The Same Side (University Park #2) (29 page)

“Sorry.” She put on a fake smile and then walked to the living room where my parents lingered among the crowd of people. I knew she was trying to make a good impression so when she and Luke finally told them they were together, they’d accept her. Based on the comments my mom had made, I knew she had some work cut out for her if they were going to be okay with her dating their son.

I visited with a few of my aunts and uncles, catching up with them. Most of them lived in California, where my dad was originally from, and some lived in the area. I steered clear of my sister’s husband, Ryan. He held a captive audience as he bragged about his law firm. It was sickening, to say the least. After an hour of torture, I finally decided I had had enough. Luke and Delaney had magically disappeared and I didn’t want to be forced to say anything in case my parents caught them.

I walked up the stairs but instead of going to my room, I headed to the game room. My niece and nephew were in there, along with several of my younger cousins and a few other kids from my parent’s friends. My sister’s nanny and one of other girl were playing games with some of the kids, while the older ones competed with each other on one of Luke’s video games. And again, it reminded me of Raven. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? Why did everything have to be a trigger?

I collapsed into the recliner and kicked off my shoes, pulling my feet underneath me. It didn’t take long for my niece, Payton, to crawl into my lap. Her curly blonde hair and stark blue eyes made the four-year-old girl simply adorable. As I watched her play with her baby doll, my mind conjured up images of Raven and me with baby. Who would they look like? Would they have dark, wavy hair like him? Would their eyes be brown like mine, or hazel like his? I felt my eyes water and I quickly reminded myself that that would never happen. I held on to my niece, rocking her until we both fell asleep.

“Lexi,” my mom called and I slowly opened my eyes.

“Here, I’ll take her,” the nanny said, taking Payton from my arms.

“Are you feeling okay?” My mom touched my forehead and I placed the back of my hand on my cheek.

“Yes.” I blinked a few times. “Just tired, that’s all.”

Her lips parted in a perfect smile, but I knew it wasn’t genuine. I could see it in the depths of her eyes and feel it in the pit of my stomach. “Its ten-thirty. We decided that we’re going to bring in the New Year early.”

I stretched and shifted, trying to work out the stiffness in my back. “Why would you do that?”

“There are a few people who want to leave early.” She rearranged my hair and I eased to the side, trying to get away from her hand. I didn’t want her touching me. “No to mention, the streets are dangerous after midnight.” Mom really wasn’t a big fan of driving on New Year’s Eve after she’d been in an accident when we were younger. I didn’t remember much since Luke and I were only eight at the time, but it left a big scar on both her and my dad. They didn’t talk about it — they pretty much avoided it like the big elephant in the room — so everyone just kept quiet, pretending like it never happened.

“So, we’re going to pretend its Eastern Standard Time?” I asked.

“You got it.” She continued fixing my hair and I searched her eyes, trying to uncover her true motive. “And I would like for you to play Auld Lang Syne on the piano.”

A pain struck the center of my chest and I felt my heart begin to crumble. The notes from the music I played for Raven echoed loudly inside my head, making me scream internally. They crashed into each other, clanging and banging until they stirred up every memory. Playing the piano was the last thing I wanted to do. It reminded me too much of Raven and how we had sang to one another. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was too soon.

“Um, I don’t know, Mom.” I pushed her hand away and got up from the chair. “I haven’t played that song in a while and it’s not like I can go and practice with everyone downstairs.” I put my shoes on and headed out of the game room. She quickly followed me.

“Lexi, it’s only a couple of chords.” Her voice deepened and I knew what she was about to say. “I know you can do it.”

“But, I don’t want to play.” I turned around and faced her. “Not tonight.”

“Lexi Ann Thompson,” her eyes narrowed and her hands flew to her hips, “I’m not asking you to play, I’m telling you to play.”

I felt my blood pressure rise and I took a deep breath. “Mom, please—”

“Olivia, Lexi, can you please come down stairs? Some guests have arrived.”

Gritting my teeth together, I unwillingly agreed. “Fine.” I stomped down the stairs like a kid, pissed that I’d given in to her request. I hated being at home and I wanted to leave, but I had nowhere to go. I flew down the stairs so fast that I didn’t see the group of people standing near the entrance. “Sorry,” I said as I avoided a near collision. “I… um—” My breath hitched and my eyes froze. Standing in front of me was Collin and his parents.

