Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Happy New Year

"Y/N?"

My head whips around at the sound of my name being called, only to see someone's hand waving at me from across the dance floor. A few seconds later, Luke's daughter Sophie, makes her way over towards us, dragging a guy behind her. I pull away from Lizzie's embrace just slightly, keeping an arm wrapped around her back, not exactly ready to give up the comfort that comes with being close to her. "Hey, Soph."

The blonde gives me a bright smile, obviously slightly intoxicated as she sways back and forth on her feet. "Daddy mentioned he saw you earlier today at the garage. How ya doing?"

I return the smile, slightly amused at just how wasted she already seemed to be. "I'm doing great, thank you for asking. Oh, and this is Lizzie. Lizzie, this is Sophie. Luke's daughter."

The blonde turns her attention to the brunette pressed against my side, her smile widening as she gestures to the man standing silently behind her. "It's nice to meet ya, as well! This is Bo, my husband."

After a few moments of basic conversation, like how our lives are going and how different living in LA is compared to here, Lizzie and I somehow managed to get pulled into a corner of the bar by the blonde, where a few of my old high school classmates have gathered. I recognize almost everyone here, and for a few moments it feels a lot like I'm back in high school as everyone recounts various tales of our teenage selves. I'm not spared from any of it, butting in here and there with my own story or joke, and Lizzie seems to be genuinely enjoying herself as well. Thankfully no one really makes a big deal out of her presence, which I'd been slightly worried about.

"Okay, okay, but what about our Senior talent show? Is no one going to bring that up?"

I automatically let out a laugh at the reminder, throwing my arm over the back of Lizzie's chair that's sitting next to my own. "Oh my god, I'd completely forgotten about that."

Lizzie steals a sip of my drink, having already consumed hers as she glances over at me. "You competed in a talent show?"

Sophie snorts, downing her fourth shot before slamming the empty glass onto the table. "Y/N didn't just compete in it. She won it, but also dedicated her entire performance to some mystery girl that no one knew anything about and had basically every girl in the front row foaming at the mouth."

My cheeks heat up as the memories come flooding back to me, and I steal my drink from Lizzie's hands to give myself something to focus on as my girlfriend gives chuckles. "So who was this mystery girl of yours, sweetheart?"

I quickly shake my head, slightly embarrassed as I remember just how fucking cringe that whole experience was. "Oh no, I am not telling you that. I'm not telling any of you that."

There's a round of protest from most of the small group, but I stand firm on my argument that no one needs to know, much to everyone's obvious annoyment. I certainly don't need anyone knowing who I remember singing that terrible love song to.

"You know, there was a rumor that you and Mrs. Elsher had a thing going on."

I almost choke on my drink and quickly hand the half-empty glass over to Lizzie as I cough and attempt to clear my airway of the liquid. My reaction only causes Sophie to stare at me, eyes wide as realization flashes across her face. "Oh my god! They weren't rumors, were they?!"

I wasn't sure if the burning in my cheeks was from almost dying thanks to me inhaling my drink or if it was from my not-so-obvious reaction and the subsequent realization that the metaphorical cat was out of the bag. "They most certainly were rumors!"

Lizzie leans forward in her seat slightly, catching my gaze, and I feel the heat in my cheeks intensify. "Wait, who's Mrs. Elsher?"

"She, uh, was our English teacher our Senior year."