Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Same.” I tugged at my collar and tossed a longing look at the exit sign over the glass doors.
We’d been tortured for two hours already. Small talk wasn’t my thing, but I’d tried to do my part. I drank vodka instead of beer, engaged in weak-ass conversations about Academy-Award-nominated movies I hadn’t seen, and managed not to growl at the dippy hipster wearing a bowtie and suspenders who argued that the best music these days was computerized. I walked away when he said the drums were passé. It was either that or hurt him, so I figured I’d made the right choice. But I really didn’t see the need in sticking around now.
Zero and Jealousy had taken a ton of photos together and shaken hands with a lot of so-called “important” people. We’d hung out more in the last two weeks than we had since Scratch Records was formed ten months ago. And it wasn’t so bad. Bobby J was a funny goofball, Gill was dopey but sweet, and Dec was…diplomatic, magnetic, and charming as hell. Asshole.
I set my glass on the high table and cast a surreptitious glance toward the bar, where Dec was engaged in an animated conversation with a pretty brunette. The insta-flash of jealousy made no sense. I didn’t get it at all. I wanted nothing to do with the guy.
But I was ultra aware of him tonight.
He’d been chatting with the same woman for at least fifteen minutes. I found myself watching their “get to know you” dance like a creepy voyeur from across the room. Her hand on his forearm, her fingers tracing the rose tattoo on his thumb. He didn’t seem overly interested, but he certainly wasn’t pushing her away.
“Gill left a while ago, and it looks like Dec found himself a date,” Bobby J said, pulling me out of my reverie as he tipped back the last of his drink. “I don’t think there’s any reason to stick around. We’ve talked to everyone we were supposed to. I’m gonna call for a ride.”
“Me too,” Johnny chimed in.
“I’m gonna find Char. I’ll see you guys later.” Ky patted my shoulder and waved before disappearing into the crowd.
I exchanged fist bumps with my friends and took a swig of water just as someone wrapped their tattooed arm around my neck in a playful headlock.
“Tegan! I just met the head of some major dis-bushon firm. I thought it was going pretty well until he asked if Gray and I were interested in a foursome with him and his wife.”
I snorted. “And?”
“Not our thing. I laughed, but Gray wasn’t amused. He’s taking a shigarette break,” Justin slurred, mussing my hair. “I gotta find him.”
I batted his hand away irritably. “Geez, how much have you had to drink?”
“Too much. Those pink things go down easy, and they’re desheptively tiny. I think I had five before I felt it. I’m up to seven now and I’m feeling very fucking dangerous. Dare me to do something.”
“No way. That never ends well.”
He threw his head back and guffawed. “Hey, if the night ends with a good story, it’s always worthwhile. ’Member that time we opened for that wannabe punk band at Mick’s bar? What were they called? The Fuzzies or The Fuzzy Wuzzies or the—”
“Wombats,” I supplied in amusement.
Justin snapped his fingers and nodded like a puppet. “Good memory. Their lead singer was such a dick. I didn’t feel guilty about the tuna fish sandwich. Not at all.”
My reluctant chuckle gave way to a belly laugh. “That was disgusting. And it totally backfired when he left his guitar on stage. Fuck, that was rank. I don’t think I ever asked how you stuffed it between the strings without him noticing.”
“I didn’t do it myself. I was just the brains,” he said, tapping his temple like a mad scientist.
“Who did it?”
“Dec.” Justin narrowed his gaze and pointed toward the bar. “You know, before all that shit went down, he used to be fun. I’m a sucker for a good sense of humor, and I like idiots who say yes to a dare no matter how stupid it sounds. Once upon a time, I liked him. You did too, huh?”
I huffed. “Your seventh cosmo is messing with your head.”
“Wanna know what I think?”
“Not really,” I admitted without heat.
“Dec was jealous of us. Me and you. I used to think it was me he wanted or something he thought I could do for him, but lately…I’ve been thinking it was you all along. I think Dec had a big fuckin’ crush on you. I couldn’t understand why he used to hang around me when you were the one he wanted. Fuckin’ mystery.”
I frowned. “That’s not—”
“There you are.” Gray grinned as he approached our table. “You ready to go, baby?”
“Are you kidding me? I’s born ready. Super ready if you know what I mean.” Justin snorted.