Page 49 of I Love You, It’s Ruining My Life

“And I don’t trust you,” Nalini answered him, the two of them nodding as if this was some sort of breakthrough between them.

“Okay, I’m glad that’s out in the open,” I sighed, hoping this terrible start to the day would make it easier for them to get through it. “How about we use today to let you both get to know each other again. Start over and stop holding on to everything...”

“Fine,” Nalini interrupted, pouring an extra helping of creamer in her coffee before taking a giant drink.

“Fine,” Jack whined, clearly not thrilled at the idea. I didn’t expect they’d be friends by the end of the day, but I hoped they’d at least be on better terms. For both their sakes.

The day passed by in a blur: presents, food, and by the time we got to the afternoon, I was exhausted. Cassidy was on a video call with her Dice & Dragons friends, showing off the different dice sets Noah had gotten her, and Nalini went to take a nap. Or avoid Jack. I wasn’t entirely sure which — though to both of their credit — they’d been on their best behavior all morning.

“If you’re both up for it,” I said to my brothers when we had a quiet lull in the conversation, “I’ve got a few songs I wanted to show you.” It was only a few minutes later our guitars were in our laps so we could practice, the handwritten papers on the floor between us.

It took a second for us to get used to playing together again, but once it clicked back into place, it felt like magic. Our harmonizing was as natural as breathing; the way the chords fit together was better than I’d imagined. The sound was different from the more generic pop we’d done before, sounding more mature while still sounding like us. It showed how we’d grown up and rediscovered ourselves.

The impromptu jam session continued as we ended up getting through most of the songs I’d written, with a few breaks to jot down notes or workshop things that didn’t quite fit. I wasn’t sure how long we'd been going until my phone buzzed with a message from Nalini — and I opened it to find a video of the three of us playing the song we’d just finished.

Sweetheart

You should bring back RaineFall.

I turned to see her in the doorway, her eyes misty, a sad smile on her face. I knew her; I knew she was thinking our time was running out, and she was letting me go. But I wasn’t going to give up on her that easily, not when I was certain I’d find a way for her to be comfortable.

Nalini may not have realized what I meant when she overheard me saying I loved her, but I did. I needed to assure her we could do this together and not to give up on what could be something amazing.

Chapter thirty-seven

Nalini

There was something magical about watching the Raine boys play music. I hadn’t meant to spy on them; I really had planned on taking a nap. If there was anything I learned from my first giant family holiday, it was that they were completely and totally exhausting. But once I heard them playing, there was no way I could sleep.

I’d spent so much time avoiding their music, I’d forgotten how much I loved what became their first album, Fire & Raine. I’d been their biggest fan before they signed their record deal, and despite how much I’d avoided their music, hearing it again changed something in me.

I couldn’t hate RaineFall.

I could hate the concept of a band just fine. I’d been doing that for years. But the band itself? The music? That was different, and hearing it again brought back a joy I hadn’t realized I missed. All three of them looked so happy to be playing together again that it felt wrong to be so against it.

I wasn’t sure if the world needed RaineFall, but it was as clear as day the three of them certainly did.

“Wow,” Cassidy whispered, peeking around me to watch, “They’re really good!”

“Have you ever heard any of their older stuff?” I asked, and she shrugged.

“Not really. Uncle Jack played me a little, but we never listened to it because Mom said it made Dad sad,” she explained. “But nothing sounded as good as this!”

“Yeah, they’re amazing, aren’t they?” I asked, continuing to watch.

“Do you think Daddy wants to do music again?” Cassidy asked, looking up at me.

“Probably,” I answered. “What do you think?”

“I think I don’t want to move again,” Cassidy finally said, “And if Dad can do his music and we stay here, it’s okay. I like my friends, and they don’t make me feel bad about writing and dragons and having fun. All anyone wanted to do at our old house was play with makeup and clothes, and that’s fun, but I like other things too. And they never let me.”

“Well, I’m glad you found friends that make you happy, and I think if you told your Dad, he’d make sure you can stay here,” I smiled at her, “I’d miss you if you moved away.”

“But you’re about to move away!” Cassidy exclaimed.

“I’m moving to my own apartment, not to a different town!” I laughed, even if a part of my gut felt like leaving would be exactly like that. “You’ll still see me across the school parking lot, and at writer’s group, and plenty of other times. I’m not leaving; I need my own space.”

“You promise?” Cassidy asked, and I nodded at her.