Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(88)

Tina rolled her eyes before leaning across the table toward Trish. “Hey, come on. Relax. Don’t listen to Lily. She’s heavily medicated.”

I threw one of the napkins I’d collected at her as she snorted. “Seriously Trish, this isn’t the end of the world. The first year sucks for everyone. And you’re really good at your job. I just want you to find a balance is all. You’ll be so much happier when you do that.”

Trish lifted her head and sniffled. “How do you two do it? Find a balance?”

“We just have lives outside of here. Friends, boyfriends, husbands, hobbies. What about you? Are you seeing anybody?” I wasn’t sure that last question was a good idea, but I’d asked it anyway, hoping we could steer the conversation in another direction.

Trish shook her head.

“Nobody at all?” I asked, sensing there was something Trish wasn’t telling us.

“Well there is one guy, but I dunno, I’ve kinda been blowing him off. I just don’t have time for a relationship right now.”

“You need to make time. You’ll feel so much better when your life doesn’t revolve around your students. I promise.”

She was still for a few minutes, seeming to weigh my words before she nodded her head. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I am.”

Trish picked up her glass and drained the rest of her martini. “I’m gonna go for it. When I see him next, I’m gonna tell him I’m interested.”

“Good girl,” I squealed.

Trish stood up. “I’m going to get another drink. You guys want one?”

I looked down at my nearly full glass and shook my head, as did Tina.

Trish merely nodded and walked off toward the bar.

Tina and I watched her for a second before turning our attention to each other. At which point we both completely lost it. Through hysterical laughter and tears streaming down her face, Tina sputtered, “What the hell is wrong with that girl?”

“She needs to get laid. Like, yesterday.”

“What are you two laughing at?”

Shit. Trish.

“Lily almost fell off of her stool,” Tina offered as she clutched her sides and started to calm down.

“Yeah, I’m a total klutz.”

Trish seemed to accept that answer. She took another large drink from her glass before walking over to the jukebox and sliding in a dollar. And as “I Will Survive” started blaring through the speakers, I knew the night was going to be interesting.

***

“Dude, we shouldn’t have let her drink so much,” Tina whispered as we followed a swaying Trish up the driveway to the school.

“How were we supposed to know? One minute she was fine and then she was annihilated. I’ve never seen someone go from sober to shitfaced so quickly.”

“Well we have now. She’s a mess.”

“You heard me try to talk her into letting us take her home. She threw a fit. What else can we do?”

Tina simply shrugged.

“What are you two whispering about back there?” Trish demanded.

“Nothing,” I replied.

“Yeah, right,” Trish said, clearly able to read my tone.

“She’s a sassy drunk,” Tina chuckled.

“Stop. We have to get her under control or she’s gonna get into trouble.”

“Maybe a little trouble wouldn’t be bad for her,” Tina muttered.

I yanked my phone out of my purse as we walked into the school and headed toward the auditorium. Adam had said he’d text when he got there. Eva wasn’t singing in the concert, but she was part of the stage crew. I gave Adam credit, even supporting his daughter when her sole job was to push a set of bleachers aside and roll a piano onto the stage. He really was a good man. Hmm, nothing yet. It was almost six and it wasn’t like him to be late.

Just as I walked into the auditorium, a couple of students ran toward me. “Miss Hamilton, you came.” Their parents walked over behind them and I readied myself to kiss some parent ass.

“Hi, guys. Of course I came. I told you I would.”

One girl, Tessa, turned toward her mother and gushed, “Mom, this is Miss Hamilton. She’s my favorite teacher.”

I heard a loud “humph” next to me and cast a sideways glance at Trish, who avoided my gaze.

As I made small talk with some of the parents, Trish kept muttering under her breath like a lunatic. Finally, Tina grabbed her by the arm and led her to the other side of the auditorium. I heard her say something along the lines of, “What do I care if these little *s hate me?” as she stumbled to keep up with Tina. The parents looked at me inquisitively, but I quickly changed the subject.

“Looks like they’re getting ready to start the concert. Have a great time, everybody, and enjoy your breaks.” They all said their goodbyes and I started to rush toward Trish and Tina when a familiar voice caught my attention. I scanned the crowd, my gaze finally landing on him. I walked over to him and waited for a break in his conversation before speaking. “Hey, Adam.”

He turned and looked surprised to see me. “Oh, uh, Lily, hi. Umm, Carl it was good seeing you. I’ll catch up with you later.”

The men shook hands and Adam began walking away, so I followed. He finally came to a stop at the back of the auditorium where there was a small alcove and looked at me expectantly.