Page 8 of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
“Me too,” Milo pipes up.
“Fuck yes.” Finn fist-bumps Milo.
“Lilah?” Chris turns his attention to her.
She studies me for several moments. Like for some reason her answer hinges on mine.
“Yeah, okay. Let’s do it,” she says.
I’m already outvoted, but Chris still shifts his gaze to me.
“Ev?”
With a sigh, I nod. “Fine.”
We’ll have to pop this cherry at some point.
CHAPTER 3
LILAH
“Lil, wanna grab a drink with Finn and me?” Milo loops his arm around my neck as we head for the door.
While we nailed down the details of the charity concert, I debated whether to tell my family about my upcoming trip to San Francisco. A major part of me sayshell no, but there’s a small piece—the one still craving their acceptance—that thinks I should invite them to the event. Let them see what I do, why I do it. Maybe then they’ll understand.
Keep dreaming, Lilah.
“Umm…”
I’ve gone out with Finn and Milo a few times, but I’ve discovered that their number one goal is to find a hookup for the night. Nights like that were fine when I was in my twenties.
But now? No thanks.
That scene hasn’t interested me in the last couple of years. Since right around the time I turned thirty, I guess.
Milo pouts his lower lip out. “Please?”
I laugh and push him away. “You know your puppy-dog look doesn’t work on me. You guys go. Enjoy. I need to ask Jessie something.”
“You do?” Jessie walks down the stairs, stopping near me. “What’s up?”
“Bye, Milo.” I wave and wait until he shrugs and closes the front door behind him. Then I turn to Jessie. “Are you going to the concert next weekend?”
How is it already next weekend?
Jessie’s face lights up, and she nods. “I am. I’ve never seen the guys live. And Chris’s mom and dad are keeping Gage for the weekend. This is our first weekend away since—are you okay?”
My smile is shaky. “That’s my hometown.”
“I’d say that’s great, but based on the look on your face, I think my assumption is wrong.” She tugs me out of the entryway and into the living room.
I shrug. “My family—I’m not sure. It’s…complicated.”
Jessie’s eyes go soft and she puts a gentle hand on my arm. “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do? Maybe we can make plans as a group.”
“Maybe. In a way, I’m excited, I guess. It’s my first concert with the band, but…”
Family. Holidays. Arguing with Evan. It’s all taking a toll.
