Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 39: Truth or Truth

"I can't believe you broke the mic stand!" I laughed when we pulled into my neighborhood hours later.

Liam made an indignant sound. "It was sabotage! Sabotage, I tell you! That stand was made of duct tape and dreams; I refuse to take responsibility for finally sealing its fate."

I laughed again. My ribs and stomach both loudly protested the action, but I didn't care. The last few hours singing myself hoarse had been more fun than I'd allowed myself in years, and I didn't want to stop. 

"You just leaned forward, and it completely gave up!"

He tsked and shook his head as he parked in my driveway, his eyes twinkling with amusement. That signature grin was in full force. It made my heart flutter, despite the laughter. "You are so sadistic. How dare you enjoy my embarrassment."

The moment replayed in my head again. The more it looped, the less I could control my cackling.

Liam's dramatic rendition of "I Will Always Love You," complete with gestures and sad attempts at belting. Him leaning forward to really get into the moment. The wobbly, duct-taped legs of the mic stand completely falling apart, separating from the rod, and clattering to the ground in three different pieces. The stand's rod, falling the other way and into the table, knocking over one of the drinks he'd ordered for us earlier--his drink. Soda splashing all over the table, the floor, and my clothes. 

But the best part was his reaction. His epic solo had cut off mid chorus while the music continued to play in the background, and he'd taken in the scene with wide, rapidly blinking eyes and lips parted in a silent, "oh," of surprise. He'd immediately frozen in place, awkwardly caught between one silly pose and the next... right in time for a waiter to come in. 

"I'm glad you're happy," he continued, his voice still teasing, "because I can never show my face in there again. You've ruined karaoke for me forever."

I was happy. Sticky and sore from laughing too much, but happy.

I pointed to myself incredulously. "Me? What did I do? You're the klutz here; I'm just a helpless victim caught in the crossfire."

He unbuckled his seatbelt to face me better and rested his chin in his hand on the center console. His expression was still playful, but he seemed to be studying me at the same time. I couldn't tell what for. "You're bad luck. I've done karaoke so many times, and the one time I go with you, I end up looking stupid?" He tsked again.

"You did say your life goal is to be an idiot." I snorted.

"I guess I'd better keep hanging out with you, then. Who knows what other dreams might come true?"

For some reason, that reminded me of what he'd said on Homecoming night in his car. This very car. The car that suddenly felt way smaller and more intimate than it had a second ago. I could feel my face getting hot as my stomach did flips. "Depends on your other dreams, I guess."

The amusement in his eyes only grew. He leaned a millimeter closer. I found myself copying him, putting us close enough now that I could feel his breath on my face. It smelled like soda. I bet mine did, too.

"Don't worry," he said in a low voice, "my next dream is one I'm confident you could fulfill." His eyes went to my lips and back up again. "If you wanted to."

We were close enough now that if I leaned in any farther, we would be kissing. When had I leaned in more? When had he? 

My eyes flicked subconsciously from his lips to his eyes and back again. My voice came out breathier than I meant it to when I replied, "Oh yeah? And what dream would that be?"