“So how did your practice go on Thursday?”
My post-burrito euphoria disappeared in a matter of seconds.
“We didn’t have a practice,” I mumbled.
“Rescheduled again? Liam’s in-laws must be a piece of work.”
“Future in-laws,” I corrected. “No, we met up. Practicing just seemed pointless after we argued for a while and then decided to break up.”
Silas sat up straighter on the couch and turned to face me. “Wow. That sucks.”
“Yeah, that seems to be everyone’s reaction to the news.”
“But why?”
I sighed. “All the stuff I expected, to be honest. It’s getting harder for everyone to make the time, and Liam doesn’t want to try anymore. He said some crappy stuff to me, but I don’t think he meant it.”
“What did he say?” Silas asked, his expression hardening.
I tugged on my bottom lip with my teeth, trying to decide if I should tell him.
In the end, I decided I didn’t want to give Liam’s words more power by keeping them close to my chest.
“I told him how encouraging you guys have been toward me, and that you think Through Azure Skies has potential. Liam dismissed all that and said you were just being nice to me so that I would sleep with you.”
The tick in Silas’s brow was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever seen. His face set into a firm frown, while his hazel eyes shone with something deadly.
“I know it’s bullshit,” I hurried to say.
“He’s a jealous prick,” Silas growled, “who sure as hell shouldn’t be taking out his own pathetic insecurities on you.”
Mason had said the same thing yesterday. “I don’t know. Maybe. But who cares at this point?”
“I care,” Silas said, his voice firm. Then the fury on his face broke. “Adeline. Is that what you thought when I tried to kiss you? That I was helping you and complimenting you only to—”
“No! No. That’s not what I thought at all.” I told him, my eyes wide. “I know you wouldn’t do something like that.”
His eyes flickered closed in relief. “What an idiotic thing for him to say. Why would we ask you to record with us if we didn’t really think you had talent?”
I splayed my hands out. “I know. Honestly, I’m over his comments. But fuck. I just wish all of this wasn’t happening at the same time Molly’s leaving. And I only have a week left with you guys…”
The sun shone through Silas’s drawn blinds, and bright lines were scattered across the carpet. His hand landed on my shoulder, his touch warm and comforting.
“What if we got more time?”
I looked up from the floor, surprised at his question. The guys were eager to head back to LA—I knew that much. “You don’t need to slow down on my behalf. I’m a big girl. I’ll figure my life out.”
Whether I liked it or not, I had to come to terms with being left alone in River Valley. Prolonging the inevitable was only going to make the eventual goodbyes more difficult.
“You should take a nap,” I said, changing the topic.
“I’m not tired.”
I stood up, suddenly feeling restless on the couch beside him.
“What do you want to do then?”
“Want to practice?”
