says. He summons a waitress. “Can I get a whiskey?”
I’m upset with his order. I don’t like it when he drinks too much.
“Looks like the little woman isn’t happy,” Paul says.
“Make it a Coke,” Liam calls to the waitress. “The wife wants me sober. I perform better that way.” He turns to the guys and smirks. “And not just onstage.”
I don’t know if I should be amused or pissed. I decide this is my chance to test the limits. “Sorry for the deception,” I say to the men. “I don’t like to brag about my husband. I keep it a secret.”
I put my hand on his thigh. He stiffens. I think he’s going to pull away, but he doesn’t want to break character.
“How long have you been married?” Sam asks.
Liam kisses my temple. “Not long. This tour is kind of like our honeymoon. Isn’t it, sweetie?”
“It sure is, baby.” I grab his chin and kiss him.
Liam caresses my jaw. “I can’t wait to get you home tonight.”
What he’s doing—touching me, enticing me—is like a fantasy come true. I know it’s for show. The second Paul and Sam aren’t watching, he’ll take his hands off me. And I know how much I’ll miss them.
“Well, congratulations,” Paul says, lifting his drink when the waitress comes back with Liam’s soda. “To the newlyweds.”
“I’d better get back,” Liam says. He stands and holds out his hand. “Why don’t you come with me, sweetie? You can watch from backstage.”
“Anything for you, Mr. Campbell.”
~ ~ ~
I can’t sleep. I keep thinking of what it felt like to be a couple, even if it was only for five minutes and we were pretending. I turn over in bed and glance at the clock. It’s 2:25 a.m. Liam is staring at me. I don’t say anything. He doesn’t either. We just lie here and watch each other.
Minutes go by. My eyelids grow heavy, but they fly open when he speaks.
“I was eleven the first time I played guitar.”
I remain silent. I’m afraid if I talk, he’ll stop.
“Luke got one when he broke his leg and couldn’t play baseball. He didn’t want it. I didn’t know why until after he died. But because he knew I loved it, he learned how to play and taught me songs.” His voice cracks. “Because it was Luke’s, it made me feel closer to him after he was gone.”
A tear slips from the corner of my eye and is absorbed by my pillow. Other than telling me his dad was the one who ruined him, this is the most personal information I’ve heard from him. “Thank you.”
He turns away without saying another word.
Chapter Twenty-five
Liam
Thirteen years ago
“I hate leaving you when Dad isn’t here,” Mom says, picking up her jacket.
Luke looks happy. He’s been happier this week than I’ve seen him in a while. Mom is always saying he’s more hormonal than a teenage girl. “I’m fifteen,” he says. “It’s not like I can’t look after him.”
“I’m almost twelve,” I say. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Of course you don’t,” Mom says. “I just think all kids need a parent around.”
Luke snorts. “And some are better off without them.”
I don’t think she heard him. She dances over and plants a kiss on both our heads. She’s happy, too. A huge bouquet of flowers was delivered earlier today. Dad is always giving her stuff. She says it makes her feel special. She leans over and smells them on her way out. “We’re lucky to have him, aren’t we?”
Luke stomps away.
“Don’t worry,” Mom says. “He’ll be back soon. Don’t forget to turn off the oven when you take dinner out.”
Luke is playing video games in the living room. “You okay?”
“Better than ever,” he says, not looking up.
I sit next to him and watch. It feels strange not having Dad here. Usually when Mom goes to work, he’s just getting home. We eat, play games, talk. Luke spends more time in his room lately, but Dad says that’s normal. He jokes to me about Luke liking his magazines more than he likes us.
But he’s been gone for more than a week. Uncle Dirk sent him to some car conventions. Dirk usually goes, but this year he couldn’t because he’s helping a politician on his campaign. Dad says Uncle Dirk has political aspirations, whatever that means. He says he wouldn’t be surprised if he became president one day.
After eating the casserole Mom left, Luke gets out his guitar and teaches me another song. “I can’t wait until I have