Wonderwall

by Soars, M. H.

  “Nice to meet you. So, drinks?” I need to get out of here.

  Oliver looks at the tray with suspicion, and then at me. “I don’t know, what is it?”

  “I haven’t the faintest idea. I’m just assisting with the drinks until extra help arrives. We’re short staffed.”

  “I’m not sure you were supposed to tell us that.” He laughs.

  “I guess not.”

  “Well, there’s no harm in trying. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?”

  “Hey, I think Unicorn should take a shot with us,” Kyle says as he puts his arm around my shoulders. I tense up immediately.

  “Take your paws off her, Kyle. Now,” Sebastian says from behind us.

  Kyle takes a step back. “I was just being nice to a fan.”

  Sebastian steps between Kyle and me, using his body as a shield.

  “Bas, have a drink with us,” Oliver says, trying to diffuse the tension. At least, I think that’s what he’s doing.

  Sebastian finally glances my way. His eyes seem to be on fire and they ignite a spark in the pit of my stomach.

  “Only if Liv drinks with us,” he says.

  “I can’t. I’m working.”

  “Bullshit. It’s my birthday and I’ll take it as a personal offense if you refuse.”

  I glare at him.

  “Oh, you better do what he says, Unicorn,” Oliver says. “Bas always gets what he wants.”

  I’m beyond furious at him for putting me in this awkward situation. I don’t want to get in trouble. I glance over my shoulder and I don’t see either Patsy or Mellie. Oliver is right, Sebastian always gets what he wants. Drat, at this point, I need a drink.

  “Fine,” I say.

  Sebastian takes the tray from my hand and places it on the high table next to him. He picks up two shot glasses and offers me one. When my fingers brush his, the little spark in my stomach turns into a bright flame. I hold my breath and peer into his eyes. He feels it, too.

  “All right. To Sebastian!” Oliver raises his glass and throws his head back, downing the shot in a single gulp.

  I bring the glass to my lips and do the same, without taking my eyes off of Sebastian’s. It’s a terrible idea, but I can’t look away. The shot is some kind of grape flavored vodka. It’s not the best thing I’ve drunk in my life, but it’s enough to get rid of my uneasiness. Sebastian and I are still locked in a battle of heated staring when his girlfriend materializes by his side.

  “Hello, darling. Having a good time?”

  He blinks and looks at Gretchen. “Yeah, sure.”

  She turns to me, her eyes doing a quick scan as her smile tightens. “Hi, there. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Gretchen and you are…”

  “She’s Unicorn.” Kyle is happy to supply.

  “Excuse me?” Gretchen frowns.

  “Never mind Kyle. He’s drunk.” Sebastian’s irritation is clear in his voice, and Gretchen twists her face into an angry scowl. Okay, it’s time to leave.

  I take a step forward to retrieve the tray and resume my round.

  “You work here?” Gretchen’s tone becomes icy as she shoots daggers at me with her eyes.

  “Yes.”

  “I was told there would be no mingling between my guests and staff. This is unacceptable.”

  I don’t know what to say. She’s right. She can get me fired if she wants to.

  “Will you chill out, Gretchen? She wasn’t mingling with anybody. I practically forced her to take a shot with us,” Sebastian says.

  She narrows her eyes at him. “Why?”

  “Why not?” Sebastian spits back, and the tension around us becomes unbearable. I don’t want to witness their lovers’ quarrel.

  I take that opportunity to grab my tray and leave the scene, before Gretchen decides to complain about me.

  When I make it back to the bar, Mellie tells me reinforcements have arrived. Good, because I was about to give her an excuse not to go back there. I’m ready to return to the security of my room, where I don’t have to shield my eyes from hurtful sights. She pulls me aside and hands me a glass of champagne.

  “Aren’t we going to get in trouble for drinking during the job?”

  “Hell no. Besides, you don’t need to help at the greeting table anymore. All the guests have arrived. You’re off duty. Enjoy the party.”

  Patsy joins us and I freeze for a second. She eyes the champagne flute in my hand and grabs one for herself.

