Page 42 of Ravaged From Fate

I bring it over to the side of the stage where Caspian’s chatting with the bandmembers, his face back to its stoic steeliness after his excitement behind the drums.

“That was incredible,” I say as I hand him his beer.

“Thanks, Elsa.”

Liam shakes Caspian’s hand and whistles. “Wow, dude. You must be a pro. I did not expect that at all. You certainly know your way around a drum kit.”

Caspian merely nods, characteristically not comfortable with praise. Sam brings over some more beers and the bandmembers all toast Caspian with their drinks.

“You should play with us again,” Liam says. “We’d love to have you. Hell, we’d fire our drummer in a heartbeat if you’ll join us.”

Caspian chuckles. “No, it’s fine. Tonight was fun, but I don’t want to make a habit of it.”

His eyes dart to me, and he makes me a get me out of here face. He’s not enjoying being the center of attention, the poor man.

“Thank you for having him, boys,” I say to the band. “But it’s my turn now, and I’m going to get him drunk.”

I pull Caspian away from the band as they head to pack up the stage.

“Get me drunk?” he asks me.

“Yeah,” I say. “I deserve a night off, and so do you. It’s my round tonight, seeing how amazing you were on stage.”

“I did it for you,” he whispers in my ear.

Control yourself, Elsa…

“Thanks,” I reply, desperately wanting to move past that last comment and dampen the heat that’s currently rising in my cheeks. “But now I don’t care about how good you are on the drums. I want to see you drunk.”

Before Caspian can even dare to protest as I know he will, I wave over Sam and quickly order some shots.

19

ELSA

Oh, we’re definitely getting drunk tonight.

I do the shot with Caspian. He grimaces and I giggle as we take the hit of alcohol down our throats.

“I’m regretting this already,” he admits. “Why did I allow you to force me into this?”

I simply laugh and poke him in the ribs. “Come on, have fun, sunshine. I’m usually the grumpy one on a night out. I’m the one who’s got work in the morning while you do nothing but go on a long walk.”

He sighs. “Alright, then.”

Once they’ve packed up their instruments, the band members of the Kill Joys come back to the bar and buy us another round of shots. Liam is so keen to be friendly to Caspian, constantly professing his amazement at the drummer’s ability and trying his hardest to offer him a position in the band. Caspian’s cheeks go red with embarrassment.

He’s really not one for the spotlight, isn’t he?

And that’s what makes him so cute.

I’m feeling tipsy. It certainly doesn’t take me much to get a little drunk, seeing as I’m always working and never out partying usually. I’m not used to nights like these and I’ve got energy now. I want to do something.

And then Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You starts playing over the bar’s speakers, and I know I want one thing above all others.

“Come and dance with me,” I request Caspian, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him away from the bar counter.

He shakes his head at that. He really doesn’t want to do it, but I am very insistent. “I’m a drummer, Elsa, not a dancer.”