“Hello, Lexi, it’s good to see you.” Pastor Clifton extended his hand and I stared at it for a few seconds.

My mom elbowed me and I stuck out my hand. “Hi, nice of you to bring your family.” My voice clashed with the words I spoke, but I didn’t care. The Norris’ were the last group of people I wanted to see. Especially Collin.

I shook Suzanne’s hand and then gave a quick wave to Collin. What the hell was I supposed to do? This was more than awkward and totally sucked.

“You look beautiful, as always,” Collin said and I had to keep from rolling my eyes at him. It was a little too late for him to play Mr. Nice Guy. He had his chance and totally blew it.

“Lexi, why don’t you get Collin something to drink?” my mom offered.

The words
why don’t you do it
neared the edge of my tongue, but I held them back. I narrowed my eyes at her, knowing that she had invited them. I hated to think of what else she had planned for the night.

Reluctantly, I said, “Come on.” Collin followed me in silence and I was glad. I really had nothing to say to him and seeing him only made things worse for me.

“How have you been?” he asked as I poured him a glass of punch.

Was he serious? We hadn’t spoken since I told him it was over. Why did he want to know now? I was certain that my mom had told him what had happened and he was just being cordial, so I did what I was raised to do. I answered, “Alive, last time I checked.”

“Oh, I see.” He took the drink from my hand and his fingers brushed across mine. His eyes searched my face and I saw a sadness I’d never seen before. His lips parted and I could tell that he wanted to say something to me. I waited, giving him yet another opportunity, but he pressed his lips together and remained silent. Nothing had changed.

I really didn’t want to engage in conversation with him because I was still angry at him for not fighting for our relationship. Yet, a part of me almost felt sorry for him. After the break, I hadn’t tried to contact him or even check on him. Maybe it was wrong of me and I should have — after all, we had known each other forever — but I honestly felt like he should’ve been the one calling and begging me back. Since he never did that, I did what I had to do and moved on. And showing up at my house on New Year’s Eve wasn’t the answer. Especially since I was trying to get over Raven. The last thing I needed was old feelings for him to resurface, too.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the kitchen bar, deciding to show him some courtesy and praying I wouldn’t regret it. “What about you, how have you been?”

His eyes lifted as he sipped his punch. It was as though he was waiting for me to open that door for him. “Getting by.”

His remark told me he had so much more to say, but I didn’t want to hear it. Maybe because I feared what he might tell me? I turned around, poured myself half a glass of punch, and downed it. I really needed some alcohol to get me through the night. I considered refilling my glass and going straight to my closet. Delaney was right — being depressed sucked and I needed to get on with my life. A little liquid encouragement might just do the trick.

“How were finals?” He broke the silence and I did a double take, making sure I heard him correctly.

Shrugging, I said, “Okay. I guess.”

“I didn’t see you in Spanish class, what happened?”

I stared at the small circle of punch at the bottom of my glass. Tilting my glass, I swirled the liquid around, contemplating if I should tell him the truth or make something up. Maybe he’d see that calling it off wasn’t that easy for me. After all, what did I have to lose? Raven had dumped me, so I knew how he felt.
Karma’s a bitch
reverberated in my ears.

“Um, I dropped the class.”

Collin coughed a few times, clearing his throat. “You did what?”

I waved a dismissive hand in the air, like it was no big deal. “I took an incomplete.”

“Why would—”

“Excuse me, Collin.” My mom approached me and I sighed internally. “Lexi, I’d like for you to play some holiday music for our guests.” She flashed me her fake smile and my stomach rolled again. With her hand placed firmly behind my back, she pushed me toward the baby grand piano. My legs stiffened and my feet cemented themselves to the ground. My favorite thing to do had now become the thing I despised the most.

“Mom, I’m not feeling well,” I stalled but she pressed me forward.

With a fake smile plastered across her face, she bit out, “Just a few songs, Lexi, that’s all I’m asking you to do.”

“Mrs. Thompson, we have a slight problem.” One of the wait staff appeared, looking fairly nervous. “Can I please see you in the kitchen?”

