Page 26 of Marked By Night

Me: You know I can handle myself. Now get that rock star D!

She sends back a series of eggplant and peach emojis making me burst out laughing. Dante looks over at me with his signature smirk in place but he doesn’t comment.

While the next band is setting up, Dante and Kaos lead me toward the VIP section. I figure we’ll head around it any second now, opting for the bleachers in the field, but no, it seems like Kaos is heading straight for it. As much as I’d love to have bought a VIP ticket, Ash and I couldn’t afford it. They were triple the regular admission. A burst of giddiness flutters through me. Are we about to hop the entrance? Because I am so down. I don’t voice my thoughts though and go with the flow.

Much to my disappointment, nothing nefarious happens. We literally walk right past the bouncer who takes one look at Kaos and Dante and doesn’t even bat an eyelash at me. Where were they when Skylar and I tried to sneak into an I Prevail concert and got caught? We ended up sitting outside the building and listening to the heavy music anyway.

We hop into the seats at one of the tall tables, giving me an unobstructed view of the stage. Yes, I’m smug about our new seating arrangements. Why didn’t we do this earlier? Short people and standing room concerts do not mix. Although, I enjoy the music anyway, so I still go. But there’s nothing worse than the view of the back of someone’s head the entire show. Like damn, us shorties need to see too.

A server comes rushing over. He’s a squirrely looking guy, with long hair tied back into a bun at the nape of his neck. He barely looks old enough to serve. Kaos takes the liberty to order for everyone, but I stop the server before he can leave.

“A soda for me instead, please.”

His attention flickers over to Kaos who nods and then the server scurries off.

What the heck?

“Can I not order for myself?” I question.

“Of course, you can, Angel.” Dante chuckles. “I think he was just nervous.”

“Do you not drink?” Kaos inquires.

I shake my head no, not elaborating further.

Talk about a sore subject. My uncle was a raging alcoholic in addition to being a shitty human being all around. His beatings were always worse when he was three sheets to the wind.

Not to mention, it tastes horrendous and the feeling it gives you is only temporary, anyway. When the high is gone, you still have to face the music.

One of his eyebrows raises, but he doesn’t question it further, likely sensing my reluctance to talk about the situation. “I’ll be sure to ask before ordering next time.”

Next time, eh? We’ll see.

The three of us sit in companionable silence, savoring the music until the server comes bustling back a few minutes later with one of those huge round serving trays—the ones you carry on your shoulder. He stumbles and I’m a hundred percent certain all that delicious-looking food is going to end up on the ground, but he manages to right himself at the last second.

“Nice catch,” I say as he sits the mound of food on the table. “There’s a lot of people that say serving isn’t a real job, but don’t listen to them.” He doesn’t make eye contact with me and scurries off before anything else can be said. I frown. What a strange kid.

Dante glances over at me. “I take it you’re a server, then?”

“Sure am. Or well, I was until I got fired yesterday.”

Kaos picks up a giant smoked turkey leg off a plate, watching me with those sharp eyes of his. “What will you do now?” he says, but I’m too busy scoping out the food to really hear him.

The platter of cheese fries sitting in front of me makes my mouth water as the delicious scent of gooey goodness wafts into my nostrils. My stomach rumbles loudly, reminding me that I haven’t eaten yet today. Hopefully, they don’t mind me digging in. There are the usual fair-type foods, but my eyes keep going back to the fries. And my Gods, is that chili?

Sold.

I unravel one of the metal forks from a biodegradable paper napkin which makes me happy. At least someone is doing something to help save the turtles.

Immediately, I dive into the cheese fries, groaning when the saltiness hits my taste buds. Then I remember Kaos asked me a question. “Um...” I pause around a mouthful of food. WhatwillI do now?

A friend from high school called me this morning wanting to confirm the rumors. Apparently, the man I upset has been spreading the word around town that I’m a menace to society. Exactly what I need. Although, he’s not exactly wrong.

“I have no idea. I haven’t really thought that far ahead,” I say, but that’s a lie. I’ve stressed about it all day. However, there’s no need to spill all my burdens on them, considering I’ve known them all of a few hours.

As I shovel another fork full into my mouth I ask myself why haven’t I eaten today? Oh, right. Too busy working on my car and getting ready for the concert. Not to mention there’s barely any food left in our refrigerator. This week’s paycheck was going to pay for groceries. When the silence drags on, I glance up and find Dante staring at me so intently—or my mouth, rather—both with wide eyes.

I grimace. “What? Do I have something on my face?” I didn’t think I was being that messy but maybe I was. I wipe my face with my napkin to be sure.

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