by Dee Lagasse
Eager to get away from the silent pity party for Hollis, I nod and follow when Kinley asks me if I want to go with her to the bathroom. As soon as I close the outer door of the three-stalled ladies’ room, she looks down as if she’s checking to see that we’re alone and frantically turns to me blurting out, “I didn’t need to pee. I need to talk to you.”
“What’s up? Are you okay?” I ask, instantly being the worried, concerned one out of the two of us.
“Yes, no, yes,” she rambles nervously, slowly pulling her left hand out of her pocket, the glimmer of a diamond on her ring finger catches my eye. “I know it’s the worst timing ever. And I don’t want you to think we’re being insensitive. But, I didn’t have food poisoning last night. I’ve been getting sick a lot lately. And, my period’s late. So, I took a test and…”
“Oh my God,” I squeal excitedly, with wide eyes. “Are you?”
“I am,” she nods, a forced grin spreading across her face as she looks at me anticipating my reaction. “We’re not really telling anyone until I’m three months, just to be safe. But my mom and dad know, Cole knows, your dad knows, and now, you. I wanted to especially tell you because this all happened because I started freaking out about my mother and being pregnant without being married, because you know we need to handle all that now. I mean, look at all we had to do to spin Cole dropping out of the pre-law program so the press didn’t think she was flunking out or a just giving up…”
Kinley’s mom, Helen, has only been worried about keeping up appearances in the last few years. After being the Mayor of Abbott Hills for five years, she got heavily involved in the Obama presidential campaigns. In 2016, she ran for Senate in New Hampshire and won. Helen is a good mom, and she loves her daughters, but now they all think about what other people will say when they make decisions. All it takes is one asshole reporter to spin the truth, and they’re suddenly tabloid material.
“Yeah, I get that, but I’m confused,” I tell her. “And don’t get me wrong, I’m so excited and glad I know. But why are you making such a big deal out of me knowing before everyone else?”
“I am so excited too. Like, so excited. But last night I started stressing out about telling my mom. Davis told me that it’s not how he planned it, but he’s been waiting to do it for a little while…and then he got a jewelry box out of the top shelf of the linen closet, got on one knee and well, you know, proposed. And of course I said yes, but I don’t want you to think after yesterday that we’re being insensitive. I don’t want you to be mad at your brother. I need you to know the why.”
“Oh my God. Breathe, Kin,” I laugh when I realize exactly why she was just making a big deal out of my birthday. “That’s why you made a big deal out of celebrating my birthday tonight, isn’t it? I don’t doubt Chase got everyone together, but the table, the balloons, the gifts…that has you written all over it.”
“I mean…”
“Kinley,” I put my hands around each of her upper arms. “I would be happy for you and Davis any day, every day. No matter what is going on with me, Davis is my brother and you’ve been one of my closest friends, foreveeeeer. It’s okay. It’s more than okay. Come on, let’s go tell everybody you’re getting married.”
Wrapping me in a hug, she whispers a thank you before letting go and making her way back out the door. She pauses with a hand on the door handle to turn to me and say, “Oh, and don’t think I haven’t noticed Chase with his eyes glued to you since I got here.”
No one can argue her commitment. The girl is newly pregnant and engaged and she’s still here, reaching for the idea of Chase and I being together.
“It’s because Noah’s here,” I shrug, brushing it off. After last night, Chase isn’t going to let Noah get anywhere near me.
“You’re as safe as you’re ever going to be here tonight. Chase could leave right now and know nothing will happen to you with your dad, your cousins, your uncles, your brother, Tucker, and Kenny here,” she shakes her head, smiling. “No. This isn’t about Noah. This is about the fact that you look like a dang smoke show right now, Hol. I guarantee if we go out there right now and I ask him, Chase will tell you himself.”
“You will do no such thing,” I demand as my stomach flips at the thought of her calling out Chase in front of our friends and my family like that.
I don’t doubt he would handle it just fine. He’d make a crack about how he has the prettiest best friend in the world. But the reality of it all is that Chase isn’t looking at me in any way other than a “best friend” looking out for me because my ex is here.
