“So, he’s known secrets about your past since August and refused to tell you?” Mo asked when Olivia had finished telling them everything that had happened between her and Alexander. It was obvious that he was quite irritated.
“Now you see why I stormed out on him.”
“That bastard!” Kiera exclaimed, unable to process the fact that Alexander and Olivia were childhood best friends.
“But the problem is that he holds all the secrets to my past. I know I should want to find out more about everything, but part of me is scared to know. What if there’s a good reason that his father changed my identity?”
“I’m sure there is,” Mo said. “You said the guy was ex-CIA. He wouldn’t do that unless it was necessary.”
“Libby,” Kiera said, bringing Olivia’s attention back to her. “Nothing we say is going to tell you what you should do. This is your life and your past. Mo and I have the luxury of knowing our family. You never did. Whatever you decide to do, we’ll support you. Always.”
Olivia walked over to the couch and sat between her two friends, both of them hugging her. “Thanks, guys. I love you both so much.”
“Just so you know,” Kiera said. “If you want to have a retaliatory fuck with Cam, I’d totally support that.”
Cam's eyes went wide and Olivia looked at him, shaking her head at her friend’s offer. “Thanks, Kiera,” she replied, grinning at Cam. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Because that fucker deserves to be hurt after what he’s put you through.”
“Maybe you should tell him, Livvy,” Mo said. “Tell him how much pain he’s caused you.”
“I have,” she explained. “I just don’t think he’s listening.”
“Well, make him listen.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
OPENING UP
“LIBBY!” MELANIE SHOUTED WHEN she saw her walk into MacFadden’s the following Friday. “How have you been? Are you back playing with the guys again?” she asked, excited to finally see her friend.
“Hi, Mel. Bridge,” Olivia said, nodding a greeting to her friends. She hadn’t seen them since Vegas. That seemed like ages ago, even though only a few weeks had passed.
“Kiera told us about you and Alexander,” Bridget said, placing her hand on Olivia’s arm, a compassionate look across her face. “We’re so sorry.”
“There’s definitely more to the story than just a simple break-up, but we’ll get to that later. To answer your question -- yes, I’m singing with the guys again tonight. It’s about time that I got my ass back in gear.”
“Who’s this?” Bridget asked, eyeing Cam up and down. “This is the same guy that you were talking to at the Green Dragon all those weeks ago, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Mel, Bridget, this is my friend, Cam. He’s kind of been helping me through my issues.”
“Nice to meet you both,” he said politely before turning his eyes back to Olivia. “Would you like a drink? The usual?”
“Yes, please. I need it tonight.”
He nodded, walking toward the bar through the audience that had gathered to see the band.
“Damn. He’s a hottie. You go from one hottie to another.”
“Bridget!” Melanie exclaimed, smacking her friend. “You came here with Dylan!”
“Dylan? You mean Vegas Dylan?” Olivia eyed Melanie and Bridget.
“Yeah,” Bridget replied, blushing and looking around the dark bar. “He agreed to come with me tonight, although I’m not sure where he’s run off to.” She furrowed her brow. “We’ve gone out a few times over the past couple of weeks.” She returned her attention to Olivia and Melanie. “And Mel’s been tutoring Lucas in a psych class he’s struggling with that she’s already taken.”
“At least he’s gay so I don’t have to worry about him stealing my girl,” Tyler said, walking up to the girls and snaking his arm around Melanie’s waist. Olivia stared at him as he kissed Melanie’s neck affectionately. She hated how much he reminded her of his brother. She wondered if he had known about her all along, too.
“Hey. You almost ready?” Mo asked, surprising Olivia. She didn’t even realize he was standing next to her. Turning her head toward him as he stood with his arm around Kiera, she noticed Alexander walk in.
“Yup. Let’s do this.” Olivia spun on her heel, not wanting to stare into Alexander’s sad eyes any longer, torn about whether she should still want to be with a man who kept her past from her.
“Hey all! We’re back!” Mo shouted into the microphone to enthusiastic applause once the band was set to begin. “And, thankfully, we have the whole band back as well. Miss Olivia Adler, everyone!”
The crowd cheered as Olivia scanned the audience, her eyes locking with Alexander’s. Mo stepped aside from the microphone, bringing a barstool in front for her to sit on.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” She grabbed the microphone out of the stand and sat down on the stool. “I know many of you have already heard about my little break-up.” The audience laughed politely as they kept their eyes glued on her. “All my life, I’ve had difficulties expressing my feelings, except through music,” she explained. “Earlier this week, I went for a run and a song came on my iPod that I think does a pretty good job at saying exactly how I feel. So that’s what I’d like to sing for you all tonight. And for Alexander.” A tear fell down her cheek. “This is Last Love Song by Z.Z. Ward. Alexander, I need this to be the last love song I sing for you unless you can tell me the truth. Please.”
Olivia nodded at Mo and he started playing the simple guitar line. Her chin trembled a bit as she began to sing about the wedding that would never be and the life with Alexander that was suddenly a distant dream.
Cam stood watching as Olivia sat on her barstool, her eyes trained on Alexander, singing every word for him and him alone. He finally realized that he was crazy for thinking that she would ever see him as anything other than a distraction from the pain. He wanted so much more from her…something he knew she would never be able to give him, no matter how things ended between her and Alexander.
“I need to get out of here,” he said to Bridget.
She looked at him. “Where are you going?”
Cam glanced back at the stage, taking one last look at Olivia. “Home. Where I belong.” He turned to leave the bar, stopping when he saw Alexander standing in the back of the room with his eyes fixed on Olivia.