  “This party is a complete hit, don’t you think?” She practically inhales the champagne and puts the empty glass back on the bar counter after a few seconds. “Gotta go mingle, see if I can get more business for the hotel. Later, girls.”

  And just like that she’s gone.

  “Does she ever stop to breathe?” I ask.

  “No, never. I seriously don’t know how she does it. You know she has four kids under the age of six right?”

  “No, I didn’t know that.”

  “Yeah, and she’s a terrific mom. Completely dedicated. I seriously don’t think she sleeps. Ever.”

  Mellie leaves me alone with my thoughts and my drink. I move out of the way to a dark corner near the bar. I plan to finish the champagne and get out of here.

  “Hey, Liv. I didn’t know you would be working tonight.” My gaze snaps up, and I see Ryan in front of me.

  “Ryan, hi. Same here. I thought you were working at the Ocean Grill.”

  “I was, but they had to pull me over here.” He glances at the party. “I’m glad though, this is a cool party. I’ve never been around so many famous people before. I’m kind of starstruck.”

  “They’re just people, Ryan.”

  He smiles at me. “I know. But what can I say? I’m only a farm boy from Australia. I’m entitled to be in awe. Gotta run, these people drink really fast.”

  I finish the champagne and veer toward the exit, skirting around the room where it’s easier to maneuver and there’s less chance of me running into someone I shouldn’t. Suddenly, I’m grabbed by the arm and pulled behind a big ornamental piece. I yelp, but the sound is muffled by the loud music.

  “Shh, Liv. It’s me.”

  “Sebastian! What the hell! You almost gave me a heart attack.”

  “Sorry.” He laughs and it’s when I realize he’s less stable on his feet. How much did he drink already?

  “What do you want? I’m working,” I say through clenched teeth.

  “I wanna talk to you.”

  I pull from his grasp and cross my arms in front of my chest. “About what?”

  “Has anyone told you how beautiful you look tonight?” He stares at me with glazed eyes and I want to punch his face. I make a motion to leave. “Liv, please stop.” He holds my hand.

  “Don’t you have some place to be, like by your girlfriend’s side?”

  “I want to talk to you, is that a crime?”

  “We have nothing to talk about.”

  “You didn’t wish me happy birthday, yet.”

  “Oh, God. Are you a child? Happy birthday, Sebastian. Happy now? Can I go?”

  “No, I’m not happy and you cannot go.”

  He drags me with him and to avoid causing a scene, I let him. We exit the busy ballroom via a side door and find ourselves in an empty hallway. But Sebastian doesn’t stop there. He pulls me into a family restroom and locks the door behind us. Before I can say anything, I’m against the wall and Sebastian’s lips find mine. I try to fight him off, I can taste the alcohol on his tongue, but it’s a useless battle. I can’t win. All of the feelings I’ve suppressed in the last five years come back like a tsunami, powerful and devastating. I kiss him back with the same fury, with the same hunger.

  His hands roam down my naked arms, giving me goose bumps. My fingers tangle with his hair bringing us closer
. Sebastian grunts as he begins to grind his pelvis against mine.

  “Liv, I’ve missed you so much,” he says against my mouth.

  Hearing him say those words snap me out of my temporary insanity. It douses down the fire, it brings clarity. What am I doing? Am I that stupid? I shove him off of me with all the strength I have. He takes a couple of wobbly steps back.

  “This can’t happen.”

  Sebastian looks at me with hooded eyes and breathing hard. “Why not?”

  “Why not? What the hell is wrong with you? You have a girlfriend, Sebastian. She’s across the hallway.”

  “Liv, let me explain.” He moves closer again, but I side step him.

  “Explain what Sebastian? Never mind. I don’t wanna hear it.” I unlock the door.

  “Please don’t leave.” The desperation in his voice almost unravels me, it matches the despair in my heart.

  I close my eyes to keep the tears from falling. “You left first, remember? Now it’s my turn.” I burst out of there before he can change my mind. I don’t look back.

