Page 59 of The Has-Been

“Wait…where’s Brennan then?” I ask, thinking about Reese’s explanation. She and I must have the same thought, because our stares meet as we move from the bar and toward the back of Melbourne’s.

“Don’t you think it’s odd that the same night June is too busy with homework…also happens to be the night that Brennan can’t make it either?” I suggest, my mouth gaping.

“Those little horn—” Reese starts, but her joke is cut off as a small woman walks to the podium.

“Hey, everyone!” she calls. “Welcome to our first trivia night of the year!”

The bar erupts in claps and shouts, and the pair of us quickly look to take a seat. Of course, because it’s just my luck, the only table open is the one right in front of where Reid and Liam are seated.

“The Hearteater and the Highlighter…you two make quite the pair,” a voice whispers from behind us.

We turn around, ignoring Reid’s jest with no more than just looks. I smile awkwardly in Liam’s direction, but he outright ignores me.

I know he really doesn’t hate me, that he isn’t truly sorry for falling in love with me. He’s a terrible liar.

“So what’s the topic?” I whisper to Reese, ready for a distraction from my own thoughts.

“The subject changes each time,” she answers as I look around. It’s actually way more crowded than I expected it to be; Melbourne’s nearly as full as pong nights on Tuesdays.

As the tester round begins, the host hands out remotes to each table. Reese gives me the rundown on how you’re supposed to buzz in when you know the answer. The team with the fastest response will be allowed to answer the multiple-choice question. If the team gets it right, you gain five points; if you get it wrong, you lose six points, and another team has a chance to steal.

Seems pretty simple.

As Reese finishes explaining, her voice low enough I know damn well isn’t causing any distraction, but that doesn’t keep Reid from saying: “Could you be quiet? Some of us are trying to focus,” he whispers, clearly eyeing Reese.

She spins around, a whirlwind of blonde hair. “Oh, why don’t you just sleep with the host again? Since that seems to be the only way you can beat me.”

“Oh, that’s bullshit, and you know it!” Reid fires back. They continue bickering. I glance at Liam, who rolls his eyes.

“God, this is going to be a long night—” He shakes his head. “I never realized how crazy competitive both of them are.”

The host announces the topic, and that’s the only thing that finally shuts the pair of them up.

“Tonight’s topic will be…” she pauses for emphasis, like she’s about to announce who the Grammy winner is. I can practically feel the entrapment thrumming off of Reese. “Romance Movies!”

“Ah, fuck,” I hear Reid grumble behind us.

Reese sticks her tongue out and whirls around to flip him off.

I grin because I kind of love seeing her this way. It’s so…her. Like how she used to be.

Free and funny. Not a care in the world. Nowadays she’s so cold…quiet. I guess that’s why I cling to her. I think she’s the only one of the cousins who understands what it’s like to be unwillingly silenced.

Reese doesn’t notice when I smile at her for a few seconds, soaking in the moment.

“The first question!” The host declares, capturing our attention as we wait patiently.

“In The Notebook, where do Noah and Allie first meet?”

I sit up straighter, knowing the answer even without the multiple-choice. Reese slams the buzzer.

“Oh, a speedy response!” the host exclaims. “Don’t you want me to read the choices?”

“Nope,” Reese declares, as I blurt the answer, “A carnival.”

The host cheers, “Correct!”

I risk a glance at Liam, who still looks like he’d rather be any other place in the world than here with me.