Page 169 of Deliverance

But they did.

And people who came forward without any promise of money but simply because they wished to show the worlds what an abusive relationship truly looks like deserved a little something in return.

The elevator halts and the attendant wrenches the doors open.

As soon as we step outside, I dial Preston.

“I’m on the corner of Olympic and Midway,” she shouts, her voice on the line full of panic, and I feel responsible for some of it because I didn’t consider the fact that a kid from the Valley might not be comfortable around downtown.

“Just stay there, okay?” I instruct and start walking down the crammed sidewalk, Zander a step behind me. A few glances are tossed at us and our costumes.

We round the building and wait for a traffic light to cross the one-way street and this is when I hear a woman screaming, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner!”

Someone responds with a whistle.

My lips spread into a silly grin as Zander’s fingers slip in between mine.

“I’ll never understand how you can be so calm while around this neighborhood,” he mutters, looking left and right.

“It’s where all the misfits like to get together.”

The light changes and people spill onto the intersection from both sides of the road like ink onto paper.

“There she is!” I throw up my arm and wave at Preston, who’s halfway down the block by the bus station, dressed in a leopard jacket, black tutu, and lace leggings, looking completely lost and terrified.

We trudge through the crowd toward her, Zander’s hand never leaving mine. My heels are making sharp clicking sounds against the uneven sidewalk.

“Hey!” I call and recognition and relief finally settle onto Preston’s face. “Gosh, honey, I’m so sorry, I keep forgetting how confusing this part of town can be.”

“It’s all good.” She nods. “I needed to get out of the house anyway.” Her gaze slides to Zander for a brief second.

“This is my boyfriend,” I begin to explain.

Preston bites back a smile. “I know who he is.” Blush hits her cheeks. “I’m a big fan… Crap.” She exhales loudly and stares up at him. “You probably hear that all the time, dude.”

“But guess what?” Zander jokes. “It never gets old.”

He extends his hand and she shakes it enthusiastically, then adds quickly, “I can’t wait to hear your drumming on the new Bleeding Faith record. I’m trash for Thunderstorm, but I know you’ll kill it.”

“I hope so. And thank you.”

“I watched all your Instagram feeds from the studio. You and the band sounded really tight together.” She glances at me again and babbles on, “Sorry, guys, I’ve just never met anyone famous before.”

“Ah, I don’t know if I’m famous.” Zander laughs as we start making our way back to the warehouse.

“Dude! Come on! Number ten on theInsider’s list of the best drum solos ever.”

“Eh, those lists are pretty subjective,” he counters.

“So what?”

They continue this conversation until we’re finally back at the party, and once there, Zander takes off for the bar to get us some drinks. Another margarita for me and a virgin daiquiri for Preston.

“He’s so cool in person,” she says as we tread toward the booth. “Nothing like I assumed he’d be, you know. Not an asshole. A lot of celebs are douchebags.”

“Yes, he’s pretty great,” I agree, smiling at the fact that I thought exactly the same thing after I met Zander.

“Thanks.”

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