“Listening to my favorite sound.” His lips quirk.
“People screaming your name?”
“People screaming yours.”
My breath hitches, not sure how to react. “We should get going.”
I start to turn, but there’s a tug from my waist that stops me in my tracks. Wes has hooked a finger through the belt loop of my leather pants. His other hand lands on the exposed plane of my lower back, and I let him pull me toward him as he rubs slow circles on my side. My arms loop around his neck and I think he might kiss me again. My gaze dances between his eyes and his mouth.
“Thank you,” he says, his voice rough from singing. “I know I forced you to be here, but this means more to me than you’ll ever know. I miss not being alone out there. I’ve never wanted to be in a band again, but music is always best when I’m making it with someone I care about. And I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to feel that again.”
“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. Let’s give them a show.”
23
Wesley
November 2025
Evelyn
Are you already there?
Garrett
Was the group chat necessary? You could have just texted me when your car is pulling up.
Evelyn
You’re just allergic to fun.
Jared
We’re already here and George is handing out shots like Capri Suns
Evelyn
Why the hell didn’t you say so?
Luca
What the fuck is this?
Luca has left the chat.
Garrett has left the chat
Evelyn has added Garrett back to the chat.
We’re sitting at a table in a VIP section, the throbbing music spilling out over the shifting lights of the dance floor. Garrett and Jared are on either side of me on the velvet cushions while Mom talks to our server, trying to help her.
“Mom, you’re overwhelming her! Let her do her job,” I shout through a smile. It’s always fun to see her out. There was a small cancer scare after a routine checkup a few years ago that turned out to be nothing, but after that she’s been doing more for herself in what she calls her semi-retirement. Which I don’t get because retirement doesn’t seem like you can only half do. But there’s a new vet in Caper now, so Mom only works with a few select people.
For a while, I encouraged her to date and meet new people. Part of me was worried that she was lonely. But since Hudson came to Caper with Avery, she stopped dating entirely. I may never know the extent of their connection, but I know it was some form of love.
“You need to take this. I can’t have another when we’ve only been here for thirty-minutes,” Jared says, pushing a glass with neon liquid my way.
“Nah, that’s all on you guys. I don’t drink anymore.” I shake my head and lean back.
