AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can’t.” I declined automatically, though I would have really liked to go.
Winston’s was a new club that was supposed to have the best music south of downtown. Friday night, it was guaranteed to be a kickass band. But I had to get home. I didn’t like leaving Rachel alone with my mother and her creepy friends any longer than necessary.
“Shame.” Andy shrugged a lean shoulder while sweeping his blue eyes, the color of faded denim, over me. “I know the bouncer. He could get you, me, and Collin in for free.” He watched me closely as he dropped his best friend’s name.
Collin Murphy being part of the proposition made me rethink it. Andy was good-looking but too bold for me. He wasn’t nearly as handsome as his dark-haired, silver-eyed best friend.
“Can my sister come?” I asked.
Andy’s lips slowly curved. “Hell yeah.”
Rachel was only a junior, but she was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was the same golden blond as mine, but that was where the similarities ended. Her eyes were crystalline blue, and her delicate features were model-perfect, just like the rest of her. In comparison, I wasn’t worthy of mention.
“Great,” I said. “I’ll go get her and meet you there.”
My heart racing in anticipation, I shimmied past him. The red-and-white interior of the restaurant was deserted, the chairs upended on the tables since I’d stayed to close. Only the night crew remained, and they’d started cleaning. With a spring to my step, I pushed through the glass door with the iconic red hamburger emblazoned on it.
Outside, the temperature was chillier than when I’d clocked in. Donning my knit cap and pulling my hoodie over my head, I walked briskly.
Thankfully, I caught the bus without having to wait. I slunk down in a seat up front by the driver. I kept a watchful eye out for potential trouble, but my mind was once again filled with music. I didn’t sing or play an instrument like my sister did, but I loved everything about music. When I was sad, it lifted my spirits. When I was happy, it made me dance. Songs were my remedy for whatever ailed me.
Exiting at my stop, I retraced my steps to the apartment. A different sentry watched me as I used my key to enter.
Inside, my excitement stalled. My mom was naked and sprawled on the couch as a guy I didn’t recognize went down on her. Hearing me come in, he turned his head to look at me, and I felt sick.
My mother’s head was thrown back, and she didn’t notice me. The vodka bottle on the coffee table was empty. I didn’t think she was even there mentally. Even if she was, I knew she preferred to pretend I didn’t exist. Honestly, I preferred to do the same about her.
Ripping my gaze away, wishing I could bleach my eyes, I jogged up the stairs. I pulled up a song in my head and blasted it like a shower to wash the moment from my memory. Sadly, the situation downstairs wasn’t anything I hadn’t seen before. But that didn’t mean it didn’t affect me.
“Hey, it’s me,” I said loudly. Knocking on the door to the bedroom I shared with my sister, I entered. She dropped the book she’d been reading—a rock biography I’d checked out from the school library. My sister wasn’t just gifted, she liked music nearly as much as I did.
“What’s going on?” she asked, sitting up in her bed. After taking just one look at me, she’d picked up on my vibe.
Quickly, I shut the door behind me.
“Get dressed,” I said as I marched to our tiny closet. “We’re going to Winston’s to hear live music.”
“What?” She threw back her covers. “How? That place is expensive.” Her blue eyes sparkling like a disco ball, she stood and padded barefoot across the carpet to join me.
“Andy Green invited us. Collin’s coming too. They’re getting us in for free.”
“Not with you wearing that, you’re not.” She snatched my favorite faded Brutal Strength concert tee out of my hand.
I frowned at her. “I love that shirt.”
“I know you do.” She put it back on the hanger and rehung it. “But it’s faded and old.”
I made a face. All my clothes were faded and old, just like hers. I reached for the shirt again, but she slapped my hand away.
“No, Addy. I know something much better for you to wear.” Nudging me out of her way, she stretched to reach the back of the closet and pulled out a black bandeau top covered in black sequins. “Wear this.”
“Huh-uh. That’s your top.” I shook my head. It was the one she wore when playing her acoustic guitar on the street corner for tips. “Besides, it won’t fit me.” My boobs were a cup size larger than hers.
“It’ll fit. Snugly, and I guarantee Collin will notice.” She gave me a pointed look.
Butterflies fluttered inside my chest at just the sound of his name. “I’m not sure Collin is really coming.”
“He’ll come if he knows you are.” Rachel withdrew a navy crop top and a pair of cargo pants for herself. “Besides, he and Andy never do anything without the other.”
