Stepping Out of Comfort
Quin
I’ve been living with my sister Wren for about a year, and we have a well-established routine. Life has fallen into a comfortable rhythm—the keyword being comfortable.
Wren is still not herself since Kilian passed away five years ago. She won’t put herself out there. Living with her it’s easy to see that she is still very in her head. I have to let her get away with what’s comfortable because even that is an improvement over the previous years.
Everything is going well enough.
I’m doing okay in school and making lots of friends. I’m lucky that I have my best friend Megan to lean on. She’s helped me branch out and socialize more, so we’ve been going to frat parties and living it up.
I’ve begged Wren to go out with me more, but she always says she doesn’t feel up to it. I don’t like leaving her at home but at least Declan comes around to see her a lot. Those two give me sibling envy. I swear they are like the same person, they get along so well while Wren and I are complete opposites.
All that was my nice, comfortable life, at least until Liam LaGrange entered the picture. Wren’s entire world flipped upside down when Gael put her up for Bang Out of Order’s music video.
Liam basically chased her down and they went out for the first time the other night. Obviously, Wren is smitten, she’s been smitten since she was thirteen. All Liam has to do is say hi, and she’s smiling like a giddy teenager.
Seeing her with someone new was jarring enough, but Liam isn’t just someone. He’s a platinum-selling rock star who comes with media attention. I was getting used to it, seeing her happy again was the best part. But all of a sudden, she’s trending on the internet as Liam’s mystery girl.
It’s just got crazier from there, but Wren is still happy. I can’t complain about that. Besides, it’s all working out for me right now because she’s taking me to La Cava tonight.
La Cava is only one of the hottest nightclubs in town. No big deal right? Wrong! I have to look like a star. Every time I go out on a big night like this, this stupid thought gnaws at me—maybe I’ll meet the man of my dreams.
Sure, I’ve dated a lot. But I want what Wren had with Kilian. I want to be in love and find my person. It would be nice to have someone I can really count on besides my sister. I’ve been a burden to her for so long and even though I’m trying to make up for it, I still feel bad.
“This?” Wren saunters around the bedroom and spins in her leather mini skirt and a crop top. She looks hot. It’s not anything I could ever pull off, but with her curvy shape and tattoos, it really works for her.
“Yes, but I want you to wear heels!” I clap my hands together, pouting slightly. I’ve been taller than my big sister since I was thirteen and it always makes me feel insecure.
“No, no way,” Wren says, holding her hands in the air.
She’s practically begging, but it would be nice not to feel like an Amazon woman tonight. “Your black platforms, at least, Liam’s well over a foot taller than you, and I already feel like a giant next to you,” I compromise.
“Ugh, y’all are really pulling me out of my comfort zone tonight,” she sucks in a sharp breath before going back to the closet.
Now that she’s convinced, I feel better about getting ready myself. I’ve had this purple sequin dress I found on sale and this seems like just the right night for it. It’s pastel with lace panels and beads, and when I look in the mirror, I feel sort of like a flapper.
Except I don’t think flappers wore dresses this short; it’s bold, but I can’t help it. It’s the curse of being tall. Once I’ve finished Wren is still struggling with her hair so I help her braid it.
Once we’re both dressed and ready, I know it’s time to get this party started. Stepping into the kitchen, I grab the bottle of Jack we always keep on hand and wave it seductively at my sister, “What do you say? Shot for luck?”
“Yes, please!” Wren brightens.
“Okay, I’m pretty sure this calls for a double,” I set up the glasses and begin to pour slowly.
“Gimme that!” Wren exclaims.
Before I can even set up the shots, Wren grabs the bottle from me and takes a huge swig. That’s not really like her. I think whatever is bothering her is a bigger deal than her high heels.
Eventually, I get her to tell me what’s going on. She’s worried about Liam breaking her heart. I understand her concern, but I think it would be okay for her to casually date someone. I think she thinks it’s all or nothing, maybe that’s just how her heart works. But I don’t think it would be horrible for her to experience a whirlwind.
I did my best to make her feel better, but I hope I’m right. She can’t handle another heartbreak. Liam is a risk; he is a famous heartthrob, but he’d be silly not to fall for my sister. She’s amazing, so I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.
When Liam shows up, I can tell that Wren is still not feeling one hundred percent. Now that he’s here, I’m just going to go sort out my hair and give them some time to talk before we go out. I hope there isn’t any drama tonight. Wren is finally going out after all this time, and I just want her to have fun.
After a few minutes of primping, I interrupt their make out session and get everyone out the door and into the car.
Liam drives us to the club, and even though I’m not really into his music, I’m fangirling a little about being in the back seat of a famous rock star’s car. The seats are leather and super plush. Of course, his stereo is tricked out with rainbow lights and everything. It’s the nicest vehicle I’ve ever sat inside.
When he hears that Wren didn’t eat dinner, he stops off and buys us a coffee and a donut. It seems like the perfect little pick-me-up before we get to the club, so I sit back in my seat, eating happily for the rest of the ride.
At the club, Declan and Gael are standing outside waiting for us. Liam pulls up to the valet stand and passes off his keys, before rounding the car and opening the doors for me and Wren. As we walk down the sidewalk toward the guys, it doesn’t take long for Liam to be noticed by the paparazzi so we hurry inside.
Security is invasive. They take almost everything, including my cell phone. Then, for good measure, they make very sure I won’t be getting any more drinks tonight with the giant stamp on my hand.
After we make it through, Gael shows us to a huge, cushy booth near the back of the club. I’ve never been anywhere where I can’t have my phone but I guess I understand why it’s necessary now. There are various semi-famous people I recognize dotted around the place. I’m sure they don’t want random people photographing them and posting it online.
Everyone is dressed in their best, and the lights are vibrant shades of pink and purple. Once we all settle, it doesn’t take long for the three guys to embarrass Wren, so she drags me to the dance floor.
On the way there I realize that it’s the perfect time to check in on her and see how she is feeling now that she’s had some time with Liam. “So, how are you now?”
“Better, I’m going to try my best to trust him,” she smiles, and it’s convincing. “He hasn’t given me a reason not to.”
“You’re right,” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “I’m glad you worked it out.”
“Me too! Now dance with me!” She exclaims.
We get lost on the dance floor for a while, just two sisters having fun. I’m not even sure how long we’ve been dancing when I see a tall guy, with a great butt dancing near us. Granted, I haven’t seen the rest of what he has to offer, but finding a guy tall enough for me is a huge hurdle.
My eyes catch Gael’s, and he waves. That’s when I realize that I’m looking at Declan like he’s a man at a club and not my sister’s silly best friend.
When did he get so hot?
He turns around, and when I see his face, it’s like I’m seeing him clearly for the first time. He’s not Declan from high school anymore; there is nothing nerdy about him.
His golden hair is swept back in a stylish shag cut and his dark brown eyes are piercing; I can’t believe I never noticed this before.
At this point, we’re all dancing as a group. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m going to test the waters with Declan. We’ve always been close, there is no reason this has to be weird, Wren would probably be dancing with him if Liam wasn’t here.
Yeah, Quin, whatever you need to say to convince yourself. I dance over to him and step into his space but he just smiles and puts his arms around my waist and dances with me.He’s hugged me, lain on my couch, and spent the night at our apartment more times than I can count, but this touch is different.
It’s… electric.