And I kind of hate myself a little for being disappointed that it’s not more.
Chapter Eleven
Chase
How long does it take two women to go to the bathroom?
Never mind the fact that I’ve never understood why women need to flock together to go pee, Hollis and Kinley have been in that damn bathroom for over ten minutes. I know because I’ve been watching the door of the ladies’ room since they went in, ready to jump up and handle it if Noah decides to try to catch her attention on the way back.
The unease as soon as she saw him was enough to tell me she wants nothing to do with him. I’ll be damned if he gets even a minute of her time. He had his chance, for two entire years. That ship has sailed, and sunk, never to be seen again. And it was his own damn doing.
Ellis had been over once already to take down our drink orders. Despite the fact Harpoon Octoberfest was on tap, I had asked for a Cherry Coke. I won’t be drinking until I know that bastard is gone. Mixing alcohol with the way Hollis looks and McDouchegal being present would not end pretty.
A combination of relief and panic washes over me when the wooden door of the bathroom begins to slowly open. Kinley steps out laughing mischievously, like she’s got something up her sleeve. Right behind her, in her short black dress, comes Hollis, shaking her head at whatever scheme Kinley has cooked up. Moving just enough so Hollis is now completely in my view, Kinley smirks at me. Shit. Looks like someone’s on to me.
After hugs and a few minutes of pestering from Kinley, Hollis opens the presents from everyone. After the final gift is opened and everyone is individually thanked with hugs and quick pecks on the cheek, she turns her attention to her dad and introduces herself to his date.
Erica, the middle-aged redhead, looks uneasy as Hollis begins rapid-firing questions about how they met, what she does for a living, where she lives, if she has any kids...All it takes is finding out she works at an animal shelter in the next town over for Erica to gain the warm, kind Hollis I love.
You know, in the best friend, I respect her kind of love. Strictly platonic. Which is why I’m “platonically” checking out her ass while she’s bending over to talk to Lorenzo and Erica.
After a few minutes of small talk, she stands up straight and nods to her brother. Doing the Capparelli telepathy twin thing, they say whatever they need to say without needing to speak a single word.
“I guess that’s my cue,” Davis chuckles, standing up, clearly understanding his sister. Pushing his chair in, he follows Hollis to the small wooden stage that their grandfather built by hand when he found out that Hollis’s Saturday night performance would become a regular one.
Loud cheers and a “Free Bird!” come from somewhere in the back, making Hollis laugh as soon as she steps foot onto the stage. It’s no secret that people come on Saturday nights just to see her sing and have Ellis serve them drinks. Despite having spent a good chunk of last night telling her that it was okay she stepped back from our friendship when she was with Noah, the fact that I didn’t do my part as her friend and hadn’t been to see her yet is sitting heavy right now. This isn’t just her job or some side hobby for her. Music is like air to Hollis. She needs it to breathe.
Despite not having a clue what they’re saying, the lighthearted banter between Hollis and Davis is hilarious to watch. They go back and forth, laughing as Hollis takes her guitar out of the case. After giving her brother
a playful shove, she hands him her guitar and hops up onto the red cushioned stool that sits in the middle of the stage.
Resting the bottom of her black boots on the metal bar, she moves the microphone stand up and down until it gets to a position she’s happy with. While she does that, Davis plugs her guitar into a special acoustic amp to the left of her.
“Davis is up there, she’s okay,” Kinley leans in, from the left of me, nodding up toward the stage. “Chase, she’s fine.”
“Oh, no, I know,” I answer, quickly - too quickly, so I add, “It’s not that at all.”
Good one, Merrimack. Because that should help the situation. Kinley might think she’s sneaky about it, but she’s not very good at hiding that she’s been pushing for me and Hollis to get together since high school. She’s never said anything directly to me, or even so much as hinted about it until tonight, but I’ve heard a few comments that have been made when the girls think I’m out of earshot. “Soul mates” seem to be the words that get thrown around quite often.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Kinley smiles smugly to herself a bit, before turning her attention back to the stage. Sighing, knowing that arguing with Kinley is pointless, I turn my attention back to the stage too…but mostly to Hollis, who is completely oblivious to the fact that every eye in this lounge is now fixated on her. Nodding to Davis, he hands her the oak colored guitar and slides the microphone out of the plastic clips that keep it in place on the stand.
