Page 530 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

From a long velvet couch, Linc and Ty break into side-to-side shoulder sway with the beat, turning the energy all the way up to the max.

For the longest time, they weren’t even on speaking terms. Now, seeing them like this, brothers again, makes my cheeks burn.

Ty stands with that signature rapper bounce, but it collapses into hips, swag sunk in rhythm, driving the girls around the couch a little crazy.

But his eyes lock on Kate, who’s wedged in a cluster with her friends. He reaches into the circle, snatches her hand, and tugs her into him.

His lips are on hers fast as they dance.

Four years, they’ve been together.

Ty still won’t talk about her publicly⁠—

refuses to say her name in interviews,

refuses to put a target on her back.

He’s seen the ugly side of fame,

he’s still living the aftermath of

a concert, a fan, a gun,

his girlfriend and sister gone from one bullet, and the damage it did to him and Linc’s relationship.

I can’t tell if that makes Kate feel protected, or trapped behind bulletproof glass.

When I glance left, ten feet out,

a guy sets his sights on me.

He’s headed this way.

Seven feet out.

Then six.

Five.

He smiles, hand gripping his neck.

Four, and his mouth parts to say⁠—

Andrew’s hands land on my hips, and he pulls me close, his chest warm on my spine. “Not fuckin’ happenin’,” he murmurs in my ear.

I lay my head back against his chest with a laugh. “Damn, Drew. That was fast. You literally aimed right at me. Like a horny security camera.”

His chuckle lands in my hair. “I'm always watchin' you. And I know your body wants that dance floor so bad it’s pissin’ me off. C’mere.” His hand spreads wide over my ribs. “Dance with me.”

The song is neon lights of an after-hours party, smooth club music with a nocturnal vibe.

He drops me into a sultry, hypnotic rhythm of the song. With every beat, his hips dip filthy, grinding into me, chin brushing my shoulder.

While Andrew’s hands are the only ones on me, I still feel touched by the bad feeling I can’t see.

Midnight keeps getting closer,

and so is whatever’s coming.