Back at the apartment, Logan mumbles something about an early shift and disappears into his bedroom, leaving me alone.
Streetlights filter through the blinds, casting striped shadows across the ceiling as I stretch out on the couch in the dark. My chest feels tight with the weight of everything I haven’t told Logan as I sling an arm across my eyes.
Fifteen fucking years since I walked away from Lizzy without a word. And now here I am, lying to my best friend about why his sister can’t stand the sight of me.
“You’re such a dick,” I sigh to myself.
The truth is, I knew coming back to Lakeside would up the chances of running into her. I just didn’t expect it to happen on my first night here, with zero warning.
I roll onto my side and punch the pillow. Two more days and then I can escape back to California. The thought brings asmall measure of relief. Once I’m back in L.A., I’ll be able to breathe, put some distance between me and the past again.
But it’ll only be temporary. I’ll be back in a couple of months to start filming, and for a hell of a lot longer than a weekend. Three months of being in the same town as Lizzy. Three months of potentially running into her at every turn.
Stubble scratches my palms as I scrub a hand over my face. Maybe by the time I get back, she’ll have calmed down. Maybe the shock of seeing me will have worn off, and we can at least be civil to each other.
At least I’ll be busy with filming. Long days on set, endless meetings with the crew. I’ll barely have time to breathe, let alone cross paths with her. Maybe we can both just... continue to pretend nothing ever happened?
My phone buzzes on the coffee table. Snatching it up, I squint at the bright screen.
HANK
Any progress on finding a girlfriend?
I groan, tossing the phone back onto the table. That’s the last thing I want to think about right now.
The apartment is quiet except for Logan’s soft snoring coming from his bedroom. I stare up at the shadows dancing across the ceiling, memories washing over me as I drift off to sleep, dreaming about the past.
fourteen
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
“Oh, no you don’t,”I growl. Michelle’s face twists with fury as I grab her arm, pulling her away from the refreshment table. “What the hell was that about?”
“She called me a cunt!” she shrieks, loud enough that several couples dancing nearby turn their heads in alarm.
“Jesus. Keep your fucking voice down,” I hiss, dragging her further away, into a quieter corner. “I don’t care what she called you. You don’t put your hands on her.Ever.”
Her eyes narrow into slits. “You’re defending that… thatfreak?”
My voice drops dangerously low. “Don’t call her that.”
“Why not? It’s what she is. Always has been.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her tits up. Amazingly, it does nothing for me. Nothing about Michelle has done anything for me for a while now. “Everyone can see it. The way she stares at you when you’re not looking. Just like you do to her.”
My heart stutters in my chest. “Idon’t?—”
“Don’t even try to deny it,” Michelle squawks, cutting me off. “It’s pathetic.”
I go still. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh,please,” she scoffs. “I’m not stupid, Rowan. I’ve seen how you look at her. How you always find a reason to be wherever she is every chance you get.”
“You’re imagining things,” I mutter, but the words sound hollow even to my own ears.
Her lips curl into a cruel smile. “Am I though? Then why did you just choose her over me? Yourgirlfriend.”
The word ‘girlfriend’ makes me wince. Michelle and I have been hooking up for a few months, but I’ve never called her my girlfriend. Not once. Everyone just assumed since I wasn’t hooking up with anyone else we were exclusive, and I’m an idiot for not putting a stop to those rumors the second they started.
“This isn’t about choosing her over you,” I lie. “She’s my best friend’s sister. I’m practically obligated to protect her.”
