Chapter 38
Austin’s been gone for close to five weeks now, and even though I’ve plastered on a smile for everyone around me, I’m pretty sure I’m not fooling anyone. Melancholy clings to my bones, and I ache to see Austin again. Josie’s been checking in more often, and Greg even showed up one night claiming he was “just in the neighborhood.” But I know better. Everyone is worried about me.
The extra money I now have has given me the time to start working on my music again, something I haven’t had a chance to do in years. But today, not even my music can distract me from continuously checking my phone.
Instead, I’ve tortured myself by watching video after video of his show at Red Rocks the other night. He was magnificent, playing to the crowd with all his charm and charisma. It was, hands down, the best performance he’s ever given, and I couldn’t be prouder. But now it’s officially over, and at some point, he’s supposed to be heading back here.
I got a text from Austin yesterday, letting me know he'd be busy helping his aunt and uncle with his mom. He didn’t say much about her situation—just a few brief texts back and forth. Cassie has filled me in on what’s going on with her, but she’s been vague about when Austin will be back, and worry has settled in the pit of my stomach.
She’s working hard today to keep me distracted; otherwise, I’d wallow in self-pity. Cassie’s been hounding me to go to Old Town Tavern with her ever since she arrived, and today, she’s decided, is the day we’re going—come hell or high water. She even found a sitter to help Josie out so she can come along. This is not what I wanna be doing, but I have to admit, it might be good for me.
Cassie has truly been a bright spot in my life these past few weeks. She’s been the friend I didn’t know I needed. She doesn’t cook for me like her brother did, but her friendship and company have been invaluable. She’s always up for coming over, eating junk food, and watching her favorite true crime videos on YouTube. In many ways she’s been the sister I never had.
Cassie has folded herself into this town easily. She’s worked hard setting up her telehealth appointments, and when she’s not working, she’s getting to know everyone in town like she’s planning to set down roots. It’s not at all surprising to me how quickly she’s made connections in Singing River. Cassie is warm and friendly, just like her brother. They both leave you feeling like you’ve known them your whole life.
She’s already on a first-name basis with everyone at the diner and the record store. If I didn’t know her story, I’d never guess she’d recently gone through a breakup. Based on some things Austin has said, Alan wasn’t good to her. Looks like getting over him might not have been very difficult for her once the shock wore off.
I’ve also noticed that Liam’s been sticking around Singing River a lot more than usual, instead of heading to Nashville whenever he has time off. Cassie swears he’s just been a good friend, showing her around town while she finds her footing, but I’m not entirely convinced she’s telling me the whole truth. But as they say: not my circus, not my monkeys. They’re both adults who can make their own decisions.
I’m running a brush through my hair one last time when my phone lights up with a notification. My heart skips a beat, hoping it’s Austin, but when I glance down, I see a text from Cassie in the group chat she created.
Cassie
Be ready in five, bitches!!
Josie
Shit! I spilled coffee on my top. I need a sec to change, but I’ll be ready.
I’m ready.
Cassie
try to be less gloomy tonight, k?
I send a GIF of Eeyore, and she sends one that says turn that frown upside down and smile . She could have an entire conversation with nothing but GIFs.
True to her word, five minutes later, Cassie honks from my driveway. I run out and slip into the front. Immediately, Austin's scent hits me. His detergent mixed with that familiar cologne. I close my eyes inhaling deeply, and that ache in my chest stirs again.
But Cassie’s practically vibrating and bouncing in her seat. Something about her seems extra tonight—like someone slipped her an Adderall or something. Either way, she refuses to allow me any self-pity.
We pull up to Josie’s and she comes running out, barefoot with her blouse half-buttoned. She’s holding her toiletry bag in one hand and her shoes in the other. She hops in the back seat and pulls out her makeup to finish getting herself ready.
“Girls, we look hot tonight!” Cassie says, turning in her seat to face us.
“Speak for yourself,” Josie retorts. “My pants are too tight and I had to fasten the top button with a rubber band!” She lifts her shirt, showing us the red rubber band wound through her jeans buttonhole and around the button. “One wrong move and this sucker will snap.” She snaps her fingers.
“Pshhh.” Cassie waves her off with a hand. “Girl, you can still look hot and have jeans that don’t fit well. Both things can be true.”
Her phone buzzes and she looks at it, the name Alan displaying on her screen. She declines the call, and turns her phone over.
“He won’t leave me alone,” she explains. “Alan has rocks for brains and he can’t figure out how to get into his website to change that picture.” I laugh and she shoots me a devious smile.
