Chapter 5 #2
“You are all so exhausting,” Vivian says, shaking her head. “Can’t we just agree that it was hot and move on?”
“Nope,” Tasia says, grinning as she leans back. “I’m with the group on this one. The angst and mutual respect made it work.”
“Thank you,” I say, raising my palm in approval.
“I tell it like it is,” Tasia replies with a lopsided grin.
“Okay, but can we talk about the part where Bradley almost burned the library down with that candle?” Carlie says, laughing. “That felt a little excessive.”
“Agreed,” Lily says, nodding. “It’s always a candle with these romance heroes. They need to learn about LED lighting.”
I snicker under my breath.
Quinn shakes his hand dramatically. “Oh, but the candle was symbolic, darling. The burning passion, the reckless abandon—it’s practically poetry.”
“It’s practically arson,” Tasia counters, her grin widening. “Symbolism doesn’t matter if you burn down the setting.”
The group dissolves into laughter again, and I let out a small chuckle despite myself. It’s these moments—when the Dirty B’s are in full chaotic harmony—that almost make me forget about everything else.
Almost.
I shudder, thinking about who will be waiting for me at my house when I get there.
With that, I reach out, pouring myself a generous glass of Vivian’s expensive French wine.
I take a big old sip, savoring the flavor and hoping it gives me the buzz I need to not care that my house has been invaded by the enemy.
Vivian claps her hands, reclaiming the spotlight. “Alright, enough about the book. Let’s talk about something more exciting—like karaoke night.”
Tasia groans. “You’re still on about that?”
“Yes,” Vivian says, her excitement undeterred. “Lily told me Nocté’s doing a big karaoke night tomorrow and I want us to win it. It’s going to be fabulous. Lights, drinks, and the chance to absolutely destroy a Britney Spears classic. What’s not to love?”
“I can think of several things,” I mutter, leaning back into the loveseat.
“Come on, Anna,” Vivian says, pouting. “When was the last time you did something fun?”
“Fun is subjective,” I reply.
“Viv’s got a point,” Lily adds. “You haven’t been out in forever. Unless you count trips to the grocery store as wild nights.”
“I’m busy,” I say, shrugging. “Some of us have jobs.”
“And some of us know how to multitask,” Vivian retorts. “Besides, you don’t have to work on Friday night. You work for yourself, woman. No excuses.”
“I’ll pass,” I say, already scrolling again to signal the conversation is over.
But Lily, the only one in the world who knows my history with music chimes in, “Anna, it could be good for you. A chance to blow off some steam. You’ve seemed… tense lately.”
“I’m fine,” I reply quickly. Too quickly.
Lily tilts her head, her serene gaze locking onto me with that unnerving way she has of reading too much into everything. “You’ve been working non-stop, Anna. One night won’t kill you. And honestly? It would mean a lot to me if you came.”
“I’m literally out right now.” I glance up from my phone, narrowing my eyes. “Wait, why would it mean a lot to you?”
“Because I’ve been planning this event for weeks,” she says, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Do you know how hard it was to get London to approve a karaoke night? I practically had to write a thesis on how it would bring in a crowd. Now, it’s my event, and I want my friends to be there. Is that so wrong?”
“Uh-oh, she’s pulling the guilt card,” Quinn says, hiding behind his wine glass.
“You bet I am,” Lily replies cheerfully. “I worked my ass off to make this happen, and I’d really love it if we all went and made it awesome. Just for one night.”
Vivian perks up immediately. “Well, you already know I’m in. I’ve been waiting for a good excuse to belt out some Britney.”
“Same. Well, not the Britney part,” Quinn says, rolling his hand slightly. “But I am calling dibs on ‘Like a Prayer.’ You can’t stop me.”
Tasia groans again, shaking her head. “You people are too much. But fine, I’ll come. Someone needs to be the adult and keep you all from embarrassing yourselves.”
Carlie raises her glass, her dimples showing as she grins. “I’m in too. Karaoke, booze, and friends? What’s not to love?”
All eyes turn to me.
“Don’t look at me,” I say, sinking further into the loveseat in the hopes it swallows me whole. “I already said no.”
Lily leans forward, her expression softening. “Anna, please. You don’t have to sing. Just come, have a drink, and laugh at the rest of us. That’s it.”
My chest tightens. Part of me wants to tell her to let it go, to leave me out of this and focus on her perfect, chaotic event.
But another part—the traitorous, buried part—wants to say yes. A night of witnessing these morons try to sing sounds mildly hilarious.
Plus, ever since Joel’s been back, I can’t ignore the part of me that remembers how it felt to stand on a stage, microphone in hand, and let the music take over. The part I’ve buried so deep that even acknowledging it feels like playing with fire.
Crap.
I swallow hard, pushing the thought aside. “Fine,” I hear myself say. “But don’t expect me to sing.”
The group erupts in cheers, clinking glasses like we’ve just won a championship.
“You’ll love it,” Vivian says, beaming. “And if not, at least you’ll have a bar close by.”
“Or terrible performances to mock,” Tasia adds.
“Probably both,” Quinn says, winking at me.
Lily leans closer, her voice just loud enough for me to hear over the noise. “Thank you,” she says softly.
I don’t respond, just take a long sip of wine.
As the laughter swirls around me, I tell myself it’s fine. It’s just one night.
And yet, the thought of stepping into Nocté for a night of singing makes my chest ache with something I can’t name.