“Check, one, two,” Davis’s voice fills the room, “Alright, I know normally LJ introduces this little lady, but lucky for me, I get the privilege of doing so tonight. Without further ado, here to serenade you all for a couple hours is one of the most talented women I know. Please join me in welcoming the baddest of all bad asses, my twin sister, Hollis Capparelli!”
After placing the microphone back in its spot, Davis and Hollis exchange the Capparelli cheek to cheek kisses and he steps off the stage. Applause and cheers fill the lounge and a few exclamations of “I love you, Hollis” come from our table.
Once the room quiets down, I use my opportunity to make sure I’m heard by yelling out, “Rock me like a hurricane, Hollis!” It’s cheesy as fuck, but every person sitting at our table laughs, especially when Hollis’s cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink.
“Well, then…that being said, how’s everyone doing tonight?” she opens with, running her fingers over the guitar strings, strumming a little as she messes with the little knobs at the top. Our table takes the bait and starts cheering again, this time, gaining a few hollers from Ellis at the bar too.
“My fan club, everyone,” she grins, pointing to all of us, winking at Lola. “Well, hi! I see a lot of familiar faces in the crowd tonight, but just in case you’re new, like my brother said, I’m Hollis Capparelli and I’ll be singing you a song or twelve tonight. The first hour I kind of wing it, let you all eat your dinner, drink some beers, but hour two, is when the fun starts. That’s when I start taking requests.”
Her stage presence is so commanding. From the moment she steps on the stage, she’s demanding everyone’s complete attention. As she warmly smiles at a few tables next to ours, I know Noah isn’t the only guy I’m going to have to watch out for tonight. It baffles me that she has no idea just how captivating she is.
As if she needed any help having multiple men fall in love with her tonight, she continues by saying, “So, as of last night, I am newly single for the first time in two years…”
With that, comes whistles, an “I can change that” from a guy at the bar, and a whole chorus of cheers. Groaning to myself, Tucker looks over and sighs. I know he’s thinking exactly what I’m thinking —if we stick around after Hollis’s set is done, there will be a slew of guys to keep an eye on.
“We’re going to keep this PG, since it is a family restaurant and there are children present tonight, but long story short…”
She starts to sing the opening line of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and silence fills the room just as quickly as the cheers did. For most of the first verse of the song her eyes wander, but always linger a little longer when she reaches me. It isn’t until the chorus that her eyes are transfixed behind us. Although I have a good idea, my suspicion is confirmed when I follow her gaze landing directly on Noah McDougal.
I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of her than right now in this moment. She’s telling him to fuck off in the best way possible, in front of the best audience possible. And he takes note by flagging down the petite, blonde server walking around the lounge. As soon as she pulls a bill out of the black book in her hands, Noah hands her a small handful of cash before standing up and walking out of the lounge. The three men he’s with all look confused by the abrupt walk-out, but follow him out to the exit.
Once I know Noah has left the room, I let out a breath and turn my attention back to Hollis, who is looking directly at me, as if she was waiting for me to turn around. So proud of herself, she’s smiling ear-to-ear like a cat that caught a mouse.
With a final dramatic strum, she wraps up the first song and the room booms with a mixture of applause and cheering, especially from our table. Everyone knows why she picked that song, and who she was singing to. At this point, everyone also knows he walked out as he realized she was letting him know that she would be just fine without him. Once the applause lessens, she thanks everyone while she tweaks the knobs up at the top of the guitar again, tuning it to get the sound she wants.
