Page 76 of Broken
“I didn’t get your name,” Jacqueline said.
“I’m Luam,” he replied. “I go by Lou.”
“You mentioned being in a band. Do you play an instrument?”
“Lead singer, and I play bass.”
“Do you get together with your band and practice a lot?”
He furrowed his brow, said nothing.
“The last time I was here you said you were between tours,” she continued.
“The guys have been talking about going their separate ways.” He chugged down more soda, then stifled a belch. “Excuse me.”
“So, are you staying here?” Jacqueline asked.
“For now, yeah.”
I can’t stay here. He’s here all the time.
“How do you know my sister?”
“Met her a while ago,” Lou replied.
“Are you two—”
The front door opened, then slammed shut. The clacking of heels on the hard flooring got louder and louder.
“Did you buy me a SUV?” Leslie’s voice pierced the quiet afternoon. Her sister stepped onto the deck, slid her gaze to Jacqueline. “Oh, hey, is that your SUV in my driveway?”
“Well, I didn’t fly over on a broomstick, so yeah,” Jacqueline replied.
Lou chuckled, but her sister didn’t. “You could of gotten an Uber, yeah?”
“I wanted—” Jacqueline began.
“My photo shoot wasthebomb.” Leslie struck a pose, then grinned. “I did so good. They totally want me back for more gigs.” She sniffed her underarms. “I’m gonna go take me a bubble bath.” Then, she regarded Jacqueline “Whatcha doing here?”
Jacqueline pushed out of the chair. “Stopped by for a second, but you’re super busy, plus I gotta—”
“Hang here. I won’t be longer than thirty.”
Who am I kidding? I can’t stay here one more second.
“I’m gonna take off.” Jacqueline wanted to go inside, but her sister was still striking a pose in the doorway. “Can I sneak by?”
On a huff, Leslie meandered into the kitchen. “I’m starving. Hey, sis, order us some food, will ya?”
Jacqueline followed, her gaze trained on the front door.This was a total time suck.
“Stop by anytime,” Lou called out from the back deck.
“See ya.” Jacqueline showed herself out and made her way to the vehicle. As she started the SUV, Lou meandered outside and waved.
After sliding on her sunglasses, she backed out of the driveway, and headed out of the neighborhood.
She was angry she’d wasted her time, sad that the Leslie she knew and adored was gone. Her sister didn’t look the same, she didn’t act the same either. Jacqueline had no idea if her sister and Lou were friends, friends with benefits, or more. They didn’t give off any kind of vibe at all. As she drove away, she realized they hadn’t even spoken to each other. Leslie had become so self-obsessed, she hadn’t even said hello to him.