  ☂ ☂ ☂

  Sebastian

  I go back to the party seeing nothing, talking to no one in my path. I make a beeline to the bar, going behind it and retrieving a full bottle of whisky. I break the seal and start gulping it down on the spot. Witness be damned, resolution to stay clean be damned. Without Liv, I have no reason to remain sober.

  Oliver finds me and pulls the bottle from my grasp.

  “Are you fucking mental?”

  “Give that back!” I try to reach it, but my movements are sluggish.

  “I’m not gonna watch you try to kill yourself again. One time was enough.”

  He’s referring to the day I saw Liv together with the limo guy. It wasn’t the drinking that almost killed me, but the heroine OD that put me in the hospital for a week. If Oliver hadn’t found me in time that night, I wouldn’t be here.

  “Fine, I’ll find something else.” I walk around Oliver, but he grabs my arm.

  “You’re not going anywhere but home.”

  “Let go of me! You’re not my fucking mother!” I push him hard and in the process, I end up losing my balance and falling on my ass.

  People are staring, but I don’t give a fuck. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Hans and Michael. I can’t focus on their faces, but I’ll bet they’re not laughing. Fuck them, too.

  Gretchen appears out of nowhere and squats by my side. “Sebastian, are you okay?”

  When she tries to help me, I pull my arm away. “Sod off, Gretchen.”

  She sucks in a breath and I see the hurt in her eyes, even in my inebriated state. Without another word, she gets up and walks out of the room.

  Oliver and Anthony drag me up against my will. Once I’m standing, I take a few steps back, putting some distance between us. Then I see the blond guy Liv was with at the Dijng, and not pausing to think, I reach him in two strides and punch him in the face. The tray he was carrying flies out of his hand as he falls down, glasses shattering everywhere.

  “Bloody hell!” Oliver shouts.

  The music stops and all I can hear are shocked whispers mingled with the sound of my pulse in my ears. Liv’s boyfriend touches his bloody lips as he stares at me wide-eyed. A skinny guy in a dark suit kneels next to him. Oliver and Anthony grab me by each arm and take me away from the scene before I can do more damage. This time, I don’t fight them.

  Chapter 33

  Sebastian

  I wake up in my own apartment alone. I glance at the big clock on the wall and see it’s almost noon. My head is pounding and the sun streaming through the windows is only making it ache worse. I’m lying on my couch wearing yesterday’s clothes. At least I was able to somehow remove my suit jacket. I see my phone on the coffee table and reach for it. There are a dozen missed calls from Hans, but none from Gretchen. Maybe she’ll dump me after last night’s spectacle, saving me the trouble.

  I get up and go in search of an Advil. I hear another ping from my phone and glance at the screen. It’s a text message from Oliver saying I made the news. Just fucking great. I thought paparazzi weren’t allowed into private parties.

  I know I’ll have to deal with Hans at some point today, might as well find out how royally I’ve fucked up. I open the URL link Oliver sent me. It’s when I notice my swollen knuckles. Memories begin to trickle down slowly and the picture they paint isn’t pretty. I think I’ve assaulted Liv’s boyfriend.

  The browser finally opens and what I can’t remember, the online article fills in the blanks. I’m in deep shit. I call Hans without listening to his voice messages. He answers on the first ring.

  “About fucking time!” Hans shouts over the phone.

  “Hans—”

  “Shut up and listen, you little prick. Michael is done with you. He wants you out.”

  “No, let me explain.”

  “I said, shut up. Besides being the stupidest motherfucker on the planet, are you deaf, too? I convinced him to give you another chance, your last chance.”

  I exhale in relief. “Thank you, Hans.”

  “Don’t fucking thank me yet. Michael will be watching you closely. One wrong move on your part, and you’re history.”

  “Do you know what happen to that guy I punched? Is he pressing charges?”

  “I haven’t heard anything about it. You better pray that he doesn’t, because that will be your last strike. Now go call Gretchen and beg for forgiveness. God knows you need some good press now.”

