Page 49 of From You to Me

“Why the eagle tattoo?” I asked and immediately cringed. God, I could feel the awkwardness crackling in the air.Didn’t you have a better question, Evy?I chided myself.

Jay’s hand stilled on his mug while he cast his eyes to mine. “It looked cool. The designer suggested it.”

“Yes, the designer, right! I thought you had a thing for eagles.” I laughed, but it came out more like a struggling door hinge.

He gave me a weird look while he finished his tea.

This was your cue to shut the fuck up and stop embarrassing yourself, Evy.

“Guys, it’s time,” Katy hollered.

Jay slid on his leather jacket over the black tank that he wore for the show.

“They were incredible, weren’t they?” Lily smiled, linking her arm with mine as we followed them.

“Yeah. They were so good. I sent Gabe so many pictures to get revenge on him for sending me cute photos of Strawberry. God, I miss my baby.” I pouted.

“She’s the cutest thing ever!”

I agreed.

To say I was underdressed at this after-party would be an understatement because I was terribly dressed. It didn’t even strike my mind that I would attend exclusive events and parties like this, so I didn’t pack one nice dress. All I packed were sensible assistant clothes.

By the time we tied things up at the meet and greet, it was so close to midnight. But no, the night certainly did not end there, especially in the life of rock stars.

My eyelids dropped again; I was trying so hard to fight the sleep clawing at me. All I wanted was to go home and crash, but no, Lily dragged me with, saying she would feel left alone.

I rubbed my hand over the simple black T-shirt that I wore while my jean-clad knee bounced in a frenzy. I felt very insecure in this crowd. Everyone was dressed to impress.

In glimmering jewels, shiny shoes, and silky cocktail dresses, the women in this room were impeccable. Even Lily had on a cute dress.

“Are you sure you don’t want a drink, Evy?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. After the fiasco at The Box, I was choosing momentary sobriety.

The blaring techno beat snuck its way inside my head, increasing the ache. How long do I have to be here?

Just then, two giggling girls made their way to our booth.

“J.J., it’s so good to see you,” said the one in a tight red dress.

Jay grinned, immediately shooting up from his seat and pulling her into a hug.

Fuck, there goes the sword through my gut.

“Alice, likewise,” he muttered.

Her friend greeted Katy and the rest of them, even Lily. It looked like they all knew each other.

Was it possible to feel alone in a room full of crowded people? Because I did. So small and so alone.

I averted my gaze to my hand gripping the glass of water.

A shrill laugh made my eyes dash straight to Jay and his new companion. I swallowed the bubbling lump down my throat. They both were talking animatedly; she was so close to him that her legs might as well be on his lap.

They acted eerily comfortable with each other, and I just knew, I could somehow feel it. I knew in my bones they were well acquainted, not just as friends.

The fact that Jay might have fucked her at one point made it all the more hard to watch. It was a cruel punishment that the universe was testing me with again and again.

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