Chapter Thirty-Four
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
LAB on Collins Avenue was a proper nightclub, standing three storeys high under a mirrored domed ceiling. It was the type of club that people stood in line for, in any weather, and subjected themselves to humiliation at the hands of a ruthless doorman, in hopes of gaining access to the world behind the yellow rope. Others reserved tables and spent thousands on bottle service just to avoid that fate. Those with access to the VIP skybox did not have to bother with any of that; these palaces were built for them.
They arrived before the club opened its doors. Quinn was dressed in silver and Kya in black. Together, they made a striking couple, commanding loads of attention, which was exactly what Kya did not want, although, she didn’t seem to mind. She asked the ‘talent liaison’, a handsome Black man with a slight Caribbean accent named Trevor, about the sound system. Quinn loved how her mind worked. She asked sharp questions, was endlessly curious, and absorbed information quickly.
‘We have a room for you and your people,’ Trevor said. ‘Don’t get too excited. It’s no bigger than a closet, but there’s plenty of snacks.’
The snacks were not insignificant. Bacon wrapped dates, chicken salad wraps, carrots and hummus, and a bottle of champagne on ice. Quinn would make a meal of all this at the end of the night.
‘If you’d like anything else, please ask.’
‘Water?’
‘The mini-fridge is to the left and fully stocked.’
Kya helped herself to a water. Quinn reviewed her guest list to make sure Amanda and Ivy, and whoever they were rolling with tonight, would not have a hard time at the door.
‘Angelo is across the hall, if you’d like to say hello before the madness begins. I’ll introduce you.’
Quinn had been looking forward to meeting Angelo ever since she’d tried crashing his event on the yacht. She turned to Kya. ‘I’ll be right back. Will you be okay?’
Kya froze a beat, then stammered, ‘I’ll be fine.’
Quinn had noticed that even the tiniest bit of consideration threw her off. The poor baby, had she been surviving on crumbs? The thought broke her heart. When this week was finally over, and her schedule less hectic, Quinn intended to lavish her with attention – if she’d let her. Maybe they could go away again, take a trip somewhere far, and forget about time. She was planning this ideal trip in her mind when Trevor knocked on Angelo’s door.
The guy who opened the door was about Quinn’s age, but that’s where the similarities ended. He was tall, thin, pale, and dressed in the style of the late Steve Jobs. In her silver minidress and with her eyelids speckled with silver glitter, it was reasonable to assume they’d be playing at two very different venues.
‘I’m Quinn. Nice to meet you.’
Angelo mumbled a response. ‘Hi’ or ‘Hey,’ Quinn wasn’t sure. She waited for more, but he seemed to be done with the conversation.
Trevor cleared his throat. ‘If neither of you has any questions, I’ll be on my way.’
Quinn was already heading back to basecamp. ‘Thanks, Trevor! I think we’re done.’
What a waste of her time. Outward appearances aside, she and Angelo had a lot in common. They were basically on the same career track, and it would have been nice to talk about their shared experiences. But she scrapped that idea. He wasn’t interested.
Kya brightened when she walked back in. Quinn put Angelo out of her mind. How could she think of anyone when Kya was looking at her like that?
‘That was fast,’ she said.
‘He wasn’t all that interesting,’ Quinn replied.
‘They never are.’
Trevor returned, this time with Amanda and Ivy. ‘Quinn, your people are here,’ he said. ‘Ladies, enjoy your night.’
Amanda and Ivy, flirty and happy a second ago, were soon at each other’s throats, prepared to duel at dawn over Trevor.
‘Ladies!’ Kya said. ‘Calm down. The night is young. There are enough Trevor types out there for both of you.’
‘You swore off men,’ Quinn reminded Amanda.
‘Oh, right,’ she said, contrite. ‘I did say that.’
Ivy pulled the champagne bottle out of the ice. ‘Should we pop this open?’
Even though Quinn would not drink a drop, she agreed. ‘We absolutely should.’
It was past eleven, and LAB was open for business. She could feel the excitement crackling through the building. There was nothing like a club late at night with your friends. Most people gave this up when they got older and took jobs at evil corporations, like Ex-Cell. But this was the life Quinn had signed up for. There would be no end until she pulled the plug. Some people, like Angelo, brought their insecurities into it, making a competition of it, rather than what it was: a celebration. She would not be dragged into that poisonous well.
Ivy filled plastic cups. They were just about to toast the night ahead when a knock on the door interrupted them. Ivy answered, champagne bottle in hand. Outside the door stood a very pale, very thin man with a striking resemblance to Angelo. He was most likely a younger brother.
‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Angelo says he’s sorry if you were offended earlier. He’s not much of a talker and prefers to be left alone before gigs. He’s looking forward to tonight, and thanks you for opening for him.’
