Chapter 23 #3
I sip on my martini as Fayid blinks at Nico, and the mood shifts.
It’s entirely unexpected because Fayid is one of the most chatty people I have ever met, and that’s saying something.
A moment goes by, then two, and I start to wonder if I’m going to have to speak for Fayid when he seems to unfreeze and lifts his hands.
‘Fayid.’ He spells it and then gives his sign name. ‘I work with Denver.’
Nico’s eyes are settled on Fayid’s face, his eyes twinkling. ‘Here?’
Fayid coughs in surprise, then shakes his head. He looks nervous, which is really strange, and part of me wants to ask, but I also don’t want to embarrass him. ‘No, at the college. I teach art history.’
‘He has a PhD and is researching Egyptian tombs,’ Archie cuts in, signing for the first time.
Nico gives him a slow up and down, then smirks. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m Nico.’ He gives his sign name and then asks, ‘You want a drink?’
Fayid blinks at him again and then adjusts the collar of his shirt, but he doesn’t answer right away.
‘I can get you anything you want,’ Nico adds, a little suggestively.
Though it’s hard to see in the dim light, I’m pretty sure Fayid’s cheeks have gone a little dark with a flush. ‘No. I don’t drink.’
‘Dance, then?’ Nico offers.
Now I do want to interject because, as far as I know, Fayid is straight. But I don’t need to. Fayid’s Deaf blunt comes out, and he shakes his head. ‘Thank you, no. I’m here with my girlfriend.’ His hand falters a moment, and then he adds, ‘I’m straight.’
Was that a hint of uncertainty I caught in his movements? I glance at his face, but I can’t really tell.
Nico’s expression falls slightly, but he recovers quickly. ‘No problem. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.’
‘No,’ Fayid signs very quickly. ‘Never. It’s very flattering. You’re…’ He hesitates for a second, then swallows heavily. ‘Very pretty.’
Nico seems to preen. ‘Thank you.’ He takes a breath, and then his shoulders sag. ‘So, PhD,’ he says, his wrist twisting. ‘You are smart and straight.’
Fayid nods, swallowing slightly. ‘Yes.’
‘Well, then I guess it’s good you don’t want to stay and talk to me. I’m just a camboy.’
He fingerspells that so fast I almost miss it, but I know Fayid catches it because he looks a little startled. I had no idea that’s what Nico did for a living, but I can see it. He’s very beautiful and sensual in almost every way.
‘That’s also art,’ Fayid signs after a moment of tension, and Nico’s shoulders drop as he relaxes. I feel Archie do the same behind me, and I realize he was probably tense, ready to defend his best friend. ‘There’s no shame in it.’
Nico stares at him for a second, and then he smiles, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘I’m going to go dance. You three have fun!’ He throws his arms over his head and dances back into the crowd, and I feel something in the pit of my stomach.
I don’t know him well, but I can tell he’s upset.
Fayid peers over at me, his cheeks slightly darker. ‘I hope I didn’t upset him.’
Archie shakes his head. ‘He can be insecure. He’ll get over it.’
I want to say something else, but Fayid throws a thumb over his shoulder. ‘I have to go. Daisy is waiting for me.’ And then he disappears without a Deaf goodbye, which is odd since he never does that.
Nico reappears a second later, almost like he was waiting for Fayid to leave, and he rests his hip against the bar. ‘I think he was judging me.’
‘Want me to murder him?’ Archie asks, his hands clipped and not at all subtle. Oleander must clock what Archie signs because he arches an eyebrow at me, and I just shake my head, telling him not to ask.
I set my hand over Archie’s for a second, then turn to Nico. ‘I promise you he’s just awkward. I don’t think he’s used to people coming on to him. It took him six months to realize that his girlfriend was flirting. I think he was surprised.’
Nico looks unconvinced, but he doesn’t get the chance to argue because the room falls into a deep black. Bass hums under my feet, a slow thrumming heartbeat. Archie curls around me a little tighter, letting me know I’m safe.
Then suddenly, a single thread of green light creeps across the ceiling.
It stretches out and bleeds until the entire room is underneath the Arctic sky.
One by one, The Aurora emerges, Indigo’s silhouette cutting through the darkness, her gown lit up, the UV threads in her costume catching the light until she positively ignites.
Behind her, Nova follows, her costume slowly coming to life as well.
I lean against Archie as the gloves they’re wearing light up as they begin to sign.
Every curve of their hands, every movement, leaves ghostly trails through the air before fading.
It’s magical. Even Archie is enthralled.
His lips have left my neck, and he’s watching intently as they begin the show.
For the first time in ages, I don’t think about my stalker or the fact that I’ve been hurt several times in the past few weeks. Instead, I lean back against Archie, my eyes taking in the performance before me, my lips sipping on the sweet drink, and I just exist.
For just this moment, I allow myself to think about nothing.
Everything else can wait.