Page 1 of Scoreless Nights

Prologue

Lily

“Inow pronounce you, man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Looking across the altar, I saw the scowl on Cruz’s face, the same one he always had when he looked at me. Ever since I met him, it was clear he didn’t like me, but I thought he would at least be nice, especially during the wedding.

It was a big day, one I had been waiting for since the proposal almost a year ago. Sure, we were completely different people, but I honestly expected to see Cruz smile when the preacher said the magic words.

His eyes locked onto mine and they softened for a second before hardening again. Then he glanced away and I turned as well, not wanting to be embarrassed by his obvious disgust. He would be gone after the weekend, and I could deal with him until then.

The music started and we walked toward one another, then Cruz put his arm out like he was told to do. I hooped my hand through his arm for him to guide me down the aisle and we began to walk.

“This sucks,” he groaned quietly through his fake smile.

“Shut up,” I hissed. “Don’t mess this up.”

“It's already messed up.”

I tried to dig my nails into him to shut him up, but his suit jacket was too thick. Instead, he thought I was holding onto him too tight and he looked down at me asking,“What the hell?”

We made our way to the end of the aisle and out the double doors, then Cruz dropped my arm and jumped into the limo that was parked along the curb. He didn’t bother waiting for me, he just slammed the door in my face, and made me squeal when I thought my fingers were going to get caught in the crossfire.

“Lillian!” I heard my Aunt Frannie coming up behind me. Putting a smile on my face, I turned to greet her.

“Hi Aunt Frannie! I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. You looked so beautiful up there.”

“Thank you,” I blushed. Even from my aunt, hearing any sort of compliment felt good. I was at that age where words counted. She made me quickly forget about being annoyed at Cruz.

“How does it feel having a big brother?”

And just like that, I remembered Cruz, my so-called brother, sitting in the limo alone and probably hoping I tripped and fell flat on my face.

“He isn’t my brother,” I explained. “Cruz is just Ivan’s son. He doesn't even live here.”

“Well your parents are married now, Lillian. He’ll be around more than you think and it’ll be nice having a big brother.”

I gave her a straight smile and decided to let her have her dream. She lived in New York anyway, and we wouldn’t see her again until the next major event.

“Lillian,” my mom called with her new husband close behind her. “Where’s Cruz?”

I pointed to the car and rolled my eyes, making suresheknew how much he annoyed me. Mom gave me a knowing wink and then opened the car door. “Cruz, can you come with me? I want to introduce you to someone.”

He reluctantly got out of the limo and slid his phone into his pocket. I followed them because I didn’t know what else to do, but I instantly regretted it when my mom started praising Cruz for being the star soccer player at his school in Miami. So what if he could kick around a ball, big deal. I’d seen the same kind of thing at the circus being performed by animals.

When Mom was finally done gushing on Cruz, we followed our parents back to the limo and slid into the seat facing them. My mom had never looked so happy, and Ivan was a really good man.

It had just been us after my dad died when I was three. I barely remembered him, but Mom mourned him almost every day until she met Ivan. She also resented him, and many times her grief was laced with anger. My dad’s absence affected every aspect of my life and I hoped that since she met Ivan, my life would become a tad easier.

“Cruz,” Ivan spoke, getting his teenage son’s attention away from his phone again. “When we get to the reception, you keep Lillian close. You two are sharing a dance.”

His sigh of contempt was embarrassing, but I wasn’t going to let his mood ruin my mom’s day. My entire life had been spent placating my mom, so I was well practiced, and smiled, accepting whatever I had to do.

“Isn’t it creepy to dance with yoursister? Especially when she’s only twelve?” Cruz fought against his assignment, and I secretly hoped he won because I didn’t want to dance with him either.

“Lillian is only two years younger than you,” Ivan admonished. “Stop acting like you’re too good to help us celebrate today.”

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