Page 87 of Unspoken Rules

She rolls her eyes. “I love what I do, but I keep thinking about being the one to deliver the babies and it makes me so happy.”

“Then you should do it.”

She chews on her lip, absently nodding. “It’s just so much more schooling.”

“But if you want to do it, you should.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but the music cuts off and someone is on the stage speaking into a microphone. His long wavy hair is down, covering some of his face. Tight jeans, beat up converse, a red t-shirt, and blue flannel. He looks like Onyx. Who, come to think of it, I haven’t seen here yet. Chris said he was coming though.

“Rockers and rockettes! Thank you for joining us tonight. We have an amazing line-up for you, including two local bands!” Everyone claps and whoops. As I look around, I realize the place got packed just while Mila and I were chatting. “Just hang tight for a little bit longer—our first band will be up soon.”

The guy leaves the stage and people hop up to set up equipment.

Mila wraps her arms around me suddenly. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

“Me too,” I respond when she pulls back. She holds my gaze for a minute, and I can tell she wants to say something. “Out with it.”

She grins, but then it falls. “Do you regret going to RISD?”

I think about it for a moment. “I don’t regret doing what I wanted to do. Art is what I love, and once I find a job, it’ll be even better. I can’t say I regret going there. I just know it would have been easier if I hadn’t.”

“But you wouldn’t be happy.”

“I wouldn’t be happy,” I agree.

“Have you talked to your father?”

“Not since before I moved in with Chris. Why do you ask?”

“Just making conversation.” She reaches for her soda and takes a long sip.

“Hey!” I look up at the excited voice and there’s Tomas. “Is this seat taken?” he asks, pointing to the one across from me.

“Nope,” I answer. He pulls the chair out to sit. “I’m guessing you two know each other?” I ask, pointing between the two of them.

They smile at each other. “We do,” Tomas answers as Mila nods.

“We’ve hung out many late nights together while our brothers practice,” she says, then looks at me. “How do you know one another?”

Tomas raises a brow at me as if putting the ball in my court.

“We know each other from before I left and ran into one another at your house.” I explain the simplest way possible.

“Small world,” she says, hiding her smile behind her cup.

“You come to all the shows?” I ask Tomas.

“Not usually, but I didn’t have anything else to do tonight. This your first one?”

“Outside of the garage and high school, yes.”

He gets to his feet. “I’m going to grab a drink. You want anything?” he asks, looking between both of us.

We both tell him we’re all set. I look for Chris and find him sitting at a table with the same guys he’s been talking to. He looks good. And he isn’t drinking anything.

“So, you and Tomas?” Mila asks, nudging me with her shoulder.

I shake my head. “Not like that. He’s nice, but not my type.”

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