Chapter Ten The Rock God #2
Somehow I end up drinking one and a half glasses of red wine.
I feel a little bit weird in my head, but not that bad.
Honestly, for my first time drinking, I think I’m doing pretty well.
I don’t feel guilty for breaking Mom’s no drinking rule.
Jason said that these are all good kids, and if they drink, then why would it be so bad if I do too?
When we’re finally ready to leave, most of the third bottle is still full. Sadie tells James he has to take it with him because her mom would kill her if she saw it.
James shrugs, putting the bottle into a bag along with the two empties. “Yeah, and we may have to go out to the car to have a drink. Donut Den rarely serves without ID anymore.” He looks at me. “Finish your cup. It’s too risky to have open drinks in the car.”
I down the rest of my wine in one sip.
I feel a little woozy when I walk out to Liv’s car, but I don’t think anyone notices. Reagan rides with us, and as soon as we’re belted in, she turns to me. “I think Quinn is into you.”
I frown. Should I ask how to get him to be not into me?
“Yeah, that’s obvious,” Liv says.
Which makes Sadie laugh. “Liv would know too.”
“Um, why?” I ask.
Reagan smiles. “Quinn was obsessed with Liv for, like… forever. It was no secret. He says his heart broke into a million pieces when Liv started dating Sadie.”
I make a face. That sounds… creepy. “Like, he was stalking you?” I ask.
Liv shakes her head. She’s a good driver, and never looks away from the road, even when she’s talking.
“No. He knew I wasn’t into him, and he respected that.
Quinn’s not a bad guy. He can just be a bit…
intense. But if you’re into being worshipped, then you should go for him.
” We lock eyes in the rearview mirror, and she smiles. “For a summer fling, at least.”
I frown as my head spins a bit. I have no intention of dating anyone, but Quinn is way—like, way—out of my league.
He’s only flirting because I’m some weird, bizarro rich-kid-Meera here in Cherrybridge, instead of a nerd.
Although… if it wasn’t for the damn curse, it might be fun to have a summer fling with a guy who looks like he just walked out of a yacht catalog.
But no. I’m not risking everything for Quinn’s perfect blue eyes… or for Noah’s perfect brown eyes, either. No guys. At all.
Donut Den is packed when we get there. The crowd is considerably younger than when we were here the other day. And louder.
Every table is full. It sounds like open mic has already started, because a woman is belting out “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga.
And she’s very good. As we move through the crowd, looking for a table, I see that most people are drinking beer and have baskets of fries, nachos, or chicken wings in front of them.
We eventually find a table, but there are empty plates and beer glasses on it. The smell of stale beer is making me a tiny bit nauseous. Maybe because I’m drunk?
“This table is a mess,” James says. He flags down a server by snapping his fingers and tells her to clean the table.
“Don’t mind James,” Quinn says. “He leaves his manners behind when he crosses the river.”
“Oh my God, I wonder if that’s the talent scout,” Kaitlyn says, grabbing Reagan’s arm.
She’s looking at a man sitting alone at the bar, but there’s nothing about him that tells me he could be a music scout.
The Lady Gaga cover is still going, but the guy doesn’t seem to be paying any attention to the stage, despite the singer being amazing.
I look at the woman singing—and am surprised to see that it’s the Asian waitress we saw here earlier.
“I don’t get why a scout would even come here,” Reagan says. “They could scout for talent on YouTube. Everyone is posting there these days.”
“They want to strike gold twice,” I say. “That folk singer Abbey Shields was discovered in Cherrybridge.”
Liv raises one eyebrow. “Look at this newcomer knowing more about our town than we do.”
I shrug, but then I notice Quinn staring at me with admiration, which makes me blush again. I totally get why Liv said he’s intense. I awkwardly get up from the table. The room is still spinning a bit. “I… um… need the bathroom.”
I head toward the restrooms, which are down a hallway near the bar, and I full-on collide with someone after turning the corner.
Someone thin with a band shirt that does not fit him.
“Sorry,” Noah says. “Wait… Noorani?” He’s shocked to see me.
I wave, even though he’s standing right in front of me. “Noah! Hi! Sorry!” Noah looks amazing. With dim bar lighting making his hair inky black and shiny, and that devastating smirk. I exhale, trying to calm my racing heart. Quinn who?
“You’re the last person I expected to see here,” he says with that little smile behind his eyes. I used to think that smile was laughing at me, but now it kind of feels like he’s laughing with me. Like we’re both in on the same joke. Like he understands me, and I understand him.
I’m probably imagining that. Maybe it’s the wine. “Why?” I ask.
“Wouldn’t have thought this place was your vibe.” He smiles with his whole face now, and I relax.
“I’ve only been in town a week, remember? I don’t have a vibe yet. But this is my second time here. Very good apple fritters.”
He chuckles. “I’m impressed, Noorani. I take it you’re not here with your folks?”
I shake my head. “I came with my cousin Sadie. Stepcousin. And her friends.” I point to the table where they’re sitting. “Her friend wants to be a singer, so she’s doing the open mic thing.” The woman on the stage finishes her Lady Gaga song, and the crowd claps.
“Oh really?” He squints to make out the people at my table.