She puts the car in drive, and we head to the bar. One thing I’ve noticed about Cassie since she’s been here is how terrible of a driver she is. She’s aggressive, like she’s in Dallas instead of small-town Alabama, and she’s always going at least ten miles over the speed limit. I raise my hand to the "oh shit" bar, holding on for dear life.
Josie snickers from the back seat, and Cassie glances over, noticing me white-knuckling the bar.
“You're ridiculous.” Cassie rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling.
“You’re just so aggressive!” I laugh. “What’s the hurry?”
“But have you died?” she shoots back, and we all burst out laughing.
“The night is young,” Josie says from the backseat.
Five minutes later, we’re flying into a parking spot near the bar. Cassie takes the turn too quickly, and the back tire hops the curb. Josie and I immediately dissolve into a fit of nervous giggles.
When we get inside I notice it’s more crowded than usual. That’s fine with me. It means it’ll be so loud I won’t have to do much talking. I’m really only here to make Cassie happy and get Josie out of the house for a bit.
The bartender takes our orders, and while we wait, I check my phone again for a text. Still nothing. I sigh, trying to shove down my dissapointment.
“Hey, will you guys grab us that table? I’ll wait on our drinks,” Cassie yells to Josie and me over the loud music of the bar.
We grab the high-top table that a group just vacated and sit down to wait.
“I can tell you don’t wanna be here,” Josie says, her eyes scanning up and down my face.
“What gave it away?” I ask.
“I know the many faces of Penny Miller,” she says, grinning. “You’ve got your resting sad face on again.” Josie mimes a frownie face, tugging down the corners of her mouth with her fingers.
I shrug and force a big, exaggerated fake smile, teeth and all.
“That’s terrifying.” She shudders, and I roll my eyes. “Hey, look, Liam just walked in.” Josie motions toward the entrance.
Liam pushes through the crowd, scanning the room like he's looking for someone. His gaze lands on Cassie, still standing at the bar, and his face breaks into a grin. That’s…interesting. He takes a long drag from his cigarette, blowing smoke from his nostrils as he makes his way toward her.
He heads toward the bar, but right before he gets there, a guy we went to school with steps in his path, stopping him for a quick chat. Liam glances over at Cassie, but ever the nice guy, he takes some time to speak with the guy. I notice Cassie hasn’t spotted him yet, too busy laughing and talking animatedly to the bartender. They're probably on a first-name basis by now, knowing her.
She walks over, balancing our drinks in her hands and sets them down in front of us with a flourish of her hands, as if she’s doing a presentation.
“Cosmo for Penny, lemon drop for Josie, and a whiskey sour for me.”
She climbs up onto the tall chair and raises her glass to toast.
“What are we toasting to?” I ask, eyeing her curiously.
“To fresh starts and new love,” Cassie replies.
“What about me? I have neither!” Josie exclaims.
“You don’t know that. I’m manifesting that shit!” We clink our glasses together and each take a sip.
“Hmmm…love that for us,” Josie says, when she sets her glass down.
Finally, Liam makes it over to our table. “Mind if I sit?”
“Only if you put that cancer stick out.” Cassie motions to his lit cigarette.
Liam walks backward, his eyes never straying from her face as he reaches for an ashtray on the bar and puts the cigarette out. Josie and I look on with our mouths hanging open.
“What?” Cassie’s looking between us, clearly confused.
I raise an eyebrow. “What have you done with Liam and can we say thank you? He usually gets annoyed when people get on him about his smoking.”
Josie snorts beside me. “Especially here. He’d just tell the person they shouldn’t come to a bar that still allows smoking.”
Cassie raises a shoulder, but she’s smiling when Liam sits with us.
We laugh and talk, and the night seems to fly by. Once again, it’s karaoke night, and Cassie heads over to sign up. Somehow, she’s convinced Liam to sing with her. Liam sings really well, but he usually prefers to be behind an instrument.
When it’s their turn, they jump up on stage, and to my shock, they absolutely own it. I’m having such a good time that I almost forget my shitty ass mood I’ve been in.
They finish their song, and the crowd erupts into cheers, clapping and wolf-whistling for them. Liam jumps off the stage, a wide grin on his face when he extends his arms, and Cassie leaps into them.
"You saw that, too, right?" I ask, turning to Josie. "Something's clearly going on there."
“Ya think?” Josie laughs. “Do you think they even realize they’re both head over heels for each other?”
They walk toward us, and something tells me they both know exactly what they’re doing.
My phone lights up and I immediately know it's him before I’ve even looked down.
Austin
See you soon. I love you.