Page 122 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Oh, really? Is he in the musical theatre program as well?”

“He is,” Kim nods with a relaxed smile. “He seems to really be enjoying it so far. He’ll be auditioning for the spring production coming up. Have you given any thought to trying out for a part?”

Nora bashfully looks down at her plate. “I think so. I just haven’t figured out what song and monologue I want to audition with.”

“You’ve got winter break to think about it.” My stepmum swirls around the dark red wine in her glass before taking a long drag against it.

I find myself doing the exact same.

“You going to rope Theo into getting involved in the production, too?”

I choke as I go to swallow the bitter-sweet liquid. “Fuck no.”

Kimberley chuckles. “And why not? They’ll need a lead piano player for the orchestra. Plus, everyone knows the legacy your name holds on campus. You might just bring in a good crowd—”

“It’s not happening.”

Nora looks over at me, a pleading look in her blue eyes. “Oh, come on, it could be fun!”

“Sitting for hours playing bloody show tunes? Sounds like it.”

Nora giggles. “Don’t act like you don’t love them. Why don’t you tell Kim about that new little playlist on your phone?”

Heat rushes up my neck, a tad bit of embarrassment warming my cheeks. I send Nora a warning glare.

Kim plays right along with my girl’s mockery. “Oh, please enlighten me.”

I roll my eyes. “There’s no playlist.”

However, that’s a damn lie. I’ve curated an entire one full of Nora’s favorite musicals on my phone—and it is hours long. Not for me, of course, just for her to have something to listen to when she stays at my place. It gets her singing along, and I’m fucking crazy about that raspy but soft voice of hers.

It’s sung me to sleep a good handful of times.

My chest—the house—becomes lighter after our exchange of banter, and it’s all because of her. Nora brings a sense of comfort to every encounter she has. She has this peace about her that could swallow up an entire room.

She’s a light that could consume every person in its wake—a light that’s willing to embrace every bit of darkness inside of me.

The sound of the front door clicking open echoes ominously through the house, interrupting my short-lived, blissful thoughts. My throat goes dry, and I stiffen in my seat, hating how quickly my calm composure managed to flee from my grasp.

The steady thrum of footsteps fills the abrupt silence that has fallen over the three of us, and the tightness in my jaw returns.

Kim perks up in her seat. “That must be your brother.”

My rapid pulse becomes a painful pounding in my head as his steady stride grows louder—closer.

Nora’s hand laces in mine like a silent, gentle reminder—I’m right here with you.

My stepbrother’s silhouette fills the doorway. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

I hardly even recognize his voice.

Something about that twists like a dull knife in my chest.

I force my eyes down at the table as he enters the dining room, unable to find the will to look his way or acknowledge him.

Nora sucks in a shallow breath beside me.

“Ellie, meet my son, Connor,” Kim introduces. “Connor, this is Theo’s girlfriend, Ellie.”

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