Grabbing two beers, I head back toward where Clover is waiting in the crowd, staring toward the stage. The opening act is playing, and if I thought the place was packed already, I clearly underestimated how many people can fit in the building, and how little personal space people are okay with.
The moody blue and red lighting only serves to highlight the beautiful color of Clover’s hair as she looks around andtakes everything in. She gives me an appreciative little smile when I hand her the beer.
“To being back on solid ground,” I shout.
“I can cheers to that.”
The music winds down from the opening act, and everyone breaks into a rowdy cheer.
“Alright folks, give it up forDust Bunny! We’re going to take a quick break to letRandomizerset up, and we’ll get going again in a few minutes,” the announcer yells into the mic. Instead of there being any reprieve from the noise, loud music streams from the speakers instead, filling in any potential pockets of quiet. I fucking love it.
“How’d you even hear about this place?” Clover shouts to me.
“I heard about it from some friends who are musicians.”
She gives me a skeptical look. “Are you in a band?”
I nearly choke on my drink. “Clover, with what time would I be in a band? I’d be the shittiest bandmate with how much other stuff I have going on.”
She sips her beer contemplatively. “Wereyou ever in a band?”
I take a drink and shake my head.
“I love live music, but no, I’ve never done anything like this.”
Studying me for a minute like I’m a puzzle that’s missing a piece, she scrunches up her nose and faces back toward the stage.
“Would you ever? Want to perform, I mean.”
Yes.
I hesitate before answering out loud. It’s not that I don’t want to perform. It’s that I don’t know where exactly I’d want to go with music, or even where to start pursuing it. Aside from my family, I’ve kept my musical abilities private. Besides, all I’m known for is being an Everett. Even if I did ever pursuesomething, I don’t want to get a place on a stage because of my name. I need to earn it through my talent.
It feels disingenuous to say ‘no’, but I’m not ready to fully open up to her about that. Not when she still dislikes me.
“Why do you ask?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know.”
Before either of us can press more, the announcer returns and the volume kicks up impossibly higher, and the main headlining band tonight is welcomed to the stage.
“Come on, let’s get closer.” I head toward the center of the crowd grabbing Clover’s hand, and pulling her behind me. Since we’re in public, I’ve got the green light to show physical affection, and I take the opportunity to guide her in front of me and wrap my arms around her waist. I lean in and place a kiss on her neck, taking in her jasmine and peach scent. She smells fucking edible. Clover gives a slight shiver when my lips brush across her neck, and place a kiss behind her ear.
“People are watching,” I whisper. She doesn’t need to know that no one’s looking our way right now. She doesn’t need to know that this moment might actually be just for me.
Chapter Forty-Three
CLOVER
The feel of Roman’s lips on my skin is addictive. The second they leave my neck, I have to fight the urge to reach behind and yank his head down again.
Bad. This is bad.I need to stop thinking with my vagina and start thinking with my head.
This isRomanI’m thinking about. I should not be getting wet at the thought of taking him back to our hotel and having my way with him.
But as the music starts and he sways us to the beat, I’m starting to worry that maybe I do actually want to do this again, consequences be damned. I mean... so what if I fuck my co-star? It’s not like there’s a ton of mystery left after what happened last night, right? My brain wars with my body, and I have no clue who’ll come out on top.
The band plays a few upbeat songs and then they change things up with a slower song that has a more folky sound to it. Some audience members use this as an opportunity to run to the bathroom or grab more drinks, but personally I think this song is the best one they’ve played all night.
