photo. The picture had been taken at Keith’s wedding. I braced for impact. She leaned in closer, then slowly turned to me, and the disbelief on her face told me she’d seen the main attraction—and me standing right beside him.
“Surprise.” I forced a smile. “Fun, right?”
“I… uh… good god, Quinn. Is Jake McKallister your brother?”
“I told you, Jess. I said one piece of the puzzle was all you’d need to have me all figured out. Was I right?”
Jess wasn’t really listening to me. She’d gone a shade lighter. “That’s why you looked so familiar but I couldn’t place you.”
“Because I look like him. My whole life people have been trying toplaceme.”
“So, Jake is the hero of your story,” she said, still working through the pieces in her head.
“And what a freakin’ stud hero he is, am I right? Imagine living up to”—I pointed to the picture—“that!”
“Quinn.” She gripped my face, sensing my rising panic. “Hey, easy, boy. It’s going to be okay. You’re up next, so we don’t have a lot of time. Hand me that bottle—stat.”
I passed her the bottle.
She snapped her fingers. “Glass.”
I handed her the shot glass. She poured the vodka, which I expected her to guzzle down herself, but instead, she handed it to me. “Throw it back. You’ll thank me later.”
I did as I was told, and I could feel its goodness flowing through me like a lava river. I slammed the glass down on the counter. “Hit me again.”
She raised a brow. “You sure? I get a sense you’re a bit of a lightweight.”
“Jess!” I said, warning her of a full nuclear meltdown if she didn’t oblige me.
“Fine, but one more and then you’re done. Got it?”
I nodded. She poured. I tossed it back and roared, everything in me burning.NowI was ready to face my fate.
* * *
We sat transfixed as I walked out to center stage. It was like an out-of-body experience. I remembered every second, but still, it all felt like such a blur. This had been my big moment, the one I’d been waiting for all my life, and what had I done? No really… what the hell had I done?
Jess sat fidgeting by my side. Even she was nervous for me.
“This is the video,” I narrated, wanting to look away but knowing I had to face this head-on if I wanted to give myself a fighting chance to salvage what I’d destroyed.
She gripped my arm, and together we watched the exploitation. It wasn’t as bad the second time around, but that was only because I was prepared for the assault.
“Is that you?” Jess asked as the camera panned to me clinging to Emma’s leg.
“Yes.”
“Oh, Quinn. That’s heartbreaking.”
