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“For getting it.”
Jackson shrugs. “If being with Gen has taught me anything, it’s that sometimes love isn’t easy…but it doesn’t make it any less worth it.”
Understatement of the year.
FORTY-NINE
LIAM
Liam
i hear opening night is coming up. you’re going to do amazing. break a leg
my dad hired your replacement, she kinda sucks at her job. you were better
i miss you
your parents are coming over for christmas, wish you were here
no seriously, your dad is talking my ear off. please appear. they’re staying in atlanta for the entire week and then some, i might kill your mom.
i love you
I cringe as I look at my slew of unanswered text messages to Hannah. If I’m going to make a fool of myself, I might as well commit and send another.
im here if youneed me
As I shove my phone back into my pocket, my mind ruminates on what Hannah might be doing right now. It’s Christmas Eve and while I know it made little sense schedule-wise for her to come home, I still find myself disappointed that she didn’t show up.
Linda has refused to look at me since they arrived a few days ago and, if I’m being frank, I don’t care. If anything, it’s a welcome reprieve from having to pretend that I don’t want to rip her head off every time she makes a snide remark at Hannah’s expense.
Despite everything, she has still said some things that I’ve had to bite my tongue about.
Hannah is touring the country, doing exactly what she’s worked her ass off for years for, and yet her mom still finds a way to drag her down.
Christmas passes with little fanfare. In years past, it’s been an extravagant event, but between the wedding and Hannah being gone, it doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense to pull out all the stops.
Honestly, I don’t really feel like celebrating anyway.
Jackson mentioned a few days ago that Hannah was trying to come home for my parents’ annual New Year’s party, so I find myself anxious as I step into the hotel. My eyes rove around the ballroom, taking in the vibrant holiday decorations. Scarlet and gold garlands hang from every surface and mini evergreen trees sit in the center of each table, their branches covered with twinkling fairy lights. Gleaming golden chargers are perched on top of each place setting, catching glints of light from the fixtures above. Nostalgia washes over me as I admire my mom’s attention to detail when it comes to holiday celebrations.
“Hey there.”
My body tenses as the sweet sound of a feminine voice calls out to me. I spin quickly around, my heart racing with anticipation, only to be met with defeat when I see Gen standing in front of me instead of Hannah like I had hoped. My shoulders slump and my heart sinks as the reality of the situation settles in.
Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Hannah slowly fading out of my life with little closure on the matter? I refuse to believe that.
“Hey, Gen,” I say as I try to plaster on a grin, but judging by the expression she’s sporting, it feels crystal clear that she sees right through my facade.
“Are you okay?” she asks quietly.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I look away as I respond, pulling my champagne flute to my lips.
“Liam.” Gen sighs as her body turns toward me. “I know we’re not super close, but I know Hannah and—”
“Jackson told you?”
Gen nods before continuing, “I don’t think her not showing up tonight is any indicator of where you two stand right now. She was trying to come, really. But her rehearsal schedule is insane right now, the tour starts the second week in January.”
