Reluctantly, I nod in agreement, and Matt laces the Buddha air freshener around the mirror before driving us to the office, where there’s a flurry of people running around. It really is a party.
We head up to the rooftop where the event’s to be held, and there’s a big screen, so I’m assuming the clip will be projected. There’s a makeshift bar and stools everywhere with drinks and canapes.
Paparazzi are here—invite only—and a few of the who’s who are here too. In a way, I’m glad Ria and I never went public withour relationship, because we didn’t have to deal with the whole public breakup bullshit. This way, I can look like a tragic rock star, and no one knows why.
Matt leads me to the bar, where we grab two tumblers of whiskey.
Tillie comes over. “You guys ready for tonight?”
“Are you?” Matt asks, and Tillie and I both raise our eyebrows in curiosity at his reply.
“You’re so weird, Matthew. You know that, right?”
He chuckles and shrugs. “Hmm… maybe.”
Tillie ruffles his hair and walks off.
I look at him and shake my head. “What was that?”
He shrugs again. “I’m weird… or am I keeping a secret? You’ll never know.”
“Yeah, I’m thinking the first one.”
I notice Danger, Ryan, and Lunar off to the left, not far from us.
Tillie taps the microphone as everyone gathers around. “Welcome to the first screening of the music video for “I’ll Take Your Breath Away” featuring Recoil and the talented and breathtaking Oscar-winning actress Zaria Shafir.” My heart pounds harder at hearing her name. “Before the clip airs live, we’re going to premiere it here. So, without further ado, I give you Recoil and “I’ll Take Your Breath Away.””
I swallow a giant swig of my whiskey as the lights dim, and the screen flashes as the video starts. Seeing Ria looking sexy as fuck, has my heart in palpitations instantly. I look away, taking another sip as ‘oohs and ahhs’ come from the crowd. I look up just in time to see Danger running his tongue up her neck. I know what comes soon after, and I fucking can’t take it, so I stand and casually make my way down the stairs inside the building. In an attempt to calm my breathing, I place my hands on the wall, trying to calm down.
Cool, calm, collected, Nate!
Suddenly, a hand on my back pulls me into the now, and I look up and see Lunar. She smiles at me, and I shake my head.
Lunar frowns, pulling me into an embrace as I hug her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Nate,” she says softly.
“I just don’t get it,” I murmur back while she holds me.
“Danger said the reason he was so into it the last time was because Ria had told him to think she was me and that it should be like being with me for the first time in a really long time. He said it was the only way to get into the right mindset. So maybe Ria was thinking the same thing while getting into character… that it was you for the first time after a long time apart?” Lunar touches my arm. “Maybe you guys can sort this out?”
I pull back from her and sigh. “Maybe, not sure. But I’m glad you and Danger are okay.”
“We’re good. I was upset, but I know he loves me. I know they didn’t cheat on us, Nate. It was stupid of me to think that way. They wouldn’t do that to us. I was so totally insane with jealousy that I pulled you along for the ride. I know now they were only acting. I believe them… even Zaria.” She gives me a soft smile. “Make it right, Nate. You’re miserable.”
I nod as the video’s music stops.
“C’mon, let’s get back up there, hey?”
We head back up, hand in hand, toward the rooftop. Everyone is clapping, and it’s good to know this time around, the video is a hit. Lunar squeezes my hand and lets it go before I walk over to Matt.
He slaps my shoulder and nods. “You okay?”
I give him a curt nod while Tillie continues with the speeches, “So that’s it for the formalities. Does anybody have anything they’d like to say?” Tillie announces.
Matt shoves my side, making me furrow my brows in confusion as all the lights go out. Slight murmurs and chatter echo over the darkened roof.
Tillie gasps. “Oh shoot, sorry, everyone, there must be a blackout. I’ll get the power back on as soon as—”
“You are… so beautiful… to me,” Ryan sings as a spotlight flashes down on him, walking toward Tillie as he plays his guitar. Everyone, including me, gasps as Ryan continues the song almost perfectly while Tillie cries. Matt is sitting right next to Tillie when Ryan stops and has a giant grin on his face.