He was sorry if Quinn was offended, but not sorry for offending her. Classic! And what was this about opening for him? Just because she was playing first, that didn’t mean she was an opening act.
Ivy set down the sweaty bottle and grabbed one of the flyers piled on the table. ‘Quinn alongside DJ Angelo. That’s what it says here. Quinn is not your opening act. Please get your facts straight.’
He shrugged. ‘Same thing, right?’
It was not the same. Angelo knew this. If he was under the impression that her role was to warm up the room for his triumphant rise to the stage, he was more delusional than she’d thought.
‘Thanks for stopping by,’ Ivy said, and shut the door firmly in mini-Angelo’s face.
Everyone broke out laughing – everyone except for Kya. Her inner light had dimmed and her glossy lips were pulled into a pout.
‘Hey, girls, could you give me a minute?’ Quinn asked. ‘I need to settle in before going out there.’
‘No worries,’ Amanda said. ‘Let’s find our table.’
Ivy topped up her cup. ‘Let’s find Trevor.’
‘Leave that poor man alone,’ Quinn pleaded.
‘Sorry. There’s no chance of that.’
Kya followed Ivy and Amanda out the door. Quinn caught her by the waist and drew her back in. ‘Not you!’ She slammed the door shut and pressed Kya against it. ‘Stay with me. I’m really frustrated right now.’
‘I get it,’ Kya said. ‘This is a lot.’
‘Could you help me?’ she asked.
‘Of course. What do you need?’
‘Oh, I don’t know … Let’s think of something.’ Quinn nudged aside the drape of Kya’s halter top, exposing the black lace of her bra. Kya stirred at her touch. ‘Is this okay?’ Quinn asked.
‘Only if you lock the door,’ she said.
Quinn reached for the lock and twisted it shut. She then killed the overhead light. A single lamp made the room glow. ‘Better?’
‘So much better.’
Kya attempted to drag her onto the floor. Quinn laughed and pulled her up. ‘No, babe! We have options!’
Although the options were slim. There were the few stiff chairs, an ottoman, and the table which, though solid, could not hold their combined weight.
‘But we don’t have time!’ Kya exclaimed.
A second later, she had Quinn on a windowsill with her skirt hiked up around her hips. ‘Do me a favour, please?’ Kya asked.
‘Anything.’
‘Forget that man. If you must obsess over someone, obsess over me.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
‘One more thing?’
‘What?’
‘Call me your girlfriend again.’
Quinn screamed and caught Kya’s face between her hands. ‘I knew it! You tried to play it off, but I knew it!’
‘Knew what?’ Kya asked. ‘That I liked it?’
‘No. How would I have known that? You looked so confused.’
‘You just sprang it at me!’ Kya fired back. ‘I didn’t know we were official. We never talked about it.’
‘I’m sorry. I’m British. We don’t make a fuss. What do you need, a formal request with your HR department?’
‘I’m American,’ Kya said. ‘Making simple things complicated is our love language. The more red tape, the better.’
‘You’re my girlfriend for now,’ Quinn said. ‘We’re practically living together! I’m not going to date other people while you’re here. Are you?’
‘Maybe Trevor. Who knows?’
‘Shut up and get to work, girlfriend!’
Kya let out a quiet laugh. ‘Close your eyes.’ Quinn did as she was told, and shivered as Kya’s hands skimmed up the length of her legs and reached up for her panties. Outside the locked door, the club’s pulse quickened. Excitement crackled through the walls. A strong bass made the floors jump. The club would be full to capacity tonight. Hundreds of people would fill the space. In this room, however, it was just the two of them. Kya called her kitten and she absolutely lost it when she bit her inner thigh.
‘Does my girlfriend like that?’ Kya asked with a low and wicked laugh.
Quinn was ready to fire back when Kya kissed the spot she bit then licked it and bit it again before moving to what she really wanted. With every lick of her tongue that followed, there was no room for logical thought. Within minutes, Quinn bit back a cry and blindly reached out for something to steady her. When she gripped the curtain, it was too late. She was crashing. The curtain rod crashed down, too.
‘Are you okay?’ Kya cried.
‘I’m fine!’
‘Stay here. I’ll take care of it.’
She hopped to her feet. Quinn watched as she expertly snapped the curtain rod in place.
‘Leave it,’ Quinn said, breathless. ‘The boys have done far worse; I’m sure of it.’
‘The boys don’t know how to cover their tracks.’
No boy was as clever as Kya.
‘Thanks for this,’ Quinn said. ‘I needed to let out steam.’
Kya kneeled beside her and kissed her. ‘Don’t thank me. I wouldn’t be a good girlfriend if I didn’t.’
