Our sources say Groff has been unusually cheerful lately.That can’t be good…
CHAPTER23
Two Weeks BeforeAmerica Sings!Finale
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, honey.How is everything?”
“Fine.”Nothing was fine.Ellery lay on her bed in her apartment, a cup of coffee and her music journal open beside her, devoid of new ideas.“Centrifuge” had passed through the first round of voting, which was all online.Now the final twenty would perform, then the final ten in two weeks.And then, who knew?
Ellery had stopped caring.
“Honey?”Her mom sounded distant, tinny, and homesickness washed through her.She should be there, with them, on the beach in Hermosa Key, she and Dante and her family.Not sitting in this apartment that smelled like stale flowers.
She turned on the bed, leaving her phone on speaker, and pressed her face into Dante’s T-shirt.After the last month, his scent had faded from it, but she could still find it if she concentrated.
“I’m fine, Mom.Really.Just getting ready for the performances.We’ve been auditioning bass players.”A.k.a.she was being a massive traitor.It was like forgetting Dante had been a part of their band, and she hated it.He had wanted it, though.He’d given them a list of bass players to audition and told them to find someone else.It still felt awful, like a part of their band’s soul had been cleaved.
Her mom sighed.“Logan is an asshole.”
“It wasn’t just that, Mom.He was right.We shouldn’t have had to sneak around.”
“Yeah.”Her mom paused.
Ellery choked back the tears in her throat.“How are you guys?”she asked.
“We’re okay.Have you talked to your sister?She’s dating someone new.”
“Oh, I hadn’t heard.”Good for Samara.At least someone was successful in love.“Are you guys coming for the show?”
“Absolutely.We will be there.”
At least she could count on her family.
“Love you, honey.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Text Chain
Dante Baker (rock god): Have you talked to Logan?
One and Only Ellery: Hey.How are you?Where are you?
One and Only Ellery: Sorry.Yes.I see him every day
Dante Baker (rock god): Did he say anything about us?
One and Only Ellery: What do you mean?
Dante Baker (rock god):There are photos online.Of us.
…
One and Only Ellery: Oh.Shit.I’m so sorry.
Dante Baker (rock god): I’m not.You’re not in trouble with him?About the nonfrat thing?
