I squinted at the bright sunlight flooding my bedroom through the semi-sheer white curtains. The pounding in my temples reminded me of last night, and the onslaught of memories that followed did nothing but worsen my headache.

My eyes flicked over the other side of my bed— the other, empty one.

It wasn't empty last night.

Liam was there, with his lean body and warm hands that explored every inch of my back.

Liam, who kissed my cheek as we swayed to the slow song he chose and held me in the candle-lit room. Liam, who danced with me at the gala and kissed my hand.

Liam, who left the bed before I woke up, surely feeling awkward because of having spent the night with the girl who chugged shots of cognac and liquor as if they were water and pathetically asked him to sleep with her.

Groaning, I buried my face in my pillow, trying to blunt the feeling of shame and regret. What I said to Liam reeked of desperation, and I couldn't even blame it on alcohol. I wasn't drunk. Tipsy, yes, but not drunk.

A glance at the clock told me it was already late. Antoine's mom would drop Tim off at home soon. I needed to make myself look somewhat presentable before facing the kid who seemed to see right through me.

A quick, scorching shower later, I was ready to see Liam.

I found him in the kitchen, making breakfast, already dressed for the day. 

"Hey," I greeted him, pasting a broad smile on my face. "What are you making?"

Liam's eyes flicked over me. "Hey, Sky. Just an omelet. I hope you like it. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, thanks. You?"

"Good. My head hurts, but that's understandable after everything we'd drunk. I tidied up the living room. Oh, and Aiden texted. He and Ellie want to go to the mall later today. They need a car, so I said we'd tag along once Tim is here unless you don't want to go."

Bowing out of it was too tempting, but I also wanted a distraction from every minute detail of the sleepover fiasco that rattled my brain. I'd rather see Ellie and indulge in girly gossip than stay in and wallow in my pity.

"Okay." I shrugged.

"Right. If you have a headache, I put some aspirin on the kitchen table."

"I wasn't that drunk, Liam."

"Okay. The breakfast is almost ready."

"I'm not hungry."

"Sky—"

The doorbell saved us both from an awkward conversation, in which Liam would say he was sorry about last night, and I would feel like an idiot for asking a guy to spend the night with me just because I was feeling pathetic and lonely.

"Sky!" Tim rushed up to me and drew his arms around my waist. I ruffled his hair, unable to keep a smile from forming on my lips.

"You're not gonna say hi to me?" Smiling, Liam crouched down in front of his brother and squeezed him in a hug.

His hugs felt good. I had a taste of them, and knowing how safe they made me feel increased my irritation tenfold.

"I'll be in the living room," I said, leaving Liam and Tim in the hallway.

Making myself comfortable on the couch, I grabbed my phone and pulled up the internet browser, desperate to get lost in some mindless celebrity gossip.

The headlines were full of the guy whose concert we were going to see the following day — Jimmy O'Brien. He was Aiden, and Ellie's close friend. Ellie told me he was a really nice guy who cared about his people and refused to let his recent superstardom change him. One thing was clear— he was gorgeous. I'd never seen eyes that green.

"This is for you."

Tearing my eyes away from my phone screen, I saw Tim's small hand extending a plate to me.

"I told Liam I wasn't hungry," I mumbled.

"And Liam told me to give it to you. He also says you are stubborn."

Sighing, I took the plate and forked the omelet, leaving my phone on my lap.

"Who's that?" Tim pointed at Jim's photo.

"That's Jim, Aiden's friend," I said between bites.

Tim's eyes widened. "The musician? His band is so cool. Aiden let me listen to his songs. Do you like Jim, Liam?"

My eyes registered Liam leaning against the wall as he observed Tim and me. "I haven't met him, buddy."

"He's a great guy," I said. "At least Ellie says so. Good looking, that's for sure. It's impressive how they got that famous so fast. I bet he's overwhelmed."

"You said he was good-looking. Sky has a crush." Tim sang and then giggled at his joke.

Liam didn't look amused. "Go get dressed, buddy. Aiden will pick us up in no time."

Tim hopped off the couch and bolted out of the room.

"I need to get dressed too," I said. "Thanks for the omelet."

Liam shrugged, taking the empty plate from my hands, not looking at my face once.

***

"I wish you had told me it would hurt that much," Ellie whisper-yelled in an Italian restaurant at the mall where we went to have dinner.

"Waxing hurts, but it'll be worth it." I smiled. "You can rock that red bikini without worrying about anything. You're so damn lucky, Elizabeth."

Ellie sighed. "Yeah, I know. I wish I knew where we are going. Aiden doesn't want me to know; he says it would ruin the surprise."

"I bet it's one of those islands in the Caribbean where celebrities escape when they feel overwhelmed," I said.

Ellie giggled. "Talking about celebrities, do you know what you'll wear to the concert tomorrow? I will dress in skinny jeans and a crop top. No heels this time. I'm planning on dancing a lot. So, what do you say? Will you wear the same? It would be so cool if our outfits matched."

"Sounds great." I smiled. "By the way, Jim is all over the press because of his European tour. I saw the articles today."

