He takes away the bottle I hold. His fingers grazing mine slightly. I shiver and take a step back.
“Personal space,” I warn him, finally looking at him.
Even when I should be ready, I’m never prepared for the sight of him. It’s the eyes. Dark blue. Deep and enigmatic.
His arrogant grin expands. “Hey.”
“Next time, use a courier,” I insist.
“Apparently, someone ratted me out last December,” he complains, but he’s not upset one bit.
I grin because I did tattletale on him. What can I say? I thrive on making his life as miserable as he makes mine. Today, I’m not in the mood to deal with him. I grab what I need and go to the register.
“I’ll text June that you fulfilled your duty. Just leave me alone, okay?”
“Hannah,” he calls out as I’m leaving.
I wave. “Goodbye, Alex.”
This isn’t my first time running into Alex at the liquor store. It’s almost like a tradition to find him here. I wonder if he stalks me or if it’s pure coincidence. I speed up toward my apartment, while the first time I met him plays inside my head.
Us After You
I’ve never considered myself good, much less great, at anything. Knowing this has been one of my greatest strengths. It’s taught me how to work, to pay attention to details, and to embrace the things I can’t control or change.
Instead of swimming against the current, I make sure everything runs smoothly. Like today. Two of my best friends, Zeke and Rocco, have been off for quite some time, and before anything bad happens, I act. Solving the issues before they become major problems is part of who I am.
What do I do?
Organize a trip so they can party and blow off some steam. We’ve done this since we met. Back, when we were seventeen, seniors in high school, the world belonged to us. It’s not a joke. Our paths crossed when we all became part of a program for troubled teenagers. Music was supposed to be our therapy. Creating a band, our hobby.
However, the hobby became a trend. In a blink of an eye, Sinners of Seattle took over the world. We ruled everything. I was the lead guitarist and vocalist. People worshiped me—us. In fact, some continue doing so.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take my fans for granted. I’m grateful, and I always give back. Though, after we fucked up, the band broke up, and now, we have to find other means to party—and be discreet.
I’m an expert at it. The guys need to blow steam, I organize the best getaway. Once it’s all ready, I text Hannah. She’s not only my best friend, but also the former keyboardist and vocalist of the band. Furthermore, she’s the most responsible person in our group. If someone can keep us straight during this trip, it’d be her.
Tuck: We haven’t hung out with you since you came back from your trip.
Nana: Come over to San Francisco.
Her suggestion would be cool if it wasn’t for the fact that partying in San Francisco would be dangerous. The media is always hounding us, searching for a good story to post on the internet.
Tuck: Cancun?
Nana: Are you inviting me to go with you or asking if I know how the weather is in Cancun?
Tuck: We’re planning a trip. Why don’t you come with us? It’ll be fun.
Nana: When?
Tuck: This upcoming Friday.
Nana: Sorry, Tuck, I can’t. This weekend I’m busy. Actually, I’m in the middle of a project.
I grunt because sometimes she’s too fucking responsible. Which is exactly why I need her this weekend with me. I’m not taking no for an answer.
Tuck: I heard about it. You’re dating (like a civilian) for work.
Tuck: Read what I just texted. It doesn’t make sense. Why would you want to do it?
Tuck: Who are you dating anyway?
I should text Alex Spearman. That dude is in love with her. If I say something, he might step in and stop her plan. Then she won’t have any excuse to skip this trip. The guy is so in love with Hannah, it doesn’t surprise me he waited a year for her.
Nana: You should stop dating like a rock star. It’s overrated. : wink emoji :
Tuck: Come with us, please!
The dots on the phone dance, but she doesn’t answer. So, I send another text trying to persuade her. I even use her nickname.
Tuck: Nana, seriously, I need backup. You’re the only one who can save me.
Nana: What about Ethan?
I drum my fingers against my desk. That’s a great question. Where the fuck is Ethan? Well, Nana, thanks to you, he’s been finding himself. Which means, he can’t be there for me this weekend either.
After he broke up with his fiancée last year—thank fuck—he’s changed. It’s like he’s fucking growing up too and leaving us behind. Just the way Nana did. Everything is changing so quickly, no wonder Zeke and Rocco are a fucking mess.
The more I hope that we’ll be back together, not just as a family but as a band, the more I realize it’s an impossible dream. If I could go back in time when we started Sinners of Seattle, I’d do everything differently. Not sure exactly what, but everything would be different.
The world feels like it’s spinning out of control around the sun. Every second is faster than the last one, and I’m just one man trying to stop it from spiraling off its axis and destroying our lives as we know them.
Every time something goes wrong in our lives, we all get sucked into the hurricane of emotions and break into pieces. It’s so fucking hard to rebuild our lives.
Tuck: He’s busy this weekend.
Nana: Sorry, Tuck. Maybe next time I’ll join you. Alex and I already have plans.
I stare at my phone, wondering if she’s dating him. Fucking Alex! Of course she’s dating him. I knew he wouldn’t just sit around, but can he give me a break? I get it, he waited one year too long for her. Does she know what he’s up to though?
Tuck: What’s happening with Golden Boy?
Nana: We’re friends.
I laugh because either she’s clueless or in denial.
Tuck: Fine, go search for your other half and be happy.
Nana: Love you, Tuck!
Tuck: If you did, you’d come with me.
Nana: Wow, aren’t you a little old to try to guilt trip me?
Tuck: Can you feel my desperation? Come party with us, you won’t regret it.
Nana: Stop partying so much.
Tuck: I’m thirty, not sixty. You’re younger than me.
Nana: Sorry, I can't.
If I told her that Rocco is having a hell of a time and needs her, she would find a way, but I don’t say it, because maybe she’s right. We’re too old for this crap.
Tuck: You’ll be missed.
Nana: Behave, okay. If I have to clean up your mess, I won’t be nice to you.
Tuck: Love you, Nana.
“Tucker, your mom is on her way,” Cynthia, my assistant, announces through the intercom.
“Are you sure she’s coming to visit me and not my father?”
“Mr. Cooperson’s assistant is the one who gave me the heads up, so be ready.”
I scrub my face and walk toward to the door. When I open it, I spot her right away. It’s not hard though. Thea Cooperson-Decker is not only beautiful, elegant, and tall. She’s unique.
Think of a regal unicorn princess. Her hair is long, wavy, and multicolored. Her clothes are colorful, usually wearing long dresses or flouncy shirts and jeans. She’s unique in many ways and never blends—she strives to be herself.