Something about the way she hesitated to use the word ‘girlfriend’ caught Quinn’s attention.
‘Kya, is that why you blushed so hard yesterday?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she replied.
Quinn would have believed her if she weren’t blushing now. ‘I called you my girlfriend and your cheeks flared up. You don’t remember? We were on the floor … kind of like now.’
‘I was confused!’
Quinn stroked Kya’s hair. ‘Better?’
‘Much. Listen, I’ve worked with guys like Angelo. He just wanted to mess with your head. It’s a power move to knock you off your game.’
Quinn truly didn’t get people like that. ‘It’s a party, a good time! We’re at a club, for Christ’s sake.’
‘It’s business, babe. There’s money involved, big money. No one messes around when it comes to that.’
Quinn shook her head. She refused to play that game.
‘Are you going to be okay?’ Kya asked.
‘Of course! The day I let a guy like Angelo mess with my head—’
‘It’s fine if you’re upset.’
‘I’m not upset. Look at me! I’m fine!’
‘You look beautiful,’ Kya whispered.
‘I wish we could just stay here.’
‘We can’t. You better get out there and slay.’
‘Sure, but I should put my knickers on first; don’t you think?’
‘Maybe. If you can find them!’
Quinn did not kill it; not like she’d hoped. By the end of the night, it was clear Angelo had won the strange competition they’d engaged in. She’d done well, but he’d had the packed club going from the start. By every measure, he’d beat her. She was mature enough to realize it, but not enough to accept it. When Nick cornered her with his usual mix of insight and patronizing rubbish, Quinn went blind with rage.
‘It was an off night,’ he said. ‘It’s not like he’s better than you or anything like that. His sound is new; people ate it up. That’s all. In the end, this was a good experience for you. With these larger venues, you’ll have to learn to read the room.’
Read the room? Really?
‘Thanks for that insight,’ she said, bitingly. ‘I don’t know how I manage without you.’
Thank goodness for Kya who, with a hand pressed to the small of Quinn’s back, steered her away from the man. ‘Don’t waste your breath,’ she said. As it turned out, she’d worked with guys like Nick, too.
Quinn did some post-match analysis on the ride home. What had gone wrong? She’d shared billings with other DJs before and always held her own. Something was off tonight.
What was it? Was she tired? Distracted? Had there been too much going on with Kya, Amanda, Ivy? Were her girls a little too much fun? There was a time for everything. Shouldn’t she focus on her music for the moment? Quinn had worked hard to get to this so-called next level. She couldn’t afford an ‘off night’. She couldn’t blow it.
Kya reached for her, hugged her, kissed her, did her best to cheer her up. Quinn melted into her arms. It was easier than talking, than sharing her feelings. Her head was in a fog. There were only two days left before Solstice. She had to get her shit together.
‘I’m going straight to bed,’ she informed Kya on the lift ride up.
‘No post-performance ritual?’ Kya teased.
‘Not tonight,’ Quinn said. ‘It’s so late. I’m fried.’
‘Me, too,’ she said.
Quinn let them into the flat, went straight into her wardrobe and shut the door.
The next morning, Kya brought her tea in bed. It was just right, a minor miracle considering how fussy Quinn was about her tea.
‘Thanks,’ Quinn said.
Kya sat at the edge of the bed. She was most beautiful in the morning, with her braids swept to one side and her face scrubbed clean and soft. ‘I’ll take care of everything today,’ she said. ‘All the meals, any errands, anything you need.’
Quinn’s heart split open with gratitude. All night, she wondered how she’d ask Kya for some space, and was worried she might not understand. ‘I’m likely going to spend the day locked up in the studio. I need to work on my set.’
‘I understand.’
‘I may be in there for hours.’
‘Got it. It’s crunch time.’
‘Yes, exactly that. I won’t need much. I’ll eat my weight in toast and tea. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine on my own.’
Kya’s beautiful, scrubbed clean face clouded. She was clever and had figured out what was being requested of her. Quinn felt awful about it, but she really needed her to go away for a while.
‘No worries,’ she said. ‘I have to finish the blog series, do some research on Corinne’s company. I don’t know too much about it.’
‘Good idea,’ Quinn said. She was only half-listening, her attention was already on the work ahead. She was going to start from scratch, review each song on her playlist.
Kya got up and went into the en suite bathroom. Quinn took her tea into the kitchen. She dropped a slice of bread into the toaster and rummaged in the cupboard for a new jar of jam. She listened to the sounds of Kya in the shower, then the bedroom, getting ready for the day. Kya emerged wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, her leather hobo bag slung over her shoulder. ‘I’m heading out,’ she said.
‘Already?’
