Page 34 of F*cking Shattered

“Why not? You don’t know these people.” He motions around the bar with a wave of his hand. “You’ll never see them again.”

I sit upright and lean across the table. “I thought we were just having dinner and drinks, not worrying about the list right now.”

“We were, but when the opportunity comes along…”

The waitress places our drinks on the table and River hands over the money.

“I’ll be right back,” he says, standing.

I latch onto his hand like if he leaves me sitting alone I might die. “Where are you going?”

He shakes free from my grasp. “Chill. I’m just going to the bathroom.”

I sink back, sipping my drink.

The song ends and the DJ’s voice takes over the bar. “Give a round of applause for Nikki!” The bar breaks out with people clapping and cheering. “Next up, Joooviieee.”

I sit up straight as River comes walking back to the table with a shit-eating grin. He reaches for me, but I dodge away.

“No fucking way.”

He grabs me and pulls me up. “Come on, Jovie. You have to cross it off your list sometime.”

“But why now? Why not tomorrow?”

He laughs in my ear, his breath blowing across my heated skin. “You’re always going to say tomorrow, but tomorrow isn’t promised.” He walks me to the stage and practically pushes me up the two steps.

I turn and look at all the eyes on me. I freeze like a deer caught in the headlights as I’m handed a microphone. The music starts up to Closer by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey.

With all eyes on me, I can’t do it. I can’t sing. I miss the beginning of the vocals and don’t know how to jump in. My eyes flash nervously around the crowd. They’re all staring at me, waiting for me to sing, but I don’t even know how to use my voice right now.

I’m about to drop the microphone and run off stage when River’s voice comes over the speakers, filling the bar. He walks up on the stage, singing the song for me.

He walks up to my side and takes my hand while singing directly to me. My face heats up with all eyes on us. He turns us so my back is to the crowd and every time I try to turn away from him, he directs me back to his eyes. I know it’s his own little way of telling me to focus only on him and not the crowd. When the chorus comes around, he lifts my hand that’s still holding the microphone at my side and raises it to my lips.

I start singing along with him, but my voice is shaking and full of nerves. He places his hand on the base of my neck and pulls me closer, never missing a beat of the song. The closer he gets to me, the further away the crowd gets. My voice grows stronger as I sing along.

When the song wraps up, I’ve completely forgotten all about the crowd. It was just me and him up here, singing to one another. The rush I feel when the crowd cheers makes my face burn with embarrassment.

River bows, eating up the attention, before leading me from the stage.

I try my best to hide my face from the crowd as we walk through to the bar.

“You were amazing, beautiful.” His lips land against mine and it only fuels the rampant emotions pumping through me.

When he pulls away, we’re both breathless. “Check that off your list. I’ll be right back.”

I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t even think to stop him, but he better not do that to me again.

I order us a round of drinks just as a big biker stops at my side. “Hi, gorgeous.” The tip of his wide nose is slightly red, along with his ears. I can tell from looking at him that he is three sheets to the wind.

“Hi.” I smile, hoping that’s all he’s seeking and will leave me alone.

“Did you come here with someone?”

I nod. “Yeah, he just went to use the restroom.”

The bartender places our drinks in front of me and I hand over some cash. I grab the drink and take a sip, hoping the biker at my side takes the hint that I don’t want to talk.

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