Page 95 of Play Pretend

“Her and Brynne are karaoke royalty,” he explained. “They won some competition years ago, and no one has ever beat them. Brynne helped Trinity learn how to sing, and now they come to karaoke night every week.”

“Brynnetaughther how to sing?” I asked.

“Yeah, she’s an incredible singer and musician. Her whole family is.”

I blinked. “Her family?”

“You don’t know?” A smile spread across his face as I shook my head. “Her brother is Mason Hughes.”

My eyes widened. “Are you serious?” My head snapped back to Brynne, and the more I stared at her, the more I started to see the similarities between her and the famous rockstar.

“Don’t tell me he’s your celebrity crush,” he groaned, and I laughed.

“Why? Worried you’ll have some competition?”

“Yeah, actually,” he grumbled, his arm tightening possessively. “He comes to town to visit her sometimes.”

“Oh my god, you’vemethim?” I shouted, nearly leaping out my chair.

“A few times,” he laughed. “Nice kid.”

“Nice kid, he says,” I mumbled. “Like he’s just some random person who isn’t the biggest rockstar in the world right now.”

Ronan chuckled, and before he could say another word, music filled the air. My head snapped back to the stage as the opening of “I Hate Everything About You” by Three Days Grace started playing.

“She isnot,” I breathed. Ronan cackled, his hand resting on his belly and his head thrown back. I glanced at Dean and his friends, finding the latter laughing just as hard. But Dean had his thick arms folded over his chest, glaring.

Trinity and Brynne turned fully toward him and began singing, Brynne’s arm slung over Trin’s shoulders. I laughed until tears leaked from my eyes as they belted the words. They were surprisingly amazing singers, but I didn’t think anyone would care if they were awful. They owned the stage and the crowd.

Everyone cheered when the song ended, and the girls bowed. They pranced off the stage, and Trinity blew a kiss to Dean. I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep my jaw in place.

“What?” Ronan asked, his voice serious. “Do you feel sick?”

“No—” I pointed at the crowd that had just swallowed her up. “You didn’t see…” His brows creased, and I waved dismissively. It wasn’t my place to tell him his little sister might’ve had a crush on her rival. And her rival might’ve had a crush onher. “Never mind.”

Tommy walked on stage, but no one really paid him attention as he grabbed the mic. He had a list in his other hand and quickly scanned the names. “Up next, Ronan Caldwell.”

“You’re gonna sing?” I asked, turning toward him. He shook his head.

“Fuck no.”

Trinity emerged from the crowd with a massive smile on her face.

I giggled at the same time Gracie did. We glanced at each other, then threw our heads back and died in a fit of laughter.

“You have to!” I said, gently nudging him.

“I donotsing,” he said firmly. “No way.”

Trinity jumped up beside him and tugged on his arm. “Come on, big bro!” she cried. “It’s your turn!”

“I am not singing, Trinity.”

“Comeon,” she groaned. “I picked the perfect song.”

“Trin—”

“It’ll be so fun!” I said, and he turned his gaze to me. Our eyes met and held for a long moment, then he let out the longest sigh I’d ever heard.

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