“Before I get too far into this set, I want to bring up a guest-”
Hollis doesn’t finish before Lola puts down the mozzarella stick she’s eating and hops off Tucker’s lap, skipping up to the stage. When she gets up to Hollis, she stands patiently as Hollis adjusts the microphone stand, lowering it in anticipation of the smaller person that is about to take her spot. Standing up with her guitar strapped over her shoulder, she helps Lola up onto the stool. Everyone at our table, including me, pulls out their phones, wanting to capture this forever. Leaning in to Lola, Hollis says something resulting in Lola quickly shaking her head side to side. Pondering for only a second, Hollis leans back in, this time getting two thumbs up and a big smile in response.
“My Zia and I would like to desdacate this next song to Uncle Chase.”
I’m certain that her mispronunciation of “dedicate,” pulls on every heartstring I have. That is, until Hollis and Lola begin to sing “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” a capella. Like in the movies, everyone pauses in place and freezes. As adorable as my niece is, I know it’s the woman standing back behind her, easily belting out the song that I jokingly told her “would be our wedding song one day” when we were at a wedding of a mutual friend together a few years back.
Letting Lola have the microphone doesn’t take away from the raw, breathtaking talent coming from Hol. There isn’t a person in this room that isn’t completely enamored with her. It is a moment that Hollis made for me in a memory that Lola would get to treasure for the rest of her life. Having every intention of recording the two of them, I still have my phone in my hand, but looking around, I see that plenty of people will capture it and decide to put it on the table instead. Soak it all in.
With Hollis guiding her, Lola starts the second verse of the song she’s heard a thousand times over her lifetime. The strings of Hollis’s guitar stay untouched until the third verse. Tucker gives me a hearty pat on the back from the chair next to me, his eyes glossy from the tears he’s trying not to let slide down his cheeks right now. My mom and Hollis’s aunts, on the other hand, make no effort to hide theirs, as tears stream down their faces faster than they can wipe them.
Only allowing myself a few seconds with my attention somewhere else, I look back just in time for them to get to the line in the song about being meant to be. When Hollis locks eyes with mine, any resolve I thought I had goes right out the fucking window. I’ve pushed them aside for years knowing I had lost my chance, but there’s no way to ignore these feeli
ngs now.
It might not be tonight. Or tomorrow. Or the day after that. But I’ve never felt so certain that there would come a day Hollis Capparelli would be mine.
Chapter Twelve
Hollis
If you ask me next week, I won’t be able to tell you all the songs I sang tonight. But I will remember this night for the rest of my life. Being up on stage with my God-daughter, seeing the way her eyes lit up when I picked her up and put her on my stool will be forever embedded into my head and heart. And then, of course, there was the way Chase looked at me while I was singing. Everyone else in the room was watching Lola, but Chase’s eyes never left me. It took everything in me not to walk off the stage and go kiss his stupid face after spending three whole minutes of him staring at me like I was Aphrodite in the flesh.
Originally, I had asked Lola if she wanted to sing a song from Moana, the newest Disney movie she is obsessed with. After spending most of the time I was getting ready at Chase’s house listening to the soundtrack, I was sure that’s what she would want to sing. Figuring it was a given that she would say yes, I was a little stumped when she shot it down. All it took was looking over at Chase, with those bright green eyes staring at me like I hung the moon, to know what song to sing.
But now that we’re done, and Lola is back down at the table sitting on Tucker’s lap, I have no idea how I’m going to follow this up. Catching on to the fact my whole family came up to see Lola and is still sitting or standing around the table with Kinley and Davis, I have a brilliant, “light bulb above the head” idea.
“While all my family is up here, Davis and Kinley, will you please join me on the stage?”
Immediately, Kinley’s cheeks turn a rosy red and Davis grins ear to ear, both presumably knowing exactly why I’m calling them up to the stage. Kinley had told me in the bathroom that she didn’t want everyone to know that she was pregnant until she was three months along, but the only reason she wasn’t telling anyone they were engaged was because everything happened between me and Noah just last night. While Chase and I were at his mom’s house this morning, Kinley and Davis were at Kinley’s parents’ house, telling them and Kinley’s sister Cole. This was followed by a visit to my dad’s house to break the news to him.