We stood still staring at each other while everyone else around us cheered. Hades brushed a strand of hair from my face. The subtle touch of his fingertips grazing my cheek made me shudder.
“Oh, my God! That. Was. Amazing. I felt like I was watching the movie all over again,” Sara said, grabbing my shoulders.
I gulped and slipped away from him.
“You two, okay?” Sara asked with a crinkled brow.
Hades’ eyes glinted. “Never better.”
“Well, come accept your award.” She grabbed our hands and dragged us toward the stage.
“They haven’t announced the winners yet,” I said, laughing.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, please. You guys were smoking. And the only couple who did the lift.”
A resort worker walked out on stage with a microphone and envelope. “I’m sure I know whose names are in this envelope, but may I announce the winners?
The crowd cheered, pointing at Hades and me. I turned to face him, shoving my forehead into his shoulder. My inner introvert screamed. Being the center of attention made me want to crawl in a hole. Hades’ body tensed.
“And the winners are…” He opened the envelope, paused, and smiled. “Stephanie and Ha—des. Hades? Did I read that right?”
Heat sprung up the back of my neck as Hades led me to the stage. The resort worker handed us an envelope. “Tomorrow evening, we’re having a special guest. And you two have been given VIP access.”
“A band?” I asked, peeking into the envelope. Inside were two badges, and once I read the name Apollo’s Suns, I almost lost it. “Apollo’s Suns?”
Hades rolled his eyes.
“That’s right! Not only will you watch the entire concert from the wings, but you’ll also get the opportunity to meet the band itself.”
“I’m overjoyed,” Hades said monotone.
I slapped him on the shoulder with the envelope. “They’re one of my favorite bands.”
“Of course, they are.”
As we walked off stage, I grabbed his arm, turning him to face me. “Can you stay through tomorrow?”
He licked his lips, holding his head low. “Does the concert mean that much to you?”
“Well, I hoped to watch it with you, but I also can’t be so selfish as to keep you from wandering souls.” It alarmed me how normal that sounded.
“I doubt one more day will hurt. I’ll stay for the concert and then I have to go back.” His jaw tightened. “In the meantime, I have a few things I must do. I’ll meet you back here tomorrow night.”
I frowned. “You’re not sticking around?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He curled his hand around the back of my neck and kissed my forehead.
He turned away and walked off before I had another chance to protest.
It was our last day in paradise, and I was depressed for more reasons than one. Admittedly, the thought of never seeing Hades again was at the top of the list. I sat on the stool of the swim-up bar next to Sara, who was with Guy. Sara leaned into Guy, and they couldn’t stop smiling at each other. The ice had melted long ago in my hurricane drink, diluting the color to pale orange. I stared into my glass, stirring its contents.
“We’re going to have to go on vacation more often,” Sara said.
I took a sip. It tasted so watered down it made my nose scrunch. “Why?”
“Look how depressed you are.”
Not over what she thought. “Yeah. More brain breaks couldn’t hurt honestly.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” She shook my shoulders.
“Too bad you girls aren’t sticking around for one more day,” Guy said, tossing his hair from his face.
“Why’s that?” Sara asked.
He grinned and moved his face closer to hers. “Because we’re here one more day.”
I bit down on my straw with such force it cracked. “I think the concert is a perfect end to our vacation.”
“Oh man, Apollo’s Suns? Their singer is steaming,” Sara said, fanning herself. “And you finally get to meet him, Steph.”
Guy smirked, taking a long guzzle of his drink. “If you like the blonde pretty boy look.”
“Methinks someone is jealous,” I said, elbowing Sara.
She elbowed me back. “Methinks you’re right.”
“I can hear you. You know that, right?” Guy asked.
Sara grabbed a cocktail napkin. “Can I borrow a pen?” She asked the bartender. After scribbling a series of numbers, she slid the napkin to Guy. “Tell you what, Canuck. You ever want a tour of Chicago, you let me know.”
Guy’s eyes sparkled. “Chicago isn’t too far away.”
“Not at all,” she responded, popping the cherry from her drink into her mouth.
Seeing them so happy made me nauseous. I’d grown feelings for Hades, and here he was about to crawl back underground to play soul keeper. “I’m going to get a refill.”
“Why don’t you get it from this bar?” Sara asked, but I didn’t look back.
I slurped down the rest of my drink and waded through the pool. Once I reached the bar Hades frequented, I plopped my empty glass down and pointed at it. “Another hurricane, please.”
Michelle emerged from a corner of the walkway. I crouched my head down, as if I were a turtle with a shell, hoping Rupert didn’t follow her. Much to my dismay, he did. I tensed, moving to the opposite side of the bar. Michelle’s face looked pain-stricken, and she wrapped Rupert’s arm around her shoulders. Most of the color had drained from his face, and he clutched his side like he had a stab wound.
They passed by the bar, Michelle dropping him several times as she dragged him along. I ran over to them. “Michelle, do you need help? What’s going on?”
She shook her head frantically. Rupert groaned. “He has a stomach bug or something. I’m taking him to the infirmary. I’m fine. Thank you.”
Stomach bug? I had my fair share and didn’t remember looking that bad. I stepped away, feeling guilty for not being able to help.
“Why the frown?” Keith asked, appearing beside me.
Rupert’s business was his business.
“Last day,” I said.
“Ah. Yeah, that’s always a bit of a downer.” He patted his hips, looking around.
We stood there for a few awkward moments.
“Everything good with, uh, Hades?” He scratched the back of his head.
“Hm?” Between Hades and the enigma that was Rupert, my mind couldn’t concentrate on the present moment. “Yeah. He had some business stuff to take care of, but he’ll be at the concert tonight.”
“Cool.” He nodded. “Well, it was good talking to you.”
“You too.”
He brushed past me, and I slapped a hand over my face. Tonight couldn’t get here fast enough.
I waited outside of the atrium, bouncing around on my heels. Hades was running late. It was like first date jitters. Only this wasn’t a date and not the first time I’d hung around Hades. I wanted to make the most of it. The final night together. I wrung my hands together before clasping them around the lanyard on my neck. Maybe he had to go back and didn’t have time to tell me?