Chapter 25. Dahlia
DAHLIA
I’m on a Broadway stage, playing the aspiring singer awaiting her big break. She sings while busing tables at The Duplex, a piano bar and drag revue in the West Village.
One day, people will remember me. See that famous singer standing by the piano? She used to work here, Tetris-fitting the glasses and plates like a boss.
Using my Captain Marvel muscles, I balance the gray rubber tub on my shoulder and move through the green room with its iconic arched windows. Tonight’s crowd: a bunch of pretty boys, one bachelorette party, and a table of swinging baby boomers.
Of our three jobs, this one’s my favorite.
If the manager likes you during your interview, you get to audition.
Some nights, Teddy and I kick off open-mic night and perform between sets.
One day, I’m going to headline here and Teddy’s going to be a sought-after songwriter and producer.
We’ll create music full time and move out of our tiny apartment above Sticky’s.
The dishwasher called out tonight and Teddy stepped in, taking the extra shift.
“I call it more than a coincidence.” I bend my knees, lowering the tub of dirty dishes onto the counter between us.
Teddy cocks a Sicilian brow and raises the metal arm on the dishwasher.
I wipe my hands on the towel tucked into my waistband. “What you said this morning.”
“Ah, took ya a minute.” He smiles like someone who’s put up with me and my slow brain for years. The rising steam glazes his face and dark curls. He pulls his head away from the heat. He turns to retrieve the dirty dishes I’ve collected, his gap-toothed grin widening.
I grab the side of the tub. “Come on, Cody’s girlfriend’s rebound guy just happens to live across the street from Dante’s and they both work for Kershaw McKenzie?”
“That makes sense, being he’s a Kershaw.” He winks, waiting for me to let it go.
I jut out my hip and fold my arms over my chest. “Okay, smartass. What if Cody’s trying to tell us something? Like the shooting star the other night.”
“Should have killed her with the boxes you were carrying.”
“She rushed out of nowhere like a bull, heading straight for me. Made me look like a complete ass in front of Micah.”
“I dunno why ya go for these guys, Dahl. He owns an ad agency. Out of your league, don’t ya think?”
“Gee, thanks.” I sigh.
“They don’t know how extraordinary you are.” He frowns, his gaze lingering on my face.
“She’s all curvy and sexy, with that café au lait skin, and then there’s me, dorking it out in my Falcon Messenger uniform.”
Teddy waves me off. He’s heard my buffet of insecurities too many times.
I look around. We’re alone. I lean over the stainless-steel counter. “I wanted to smack her and say, ‘I know what you did to my brother.’”
Teddy stops. His large, dark eyes consider me. “I thought about what ya said, about us accepting the shit they pull on us. Like we’re not as good. Why should she get away with turning Cody into a killer?”
My pulse picks up. “Yes! People should know he died a hero.”
“Ya know what ya gotta do, Dahl.”
I shake my head.
“Your plan to connect her to that night.”
“Admit to the cops we’re murderers?”
“You’re smart. You’ll think of something.” He smiles, eyes tender. He moves the sweaty strands of hair that have fallen over my eye behind my ear, kisses the inside of his hand, and cradles my face.
My eyes tear up. Best brother a girl could have.
My heart swells as I watch him reload the machine with dirty glasses. His unconditional love for me is unfaltering—even when I’m about to do something that could make us lose everything.