“Erik, I think your math is off. There are only seven.” I shook my head. “Well, six right now. Where the hell did Jade go?”
Blake put her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure she is fine. Maybe she had a phone call.”
“Alright, guys, the server is bringing out food at our table. Let’s get some grub before the live music starts,” Jamie said.
I frowned. “I thought live bands only played on Fridays. It’s Sunday.”
Jamie lifted his shoulder. “Not my department. Sorry, Cay.”
As we walked toward the table, Blake wrapped her arm through mine. “None of us could choose what we wanted to eat, so we ordered a little of everything and decided to eat it family style.”
“Family style?”
“Yeah, where everyone eats everything. Like, ‘Hey, pass the mac and cheese,’ although in this case it would be nachos, but you get the idea.”
“I love that. Sounds like the best way to eat out. Family style.”
“Exactly!”
I sat beside Blake and left the seat next to me open for Jade. She found us once we started passing dishes around.
“Ugh, I’m starving.”
“Where were you? You missed the first round of shots.”
“Sorry, I had to talk to Colton.”
“Are you two okay? You were on the phone a lot yesterday, too. I was worried.”
Jade’s eyes glazed over a bit as the corners of her mouth lifted. “Perfect. We are perfect.”
Apparently, I laughed a little too loud because she frowned at me. “What? Can’t a girl be smitten?”
“Yes, I’m just being a party pooper. Ignore me and my cynicism.”
Jade bumped shoulders with me. “I hope it doesn’t last much longer, but I’m here for as long as it does.”
We ate quickly. I couldn’t pinpoint why, but everyone at the table was hurrying to finish their food at record-breaking speed.
I wasn’t really hungry, so I pushed the food around my plate. When the staff began clearing our table, Jade stood. “Come on, let’s sit at the bar for a minute. I want to order us some drinks.”
I followed as Jade and I found two empty seats close to the stage in the corner. I waved to Kyle and tried to ignore the tech guys as they set up the cables and equipment. It was hard not to think of Damien and the band. I didn’t want anything to bring me down.
I wanted to enjoy this night.
So, I ordered a shot of vodka and a Long Island.
Even if it meant getting wasted again, I needed something to help quell the unwanted thoughts coursing through my brain.
“Here ya go.” Kyle set our drinks in front of us.
I smiled halfheartedly as the MC came on the stage. “We have a real treat for you guys tonight. We usually save our live music for Fridays, but this was a very special request.”
I threw back the shot and chased it with the long island, uninterested in what he had to say.
“Let’s give a big warm welcome to Rebel Rebellion.”
It wasn’t until the hit of the drums and the chords from the electric guitar that familiarity trickled into my brain. And when a rich, smooth sound rang out from the speakers, I froze completely.
