Page 47 of Faithful

Except Kai. He’s in the center (andthecenter), talking to the audience in his sexy, deep voice. “Any of you plan on coming to see us in Vegas?”

A unanimous yes comes from the floor.

“Really? All of you?” Kai grins, pointing at the crowd at his feet. He scans the heads. “You heard we’re going to premiere a new single? Right?”

“Yes!!!”

“You should definitely check us out then! 'Cause you know what?” The camera pans to his face again and he seems to have caught that and there’s a moment of hesitation before he looks right at it and says, “Halloween is for suckers! See you in Vegas.” His gaze sweeps back to the audience. “Now, it’s time to fucking bleed, heathens!”

My dumb heart gives a kick in my chest.

November can’t come soon enough.

* * *

“Say that again, kid.” Gin blinks at me, looking a little shocked, as if I just asked her to commit a murder together.

“I need next week off.”

We are in her office. The door is tightly shut to ensure Val and Winona don’t get wind of this and make assumptions.

I can already imagine them giggling behind my back and saying something along the lines ofDylan is going on a honeymoon.

“And you didn’t think to let me know earlier?” Gin asks from behind her desk.

“I didn’t want to add to the pressure… you know… with the Candy Drive.”

She remains still for several seconds, then visibly deflates and blows a raspberry. “Dylan, you have to tell me as soon as possible if you’re going to be absent for a full week. This is a bit of a short notice.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I fold my hands together as if I’m praying and take a few steps forward, quickly glancing at the rainbow of lucky stars in a jar. My desperation is eating me from the inside out. “I will make it up to you however you need. I’ll work nights and weekends for as long as I’m an employee here. Just… please… I really need next week off.”

Silence.

“Please.” I move some more until my legs hit the edge of the desk.

Gin shakes her head, looking up at me from her chair. “You’re going to do something very productive with this time, right?” she asks.

Have sex with Iodine’s front man. Hide from the paps in his hotel room. Watch Chinese anime. No. Donghua.'Cause that’s what it’s called apparently. Sleep.

“Yep. I will be doing something very productive with my time. I swear.”

“I don’t know why I keep letting you off the hook, kid.”

“Because I’m cute?” I joke.Eh, fuck… This coming out/into my own (double fuck because of all the potential puns there) thing is a confusing bitch.

“Oh boy.” She flings both hands in the air as if she just read the entire thread in my mind. “Get out of here, you silly goose… And you’re helping Val with all her projects before you leave.”

“You got it.”

I rush out of her office before she changes her mind.

* * *

I suppose you can’t have it both ways–be happy and not have anyone wanting to ruin that happiness.

It’s Tuesday evening and fairly late (since I stayed at the office to help Val) when I stop by the Madison Park mansion. I don’t even want to call this architectural monstrosity home anymore. It’s never been one. It’s just a house occupied by people who hate each other while living in separate rooms.

Despite the obvious drawbacks (like one bathroom and a tiny kitchen), the apartment Leigh and I share feels like a real home, like a safe place I can come to and be myself. Be who I am without fear of being judged… or hit.

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