Chapter Eighteen
Jonah
Vivian strides down the hall with purpose. I rush to catch up with him. “Are you sure alcohol is a good idea?”
“One of my best.”
“But what if Dad or your mom or Maisy needs us?”
Once we’re in the elevator, Vivian pushes the button for the lobby. “Doesn’t being good all the time get exhausting?”
I glare at him, wanting to protest, but what can I say? I’m not good? That’s not exactly true, although there are times when the things I’m thinking wouldn’t be categorized as good. Or nice. But that’s how Vivian sees me and why that kiss probably didn’t mean anything.
He rolls his eyes. “We won’t go far.”
I’m not sure why I’m arguing so hard against this. “We don’t even know what’s going on with your mom?—”
“And whose fault is that? Theirs.”
“Right. But?—”
“It’s our vacation too.”
When the door to the elevator opens, we head down the hall toward the lobby. Vivian stops and whips around so quickly thatI almost bump into him. “You don’t have to go with me, Jonah. You can stay here.” His dark eyes sparkle with challenge. As much as he doesn’t want me to protect him, he knows I will. No way am I letting him do this alone. When I don’t respond, he returns to his quest, not even trying to hide his smirk.
He doesn’t check to see if I’m following. He already knows I am.
The guy behind the desk—Carl, according to his name tag—is the same one who checked us in. His eyes devour Vivian as we approach. Where are all the straight guys when you need them?
Vivian barely acknowledged him before. This time, he flashes Carl a smile, and for some reason, it pisses me off. I know what he’s doing, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Anywhere to drink in this town?” Vivian asks as he leans against the counter.
Carl’s voice goes low. “I know a place not too far from here. I get off in another hour.”
Instead of smacking him for his cheekiness, Vivian grins. “Maybe another time, sweetheart.” The guy’s glance drifts over to me, and he just as quickly dismisses me as not a threat. I’m tempted to show him he’s wrong.
He leans on the counter, and now their heads are close. “I’m supposed to suggest the hotel bar, but it has a certain Boomer vibe.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“There are a few gay bars, but none of them close. You’d have to get a ride…” I clench my fists. If this guy offers Vivian a ride, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
Carl traces a finger on the counter close to Vivian’s hand, seemingly oblivious to the murder-glares I’m giving him. “There’s also a karaoke bar across the street.”
Vivian squeals. “Karaoke?” He turns to me, and the joy on his face takes my breath away. It’s something I don’t often see. “Can we go?”
I’m not a fan of karaoke, but how can I say no?
Vivian wants to freshen up before going out, so we head back up to our room. In the elevator, I lean closer. “Please only use those powers for good.”
His eyes are innocent. “What powers?”
But he looks a little too innocent. And the grin he gives me is worth all the pain I’m about to put myself through.
Less than an hour later, we’re making our way through the crowded bar. “There are a lot of people here,” Vivian says, sounding giddy.
I grab his hand, just so I won’t lose him. “It is Saturday night.”
