Page 51 of The Has-Been

“But how’d you know about the date?” I inquire, thankful that Reid somehow found out and kept Reese from going out with a guy who clearly has a questionable past. But what surprises me the most is that Reese matched with him anyway—considering her strict list of preferences, I’m kind of surprised she found someone who met them at all.

“I came over to drop off our matching Halloween costumes for next weekend and insisted she show me a picture when I found out she had a date. I’d recognize that ugly ass face anywhere.” Reid explains.

Reese tosses her arms in the air, like he’s given up some inside secret.

“He’s not ugly!” Reese exclaims, arms crossing over her chest.

“Yeah, well, he’s missing half his fucking teeth—so if that’s what you’re into⁠—”

“Oh—don’t pretend like you have all yours. I think we all remember you walking around with that giant gap last year.” Reese chuckles before, “You know, how did you get your front tooth knocked out? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that story, Morgan⁠—”

Oh shit, did she just call him Morgan? And he let her?

Reid shifts uncomfortably in his chair, not answering Reese’s question. But I’m too busy watching Liam’s head shift—like he’s watching a fast-paced tennis match as his head goes back and forth between the pair.

A thought hits me.

Wait a second…

Did Reid say matching costumes? “Whoa. Whoa!” I say, holding out my hand. “Let’s back up. Matching costumes?”

My cousin takes a deep breath. “He found out I’m going to June’s Halloween party, and I lost a bet...so now he gets to pick what I wear. He decided on matching costumes because he likes pissing me off.” Reese frowns, but Reid is grinning ear to ear.

“But what happened to dressing all slutty?” I stomp my foot like a child, disappointed that Reese isn’t putting herself out there like she promised.

Reid slaps the armchair as he stands to leave. He hovers by the door as he looks back at me.

“Come on, Aubrey,” he glances at Reese and back to me. “Have a little faith in me—because of course, I picked something slutty—didn’t I Highlighter?” he winks in Reese’s direction before looking directly at her, “You sure you don’t want to come?”

What the hell did he just call her? I question silently. And since when is he offering her to hang out with him outside of tutoring?

Did he not take my threat seriously?

But Reese only shakes her head.

Reid waits at the door for a few seconds before finally saying his goodbyes.

Before he’s even out the door, my attention turns to my cousin. Her face is red, her leg bouncing up and down.

But it’s Liam who says what I’m thinking. “Highlighter?” His mouth drops open. “He fucking nicknamed you Highlighter?” Liam runs his hands through his short hair.

Reese giggles, standing from the couch. “His nicknames are the absolute worst.” She shrugs. “I have no idea where he comes up with them.”

But before Reese hides away in her room like usual, she wraps her arms around Liam in a long hug. “I’ll leave you two alone,” she says, embracing him. “But I just wanted to say that it’s so good to see you—I missed you!” she adds, and I swear it sounds like she’s tearing up.

She releases him, walking down the hall, as I look to find Liam smiling. Which is weird, because I’m pretty sure we should be concerned about whether or not Reid and Reese will kill one another before the end of the semester. But instead, he looks at me and admits, “I miss this.”

And my heart stops cold—because I do too.

After a few minutes of sitting in the living room in awkward silence, I invite Liam up to my room, carrying our now-cold takeout upstairs.

I can see the hesitation in his every motion, how his hands fidget at his sides. It was stupid to ask him for burgers, I know that. But where I really crossed a line was inviting him in.

Because now we can’t escape one another. Well, he could storm out to his Jeep and leave, but still...

After seeing his face when the game buzzer sounded, all I could focus on was him. How pale he became, as if he saw a ghost.

I knew he was struggling, and I couldn’t think about anything but Karen, her calling me the next day in tears, asking why her son wasn’t picking up his phone. My head throbs at the thought. I won’t let that happen again, regardless of whether we are together or not. I care too much for Karen...for him.