“I can’t stop my feelings, but I can stop my actions. I find that when I’m with Lily, I think less and less about Callie, and that’s not right, man.”

Sam walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “Luke, you loved Callie, and what you had was great, but she’s gone, and you have to start accepting that. Do you think Callie would want you to live in misery and not move on? Wouldn’t you want Callie to find someone who’d make her happy and take care of her the way you did? Dude, come on, you need to let go.”

“You think it’s so easy,” I said as I wiped away a tear that fell down my face. I grabbed my keys from counter. “Let’s go,” I said as I walked out the door, out of the building, and climbed into the Jeep.

As we walked into Bernie’s, I saw Lily sitting at the bar. Gretchen jumped up and ran over to hug Sam. I didn’t know what to say to Lily. I already apologized for kissing her. She turned around and looked at me as I gave her a small smile before walking over to the stage to get things set up. Shortly after, Lucky came strolling in with his arm around Giselle.

“Feeling good tonight, boys.” Lucky strutted over with a big smile across his face.

I looked at him and rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, you got laid.”

“That’s right, Lukey boy,” he said as he slapped me on the back. “You should try it sometime.”

I ignored him because he was Lucky, and that’s how he was. When we got the stage set up, the bar had already filled up since Bernie had advertised that we’d be playing tonight. I kept looking over at Lily, but she wouldn’t look at me. She kept her back turned and drank her beer. I took a deep breath, and I walked over and sat on the bar stool next to her.

“Hey,” I said.

She picked up her beer, took a sip, and looked at me. “Hey.”

Candi, the bartender, walked over to where we were sitting. “The usual, Luke?”

“The usual.” I smiled.

Lily sat there and stared at her beer bottle. “I’m sorry about earlier,” I said.

“Sorry about what?” She smiled as she looked at me.

“Um, when I crossed the line and kissed you.”

She tilted her head and slowly shook it. “I’m sorry, Luke, but I don’t recall you kissing me.”

I grinned because that was her way of telling me that everything was cool between us. I held up my beer bottle as she held up hers, and we lightly tapped them together.

“I have to get on stage now.”

“Good luck.” She smiled.

Lily

I sat there while Luke walked to the stage. He was still apologizing for our kiss. I could tell he felt awkward about it, so I had to turn it into nothing, even though it was something to me. It was something real that stirred up desire and passion from within. Something I won’t so easily be able to forget. I was in deep thought, holding the beer bottle between both my hands, when I heard his voice. I closed my eyes for a moment because his voice was breathtaking. As I turned around to face the stage, I saw him standing there, in his stonewashed jeans and brown boots. His navy blue shirt was tight and emphasized his muscular, ripped body. He was sexy as hell, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted him to kiss me again. I needed another drink, so I motioned for Candi, and I ordered a shot of vodka. The beer just wasn’t doing it, and I needed to forget about Luke, the kiss, and my mother. I threw back the shot that Candi set down in front of me, and I ordered another. I listened intently as he sang his song. The words haunted me.

“Sleep, baby, sleep

Peace is just a dream away

Let it go and release your fears

For tomorrow’s another day.”

I grabbed the shot glass out of Candi’s hand before she could set it down. After Luke finished his song and sang a few more, I was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. Giselle and Gretchen walked over and sat down at the bar next to me.

“Why didn’t you sit with us at the table?” Giselle asked.

“I wanted to sit here; I didn’t feel like getting up.”

“Are you ok, Lily?” Gretchen asked.

“Sure,” I said. “Everything’s just dandy. My mom, who’s dead to me, is trying to track me down. The boy next door kissed me, then apologized and left me sitting on the bed, looking like an idiot. I found my fiancé and my sister fucking in a closet on my wedding day, and best of all, my mother knew they were seeing each other for a long time. Cheers to my awesome fucking life,” I said as I held up my beer bottle.

“What’s going on?” Luke said as he walked up behind me.

“Hey, Luke, great show,” Giselle and Gretchen said at the same time.

Sam and Lucky walked over, grabbed their girls, and kissed them. I rolled my eyes and turned back around towards the bar.

“Let’s dance,” Giselle said as she grabbed Lucky’s hand.

“Awesome idea! Come on, Lily,” Gretchen said.

“You go ahead; I’ll join you in a while.”

“Come on, let’s go sit at a table and talk,” Luke said as he lightly touched my arm.

I got up from the stool, grabbed my beer bottle, and walked with Luke over to a table.

“You were really amazing; I want you know that.” I smiled.

“Thanks.” He smiled as he looked down in embarrassment.

A waitress, named Deb, came over to the table and set down two napkins. “Great performance as always, Luke. You want the usual?”

“Thanks, Deb. Get me a beer and whatever Lily wants.”

“What can I get you, sweetie?” Deb asked.

“Two shots of vodka and make them doubles, please.”

“Ok, two shots of vodka and a beer coming right up.” She smiled.

“Switching over to the hard liquor?” Luke asked.

“I need it tonight,” I said.

“Why’s that?”

“I really don’t want to get into it.”

Suddenly, two girls approached the table. I recognized one of them; she was the one giving Luke a blow job that night I walked in on them.

“Hi, Luke.” She smiled. “You were so awesome tonight.”

“Thanks.” He smiled.

“Would you like to get together later and maybe talk or something?” she asked.

“No, not tonight.”

Deb walked over with our drinks and just in time. She set the vodka down in front of me and handed Luke his beer. I slammed the first shot and then the second.

“Aw, come on, I promise that you’ll have a really good time,” she whined.

“Back off. He said no! Now, take your little slutty asses and get away from my table!” I yelled.

Luke looked at me in surprise as he drank his beer.

“Who the hell are you?” she asked.

I got up out of my seat. “I’m someone who’s trying to have a conversation here, but instead, I’m being bothered by some little groupie who thinks she’s going to get laid.”

Luke stood up and lightly grabbed my arm. “Lily, sit down.”

I jerked my arm away. “Don’t touch me!” I snapped.

Giselle and Gretchen came running over to the table with Sam and Lucky following behind.

“Go down the street; I’m sure there’s a very profitable corner with your name on it. If you’re going to blow random strangers, then you might as well get paid for it.”

“Bitch!” she snapped as she turned on her heels and walked away.

Giselle clasped my shoulders, and Gretchen picked up the shot glass and smelled it.

“Shit, she’s drinking vodka.”

Luke looked at me and then at Gretchen. “Is that bad or something?” he asked.

“Yeah, it is,” Giselle answered.

“Lily tends to get mean and violent when she drinks vodka. It’s the only alcohol that affects her that way. She can drink anything else, get drunk, and have fun, but vodka turns her into a different person,” Gretchen answered.

“Oh, fuck off! I can drink whatever the hell I want. Who are you? My mother?”

Luke leaned over the table. “Watch your mouth.”