Page 4 of Goodbye Note

“Anything.”

He tilted his head. “Not too young to drink, are you?”

“I’m twenty-one.”

“A baby.”

I scoffed. “Only a couple of years younger than you, I bet.”

“Three, but every year in this industry ages you ten, so you’re a sweet summer child compared to my ancient ass.” He winked.

“Does that make you, like, two hundred and fifty? Are you a vampire or something?”

“Why? Want me to suck your blood?” The amusement reached his eyes this time.

“I’m not saying no…”

He shook his head, full of amusement or so I hoped, and nodded for me to follow him. A few people tried to stop Varian but he begged them off with a finesse that wasn’t rude and left them wanting more. He had to be expert at this networking game, so why had he been hiding in the corner?

I’d heard he hated being the center of attention, but would anyone really choose this life if they hated every part of it? I found it draining but exhilarating when I wasn’t hating myself; I enjoyed all the parts that came with it.I loved people consuming my art. Fans dancing in the crowd, screaming lyrics at the top of their lungs. The attention. The traveling, though we hadn’t done much of that yet.

The bartender stopped in his tracks, starstruck. I leaned on the polished wood top, observing the interaction. He gushed over Varian for a minute before asking for his order.

“Jack and coke.” He looked at me.

“Same.”

The bartender did a double take. “This is your album, right?” He pointed at the ceiling.

“That’s right.”

“Cheers. It’s damn good. You two friends?” he asked as he made our drinks.

Varian glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. “I think so. I’ll get back to you after the ritual.”

“Ritual?” I asked with half a laugh. “Is there a blood vow, too?”

Varian leaned in. “Only if you insist.”

“Then I insist,” I said before I considered the meaning or implication. My chest stirred.

“I thought I was a vampire. Am I a witch now?”

“Can’t you be both? Let’s keep it kinky.”

His lips pulled against the unevenness from his scar as he smiled. “I think this friendship is going swimmingly, don’t you?” he asked the bartender as he accepted the drink.

The bartender laughed, smiling at Varian like he put the stars in the sky. “If you want a third wheel…”

“I’ll let you know,” Varian said before glancing around.

“Who do you have left to talk to?”

I brought my drink to my lips, running through all the faces and names. “I lost track. It’s getting late.” I didn’t want to go schmooze anyone else. I wanted to be here with Varian.

“Would you want to go find someplace more quiet? The lights are starting to give me a migraine.” The glint in his almost black eyes looked hopeful.

“Where?”

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