Chapter Five
Emily
“Oh, my God! This is the best day of my life!”
Darcy Meyers squealed those words loud enough to nearly be heard over the pulsing bass and the roar of the crowd around us.
The drag brunch venue was packed wall to wall, every table crammed with glittering cocktails and half-eaten stacks of pancakes, the air thick with the scent of syrup, citrus, and bacon.
We’d snagged a small round table just a few feet from the stage — close enough that when the queens performed, it felt like they were dancing for us.
Darcy had officially accepted my roommate proposal, and since then, Marcus and I had been delighting in showing her all Seattle had to offer before our season really swung into full gear.
Darcy was an adorable little thing — five foot two and tan with bleached-blonde hair that fell down to the middle of her back in soft, straight strands. A twenty-two-year-old from South Dakota, she had lived a pretty sheltered life up to this point.
And then Marcus and I entered the picture.
Marcus smirked from beside me, tilting his mimosa to his lips. “See? Drag brunch is magic.”
“It’s incredible,” Darcy said with reverence, her eyes as wide as coasters.
The lights shifted in washes of pink and gold, catching on sequins and rhinestones as the current performer — Ivana Adore — spun and twirled beneath them, the DJ shouting her name over the speakers while the crowd whooped and whistled.
“I have never seen anyone move like this,” Darcy exclaimed.
Marcus grimaced a bit at that. “You poor thing.”
“You act like she’s a feral cat with her tail missing,” I teased.
“I mean, are they that far off?”
“Do you think she could teach me how to twerk?” Darcy asked, her eyes still filled with stars.
“Twerk what, exactly?” Marcus teased affectionately. “Love you, babe, but that ass is as flat as the pancakes this place serves.”
“Hey!” Darcy laughed, swatting his arm before she stood up and offered her cute little ass for us to assess. “It’s at least a fluffy pancake. Maybe even a waffle.”
“Come to the gym with me,” I said. “Some hip thrusts and split squats will get you firmly in the scone category.”
“Only if you seriously promise to teach me how to shake this ass once you help me build it.”
“And you teach us how you do five backflips in a row without breaking a sweat,” I said, pointing at her.
“Deal!”
Darcy plopped back down into her chair with an excited clap just as Ivana Adore leapt up and held fast to the rafters above us, dazzling the crowd with magnificent body waves and fan kicks.
She waited for the beat drop and promptly let go, falling all the way to the floor and landing in a perfect split.
Marcus and I flew to our feet, clapping and whistling as Ivana Adore bounced in that split with a smirk like it was nothing. Darcy was apparently stunned speechless, or gagged as Marcus exclaimed (and assured her he’d explain later). Her mouth was hanging open and her blue eyes were unblinking.
I chuckled as I took my seat next to her, “Life changing, isn’t it?”
“I’ve never felt more inspired in my life,” she said with awe. “I want to go to the VMAC right now and try to be worthy of existing in the same space.”
“Please,” Marcus said, draining the last of his mimosa before he refilled his glass with the open bottle of champagne in a bucket between us. He added the tiniest splash of orange juice. “Tuesday and Thursday nights are plenty for me to be held hostage at that training facility.”
“Don’t act like you don’t love it. You’re always the first one there, and I know you’ve been working on those high kicks,” I said.
Marcus pretended to swipe a strand of hair that didn’t exist back from his face, pursing his lips coyly.
“I do be kicking higher than all of you bitches, don’t I?
” He took a sip. “And I’m not trying to say I don’t love it.
I’m just saying I also love my free time and I know we’re about to have approximately zero hours of it. ”
“Right? My family keeps asking when they can visit and I’m like, uh…
in the next four weeks, or be prepared to see me for only an hour a day — when I’m brushing my teeth, washing my face, and getting ready to pass out.
” Darcy shook her head before smiling up at Ivana Adore, who was walking around with a bucket collecting tips.
Darcy slid a twenty in before gushing to the gorgeous drag queen about how amazing she was.
Once we were alone again, I tilted my glass toward Darcy. “That’s sweet. Will they adopt me and Marcus here?”
“God knows my family isn’t trying to visit any time soon,” Marcus said with a shake of his head.
“Mine don’t even know I live here yet.”
That made both Marcus and Darcy balk, a slow blink shared between them before Darcy asked, “How do they not know that?”
“Do you forget that I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman? It’s not like I have to check in for curfew,” I said.
“I don’t think nearing thirty means your family stops caring you exist,” Marcus shot back.
He had a point, and knowing that the distance from my family was my choice, whereas his was not, made my heart squeeze.
I reached over to hold his hand, mouthing I love you.
“Love you, too,” he said out loud. “Now answer my question, you little queen of deflection.”
I shrugged, settling back into my seat. “I’m kind of a nomad. I don’t typically like to stay put for too long. Last my parents heard of my whereabouts, I was living with three other roommates in Austin.”
“How long ago was that?” Marcus asked.
“October.”
“Of last year?!” Darcy’s mouth hung open, but then sadness visibly overwhelmed her features — from her downturned lips to the pinch between her brows. “They don’t check on you?”
My defenses rose immediately. The last thing I needed was anyone’s pity.
“They do. I just choose not to share much.” I took a long pull, welcoming the bubbles from the champagne.
“Trust me — unless I miraculously come into a law degree or marry into an aristocracy, they don’t want to hear what I’ve been up to.
It would just mean they’d have to pretend to care and that they’re happy for me, and that’s not fun for anyone involved. ”
It stung even as I joked about it, the smile on my lips too tight. But I couldn’t stand the sad puppy dog look on Darcy’s face for one second longer.
