“She was… she was crazy,” I stammer out, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yeah, but it happens, babe. Just know I will protect you. Always.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, leading me into the venue. The music thumps loudly, the bass reverberating up through my toes and into my chest, amplifying my inner turmoil.
We’re directed to the VIP stairs and rush up them quickly to avoid the carnage in the crowd below. When we get to the top, it opens up to a large area overlooking the dancefloor. One-way glass lines the walls, offering a view of the bustling scene below. Couches line the walls, with booths and tables on one side, while a bar occupies the other. It’s impressive and exudes an air of sophistication.
As my nerves begin to settle and I start to relax, I can’t help but smile. I look over at the corner where Luminous has an entourage of their own. Groupies, probably, but the funny thing is, they’re all male. Mainly youngish men, probably ranging from eighteen to mid-twenties. I grab Danger’s hand and gesture for him to look in their direction.
He smiles warmly with a chuckle. “Let me get us some drinks. Go grab a booth.”
I release him with a quick peck on his cheek and find an empty booth. A shadow appears to my left, and I turn my head to see Nate sliding into the booth opposite me. I raise my brow and smile as he places his hands on the table in front of him, grinning. “How you doing?” he asks, and I return the smile.
“I’m good. You?”
“Yeah, great. I’m on a high after the show. It’s so good to be the headliners finally. We’ve worked so hard to get here, and it’s finally paying off. It’s great to know people like our music.”
“Nate, they don’tlikeyour music… theyloveit.”
“I hope they do. I know I love it. This band means so much to me. Always has. It’s all I have. I mean… Matt is so talented at everything he does that he can get by.” He tilts his head. “But me? All I’m good at is music. The drums are everything to me, so being in this band gives me purpose and drive. This is what I’m meant to be doing. You know what I mean?”
This new side of Nate makes me smile. It’s like he isn’t a complete asshole. He’s opening up a little to me, and that’s a good thing. I know he doesn’t have many people to lean on besides his brother, so it would be nice if I could be there for him like I am for Danger and Ryan.
“Well, I’m sure you’re good at things other than playing the drums, Nate. You’re a smart guy.”
“Na… not really. I was a bad kid at school. Didn’t pay attention. Didn’t graduate, unlike Matt. I don’t know basic math, and I can’t read well except for music. So when you say I’m smart, I’m really not.”
I frown. “Why don’t you get a tutor to teach you some stuff? Like how to read and also some math?”
He shrugs. “Ryan and Danger don’t know how dumb I am. Only Matt does, and having a tutor on tour would make them suspicious and ask questions I don’t wanna answer. So yeah, don’t tell Danger any of this. I feel like I can trust you.”
“Of course you can. I won’t say anything. Nate, I’m here for you if you need to talk.”
Danger appears by my side with two drinks, and he sighs before he slides in next to me, causing the conversation to cease. Danger looks from me to Nate and then back to me.
“I’ll catch you later,” Nate mumbles, sliding out of the booth and walking off with his head down low and his hands in his pockets. A sweeping pang of sadness washes over me for Danger’s bandmate—and nemesis at the moment—I wish I could tell Danger what we were talking about, but I know I can’t.
I promised.
“What’s happening later?” Danger asks, and I smile.
“Nothing, it was just him saying goodbye. You read too much into things.”
Danger huffs, handing me my whiskey tumbler, and shakes his head. “I know he’s my bandmate and all, but I don’t trust him, Lunar. I don’t.”
“Oh, you’re being overly dramatic.”
“Am I? I don’t think so.”
Suddenly, Effa slides into the booth opposite us with a young guy. She appears as high as a kite. “Hey, guys, great night, hey?”
“You okay, Effa?” I ask.
Effa laughs and turns, thrusting her tongue down the guy’s throat. I glance at Danger and smirk, sharing a knowing look. We both grab our drinks and take a sip.
When they finally separate, Effa leans forward, placing her hands on the table and staring at us with enthusiasm. “The world is made up of atoms, and every molecule in those atoms is buzzing right now with the electricity of Mother Nature.Can you feel it?”she asks, her eyes gazing up to the ceiling while her boy toy smiles at me seductively.
My eyes open wide before I glance around to see if he’s actually looking at me.He is. Shit!I roll my eyes before looking away from him, shaking my head.
“Umm… Effa, you’d better lay off the drugs. They make you weird.” Danger doesn’t hold back.
