Page 65 of The Escape Plan

Beckett

This place is burstingat the seams.

Like, to the point where I’m thinking about fire code.

Or maybe it’s that I’m thinking about later tonight and hopefully seeing Keeley on the fire escape.

Our nightly meeting there really has become a routine for me—one Ireallylike.

I lean back in my chair and let my eyes travel over the crowd. I recognize a handful of people, including the teen boy from Relish, Sissy from the library, and Steve the building manager.

There have been a few excellent performances, and the musician who’s currently onstage—a teenage girl playing a Taylor Swift cover—is really giving the audience something to sing along loudly to.

Two more performances, and then I’m up, closing out the night.

I’m glad that with or without my performance, this Indie Music Night is already a hit. I’m happy for Keeley’s friends, who are super welcoming and friendly. Nori’s boyfriend Cash, who used to be a pro baseball player, invited me to watch a game with him soon.

The dude was enthusiastic. Like, almosttooenthusiastic.

I figured he was just like that with everyone, until Andrew walked through the door (late, I might add) and Cash gave him what can only be described as a death-glare. He’s clearly also not a fan of Keeley’s ex, which made me warm to him even more.

Andrew’s now sitting at a table, holding hands with his new girlfriend. She’s a nice-looking girl, I guess, if you’re judging objectively.

But she can’t hold a candle to Keeley. My eyes sweep back to her for what must be the thousandth time this evening. She looks incredible tonight in her tight black tank top with a plaid flannel shirt worn open over top. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun, and she’s wearing the ripped jeans and Converse that I apparently cannot resist.

There’s a pause between songs, and applause rings out.

As I clap, I stand and walk towards the coffee bar, where Keeley’s chatting quietly with Nori. There’s a jug of water on the bar, and I move in that direction—as if I’m thirsty—but I obviously fool no one, because Nori gives me a knowing little smirk before darting across the room to sit on Cash’s lap.

“Hi,” Keeley says softly.

“Hi,” I reply, equally quiet. “You doing okay?”

She looks at me quizzically, pretty blue eyes narrowed. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because Andrew’s here with Lisa.” I nod in their direction.

“Don’t care. I’m here to watch you, not them.”

She pairs her words with her pretty smile. And man, if I don’t feel it straight in my chest.

“Areyoudoing okay?” She throws my question back at me.

“I’m grand, yeah.” I eye the stage, then venture towards the truth. “Nervous, I guess. I haven’t done this in a long time.”

“Well, I’m no performer, but when I was nervous to present in school, my Gramps always told me to pretend everyone was in their underwear to help ease the nerves.”

Oh, boy.

Her belly button ring and freckled stomach immediately jump to the forefront of my mind.

As if I wasn’t already a jumble of nerves.

“Don’t say that,” I groan.

Her eyes fly to mine, and as our gazes clash, the flash of heat that moves between us is palpable. Her cheeks are flushed, eyes bright.

There’s no misreading the moment this time.

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