Page 162 of Only With You

“Wait, I swear I wouldn’t do that. I-I…”

I trail off as I think back to that day, and suddenly, it all clicks. It may have been two years ago, but I remember finding those empty cans of silly string after I let Sienna borrow my Rover. It was a peace offering. She needed a car and I thought maybe that would make us okay, but now it all makes sense. She used me.

“I’m so sorry.” I close my eyes briefly, feeling humiliated, and on the verge of tears. “I’m really sorry. I know this won’t make up for it, but I can buy you a car wash gift card? Or I can give you money. I can Venmo or PayPal or?—”

“Holy shit.” Her shoulders sink and awareness seeps in her face. “It wasn’t you, was it? You’re blond and the girl in the camera was…brunette. Fuck.”

Sienna was going through a phase and had dyed her hair brown that year.

“I really thought it had been you. I recognized your car because of the last numbers on your plate and you look like that girl.” Her gaze sweeps over me. “But you’re taller than she is. I…fuck, I really thought it was you.”

I plaster a smile on my face. “It’s okay. I’m just glad we got this misunderstanding out of the way. I really am sorry about that confusion, but please let me pay you.”

“No, it’s okay,” she quickly says, but carefully as if she knows I’m about to fall apart in front of her. “I assumed it was you and I was wrong.”

There’s a tense moment of silence before I slice it.

“Why does he call me Hollywood?” My voice cracks and I clear it before it happens again.

“Don’t listen to me. I don’t know what I’m talking about.” She flashes me a small, forced smile, then slips out of the restroom.

45

LANDON

I always dreadparties at our house because it gets too loud, there’s too much alcohol, and the smell remains the next day. Let me not get started on the vomit or drunk person I’ll randomly stumble upon.

I never look forward to them, but tonight, despite the triggers, I feel good. I wish I could say it was because of tonight’s win and to some degree it is, but it’s all mainly due to seeing Julianna. I’m still annoyed that she wore Malik’s number, but she came to a game. I didn’t even know she was going to come. She didn’t tell me nor did the girls, but it doesn’t matter because the surprise was worth it.

I’ve never cared about who does or doesn’t come. Sure, John likes to occasionally show up, but he’s like any other person in the crowd, very much unlike Julianna. I really liked that she was there.

I wonder if she asked Polly questions like she had asked me the other nights. I wonder if she enjoyed it, if she had a good time, if she’ll come again. God, I really hope so.

Checking my phone again—for the twenty-sixth time now, to be exact—I swallow back the disappointment at still not seeinga message from her. I texted her a while ago, but I still haven’t heard anything.

She’s probably getting ready. That always takes her a little longer. I’ve watched her do her makeup and know how focused she gets when doing it. So, that’s probably why she’s not answering and it’s what I keep telling myself.

And I believe it until I spot Polly weaving through the crowd that’s taking up space in the living room by herself.

I immediately stalk toward her and pull her to the side when we walk into the kitchen.

“Hey, congrats! Showing off for a certain somebody?” She wiggles her brows.

What can I say, Julianna is a great motivator. I always do my best, but I really wanted to impress her, or how else will I get her to come again?

“I’m just that good.” I shrug.

“Just as cocky as TJ.” She tsks, laughing.

I disagree, but not out loud. She’ll keep talking if I don’t ask. “Where’s Julianna?”

Polly flashes me a lopsided grin. “You guys are so cute. You might as well make it official. But to answer your question, she’s home.” Her smile drops. “After the second half, she started complaining about her stomach and said her period was coming. I was going to stay with her, but she said she needed to sleep it off and preferred to be alone.”

That’s a little strange considering she’s not supposed to get her period for another two weeks. But who am I to think what she should and shouldn’t be feeling, because what do I know about a woman’s body?

I wonder if she’s still stocked on peppermint tea. Or if she still has those mini marshmallows she loves to eat so much. I’ve come to realise she won’t go out of her way to ask for help, because she feels like a burden. I also know she doesn’t like to bealone, but maybe she’s in that much pain, she really didn’t want to be around anyone.

“You should go see her,” Polly announces, gaze roaming over everyone in the kitchen. “Seriously, go. You have a key to our apartment, and don’t worry about Gabby or me showing up. The apartment’s all yours tonight.”

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