“Yes, of course.” Mom turned to me. “Lexi, I’m asking you, please.”

“I guess,” I huffed. I walked out of the kitchen and stopped when Luke and Delaney entered through the back door. Her hair stuck to the sides of her face and it looked like she’d been sweating. Her dress was wrinkled and her tights were missing. Luke quickly ran his fingers through his disheveled hair and checked the buttons on his shirt. It was obvious what they had been doing and if I had to guess, they were in his car.

Gross.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” Luke exchanged a handshake with Collin. “Glad you could make it.”

My head quickly spun in their direction. Had Luke invited him and not my parents? After everything that happened, why he would do that to me? Anger bubbled up inside of me and I couldn’t wait to rip him a new one.

“Hi, Delaney.” Collin smiled but his greeting didn’t sound welcoming or sincere.

Delaney shot me a quick look and then said, “Hey, Collin.”

Thankfully, Luke and Collin started talking and I was able to slip away without having to speak to him further. As soon as we were out of hearing distance, Delaney spun me around.

“WTF! Who the hell invited him?” Her eyes widened when she saw Collin’s family, “And his parents?”

“I don’t know.” I sucked in a deep breath. “Maybe Luke, maybe my parents… who knows.”

She shook her head. “That’s just wrong.”

“Tell me about it.” I trudged toward the piano and she followed me. “I so need that drink.”

“Aww, so now you’re okay with me bringing along some fun,” she hiccupped and I glanced over my shoulder.

“How much have you had?”

She licked her lips and wiped the excess lipstick that spread beyond her lower lip. “Enough to give me a good buzz and show your brother how much I missed him.”

I shuddered and held up a hand. “TMI, Laney.”

She winked and smiled. “Sorry, I can’t help it. Your brother is so damn hot.” She eyed him from where we stood and when he caught her gaze, he flashed her his one and only dimple.

“Ohhh,” she moaned, “see what I mean.”

“You want me to agree with you?” I rolled my eyes and turned away. “That’s incest, you know.”

“I forget.” She giggled and placed her hand on my shoulder as she pulled the strap of her shoe over her ankle. “Just ignore me, I’m drunk.” I looked at her and then glanced around, hoping that no one heard her. Thankfully, no one was near us.

“Great.” I pulled some of my song sheets from the bench and began to look through them. “Just don’t throw up or make a fool of yourself, please.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” She began fixing her hair in the large mirror behind us. “Besides, I have to make a good impression, right?”

I laughed. “It might be too late for that.”

“What?” She spun around. “Are you serious? Did your parents say something?”

Focusing on finding the right music, I didn’t answer her.

“Lex, tell me. Did they say something?”

“No, not really. But if you want them to accept you, you’re going to have to work really hard at making them believe you’re good enough for Luke.”

“Oh, great.” A horrific look covered her face. “Like that’s even possible.”

“You’re telling me.” I sighed and then sat on the bench. My fingers trembled as I opened the cover to the keyboard and stared at the keys for a long minute.

“Is everything okay?” Delaney asked as she leaned against the piano.

My eyes began to water and I quickly wiped the tears away. “I haven’t played in a while… since I last saw Raven.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Then don’t play. Why torture yourself?”

“I don’t have a choice.” I gave her a pitiful look because it was all I had and deep down, I needed someone to feel sorry for me. “My mom told me I have to play.”

“WTF.” Her hands flew up in the air. “What’s wrong with your mom? She needs to chill.”

“You’re telling me.” I fanned my eyes. “I’m so ready to get out of here.”

“School starts in two weeks and the dorms open late next week, so you don’t have long.”

I nodded and then stared at the music, trying to visualize playing the notes, even though I really didn’t want to. I did that for a couple of songs and Delaney quickly busied herself with her phone.

“Oh my, it’s almost eleven o’clock.” Mom rushed into the formal area and Delaney shot me a confused stare.

“She wants us to bring in the New Year like we’re in New York.”

“Oh.” Delaney gave my mom a quick once over and then turned to me. “Why?”

“Long story. She doesn’t like being out after midnight.” I rearranged the music on the backboard. “That’s when all the drunks are out and accidents happen. And she knows because she was in one when we were little.”