Page 527 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

he squeezes me once.

The Deck of Death is way too quiet.

I lift my head from his chest.

Surrounding me, every single asshole breaks into cheers. “I hate all you guys.”

Kate throws her arms around me, eyes sliding straight to Andrew. “And you brought a boy.”

I glance up. “This is Andrew.”

Ty steps in, chain catching firelight. “Ty.” He offers his hand, tipping his chin to Kate. “Her boyfriend.

“Birthday boy.

“The one you need to know.”

Andrew takes it.

“Happy birthday, man.”

Linc’s leaning against the fire pit glass, leather jacket open, hair falling in his eyes as he laughs into his drink.

Ty nudges his hand behind him.

“Linc. My brother. The one you don’t.”

Linc lifts two fingers. “Sup, man.”

Andrew drags his palm up his forehead, through his hair. “You, too. Happy birthday.”

His nerves are showing.

I did sort of ambush him.

Hey, Mr. Bartender, meet Ty Hendrix⁠—

Seventeen Grammys,

nine AMAs, seven BMAs.

One of the biggest rappers alive.

Also, his twin Linc⁠—

Guitar god. Solo rock ghost.

I grab his hand behind me,

give it a squeeze,

while scanning the roof,

then the VIP section.

Feels like two different time zones.

Over here, the energy is molasses.