“I’ll text them right now if that makes you feel better.”
“Yes,” Darcy said. “A phone call would—”
“A text is the best you’ll get,” I cut in.
I made a show of pulling out my phone and tapping into the group chat with my mom and dad. Then, I read the text aloud as I typed it.
Me: Hey, hope you guys are well. Just wanted to let you know I live in Seattle now. I’m dancing for the Seahawks.
“There,” I said, shoving my phone away. Before Darcy could ask any other questions, I changed the subject. “Okay, so the long days may not be something to look forward to this summer and fall, but you know what I am excited for? Our cute ass uniforms.”
“Girl, don’t even get me started,” Marcus said, holding up both hands. “The way my ass is going to cause car accidents in those little leggings?!” He bit his lip. “They’re not ready.”
“And we have the flag football event next week!” Darcy chimed in — not before she gave me a look that told me we weren’t going to just drop the family drama altogether, though.
“I feel like that really kicks it all off, you know? Community events, the calendar shoot, and then before we know it… practices and games!”
“Who do you think will be picked for the calendar?” Marcus asked.
“Probably all veterans,” I surmised. “But they’d be crazy not to have you in there with these abs of stone.”
I patted his stomach, which felt more like a marble slab, and he lifted his shirt to appease me with a little wink.
“That and this mustache,” he said, smoothing his fingers over the dark hair dusting his lip. “I should be the cover girl, honestly.”
My phone buzzed from where I’d tucked it under my thigh. Immediately, my heart skittered in my chest like I’d spotted a bear who was ready to make me dinner. Apparently, my body couldn’t decipher between a life-or-death situation and a text from my parents.
I discreetly pulled my phone out and looked at the screen.
Mom: That’s wonderful, honey! We can’t wait to see you. Maybe we could come to a game?
I swallowed past the sandpaper in my throat. There it was — exactly what I expected.
That’s wonderful, honey!
On the surface, it looks kind and genuine, like they’re excited for me. But I knew what laid beneath the surface.
At least I didn’t have to witness the Huxley Pause in person when I delivered news like this through a text.
And I didn’t miss the noncommittal promise in that last part.
Maybe we could come to a game.
Not we’ll be there.
Just maybe.
I double-tapped her message, which made a little heart appear at the top of her speech bubble, before I tucked my phone away again.
She and I were both good at playing the “I see you, I’m communicating, but I’m not making any concrete plans” game.
“I heard some of the players will be at the flag football event next week,” Darcy said excitedly, pulling me back to the present. “It’ll be cool to get to know them a little more.”
“Just don’t get to know them too much,” I warned playfully. “Wouldn’t want Claire to come after you for breaking the no fraternization rule.”
“Yeah, right,” Marcus said, waving his hand. “They’re crazy if they think I’m not here to find a husband.”
“But you can’t! It’s against the rules!” Darcy looked concerned that Marcus was serious in his statement. Honestly, I was fairly certain he was.
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them, South Dakota.” He gave her the same wink he’d just hit me with, and the poor thing looked like she was about to pass out.
“Ignore him,” I said, reaching over to squeeze her wrist. “He’s only joking.”
“Am I? News to me.”
I rolled my eyes before addressing Darcy again. “You have to forgive us. Marcus and I aren’t used to playing by the rules.”
“But you have to,” Darcy said, almost pouting. “You two are my only friends here. I… you can’t get kicked off the team. I’d be miserable without you.”
I frowned. “Babe…”
“I mean it,” she said, her eyes drifting to the table instead of us.
“My first best friend moved away the summer before we were supposed to go to high school together. It sucked so hard to lose her like that, to have to face those halls alone. I survived, thinking college would be a fresh start, but it’s hard to make friends when you’re introverted and living at home with your parents instead of on campus.
All I had was dance, but I just never quite fit in with anyone.
I…” She swallowed, her eyes welling with unshed tears.
“Just, please don’t be stupid. Don’t get kicked off the squad. Okay?”
At that, Marcus and I shared a look before I was climbing into Darcy’s chair to hug her.
I sat in her lap as Marcus wrapped us both up from the other side.
“Hey,” I soothed, petting her hair. “We’re not going anywhere, okay?
We love this team and are honored to be on it. We just like to have a little fun.”
“I talk a big game but I wouldn’t ever jeopardize my position,” Marcus assured her. “We’ll be good. I promise.”
Darcy seemed placated, nodding as she accepted the mimosa Marcus offered her when we took our seats again.
“Also, even if I wasn’t on the team, just know I’m your friend for life,” I said, cheersing her glass with mine. “Roomie.”
“Me, too,” Marcus promised.
Darcy beamed, her cheeks flushed as she gave us each a watery smile.
The conversation idled while the next performer came out, and I let my mind wander.
It was no surprise that it wandered right to Braden Lock.
I couldn’t get the tall motherfucker to vacate the premises of my brain, not since that night at auditions.
He was the only reason I hated the no fraternization rule.
Not because I felt the same as Marcus — I wasn’t looking for a husband, I knew better than to think I had much of anything to offer in the way of domesticity — but because I wanted that man to rail me six ways to Sunday.
I loved how I could push his buttons already, how he pretended not to be affected by me, but his body told another story.
I wanted to tease him again. I wanted to flirt with him and test the boundary that had been drawn so clearly between us. I wanted to see his stubble-lined jaw clench with restraint, to find out just how much he could take.
I wondered if he’d be one of the players at the flag football event.
And I found myself wishing against logic that he would be.