Page 16 of Ordinary Secrets

Emmy, our band’s pianist and alto, scowls at him. “Liz! If your man comes out of a gas station with three snacks for himself and none for you, then refuses to shareonepotato chip, do you have a right to get pissed?”

Liz laughs, pushing herself off the couch. “I mean, I’d be a little ticked.”

With a flash of red curls, Emmy turns to slap her boyfriend’s arm. “See?”

“It’s never justonechip!” Marcus says. “One always turns into the whole goddamn bag.”

Kevin makes a fewtsk tsk tsksounds as he wiggles a finger back and forth. “Word of advice, man: Always get your girl a snack.”

“Whose side are you on, Chan?” Marcus gapes at Kevin. “She told me she didn’t want nothin’!”

“Nah, bro.” Kevin shakes his head. “Theyalwayswant somethin’. And if they don’t, now you got an extra snack.”

Marcus glances at me with aback me uplook.

The most I can offer him is a shrug. “Kevin knows what’s up.”

Knowing he’s lost this one, Marcus mutters something under his breath as he takes his spot behind the drum set.

We’re able to rehearse a few songs before the opening band arrives. Around that time, our crew members trickle into the room.

By seven, our openers are on stage while my band is backstage with Monique, talking through our upcoming filming schedule. I’m barely paying attention, for two reasons. First: I don’t have anything going on in my life, so whatever dates workfor them work for me. Second: I keep checking the time every two minutes. Arella should be here soon, and the clock on my phone seems to get slower with each glance.

Forty long minutes later, our security manager peeks his head backstage and motions for me. Earlier, I asked him to come find me whenever Arella got here.

Emmy is in mid-sentence when I shoot off the couch.

“Be right back,” I say.

“What?” Marcus says as I rush away. “We’re goin’ up in like fifteen minutes.”

I ignore him as I exit through a door and come out at the side of the stage. I scan the crowded restaurant for her face but don’t find it.

“Where is she?” I ask.

Our security manager points with one of his thick tattooed fingers. “At the far end of bar.”

Even through the dim lighting and all the people surrounding her, my eyes pin onto her immediately. She’s got her back facing me, with all her wavy chestnut locks pulled into a long braid hanging over one shoulder.

The openers are in the middle of performing their closing song as I make my way toward Arella. Occupied tables of all sizes cover the floor from the stage to the back wall. From a side table, a pair of young women shout my name over the music. I flash them a smile and a quick wave. Instant giddiness flies through my head. Then comes their disappointment when I don’t stop to chat with them.Sorry, ladies, but I’ve got more important things on my plate.

Tonight, for phase two, I have two objectives. First is to ask Arella out on a date. I need to keep seeing her until I find out what makes her immune. Since it could beanythingthat causes it, I need to learn as much about her past, her family history, her genetics, and whatever else as possible.

My second objective is to get her to tell me all the basic information I already know about her. I would hate to slip up and mention something I know that she hasn’t told me yet.

Arella, looking as stunning as yesterday, has her phone pressed to her ear as I approach her from behind.

“What do you mean, you’re not coming?” A pause. “You’re kidding... No. I can’t be here without you, Javie.” Silence, then she groans. “All right, fine. No, it’s okay. Yes, really. Mm-hmm. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a deep sigh, she sets her phone onto the bar counter.

Now’s my chance.

“Hey.” I slide onto the empty barstool next to her.

Arella jumps back a little, clasping a hand against her chest. “Ah! You scared me.”

“Now we’re even.”

She crumples her eyebrows together before making anoh!face. “That’s right. I scared you yesterday while you were fixing my tire. Thanks again for that.”

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