Page 11 of Falling With You
Sometimes things were beneath the surface.
And I really didn’t know if anyone knew Sienna.
Let alone me.
Chapter Three
I’m the queen of awkward. Awkwardly.
-Sienna, age 15.
Sienna
“Why am I here?”I asked the table and then shook my head, wondering why I was such a mess. “Sorry, I actually like being here, I’m just out of sorts.”
I looked over at Violet, who leaned across the table and gave me a quick hug. “You’re here because you’re my sister and I love you, and we’re going to have a drink if you want. Regardless, we are going to eat some amazing food. Aiden is back there, and though he’s not using his hands, he is directing and yelling and doing his most Aiden of Aiden things. Dillon is back there helping him, as well. And I think the two are getting along. But that means we’re going to get some amazing food, and you are going to breathe and just enjoy yourself for tonight. I know you’ve been at home or at work for the past week, but it’s time for you to just hang out with us. Okay?”
I looked at Violet and nodded, but I wasn’t really sure I believed her. Or if I believed myself.
“I’m such a dork right now. I’m sorry. I mean, I love this place. I loved it when it was Jack and Rose’s, and I love it even more now that the Connolly brothers are running it. And you sort of have an in with one of the owners, and Harmony over here has another in.”
“I’ll be sure to let Brendon know that I think of him as myin,” Harmony said, sipping her drink.
“I feel like I’m a little left out that I don’t have an in here,” Meadow said, playing with the condensation on her water glass. “Of course, I know you guys, and you guys have an in with the owners, so do I have an in with the in?”
I shook my head, laughing with Meadow. I really liked her, even though she didn’t speak often. She was just sweet and always there for my sister, and it was nice to see her out and about.
She was usually at home alone, working hard, but she was out to hang out with me. Actually, here to hang out with all of us.
And I was glad because I didn’t really want to be alone.
I rolled my neck and winced. My sister didn’t miss the movement.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay? Is it the bruising?” She said the latter very softly, and I was grateful. Although I might be loud and usually relished being the center of attention, I didn’t like it when it had to do with my health or the fact that I could still remember the feeling of that man’s fingers on my skin.
I didn’t want to remember any of that.
“I’m fine. Really. I didn’t take a pain pill today because I don’t need them anymore, and I only have a twinge when I actually move wrong. So, I can have a nice beer and just enjoy myself.”
Violet studied my face and gave me a tight nod. “Well, if that changes, you need to let me know. And the beer you have in front of you is one of the new ales that Cameron found. They’re just putting it in bottles right now, but apparently, the brewery is going to draft soon, which is like a big thing. I think.” Her nose scrunched, and I laughed. “I really don’t know much about beer. Or wine. Other than what I like. Dating someone who owns a bar is actually quite enlightening.”
“Tell me about it,” Harmony said, and the two clinked their drinks.
I met Meadow’s gaze, and we both laughed.
“I feel like I should probably date into the bar, what do you think? I mean, I feel like I need more than just an in of an in.”
I didn’t fail to notice that Meadow’s gaze went to the bearded bartender for just a moment before she quickly moved back to looking directly at me.
I knew that Beckham looked at Meadow, as well, but the two didn’t really seem to talk. Nor did they really hang out together other than at a few pool tournaments when I hadn’t been around.
I swallowed hard, trying not to think about the reason I hadn’t been at that last pool tournament.
Because I wasn’t going to think about that.
I wasn’t going to think about the awkwardness. About the fact that Aiden and I still hadn’t talked about it.
About the fact that I didn’twantto talk about it.