  I don’t contradict Hans and say I’m about to break up with her. He’ll chew my head off. I have no choice but to continue with the charade, because I’m not ready to leave the band yet. And after last night, I have no hopes of getting Liv back.

  ☂ ☂ ☂

  Olivia

  I receive a text from Lloyd at eight in the morning. I’m already up, well, truth be told, I never went to sleep. I keep replaying that kiss in my head, over and over again. A part of me is proud that I was able to fight my feelings for Sebastian and walk away. The other part, the stupid one, is regretting it. One thing I know for sure now, his kiss is still as combustible as before, it still has the power to take over my whole being, making me want to drown in him.

  I read the text, and I’m taken aback. Lloyd is asking me to come to Ryan’s room. What the heck is he doing there?

  Five minutes later, I’m knocking on Ryan’s door. Lloyd opens it wearing his boxer shorts and a sweatshirt that is too big for him. He has bed hair and a shadow frames his jaw. But it’s the dark circles under his eyes that make me apprehensive.

  “Oh, thank God you’re here.” He moves out of the way to let me in.

  Ryan’s room is the same size as mine, but somehow, it looks smaller. Ryan is sitting on his bed, leaning against the propped up pillow, and sporting a shiner.

  “What happened to you?”

  “One of those Boys Future lunatics punched me.”

  A trickle of dread runs down my spine. Please let it not be Sebastian.

  “Who?” I ask.

  “Coleman,” Lloyd answers.

  I rest my head in my hand and sit down on the only chair in the room. Shit, shit, shit. What has gotten into Sebastian? He’s indeed a completely different person. Even knowing it’s crazy, guilt makes my heart smaller. Somehow, I’m responsible for this mess.

  “I’m fucking pressing charges. The guy is a menace.”

  My head snaps up, the guilt morphing into panic.

  “Ryan, that’s a terrible idea. Why would you wanna get dragged into the spotlight like that?” Lloyd says.

  “Because people like him need to know they’re not above the law.” Ryan turns to me. “Liv, help me out here.”

  I shake my head, an automatic act on my part. Even after everything Sebastian put me through, the need in me to prot
ect him prevails.

  “Ryan, please don’t do this.”

  He narrows his eyes at me. “I can’t believe you’re taking Lloyd’s side. God, Liv. I never pegged you to be one of those crazy fans. I’m not changing my mind.”

  I can see in his eyes that he’ll go through with it, and the only way to convince him otherwise, is to tell him the truth.

  “You don’t understand. I’m the reason Sebastian attacked you.”

  “What?” Ryan and Lloyd say in unison.

  “I know him.”

  Lloyd squats in front of me. “What do you mean, you know him?”

  I take a deep breath. “He’s my ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend.”

  Lloyd is so shocked that he falls on his butt. His eyebrows almost meet his hairline. “You mean, the one from the story you’ve told me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What story?” Ryan asks.

  Lloyd lets out a humorless laugh and a runs a hand through his messy hair. “That’s shit.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “Hello, clueless guy here with a busted lip. Can someone fill me in?”

  I face Ryan and tell him everything, from the very beginning when Sebastian and I became best friends, until the day he left without saying goodbye. But I don’t mention the stolen kiss in the restroom. I never want to tell anyone that. When I’m done, both Ryan and Lloyd are speechless.

  “Now you understand why I think I’m the reason he punched you?”

  “He thinks Ryan is your boyfriend.” Lloyd smacks Ryan’s chest. “See, this is your fault.”

  “How is it my fault that Sebastian can’t control his temper? He’s the one who fucked up.”

  I can see by their light banter that they’ve made up. At least, there was one positive outcome out of this whole mess.

  “Guys, focus here. That’s why I’m asking you not to press charges, Ryan. I don’t know what’s going on with Sebastian, but I can tell he’s still fighting his demons.”

  Ryan stares at the ceiling and groans. “Ugh! Fine, I won’t go after him. But if he harasses me again, I promise you that his face won’t be so pretty anymore.”

  “How macho of you,” Lloyd says and then turns to me. “Liv, it’s obvious that Sebastian wants you back. What are you going to do about it?”