Page 85 of Better Than the Movies
“You can play it, Liz,” Michael said, walking over to the doorand closing it. “My dad had the room insulated so no one downstairs can hear you playing if the door’s closed.”
“It’s too nice—I can’t.” The black piano didn’t have a speck of dust on it. How was that possible? “And it’s your dad’s instrument—no one else should touch it.”
“He’s been fixing to play it but hasn’t since we moved here—go ahead.”
I pushed back the keyboard cover, cleared my throat, and said, “Prepare to be underwhelmed.”
Michael grinned. “Consider me prepared.”
I smiled and started playing the beginning of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” remembering Wes telling me to add it to our soundtrack after our phone conversation on the night when my nose got smashed.
Michael’s mouth turned up into a grin. “You have it memorized?”
“It’s really easy, actually.” I felt awkward as my fingers ran over the keys. “It’s mostly a four-chord loop. Anyone could play it.”
“Pretty sure I couldn’t.”
My eyes went up to his as he leaned against the piano, looking down at me. He was so handsome, with the same smile he’d first charmed me with in grade school, but I couldn’t stop wondering what Wes was doing downstairs. I was barely into the song when the door flew open and there was everyone… except Wes and Alex.
My hands jumped into my lap, and I felt like the world’s biggest dork. Wes’s friends looked at me, and I’m sure they thought I was aweirdo for playing piano when everyone else was hanging out.
And it was obvious they all hung out a lot, because the entire group just picked up where they’d left off downstairs, talking and laughing like they were best friends.
Laney came over and stood beside the piano, saying to me, “I can’t believe you can play like that.”
“I thought the room was soundproof.”
“It’s insulated.” Michael said it to both me and Laney. “You can’t hear it downstairs, but you can from the hallway.”
“Ah.” I felt silly, seated at that piano.
“Your Adele was awesome.”
“It’s a super easy song.”Like I need your compliments, Laney.“But thanks.”
“It was still great and I’m jealous.” Her eyes moved to Michael where he stood on my right, and her face kind of got prettier as she smiled at him. Maybe it was because my night had gone completely off course, but her expression made me feel a little bad for her. That look on her face, what it said? I could relate.
I told her, “I seriously could teach it to you in an hour. It’s so nothing.”
“Seriously?” She crossed her arms and gave me wide eyes. “You could?”
Wes finally appeared in the doorway, with Alex trailing right behind him, and he said, “We should order a pizza.”
“Ooh—I’m in,” Alex said, and I felt a tightness in my sternum as she smiled at Wes. He looked down at her and smiled right back. He was giving her his best smile, the one that was fun but alsowarm and happy, and I gritted my teeth as she flipped her hair and asked, “But from where?”
And then—Wes looked at me.
It was fleeting, barely even a glance, but his gaze met mine for a brief second and I felt it in my every nerve ending. What was he doing? Was he still trying to wingman me, after everything?
“Zio’s,” Noah said, and he and the others started following Wes and Alex out of the room and down the stairs. I stared at the empty doorway, unable to think about anything other than Wes and that scorching look and the unfortunate proximity of Alex.
You just ate, Wes—what are you even doing?
Alex was lovely, and I’dthoughtthey’d be a good match when I’d initially heard of her feelings, but now I thought that she was a little too serious for him. I mean sure, she seemed fun enough, but compared to Wes’s total disregard for anything mature, she was a bit stoic.
Besides, Wes and I had had a moment downstairs, dammit.
Right? Or had I imagined it?
