Page 2 of Bitter Beats

I don’t knowhow long I sleep, but it feels like seconds pass before the loud ringing of my alarm jars me awake.

I silence it and glance at the time. I have an hour before I need to leave for campus and my first class, Intellectual Property.

Dragging myself from bed, I shower, dig into my suitcase for a pair of jeans and a sweater, and pull my long reddish-brown hair into a ponytail. It used to be lighter. A flirty strawberry-blonde shade that I darkened my 2L year when I decided to look more serious. Less approachable.

My phone rings, and I grin when I see Allegra’s name. “Why are you even awake?”

She laughs. “Haven’t gone to bed yet, Kenny.”

“The life of a rockstar,” I joke.

“The life ofdatinga rockstar,” she clarifies. “But it’s good to be back in LA. I had a girls’ night with Nova and Ivy last night.” Allegra yawns. “And sweet little Stella.”

I grin, thinking of my friend Nova’s adorable baby girl. “Nova’s in town?”

“Yeah. West’s team is playing in LA this weekend. Nova came by with the baby for dinner but left early to put Stella to sleep. Ivy just left like ten minutes ago.”

I glance at my phone. “It’s four in the morning for you.”

Allegra giggles. “I know, right? It was long overdue. We missed you.”

I sigh, a wave of nostalgia bubbling in my chest. The four of us lived together for the first three years of college. Allegra took a leave of absence before our senior year to figure out her future, but we remained close even after she started dating Derek. “I miss you girls, too.”

“And we talked about you.”

I snort. “All good things?”

Allegra chuckles. “Of course. And…about you crashing at the brownstone. Look, I don’t know when he’s going to show, but you need to play nice with Maverick.”

I cringe at his name. “He kept me awake last night with loud, obnoxious sex noises.”

“He’s there?” Allegra asks. “Derek and I sent him messages, but they all went unanswered. I wanted to give him a heads-up about your arrival but assumed he’s still in Costa Rica.”

“He’s back,” I confirm.

“Well, be nice.”

“I don’t get how you and he are friends.”

She laughs again. “He says the same thing about you.”

I roll my eyes. He would say something dumb like that. “Whatever. I’ll be as nice as I can. I appreciate you and Derek letting me crash here until I figure things out.”

“Don’t be silly. Stay through the school year if you want. The room is empty, and you’re one of my closest friends. Do you need anything? I guess with Mav being back, everything is up and running…”

“It’s all good. Everything is perfect. I officially moved in last night and am happy to be your tenant. Please, let me pay something for?—”

“Ha! Consider your rent being civil to Mav.”

Another eye roll. But deep down, I appreciate Allegra and Derek’s generosity. I need it more than I let on. “Fine.”

Another yawn. “I’m gonna crash. Love you, Kenny. Have a good day, smartypants.”

“Sleep well, A.” I end the call.

Heading into the kitchen, I’m relieved when I spot the fancy espresso machine. This was definitely a Derek purchase. I make myself an espresso while simultaneously tapping out a grocery list on my phone.

“What’re you doing here?” His voice comes out of nowhere.

---