Quinn checked the time. It wasn’t too early, but they’d been out late last night. She hadn’t meant to rush her out the door.
‘I’m going to write at the coffee shop down the block. You know it, right? Next to the boba shop?’
She knew of it, but she’d never gone. ‘You don’t have to go just this second.’
‘It’s best to start writing early.’
‘Hold on.’ Quinn reached for a spare key off a hook on the kitchen wall. ‘Take this.’
Long after Kya had left, Quinn leaned against the door, uneasy in the silence. Now that she had what she’d asked for, space, she had to make the most of it. She silenced her phone, turned off notifications, and left it sitting on the charger in her bedroom. Then she took her tea and toast into her studio and got straight to work. She reviewed each song on her playlist, replaced a few, shuffled them around, experimented with new transitions, then started the process over and over again.
The hours slipped by. Lunch was a frozen pizza and the last of the crisps from home. By the time she slipped off her headphones, a headache was forming at her temples. She couldn’t go on a second longer. Kya had called this crunch time, but Quinn wasn’t an accountant. There was nothing to crunch. She’d always been the go-with-the-flow type of girl. And she had the sinking feeling that nothing was wrong with her original set. All she’d done was tinker with it and make some minor improvements, nothing more. A big part of her performance had always been her personality. It drove the trolls mad, but that was the truth. Honestly, last night she’d played small, intimidated by the venue itself. She’d had an off night. So what? It happened. She’d learned something – not to ‘read the room’, she wasn’t a newbie, but to take the loss like a big girl.
Before she’d allowed Angelo to mess with her head, she was having the best time with Kya. Then Ivy and Amanda arrived and all four of them were poised to have a great night. In short, she’d let an outsider pop her bubble, the glitter-filled snow globe that kept her happy, safe, and secure. Never again.
Quinn tossed her headphones aside and stretched. She’d lost track of time. The sun was setting. All she wanted was to check in with her girl. She desperately needed a shower and a chilled glass of wine. Had Kya spent the whole day at that coffee shop? Had she wrapped up the series? Getting back to blogging was important to her, it was her creative outlet. She’d been nervous about it and Quinn had offered nothing this morning, not a hug, not a kiss, not even a scrap of encouragement. She was a crap girlfriend, and Quinn wouldn’t blame Kya if she never came back.
Panicked, Quinn sprang to her feet. She hadn’t checked her messages all day. What if Kya had tried to reach her and got nothing in response? She yanked the door open and, shocked, came to an abrupt stop. Kya wasn’t out there, somewhere, brooding, and holding a grudge. She was in the kitchen, carefully opening takeaway containers. The table was cleared of the clutter Quinn had piled on it over the last few days. A lit candle flickered in the waning sunlight. She looked lovely. The food smelled delicious. Where had she found that candle? More importantly, how was this woman so wonderful?
‘Kya,’ she said shyly.
‘I know you said you wouldn’t eat, but I was hoping to tempt you with pasta. This is from A & H’s favourite restaurant, the best in the city according to them. I’ve had better in LA, but I’m an elitist California girl.’
Quinn approached her, tentatively, as if Kya were a mermaid who might plunge back into the sea if she made any sudden moves. ‘I’m so happy you’re here. I missed you.’
‘I won’t be here long,’ she said. ‘I’m going to spend the night at Adrian’s to let you work in peace.’
‘Don’t go. What about all this food?’
‘I’ll leave the tray in the oven.’
‘Okay, but what about the candle?’
She looked up, fighting a smile. ‘I’ll blow it out.’
‘Don’t. I’m done working. I want to be with you.’
‘Do you feel ready for tomorrow?’ Kya asked.
‘I don’t care, honestly.’
‘I don’t believe that.’
‘It’s true,’ she said. ‘I’m hungry and exhausted. I want a shower and a glass of wine. I want to sit with you on the balcony, watch the sunset, and talk. I hate how dismissive I was this morning. You’re so good to me, and—’
‘Quinn!’
‘Yes?’
‘Go take that shower.’
Quinn nodded. ‘And you won’t go anywhere?’
‘Hey! This was your idea. You wanted me to go—’
‘And now I want you to stay. I never said this would be easy. I’m fickle AF.’
‘Fine! I’ll stay!’ Kya said, laughing. ‘I’ll take all this out on the balcony, open a bottle, put on a record, even. We’ll eat, watch the sunset, and talk. You’ll tell me about your day, and I’ll tell you about mine. Does that sound okay?’
‘That sounds perfect.’
‘Okay, well … Go!’
Quinn retreated, walking backwards. ‘I did miss you, babe. Very much.’
Kya blew out the candle. ‘Hurry. You’ll miss the sunset.’