This entire evening had turned out completely different from what I’d imagined as I walked through the doors earlier. There had been no quality time spent with Elijah, no romancing, or flirting. Only disappointment and an urge to flee.
When everyone started clapping, I stood. “Thank you for inviting me, Mr. and Mrs. Powell, but I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I’m going to head home.”
“Take care, Cadence,” Mrs. Powell said, flicking her gaze my way before returning to the stage.
“I’ll see you at home,” Elijah said.
Escaping into the night, the guilt of lying should have weighed on me. Instead, laugher bubbled inside as I unlocked my cage and spread my wings. Throughout the entire event, no one had spoken to me, afraid they could catch my lack of sophistication and crassness like a contagion. They didn’t deserve my guilt. Hell, they didn’t deserve the time I spent thinking about it.
I found my Jeep and climbed in, longing for the comfort of leggings and a sweatshirt. My toes were completely numb in my shoes, but I’d never squeeze my feet back in if I took them off now. And knowing Jade, she’d make me come in and get her.
I wasn’t in a huge hurry to arrive at The Whiskey House, so I allowed myself a moment to pull the pins from my hair. It was close to orgasmic as each one released some of the tension in my head. I uttered a low moan as I rubbed the sore spots on my scalp.
Night had fallen, but the people of Charleston were still out making the most of the evening. It was always like this, and one of the reasons I loved it here so much.
I texted Jade after parking at The Whiskey House. When she didn’t answer, I called. And FaceTime’d. And called again.
I clicked my tongue as I opened my door and slid out of my Jeep. I walked inside, the low hum of voices almost too loud. The live music might be over, but that didn’t stop the patrons from gathering at the bar or in the dimly lit booths along the wall. The night was still young for them.
As for Jade, I found her at the bar laughing loudly with two girls I hadn’t met before.
“Jade,” I called out as I approached her.
“CAAAAAAAY, you made it!” She jumped off her seat and threw her arms around my neck.
“I’m here to take you home, silly girl.”
“But I’m not ready yet. I’m hanging with my new besties, Sadie and Claire.”
“Jade’s been telling us all about you,” one of them said.
“Yeah, it feels like we already know you,” said the other.
“It’s nice to meet you guys.” It warmed my heart to see Jade making new friends.
“Have a seat and drink with us, Cay.” Jade sat back down on the stool.
“I’m sorry, but I’m exhausted.”
“But it’s Friday. Time to live a little.”
“Jade…” I groaned.
“Besides. I might have volunteered you for something.”The way she muttered the last part into the rim of her drink made me instantly suspicious.
“What did you do?”
She bit her lip as she looked up at me. “I may have offered your Jeep to tow Rebel Rebellion’s trailer back to their bus.”
“You… What?”
“Their bus broke down! They needed help! You wouldn’t let someone in need suffer, so I didn’t think you’d mindhelping them out.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and popped out my hip. She was right, though. I was the helping type.“Uh. Fine.”
Jade clapped her hands together. “Yay! I knew you would. I’ll let Damien know you are here.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Damien doesn’t exactly like me.” I never mentioned how it seemed that Damien treated me like some kind of diseased animal, and she never seemed to notice. After the last show I went to, I was certain he purposely avoided me and preferred Jade’s company.
