Page 7 of Bluebird

“You mentioned a drink?”

Marni escorted me to the cooler and I rummaged through the ice for anything alcoholic. I settled on a beer, and took a long, throat-numbing swig. As I drew the bottle away from my lips, I was confronted by features quite similar to my own.

Nate stood over me, arms crossed and brows raised. “You can’t drink that.”

“Give me a break, Nate.”

His stance remained solid. “You’re seventeen.”

I exhaled. “And…?”

Nate shrugged. “And…you shouldn’t be drinking.”

“Okay Nate, you’ve done your protective big brother act, now run along.”

A grin spread across his face. “So, if Mum or Dad find out, you’ll tell them I did my fraternal duty, right?”

“You’re in the clear, now go back to your fan club,” I ordered with a smirk, and shoved him towards a group of girls who were awaiting his return.

He let out a satisfied chuckle and ran his hand through his chestnut hair as he sauntered away.

At a distance, you wouldn’t know we were siblings. His hair was dark like Dad’s, and mine was honey blonde like Mum’s. But up close, there was no denying we were related. We had the same teal blue eyes, high cheekbones, and a smile that, if done just right, could land us an extra serving of our mother’s apple pie.

Jake and I moved in different circles for the rest of the night. For each beer I drank, he drank three, meaning I’d lost my ride home. Marni was yet to get her licence and Nate was already too far gone, which left only one viable option.

Luke hadn’t moved from the fire, but I’d felt his eyes follow me throughout the night. We had an unspoken agreement to keep our distance when Nate was in town. My brother didn’t know about our lessons, nor did I want him to. I liked having something with Luke. Something I didn’t have to share. We were closer now, and I wasn’t sure how Nate would feel about it.

I moseyed over to where a large group had gathered to enjoy Luke’s music. He contently played and chatted amongst his friends. Some of the girls were asking him to sing, and I wondered why he didn’t. I knew he could, but perhaps he didn’t want to stifle his flirting capacity.

I was about to retreat when he called me over.

“Now this girl can sing,” he announced, and motioned for me to join him.

“Luke…” I hesitantly moved forward.

Luke tugged on my sleeve and I sat down beside him. He leaned into me. “C’mon Blue, pretend it’s just us,” he whispered.

Luke’s smile warmed me more than the fire, and I let myself unwind. He strummed the beginning of a song he had been teaching me and waited for my voice to join the melody.

I forgot about my surroundings and sang. It was the first time that night I felt worthy. My issues with Jake faded away, and I immersed myself in the twists and turns of the song. On the last note, I opened my eyes to raised eyebrows and dropped jaws amongst the astonished crowd that had formed around us.

My heart raced, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I expected some ridicule, but was surprised by genuine smiles and cheers.

Luke’s eyes sparkled back at me with admiration. “I think they liked it.”

I laughed nervously and nudged him away, before spotting Jake turn away from the group. I hadn’t even realised he was there. The thrilled onlookers begged for more, but seeing Jake march away left an unsettled feeling in my gut.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, pushing through the crowd.

I found Jake searching through the cooler for another drink. Thankfully we were out of earshot of the rest of the guests.

“Jake?”

His jaw tightened as he concentrated on cracking his can. “Well, that was a show.”

“Thanks,” I said, not entirely sure where he was going. “I think?”

His hurt eyes found mine. “I didn’t know you could sing…like that.”