Page 109 of Backhanded Compliments

“What?” Juliette isn’t sure she heard her right. “There was a what?”

“There was a drug test for you this morning, Jules. Except I had put down that you were going to be in New York because I thoughtyou were, but then Dad calls me and he’s panicking, and he couldn’t get a hold of you and now you’ve missed it.” Livia lets go of her and laces her fingers behind her head. “This is so bad, so bad.”

“Jules?”

Juliette spins around. Luca stares at them with open confusion, her head tilted, a crease formed between her brows. “One second.” She turns back to Livia, who has begun pacing.

“Livie, it’ll be okay. We get three misses, right?” She takes Livia by the shoulders and gently guides her into the living room. She slumps onto the couch, her head falling into her hands.

“Yes, I know, but it isn’t a good look.”

Juliette glances up at Luca, lingering in the doorway. “Can you make her a cup of tea?” Luca nods, vanishing around the corner to the kitchenette.

Juliette sits next to Livia and rubs her back. “Livie, why are you so stressed about this? I’ll deal with him.” Her stomach clenches at the thought, but she has to soothe Livia. She’s on the verge of hysterics.

“Because it’s my fault!” Her lower lip trembles. “If I weren’t such a petty bitch, I would have checked in with you once I thought you landed in New York and then you would have told me you were staying here, and then I could have changed your location.”

“Livia, this isn’t your fault. This was very last-minute, and it isn’t up to you to make sure everything is perfect,” Juliette says. “Even if I had told you I was staying here, would you have remembered to change the location anyway? For a random drug test?”

Livia swallows. “Probably not.”

“Exactly. This is why they give you three missed chances before it becomes an actual issue.” Juliette knows it isn’t that simple, but she wants to keep Livia from spiraling further.

Luca returns with a cup of tea. “I didn’t know if you liked honey, but it is soothing,” Luca says as Livia takes the cup, cradling it between her palms.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

Luca lingers, awkwardly caught in the middle of the living room. “Can you give us a moment?” Juliette asks, and Luca sighs in relief,nodding as she leaves again. Not that it really matters, since Luca can’t speak Italian. “Look, Livie, I know this situation isn’t great, but there isn’t anything either of us can do about it now. All we can do now is move forward.”

Livia swallows. “Dad is pissed. He’s flying here now to chew you out.”

Juliette sighs. “That seems like a waste. I’ll be in New York later tonight.”

“He’s convinced you need to be reeled in. He thinks you don’t care about tennis anymore,” Livia says, sipping her tea.

Juliette rolls her eyes. “Just because I have someone in my life that I care about doesn’t mean I’ve suddenly stopped caring about tennis. It’s my job and it’s a lot of my life, but there are other things I love.”

“Love?” Livia’s eyes narrow, and Juliette smiles sheepishly. Livia’s eyes flick to the empty hallway where Luca vanished, and one brow raises in question.

“Yes, Livie. Love.” Saying it out loud, telling her sister makes it feel as though feathers are brushing her insides. It’s oddly pleasant, but also a little uncomfortable. “And… I need to apologize for the party.”

Livia’s face softens, but she looks away.

“I understand that you’re an adult, and I stepped out of line reacting like that.” Juliette thinks about how their father is already flying back to Cincinnati, as if Juliette is an unruly child and not a fully formed adult. “I should have understood it sooner. All of us should have, considering who our father is.”

Livia snorts. “Damn right.”

“And I’m sorry for not seeing you as an adult and for not supporting you. I’ve taken you for granted, and for that I’m sorry. I’ve missed you.” Juliette touches her hand, and Livia awards her with a faint smile.

“You just miss my impeccable planning skills,” she teases.

Juliette laughs. “I missed my little sister. You’re the backbone of this family, and I love you.”

“Love you too,” Livia whispers, tilting sideways to bump their shoulders together. “I know I wasn’t acting the best, but for the first time, I had someone who was only mine. It was fun sneaking around with him and keeping it a secret. I felt like my own person.” Her head drops onto her shoulder.

“Well, none of us are going to push you about it. But if you ever need someone to talk to, we’ve got you too, Livie.” Juliette squeezes her hand.

“I know. Thank you.” Livia is quiet for a while as she gulps down her tea. “The funny thing is, I was going to tell you all that night.”

---