Project Runaway ✔️

Chapter Eighteen

Eighteen

My favorite part about being at my uncle's house is having the power to interrupt their intimate time together. Call me a terrible person, but I loved walking in on them in the living room making out and nonchalantly turning on the television, propping my feet on the coffee table, obnoxiously chew my gum. I did this pretty often, and today was no different.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize."

"It's okay. We weren't doing anything." My uncle was a good liar, but I wasn't an idiot. He still had no idea I was walking in on them on purpose, but Peach knew. In fact, she tries to continue to kiss him when I walk in until my uncle backs off; I bet that gets under her skin.

The door bell rang and for a second, I prayed it was pizza, but then I remembered no one but me or Tanner would order a pizza, and we didn't.

Forcing my lazy bones off of the couch, I trudged to the door and undid the latch, opening the door before checking the peep hole because I was too lazy to lift my short body to see who it was that's bracing me with their presence.

When I opened the door, I saw James Pardi. I checked to see if he was drunk, off balance perhaps, but he seemed clean.

"Hi."

"Hi, Lilah."

"I'm glad to see you're sober." I said, folding my arms.

"About that. I feel terrible for showing up drunk and I know what an inconvenience I was. Say, I wanna make it up to you and your friend, Tanner."

"Really?" After Tanner and James' last encounter, I was surprised James offered to make amends. Tanner had a reason for being upset at the time, so if anyone had aplogizing to do, it was James.

"Yes."

"I don't know if it's a good idea, to be honest. I think you're cool and fun to hang with, but I don't think it would wise to be associated with someone who is inconsistent. One minute you're this fun guy rocking out on stage and the next minute you're drinking a bottle dry and stumbling all over."

"I know I've been inconsistent, but let me make it up to you. My dad is hosting this party alongside my manager. It marks me and my brothers' fourth year on tour, and it's as formal of a party as you can get. I want to invite you and your friend to the party. No strings attached, you can leave when you want."

"What's a party going to prove?" I asked.

"An inside look to my life. Plus, they're giving away free stuff, like a flat screen."

"Flat screen?" And that got Tanner's attention, who oddly enough was standing beside me for I don't know how long!

**

Needless to say, we went to the party, and nothing was proven other than James was able to stay under control and forced to be civil while his parents were around. Also, the free flat screen raffle never happened, which we were disappointed about.

"Let's go. No smart TV, no good food, and the party is lame. Let's get out of here."

Just then, the projector screen began a slideshow, flipping through pictures of the Pardi Brothers on tour and a variety of baby pictures. Tanner and I continued to try to make our way out while people were distracted with the screen.

"I wonder where it all went wrong." Tanner snorted, nodding his head to James' baby portrait in a sailor suit.

As soon as my hand reached for the front door, James himself slid in front of it.

"Where are you two going?" He asked, adjusted the sleeves of his cotton shirt.

"We've gotta go. We have a curfew, sadly." It was true. I wasn't allowed to disturb Peach.

"Awh, that sucks. Did you enjoy the party? And see, didn't I tell you I could stay sober for a full night? I do have self-control." What was he trying to prove?

"Congrats, man." Tanner sarcastically answered for me, the identical answer my own mind was thinking of. Tanner patted James on the shoulder in which James flinched.

"Thanks." James was clueless as to the sarcasm used.

James paused, looking down on his ringing phone, a girl's selfie on the background.

"Girlfriend?" Tanner asked.

James stuffed his phone into the back pocket of his black jeans, shaking his head.

"Crazy ex. Well, on and off ex."

"Oh, you should answer it then. Maybe she wants to get back together." Tanner urged James, trying to pass him to get to the door, put James was persistent.

"Hey wait. You sure you wanna go?" James asked, looking directly at me this time.

"Yes, I have to. It's nice taking a moment to live in a rockstar's life, but I've got to go." I told him, slightly smiling.

Tanner tugged on my arm the same time James reached for a hug, his cross necklace scratching me on the neck before surprising me with a kiss on the cheek. It was done as a casual gesture, but regardless, it was odd, especially with Tanner seeing it happen. The second I felt James' lips, Tanner tugged harder, pushing me to his side with his hands leaving my hand and onto my shoulder, pulling me next to him by the opened door.

"Hey bud, if you're giving out goodbye kisses, I'm gonna need one, too. Right on the lips. You better think about that next time." Tanner tapped two fingers against his lips, puckering them up.

"Tanner." I pushed him out of the door before he could embarrass me any further.

"What?" He laughed, walking toward my truck parked on opposite side of the road, checking both ways before walking onto the street.

"Nothing." I gulped, breathing in whatever air I could get from such a hot night.

Suddenly, he stopped right there on the street, causing me to bump into him, my chest against his t-shirt.

"Your face is red." He noted, pressing a thumb against my face and running it against my cheekbone, casting fire to an already blushing cheek.

"Well yeah, dummy; you saw what happened in there. I got kissed, an awkward one at that."

"I'm glad we both agree it was weird."

"Why? Someone kissing me is suddenly weird to you?"

"No, just not with him."

Not with him, or not with anyone?