"I know!" Ellie's eyes sparkled. "It's insane how the boy who played in bars got to be where he is today."

"I hope you two don't expect us to wear matching anything, baby," Aiden said, grinning. "You know Jim wouldn't let me live it down."

Ellie laughed. "True. Liam, any outfit ideas yet?"

"None."

Liam sipped his beer, not engaging in our conversation and ignoring me while he looked almost angry. What was wrong with him?

Taking advantage of Ellie being busy laughing over something Aiden said, I
took out my phone to check if I had any new texts in my uni class group.

I saw messages from Paul instead.

Paul: Have you thought about it?

Paul: One date, and then you can do whatever you want.

Paul: I know you're single, and so am I. You won't fool me, Sky. I know you're not dating anyone. Getting over your issues takes time. Accept going on a date with me.

Failing to make the tremor of my hands go away, I shoved the phone in my purse and pretended to be listening to my friends' chatter.

Pretending was one of the few things I was really good at.

Jim fucking O'Brien.

My buddy's best friend and a giant pain in my ass.

I stood in the middle of the dancing crowd. People were going crazy over the dude and his songs, singing their hearts out and trying to get close to the guy to touch him.

O'Brien dedicated the first song to Aiden and Ellie. It was a nice gesture. My friend and his girl swayed to the music, looking into each other's eyes and kissing.

I might have even liked the guy if he didn't dedicate one of the songs to 'a blond angel who fell from the sky.'

Of course, Sky squealed like a schoolgirl.

Of course, she knew the lyrics.

Of course, the dude had to take off his shirt, especially for this song, flashing his abs and sending Sky a freaking wink.

After that, I hated every minute of the show, just as much as I hated leaving Sky alone in her bed yesterday because I was hard and frustrated, and I loathed the thought of making her uncomfortable. She would be if she woke up and saw me like that.

She was vulnerable that night. I cuddled her for hours, kissing the top of her head even after she'd fallen asleep.

Idiot.

The final chords of the last song signaled the end of my personal hell. Grinning, Ellie took Sky's hand in hers and dragged her toward the stage.

O'Brien hopped off it and drew his arms around Aiden's girl, kissing her cheek.

Aiden looked unbothered by it, smiling at the guy. I almost felt jealous of his ability to enjoy the concert without getting mad the way I did.

Then, Jim's arms were around Sky as he said something to her and kissed her cheek as well.

When the girls were next to us, we made our way out and waited for the band on the street near one of the emergency exits of the arena.

"Kennedy, I hope you liked the show." Grinning, Jim exited the building, followed by his band guys, and pulled Aiden into a hug.

"It was insane. Just wow, Jim. I bet your dad is fucking proud of you. That cover was the best. And thanks for including our song."

"I loved it." Ellie beamed, letting her guy hug her. "Sky did, too. Right, Sky?"

Sky grinned. "Absolutely."

We ended up having dinner in a snug restaurant not too far from the arena.

O'Brien's flirting didn't let me enjoy the meal. When he and Ellie got up from their chairs and went outside,  and Sky went to the bathroom, the same as the band guys, I felt relieved.

"What crawled up your ass?" Aiden set his wine glass on the table and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking at me.

"What do you mean?"

My buddy rolled his eyes. "I'm not blind, Liam, and neither is Jim. You're pissed at him for no apparent reason, just because he's been flirty with the girl you're not even dating. Change that attitude, for fuck's sake."

"I don't care. He can flirt however many times he wants. Sky and I are just roommates. I'm not interested in her, and I don't see her in that way."

"Aiden, I told the waiter to bring our coffee and desserts already."

Sky's voice made my insides freeze, and a giant lump formed in my throat.

She heard me.

She heard every fucking word.

I saw her flop down on a chair and stare at the screen of her phone while Ellie, Jim, and the other two band guys took their seats at the table, cheerful and oblivious to my giant fuckup.

I saw Aiden throw me a disapproving look, shaking his head and biting his lip.

I couldn't force the dessert down my throat.

When we were done eating, I was the first to exit the restaurant—the air inside felt suffocating.

"Loverboy."

O'Brien's loud voice made me turn my head toward him. The guy pushed off the column by the restaurant entrance and crossed the distance between us in a couple of purposeful strides.

"I didn't know Sky was your girl. Nobody told me she was taken. I'm sorry for all the attention I'd given her, okay?"

I focused my gaze on my sneakers, unwilling to look into the guy's piercing eyes. "She's not my girl."

Jim snorted. "And I'm tone-deaf."

"We're not—"

O'Brien rolled his eyes. "Whatever, but you know what? What I'm telling you now, and the way I backed down— those things are what decent guys do. Not all guys are decent, Liam. Sometimes, if you want the girl, you have to say it loud and clear for every asshole to hear. I didn't hear you speak."

The rest of our crowd exited the restaurant, breaking the quiet around us with their infectious laughter.

Sky was the only person who didn't laugh. She seemed lost in thoughts as if she were far away from here as she typed something on her phone.