All along I’ve told myself I didn’t care if he found out—that it was just a crush and when he ditched me, it wouldn’t matter. But the way my intestines are tying themselves in a knot around my stomach is all the proof I need that I was lying to myself.
I’m falling in love with Branson Silo.
Shit on a stick.
I have to tell him the truth.
“She can’t know I kissed you,” slips out of my mouth on a wave of all-consuming panic. So much for the truth.
His eyes grow suspicious, and I realize it’s because I’m coming totally unwound right here in front of him. “What’s going on, Lilah?”
“Nothing.” My head keeps shaking all on its own as I back away from him. “Nothing’s going on. Just promise me you won’t say anything to Destiny.”
He holds up a hand. “I won’t tell Destiny, but I think you should.”
Oh, hell no. My head is still shaking. I can’t stop it. “This is a bad idea.” I turn and stagger toward home.
Chapter 15
Bran
With Carol out, Destiny’s taken over nights this week. Last night she was lamenting that she needed to find a way to get her sister to L.A. for the show, so I know Lilah hasn’t mentioned my offer.
I should leave it alone, but when Destiny clocks in for her Friday night shift, I pour her a Diet Coke. “Have you figured anything out for L.A.?” I ask as I push her glass across to her.
She shakes her head, all gloom and doom. “This is really important to her, but I just gave the guy at the auto shop all the money we had plus everything I stole from your tips jar to order the part for the car. We’ve got no spare cash.”
I drum my fingernails on the bar and stop myself when I realize it’s driven by nerves. “How would you feel about me taking you two down?”
She just blinks at me.
Lilah’s going to hate me for this, but it’s too late now. “Mom will cover for me here. It’s really not a big deal.”
Her eyes widen and her whole face lights. “It’s a huge deal. Lilah’s the only family Shiloh has.”
“So…if we leave early Tuesday morning, that would get us to L.A. around one. Does that work?”
“I’ll check with her, but I think so.”
One of my regulars slides onto the barstool at the end and I start on his beer. “You should tell Mom you’ll be off that day too. She can get my sister to cover the floor after she closes up the gym.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t afford the day off work, but you going with Lilah is perfect. Even if I could have come up with the money for a bus ticket, I was worried about sending her alone.”
The comment strikes me as a little off until I remember what happened with their parents. I know Lilah worries about Destiny and that obviously goes both ways.
A shudder fingers down my spine and settles in my groin at the thought of an entire day with Lilah. “Sounds good.”
I move down the bar and drop my customer’s beer in front of him. He tells me about his gout and the twelve-year-old Indian doctor that his insurance has referred him to. I listen, but the whole time, in my mind, I’m alone in the Torino with Lilah.
And I’m watching the door.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
A knot forms in my chest.
The place is full and Destiny is tripping over herself trying to keep everyone happy. Carol always makes it look so easy. She comes up with an order and brushes a loose strand of hair back from her face. “Didn’t realize how nuts it gets in here on weekend nights. No wonder Lilah does so well.”
I grab at the opening like a drowning man at a buoy. “Speaking of, where is she?”
She pulls a face. “She got a job over at that corner market, but I think they close at eight.”
I start on her order. “Didn’t know she’d found something.”
“Her boyfriend hooked her up.”
Shrapnel cuts through my insides and my hands stop mid-pour before I force them moving again. I toss her what I hope passes for a casual glance. “They serious, you think?”
She shrugs. “They spend a lot of time together, so I guess.”
I set up her tray and she heads back out to the floor. When Lilah’s still not here at ten, I know she’s not coming. Which makes me wonder again about her meltdown yesterday. I said something that spooked her. I’ve replayed the conversation over and over, and I’m still not sure what. Either way, I seem to have scared her off, which means she’s not going to be happy I set Tuesday up behind her back.
Chapter 16
Lilah
Today was my first day at my new job. It doesn’t pay enough that I can quit playing at the bar, but tonight was also the last home football game, so instead of Sam Hill, I went up to school after I got off at the market. I figured making half of one game was the least I could do for Jon, considering everything he’s done for me.
There’s a party in the park after the game that we stop by. He keeps his arm around me and I’m good with that. Drunken lust has set in and there are a few guys eyeing me. Jon on my shoulder is like full body armor, totally innocuous but enough to deflect an attack.