“Avery!” I laughed and tossed a look over my shoulder. My softly curled hair cascaded down my back as I winked at Layne. “Well, I hope it works for you. You’ll have to let me know.”
“Break it up, ladies. The parents are watching,” Benji said, wheeling onto the dance floor and popping a wheelie.
I grabbed his hand, and he pulled me onto his lap. His laugh rumbled through his chest as he wheeled us around. Over the last several weeks, I’d forgotten what it felt like to just let loose and laugh. Thank God I had Avery and Benji to remind me.
I giggled while he spun us around again. “I love you, Benji Parker!”
He placed a kiss on my cheek when the music stopped. “Love you too.” Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and I carefully hopped off his legs.
“Your poor boyfriend has had one hell of a show tonight. First, you’re dancing with a hot chick, then you’re on the gay guy’s lap.” Benji barked out a laugh.
“I have to make sure Layne can handle the real me, which includes you and Avery since you’re my family. We’re a package deal, and he needs to know what he’s getting into.” I laughed softly. “He said he loves me, so we’ll see after tonight.” I wiggled my eyebrows at my best friend.
Benji’s eyes widened. “He told you he loved you?” He took my hand and squeezed, putting aside fun and games.
I nodded, realizing my slip. “I need another shot if I’m going to play soon.”
Benji knew I would fill him in on the details when I was ready, but it wasn’t the right time. I glanced at Layne and tilted my head in the direction of the bar. He grinned and nodded. It was funny how I’d struggled to articulate my thoughts all my life, but with Layne, all I had to do was nod toward Matthew, and he knew I was including him. There was no need to be jealous of the bartender.
Layne and I ordered some more shots and downed them. Loud cheers came from the doorway, and we turned to see who had joined us. Layne took my hand and led me back to the table. Some of Benji’s friends from the swim team had filed in the front door, all talking over each other and slapping him on the shoulder. A wide smile broke out across Benji’s face as he soaked up the love and support.
“He needs this,” I said to Layne.
“We all do. When life sucks, you find out who your real friends are fast.” A distant look clouded his features.
I realized Layne was talking about the tornado and Nicole, and I took his hand. Nothing I could say would ease his pain, but I could show him I loved and supported him.
“Baptize Me” by X Ambassadors and Jacob Banks thumped through the speakers. I placed Layne’s hand over my heart. “Dance with me.”
He walked me to the center of the floor, and the lights dimmed as we closed the gap between us. Layne’s arm slid protectively around me as his hips moved to the song. His head dipped down and his lips brushed mine. Before we knew it, several other couples had joined us, including Justin and Avery. I winked at her, then returned my focus to Layne.
I peeked up at him through my eyelashes while we swayed to the music. “I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Layne Garrison.”
He replied with a slow and tender kiss.
“The night I saw you here at Barney’s, I was terrified. I thought you were behind what Chloe had done to me.” I shook my head at the memory. “I hated you. And now …”
Layne’s thumb gently traced a circle on my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. His eyes filled with desire, but also with love.
“And now I can’t imagine not being by your side.” My heart hammered inside my chest as a flurry of excitement and fear grew in me. “Layne, I—”
Before I could say another word, the music changed, and Matthew’s voice came over the speaker. “Let’s have a big shout-out for Tensley Bennett!”
The small crowd cheered, and Layne and I released each other.
“Good luck,” he said before walking back off the dance floor.
The thunderous applause sent shivers through me, and I hopped up on the stage. Matthew had everything set up for me, including my song choice to start off the performance with.
I tugged on the clear poncho over my clothes and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. The bar grew silent as the lights dimmed, and a spotlight lit up the stage. Blue, red, purple, and yellow paint filled the drum. I grabbed the drumsticks and held them above my head. “Champion” by Bishop Briggs began, and I immediately picked up the beat. Paint bounced in the air, taking on a life of its own as the tip of the sticks connected with the mylar.
Tap, tap, tap. The rhythm coursed through me, giving me a new life as I became one with the music. I jumped to the beat, splattering paint in every direction. The earlier fear and anxiety melted away, and the only thing that existed were the drums and me.
The song ended, and I traded out my sticks and alternated between the bass and snare drums. After tapping an intricate rhythm on the rim of the snare, I moved into the rest of the performance. My heart soared with every beat, and for the first time in my life, I had everything I’d ever dreamed of: an amazing boyfriend, a family, and my music.
20
I allowed myself to dream for just a moment as I finished the routine. The crowd came to life, clapping and cheering as I set my sticks down. My focus landed on Layne. His smile reached his eyes as he yelled my name and pumped his fist in the air. Benji added some catcalls, and I laughed while I removed my poncho. Avery was at my side in seconds, escorting me to the ladies’ room to get cleaned up.
“How in the hell do you get better every time I hear you?” Avery asked, bumping the restroom door open with her hip.
“It’s the emotions.”
“You run a lot deeper than anyone thinks you do, then.” She covered her mouth with her hand, a drunken giggle escaping her. “Hey.” Avery turned the water on for me. “If Justin breaks up with me, do you think we could become lesbian lovers?”
My mouth opened and closed before I found the right word. “No. I like dick. Cock. Penis.”
Avery doubled over with laughter. Shit, how much has she drank tonight?
She gasped, slapping her hand on the sink. “You should have seen your face.”
I folded my paint-spattered arms over my chest. “I’m calling bullshit. What’s going on?”
“Gah! That’s my shirt you’re getting paint on!” She grabbed my hands and pulled them to my sides.
“It’s water-soluble. Relax. What’s going on?” My voice was stern. Something had happened.
“Justin wants to see other people.” Tears streamed down her face, and I pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered while she fell apart in my arms. “Did he leave, or is he still here?”
Avery shook her head while she full-on sobbed. “Gone.”
My chin rested on top of her head. If I understood anything, it was how much it hurt when you wanted to belong to someone.
I brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Let’s hang out tomorrow. Just you and me, okay? We can catch up and just be there for each other.”
She released me and grabbed some tissue from the toilet paper roll in the stall. “I thought this relationship was special … that he was different.” She blew her nose and sighed.