Page 48 of Just Between Us

He holds my gaze and my eyes go wide, momentarily stunned by my courage but I stay right there, eyes on him, riding the adrenaline of realizing I can be this bold.

Liam just shakes his head, laughing, his eyes dark and amused, as if he can’t decide if he’s impressed or a little undone, or both. I hope both.

The song rolls on, verse after verse, the crowd now singing along as the final chorus rushes toward us. Liam shoots me adaring grin, eyebrows raised, then hops off the stage, curling both hands toward himself for me to jump into his arms.

I shake my head but he continues, arms outstretched.

Mentally counting to three, I take a run and leap, glitter flowing through my veins, and Liam catches me, arms wrapped around my hips, my legs circling his waist. Pressing my cheek to his, I’m grinning so hard my face hurts.

Liam dips his head so his mouth brushes the curve of my ear and all the sound around us fades to a low roar.

“You did it.” I can hear the smile in his voice without even seeing it.

“We did it,” I correct, and I don’t let go. Neither does he. We stay this way a beat longer, and somewhere in the back of my mind a voice reminds me, this is not what friendship feels like.

“Between you and me,” he murmurs, breath warm against my neck, “we could give that brother of yours a real run for his money if you wanna take this show on the road.”

Liam sets me on two feet, and we make our way to our table, every other person stopping us along the way to tell us what a great job we did, but we eventually reach Penny and Josie.

Now I have a job to do. Austin is already here, hiding out in the shadows somewhere, waiting on his cue to surprise Penny. It’s hard to act nonchalant when I know what’s about to happen, but I smile when I should and try to keep my voice normal as our table falls into conversation.

Heading to order a second drink, I’m still buzzing from our performance, from the cheers of the crowd and the way it felt to run a finger down Liam’s chest.

I’m pulled from these thoughts when I think I spot my brother’s shadow in the kitchen just beyond the bar. Sheila hands me my drink with a wink, and when she leans over to say, “The eagle has landed,” my suspicions are confirmed. It’s go time.

Back at the table, I open my TikTok app exactly how Austin and I discussed. Typing in his name and Red Rocks Amphitheater, videos begin to populate on my screen from last night’sshow. The plan is to have his videos playing so when he speaks from the stage, it’ll take Penny a second to realize she’s hearing him live. Hopefully it’ll make the surprise even sweeter.

A ripple of awareness moves through the room, and I know Austin must have stepped on the stage, but Penny doesn’t seem to notice. She’s spinning a straw in her drink, gazing at my phone screen, eyes glassy.

Standing, I grab Penny by her wrist, and haul her to her feet.

“Where are we going?” I don’t answer, but luckily she lets me lead the way.

“This one’s an oldie but a goodie,” my brother speaks into the microphone as a hush falls over the crowd. Beside me, Penny goes still, feet frozen in place. She looks from me, to the stage, and then back to me.

Tilting my head toward Austin, I mouth,Go to him, and drop Penny’s arm. The crowd ahead of us parts, creating an open path leading Penny straight to my brother.

And with all eyes on Austin, he pours out his heart through music to Penny, the love of his life. This right here is proof multiple truths can exist simultaneously, juxtaposed against one another. Goodness can exist while evil still lurks in the shadows. Love doesn’t wait for pain to leave the room before it arrives. Heartbreak can exist next to glimmering joy, a joy so freeing I could sprout wings and fly.

And I think, above all this, the truth that is glaringly obvious is courage can make an appearance even when fear wants the spotlight. I’ve felt that tonight, and I see it right now as my brother, so precious but so broken, takes the next step to a new life.

I’ve never been more proud to be his sister.

Aunt Ashley

Are you available to FaceTime? Austin is, but I want to talk to both of you.

Gimme five?

Aunt Ashley

Call when you’re ready. We’ll loop Austin in.

My hair is piledatop my head in a towel, otherwise I’m naked. In a flurry of movement, I grab some clothes and change quickly, letting my damp hair cascade down my back. It’s been several weeks since my father went into hiding and Mom moved in with my aunt and uncle. Weeks where we’ve all been on edge, waiting for his next move.

History has taught me to guard my heart against optimism, especially when it comes to my parents. Which I assume this conversation will be.

Phone in hand, I press the FaceTime button on our text thread and my aunt’s face fills the screen. She’s sitting at the familiarkitchen table in the center of my childhood kitchen. And sitting next to her is my mom. The sight of her causes my heart to lurch in my chest. I hear my aunt’s voice as she greets me then fumbles around trying to get Austin on the call, but the sound feels distant as I study my mom.