“Seriously, everyone knows I have the best lips of the group,” Chris jumpsin.
“Jesus, guys,” Huntersays.
“Listen, assholes. I want to go back to Promisetonight.”
Hunter raises an eyebrow atme.
“Two nights in a row?” Chris asks. “What are we, fucking twenty years oldagain?”
“Don’t be a pussy,” Ethansays.
“Seriously, listen to Ethan,” I add,laughing.
“I’m down,” Hunter sayssimply.
“Me too,” Ethan says. “Obviously.”
“Fuck, I don’t know,” Chris says. “I liked that Tori girl. Made me laugh. But I have an early meetingtomorrow.”
“Skip it,” I tellhim.
“I could…” He trails off a second. “Okay, fuckit.
“Jordan?” I ask. “You’requiet.”
“I was thinking. It’s not like you, to want to go back to Promise two nights in arow.”
I hesitate a second. “So what?” I ask. “You seem depressed. Just want to cheer youup.”
“Oh yeah, this is forme?”
I grin at Hunter. “Ofcourse.”
“Personally, I think you want to see Toriagain.”
“Could be,” I concede. I’d rather him think that’s the onlyreason.
I don’t want him to know that I’m worrying about the group. I see things: Ethan’s less interested in music than he was, Chris isn’t working out as hard. We’re losing an edge, getting complacent, getting bored. We need something to feel excited aboutagain.
I think Tori can be that thing, or at least for anothernight.
“All right,” he says finally. “I’m down. But I’m choosing theentertainment.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You got something inmind?”
“Sure do,” he says. “Bring your checkbooks,gentlemen.”
Everyone fucking groans. Jordan loves playing poker, even though he’s awful atit.
“See you tonight, idiots,” Isay.
“Later,” Chrissays.
“Adios,” fromEthan.
“Bye, fucker,” saysJordan.
I hang up the phone and look atHunter.