I push back from the desk, standing so fast my chair wobbles.
“I need to get out of the house,” I mutter to no one but myself.
Maybe some fresh air and distance will do the trick—anything to shut down the chaos in my mind.
* * *
The lights of Nocté are warm and dim, the hum of chatter and clinking glasses filling the space.The Dirty B’s have claimed a large semi-circular booth, and I slide in next to Tasia, feeling the bass of the music reverberate through the plush seat cushions.
“Look who decided to show up,” Lily teases, pouring me a glass of what looks like Long Island Iced Tea.“I was starting to think you’d ghost us.”
“Don’t tempt me,” I reply dryly, taking a sip.The flavor settles on my tongue, but I already know it won’t be enough to make me forget Joel Price is somewhere out there being…Joel.
Quinn sits across from me, dressed to the nines in a sparkly silver blazer and matching tie.He’s flipping through the karaoke book with a look of intense concentration.“Darling, I’m torn between Celine Dion and Elton John.Thoughts?”
“Neither,” Tasia quips.“Spare us all and do Cher.”
“Rude,” Quinn replies with mock offense.“But not a terrible suggestion.”
“Thought you were going to do ‘Like a Prayer?’”Lily says, trying to eye the book over his shoulder.
“Oooh, that’s right.Maybe two songs, then?”he responds, tapping his chin with his index finger as he flips the page.
Vivian suddenly drops into the booth, huffing dramatically as she plants her elbows on the table.“I swear to God, if Myles glares at me one more time tonight, I’m going to lose it.”
Tasia snorts.“What did you do now?”
“Nothing—” Vivian protests, her eyes wide with innocence.“I was just trying to get a refill of my Old Fashioned, and she looked at me like I was personally ruining her night.”
“Maybe you were,” I mutter, earning a glare from Vivian.
“I’m a delight, thank you very much,” she snaps, crossing her arms.“Myles just needs to get over herself.”
“Wonder what the deal is?She’s always been pretty cool with me,” Lily says, glancing over to the bar.
“Jealousy,” Vivian declares, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.“It’s the only explanation.”
The night rolls on, with the Dirty B’s taking turns embarrassing themselves on stage.Vivian belts out a surprisingly decent rendition ofOops!...I Did It Again, complete with dramatic hip sways that have Quinn in stitches.Tasia triesSmells Like Teen Spiritbut forgets half the lyrics, laughing her way through the rest.
Lily goes up with Carlie to doDancing Queen, the two of them harmonizing terribly but clearly having the time of their lives.
And me?I stay in the booth, sipping on my third Long Island and pretending to be entertained.
It’s fine.Fun, even.
Until it’s not.
Lily leans in, voice low as she nudges me with her shoulder.“You should go up next.”
I snort.“Hard pass.”
But she doesn’t laugh like I expect her to.Instead, she gives me this look—one I don’t like.
Like she sees something in me I don’t want her to see.
Quinn perks up, flipping through the songbook.“Ohhh, yes.Do it.I bet you secretly have an incredible voice.You’re giving me ‘hidden talent’ energy.”
Tasia smirks.“She gives ‘hidden everything’ energy.”