“A little.”
“He did it for you, it’s only right you return the favor.” She laughs and finally stands from the couch, grabbing her mug from my hand. “I mean, look at the timing. You just so happen to be in town and he’s posting your song lyrics? I don’t want to read too much into it but?—”
“You are.”
She widens her eyes. “BUT this is a sign. We have to find him.”
“And how do we do that?”
She pulls her phone out and scrolls. “1314 Sunny Cove Drive.”
“Stalk much?” I gulp my wine, hoping it settles my nerves. Am I really about to do this?
“The Malted Mule.” She looks up from her screen, her face brightening. “It’s Thursday. Karaoke night.”
I arch a brow. “And how do you know that?”
“I may have been invited.”
“By?”
“Does it matter?” She smiles coyly.
“Kind of. Yeah.”
“Cole. He heard I was in town. It’s no big deal.”
“Mhmm.” I sip from my mug. “No big deal at all.”
Another text rolls onto her screen, and she darkens it immediately. “He’s been a good friend.”
“And he’s also friends with Decker.”
She nods. “And I have a hunch Decks is gonna be there. So you better change out of those stained sweatpants because we’re going to a karaoke party.”
Thirty minutes and a wardrobe change later, Joss is yanking me out the door and into the driveway. Due to the wine, I thought maybe a driver would be in order for the night. Gustav sits up front with him as I twist the hem of my lavender shirt, wondering if I chose the right shade of blue jeans. Reclining intomy seat, I try to breathe through the rising anxiety. I won’t be drinking any more tonight—I don’t want any excuses for what I’m about to do—but I wish I had a little liquid courage surging through my veins outside of the meager pink wine I consumed over an hour ago.
“Are you ready?” Joss asks, throwing open our door in the alleyway behind The Malted Mule.
I nod, staring at the brick facade. I’ve been ready for months. The words have circulated through my mind on repeat since the day I realized I’d lost my chance with him. I need to get this off my chest and out of my head before it eats me alive. Sirens blare in the distance, setting me even more on edge. Despite Joss's insistence that we make a plan, I didn’t want to think about it. Speak about it. At least not out loud. Not yet. If I vomited all over the back of that car, I wouldn’t have been surprised. No stage nerves have ever rivaled this. Groveling with Decker to take me back. No matter how much Joss insisted that it’s not groveling, that it’s destiny, it sure feels like groveling to me. But if I don’t lay it all out there now, I may never get a chance, and I could lose him forever.
We pass a dumpster that reeks of decaying ketchup and stale beer, and I have to swallow the sour ball that rises in my throat. Once inside, the ketchup scent subsides, but the beer stays. Deep whoops and cheers come from up front as some male voice chirps along to a Madonna song that’s at least an octave too high for him. Joss's shoulder bumps mine as we slide along the back wall, her face in her phone the entire time. She’s texting someone again. Cole, presumably. Gustav surveys the room from a full head higher than us, signaling that he’ll stay parked in the back corner.
The place is packed. Normally, I prefer it that way because my night could go one of two ways: I fly under the radar—though that’s nearly impossible these days—finding it easier to keep myanonymity in the throngs or one person asks for a picture and then everyone decides it’s personal meet and greet night, and I have to leave early. To save myself from embarrassment, I should probably be hoping for the latter, but as I spot Decker leaning against the bar across the room, I’m hoping the crowd is able to hide me until the time is right.
His hair is different. Shorter. He’s shaved it off since their win and subsequent public appearances. My heart picks up pace in my chest. It feels good to see him, even if it is from a distance. Decker smiles and laughs, throwing an arm around the big guy next to him. Maleko. I’ve missed him, too. A little brunette butts up beside Decker, and my heart sinks when he smiles down at her, squeezing her to his side for a quick hug. For a moment, I scan for the nearest exit. This was a dumb plan. Why did I think he hadn’t moved on? Why did I believe Joss's speculations? The brunette grins at something he says, laughing as she scoots around him and presses into Maleko. He tilts down as she pushes to her toes and plants a lingering kiss to his lips. Bitter envy leaves my veins as relief pumps through me. Of course. That’s Maleko’s girlfriend.
Madonna-Man finishes his song to enthusiastic applause and the music dies down. A mic crackles on, and the DJ announces it’s time for a brief intermission. I seize my chance. Joss and I part ways as I dart for the DJ booth, digging into my pocket and keeping my head down as I navigate through the crowd. A couple of whispers and gasps break through the chatter, but I don’t look up. Usually, I love meeting fans, but tonight I have one goal.
Decker. That’s it. He’s the goal.
Pulling a few bills from my pocket, I slide them across to the DJ who freezes with his water bottle halfway to his mouth.
“This probably seems weird, but can I request my own song? And can I jump the line? I’m kind of on a tight schedule.”
He counts the money, his eyes wide. “Miss Lux, you can do whatever you want.”
I didn’t expect him to say otherwise, but I’m still relieved. Before I can fully process what I’m doing, he’s cutting the intermission short, and I’m mounting the stage. Gasps echo through the room followed by a couple of screams and phones being thrust into the air. I take a deep breath. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that even if this ends in a monstrous disaster, trying to fix it with a publicity stunt isn’t the answer. Whatever happens happens, but I’ll fix it myself this time. The boards squeak beneath my feet as I adjust the mic stand. The stage is more of a makeshift platform, but it props me high enough to see Decker and Maleko still hovering near the bar, lost in conversation.
