Page 37 of Getting it Wrong (Addy's Rollercoaster)

“So, tell me about these.” She lifted the flyers she still held.

“The guys and my sister are debuting Tuesday night at your brother’s club.”

“Finally.” She nodded. “I’ve been trying to convince Martin to give Andy and Collin a shot.”

“Ahh.”

“They’re good, even just as a duet. I’m excited to see them in a group. But my brother gives Collin a hard time. He doesn’t like him any more than my parents do.”

“Why?”

Her nose scrunched. “Snobbery. Jealousy, I guess.”

“Why would Martin be jealous?”

“Collin’s talented,” she said. “Martin knows it, even if he doesn’t want to admit it. Plus, he’s seen Collin with his dad, a dad who loves and approves of his son.”

“Surely, your father is proud of your brother.” Confused, I tipped my head. “Winston’s is a very successful club.”

“Not successful enough. At least, not by my dad’s standards. And it’s not law. That’s what Martin was supposed to do, but he blew the bar exam.” Her gaze turned unfocused. “I don’t think he really tried. He doesn’t want to go to law school any more than I do. Winston’s is a test for him. If Martin can meet our father’s expectations for it, he gets his blessing. But if he doesn’t, Daddy is going to cut him off financially.”

“Oh. That’s terrible.”

“That’s my father.” Her gaze dropped. “We’re objects to him. Pieces on his chessboard.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” I asked softly.

“I don’t know exactly.” She looked up. “Collin trusts you, I guess. You’re easy to talk to, and I want us to be friends. I hope real, genuine friends.”

Feeling bad for Miranda, looking so lonely and sad, I reached out and took her hand. “I can be your friend.”

“Thank you.” Her brown eyes filled. “That means a lot to me.” She squeezed my fingers and released my hand. “Despite how things appear on the outside, we’re probably more alike than you think.”

“How so?” I asked.

“I love my brother. You love your sister. We’re both trying to do the best we can with the circumstances we have.”

I frowned, wondering how much Collin had told her about me.

“Collin said your dad split and your mom is abusive,” she said, noticing when I stiffened. “Don’t be mad at him. He’s worried about you and wants what’s best for you, just like you and I want what’s best for Collin.”

“Which is what, exactly?”

“For Collin to be a success. For his dreams to come true.” She lifted the flyers. “For his band to be a success. So, we’d better get started.”

“Get started doing what?”

Miranda gave me a big smile. “Working together to promote this band.”

The night of ABCR’s debut, we were all nervous. Tension made the air inside the tiny dressing room feel heavy and oppressive, and it was my job as manager to ease it.

“Andy,” I said, starting with him.

A makeup wand in her hand, my sister stepped away as I moved toward him.

“Yeah?” His blue eyes popped with the eyeliner and mascara my sister had applied. Over the weekend, she’d also layered his hair and added highlights. In a long black coat, a formfitting black T-shirt, and jeans, he looked MTV hot as shit.

“I want you to take the stage like you own it. We’re a team, a family.”

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