Page 14 of Marked By Night

“If by that you mean look at a bunch of overpriced items we can’t afford? Then sure, let’s go for it!”

She snorts but doesn’t correct me.

If I had cash to spare it wouldn’t be such a big deal but seeing as I’m recently unemployed and I don’t have a hot sugar daddy lined up to pay all my bills, I need my extra money for necessities.

I pick up a rose-colored hoodie and check the price tag for the hell of it. My eyes almost bulge out of my head. Who charges seventy-five bucks for a dang hoodie? Why is concert merch so expensive? Oh, wait! Because people pay these idiotic prices. Not this broke girl though. I’m someone who spends the least amount of money on an item as possible. If there isn’t a coupon, I’m not buying it.

Technically, I could afford a shirt or CD with the money Red gave me, but I’m too terrified something will happen, and I’ll be fifty bucks short. Because that’s exactly how life tends to go for me.

After glancing at everything and choking at a few more price tags, I decide to stop torturing myself and meet Ash outside when she’s done looking. As I’m about to exit, a sparkle catches my eye and my legs practically move of their own accord over to the rack where a small silver chain dangles from one of the display cases, taunting me. I reach out, fingering it gently.

The symbol dangling from the chain is small but unbelievably detailed, displaying a miniature lunar phase chart encased in triangles with a strangle symbol in the middle. It feels so out of place with all the band merchandise. Still, it beckons to me like a siren singing an alluring tune. Even my skin prickles with awareness as I finger it slightly.

I’m overwhelmed with an irrational need for this necklace, but I decide not to torture myself and even look for a price tag. I’m willing to bet money it’s out of my price range. Instead, I leave the tent as I’d intended.

While I wait for Ash, my thoughts start to wander, spiraling to the dark side but I shove them away. For one night I want to be able to let loose with my best friend at my side. No worrying about work and how I got fired, or how we are going to continue paying our bills and keep a roof over our heads, or the weird conversation we had before we left the duplex.

Nope. We’ll find a way to make it work. We always do. Besides, these are problems for tomorrow Sadie—tonight Sadie is going to enjoy the festival without any heavy thoughts weighing her down.

I freeze when a familiar glint catches my eye and I watch from the shadows as a man eyes the exquisite necklace. He lifts the price tag, smirking as he takes it off the rack. Watching him walk toward the cashier gives me the strongest urge to chase after him, snatch it from his hands, and demand that he gives me the necklace. I refrain—barely.

He hands the cashier a bundle of crisp one-hundred-dollar bills and my nose crinkles. Who brings that much cash to a concert? Seems like the best way to get robbed to me, but what do I know?

What? I said this crowd isn’t judgmental. I never said we were saints.

When the man swings around, clutching the necklace between his fingers like a prize, I swear our gazes lock and the corner of his lips lift in an infuriating smirk.

Before I can analyze it too much, a hand waves in front of my face.

Ash snaps her fingers and the trance fizzles. “Uh, earth to Sadie. Have you even been listening? I’ve been standing here talking to you for like five minutes.”

I grimace, turning around to give her a sheepish look.

“I’ll take that as a no. What were you staring at?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I grumble. For some reason, I don’t tell her and I’m not sure why I’m suddenly so grouchy about the subject. She gives me the side-eye, but I wave her off and she doesn’t bring it up again.

Suddenly the path in front of us parts, revealing a man doing some wicked dance moves. A few of the others in the crowd start rapping a beat to cheer him on. The dancing man seems oddly familiar, but all I can make out is his blonde hair bouncing as he spins. His corded muscles contract as his lithe body shifts with each perfectly executed move.

Blondie drops to the ground, using his hands to propel him around, then he flips up on one hand and twists, repeating the motions with his feet in the air. He looks downright wicked as he does all sorts of turns and circles. His shirt slips down, highlighting a set of drool-worthy abs that would turn any girl on. The ladies go wild for him as they chant and cheer him on, Ash and I included.

The dancer notes the crowd’s positive reaction to his near shirtless perfection, and he rips it off entirely while continuing to dance. Wonder if he knows any wicked moves in bed? I’ve heard dancers are creative lovers.

Is it getting hotter out here or is it me?

We watch, completely captivated by him until the next thing I know, there are six more performers lined up competing in a dance-off. Everyone is cheering them on, but my eyes are on Blondie still.

Eventually, the other competitors drop out but Blondie is still going strong. When he realizes he’s the last one standing, he does a backflip which makes the crowd roar their approval. The cheering crowd floods in to congratulate him for winning all at once. Hell, one girl even tosses him her panties.

“Think I should throw mine in for good measure?” Ash asks, admiring the scene with a raised eyebrow.

“Maybe… I’m right there with you.” She starts to reach under her dress, presumably for said panties, but I slap her hand away. “I was kidding! Christ, Ash!”

She snorts. “I’m screwing with you, babe. Besides, I’m not wearing any, anyway.”

Oh, she did not say that… And judging by the gleam in her eye, she’s telling the truth too. I gape at her and do a double-take at her skirt. One wrong move and she really will be flashing her goods to everyone.

“Okaaay,” I shake my head, laughing. “On that note, I think it’s time we move toward the stage and secure our spot. Looks like the first band is setting up.”

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