Page 95 of Electric Touch

“Two nights before we left New York. Jordan thinks is good idea to clear the air.”

I’m not sure how to feel about that.

“I tell her to her face she is bitch, and stupid, and needs to grow up. Jordan thinks it was harsh.”

“That is pretty blunt. Even for you.”

“She needs to stop being stupid. I had to hold her hair while she vomit,” she scrunches up her nose. “Jordan,” she sighs. “He think I should be friends because she is in band, and needs to know she is welcome. It’s your fault.”

“How’d you figure that?” I huff, putting my hands on my hips.

“Jordan says if you can forgive and allow her to stay, we all can. He is annoying.”

“Less, I thought you were okay with her?”

She sweeps her hair back and adjusts her glasses. “We are fine. I did not like that behaviour and made sure she knew. Now she knows. Won’t do it again. Which is why I am happy to see you are happy. Moving on, tak?”

“Yeah, maybe.” I tilt the corner of my lip in a half smile. Adrestia’s face fills my mind.

I’m shocked as shit to realise I haven’t asked Alessa how dinner went. What Brent is like, or what she actually means about not liking him. Because I don’t care.

“Anyway. I am leaving.” She walks away.

“Good talk,” I say to the empty space.

We are due to head back to New York tomorrow. The plan is to stay at the hotel tonight and drive back on the bus first thing as Dec has a meeting. It’s not a top-of-the-line bus with beds, because we have not needed to sleep overnight while we travelled. It’s decent, with spacious seating and an area to make drinks.

“Broski,” Jack shouts me over. “Where’s she going? Let me guess, back to Jordan? Damn, that girl is whipped. Never mind people talking about him being a puppy dog, and all the shit she gives him.” He shakes his head. “She loves being his bitch.”

“Dude,” Dylan slaps Jack’s stomach with the back of his hand.

“Say that again, asshole.”

“You know I don’t mean it in a nasty way,” Jack says to Ciro.

“Calling her a bitch isn’t nasty?” Ciro folds his arms.

“Nah, and Less would know that ain’t what I mean,” Jack replies, completely nonplussed.

“He’s probably right,” I say. “She’d wear that title like a crown.”

Ciro’s eyes cut to mine, his lip twitches in agreement.

“Anyway, we’re going to a bar with the other bands. No one is backing out.” Jack grabs Ciro around the neck and puts their faces way too close to be safe. “No one, Fuentes.”

Ciro pushes him off but doesn’t disagree. I guess we’re all going out.

As we head out of the venue, the guys from Sentinel are waiting for us. The other bands say they’ll catch a cab and see us there, giving us shit for having security.

“So, I’m sure we’re all okay with this, but Riley is en route to the club,” Jack says. “She’s with a couple of her friends, the make-up chick and that girl, her friend Shirley.”

“Shirley,” Dylan laughs. “Sharlene,” he corrects. “But I’m so gonna call her Shirley.”

“Well, I don’t care what she calls me, she’s hot,” Jack grins. “So, you good with it?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask.

“Because last time we all went out to a club, she misbehaved.”

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