I swear on top of my black eye and bruised cheek I’m going to have carpet burn on my chin because my jaw just unhinged itself and is currently on the ground. Nash stands up. “I know. I’m a fucking idiot. She was just so fucking annoying all night teasing me and I can never come up with the smart remarks as fast as you so I just kept drinking and trying to loosen up and then next thing I know we’re in some Vegas chapel in the middle of the night and she dares me to do something stupid so, like, we got married.”
“Holy shit. I honestly… I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s fine. It’s being annulled. As soon as that train wreck finds the damn marriage certificate." Nash groans. "I can't even remember the freaking chapel. I've called like a hundred of them. I've got that lawyer you recommended looking into the Nevada marriage registry but it hasn't been filed yet I guess because she hasn't found it. So maybe we didn't actually get married. I really only remember barfing in a ditch by the Vegas sign."
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
Nash wants to smile but his lip makes it impossible. But I can see it in his eyes. I reach out and hug him. He hugs me back so tightly I can probably add rib injury to the list of issues I have. But the one I don't have anymore is a broken relationship with my twin and that counts more than any bodily injury. "I love you."
“I love you too,” he says back. “And I would love you just as much if you were dating Grady Garrison instead of Liv.”
I let that one slide. He has no idea what he said is so close to the truth.
“Let’s order room service and talk about what I can do to help fix this Tenley situation,” I suggest as I let him go.
“I’ll take anything I can eat through a straw and a bucket of ice.”
I smile. And then I stop because ouch.
I order two buckets of ice.
Chapter25
Liv
“Texting lover boy, again?” Tenley groans and hip checks me as she walks by carrying a fern that wasn’t in our apartment yesterday.
“Yeah. He’s taking his pre-game nap soon and I wanted to say sweet dreams,” I confess but I leave out the part where I just went into the bathroom and also sent him a cleavage-filled selfie in case he can't sleep and needs something to entertain himself with.
Tenley smiles. “I did not see this plot twist with you and the cool Westwood coming.”
“Neither did I but I’m so happy Ten.” I grin at her. “I feel like I can tell him anything. And that he tells me anything. Maybe because we started so… candidly. I don’t know but it’s real. And it’s good.”
“Did he ever tell you why he and Nash-hole looked like they’d lost aFight Clubmatch with The Rock at their dad’s jersey ceremony?” Tenley wants to know.
“Okay so maybe he doesn’t tell me everything.” I laugh as I tuck my phone in my back pocket and move to the wall she hung the backdrop on. It’s a little crooked so I tweak it. “He said he’ll explain everything when he gets back.”
“When is that?”
“Friday afternoon. They play Seattle tonight and Vancouver Thursday.” I stand back and look at the gray backdrop Tenley borrowed from the UCLA film department. It looks good.
“Look at you with the schedule memorized.” I am amusing Tenley way too much. “I love this journey for you.”
“Shut up or I’ll walk and you’ll have to find another unpaid production assistant,” I warn but she knows my threats are empty. I need to help her with the additional footage for her documentary proposal because tomorrow I have to go to court and give my side of the incident and face the guy who did this. I have no classes today no internship and no Dylan so if I don't help Tenley, I’d do nothing but stress out.
“My therapist said I should tell Mom and Dad before the trial,” I announce, and Tenley stops moving. Her head spins to face me. “So I emailed them.”
“Liv!”
“I’m better with things written down,” I argue. “And that way Mom couldn’t interrupt and freak the hell out. It was the best option. I also begged them not to jump on a plane and promised I would call as soon as it’s all over tomorrow.”
“Your mother will not respect that wish.”
“I know. But I also googled the flights and there isn’t really an easy way for her to get here in time,” I reply, and Tenley looks shocked.
“I’m almost proud of that sneaky move. And I am very proud you’re finally seeing someone about this.”
“Crew gave me the name of a very good psychologist,” I admit. “We do Zoom meetings. It’s helpful. I am also going to go to that group at school this week. Not because I’m a victim but because I’m a survivor.”
