Page 28 of Tell Me When It's Over

She backs away first, bottom lip sticking out for a moment. “I know. And I’ll speak to Lenny Lou before you guys leave. The producers just wanted to make sure everyone was here and if I told you guys—”

“I get it.” We both look at Leighton, who’s talking to Dylan and his parents. They’re getting along which is the only reason I broke away from her. “Leighton looks up to you, sis. Even if you mentioned they’d be filming, she’d want to be here for you. You know her, though. She’s not comfortable with the way we live.” Drawing her bottom lip in, I can see the flash in her eyes like she has something to say. I press for what it is. “What?”

Slowly, she meets my eyes. “I’m worried about her, Ky. I can tell she misses her mom, but she won’t talk about it. I’m glad she reached out to me, but I know she didn’t want to. I feel helpless when it comes to her.”

“She’s stubborn,” I agree lightly.

“She has nobody else,” Mia states sadly.

My shoulders square, but she won’t let me say anything before she says what we’ve both been thinking. “You have to admit it. If Leighton had

anybody else, she wouldn’t be here right now. You heard what our father said that day, and neither one of us stopped them from leaving. We hurt her, and I know she’s forgiven us because it isn’t like Lenny to hold grudges, but I can’t help but feel how badly she wishes there were a way out.”

Cursing, I rub the back of my neck. I’ve picked up on the same things, her hesitancy, her need to refuse the smallest aid, and I know it’s her way of drawing the line. Of being as independent as she can in her situation. “She can’t go back now.” Even if she wanted to, tonight was proof that people took notice. As soon as she walked in with me, was hugged, and pecked by Mia and Dylan, people knew.

She was one of us.

The questions came periodically throughout the night. Some more casual from partygoers. Others directed by the producers trying to give more depth to their show.

“Is this the same Leighton who lived with your family for four years?”

“What have you been up to, Leighton?”

“Where is your mother?”

“Does this mean Harry is claiming you again?”

The last question made something deep inside me want to lash out—to tell the idiot that I was claiming her again because I never should have stopped. But I bit my tongue and played nice so nobody would have to clean up after my mess. This is Mia’s night and I don’t plan on ruining it by hitting anybody. And, frankly, swallowing that retort would be in everyone’s best interest anyway, or more people would ask questions.

I found ways to avoid every inquiry thrown our way, keeping Lenny close to me as we walked through the crowds. Mom even engaged with her in friendly conversation, and I’m glad that Leighton talked back without much hesitation. We tried sticking near the people we knew wouldn’t be in the camera’s spotlight, but someone always found us hiding out and bombarded us with questions.

“Where are you staying?”

“How long are you here for?”

“Is it true…”

I feel for Lenny. I do. I never wanted her to have this life because she hates the attention, but it’s too late now. It’s on her. People want to know more about the raven-haired girl whose smile has the power to wrap anyone around her finger in a heartbeat. I’d know, I’ve been wrapped there for fucking years.

“I’m not saying she wants to back out,” Mia tells me quietly.

“What are you saying?”

My sister sighs heavily and wraps an arm around mine. “I’m telling you to talk to her, little brother. She may have always looked up to me, but she idolizes you.”

Before I have a chance to argue, she walks us over to the girl in question and drops my arm to give Leighton a hug. I hear her say, “I’m very happy you’re here to celebrate this with me, Lenny Lou.”

It’s when Leighton tells Mia, “I know how much you’ve wanted this” that I remember they’ve kept in touch over the years.

How can someone as good as Lenny idolize a dickhead like me? She catches my eyes from over my sister’s shoulder and…smiles.

I can’t fight the familiar lightness in my chest that the small smile brings. Part of me wishes she didn’t idolize me. The other is eager to make it worth it.

Fuck me. I’ve been wrapped around this girl since the day she apologized for being in our lives after I called her pathetic.

Gone. That’s what I am.

And I’m not sorry at all.

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