Page 58 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

The group of us do a round of shots. Bianca and I do two because it’s our birthday, and those are the rules.

Thirty minutes later, the tequila has successfully annihilated my inhibitions, and Bianca and I are on stage, belting out a rather terrible version of ‘I Will Survive’.

Midway through the song, it happens. The front door of the bar opens and my ‘idiot’ walks in. I stop singing mid-word, but Bianca keeps going. Music dances around the room until my mic drops to the floor with a thud that blasts through the speakers, startling the whole room.

Suddenly I’m in Medusa’s gaze, and Bianca follows my line of sight. He’s got everyone’s attention like a spotlight from heaven is shining down onto him, but his eyes are on me.

‘Holy Moses and burning bush,’ Olivia states.

He walks in slowly, his hands shoved into his jean pockets, glancing around nervously. Nervously? He’s Prince Willy ofPDX Royals. I’ve never seen him nervous a day in his life.

Bianca steps off the stage, but I’m frozen as I try to figure out what the hell to do. Do I run? Hide? Cry? Homicide? Hug him? Ugh, my emotions are all over the place.

Cole, Bianca and Bryce greet him enthusiastically, leaving Olivia, Gunner and Alex stunned at the sidelines.

Olivia steps up to him, squaring up like they’re about to brawl.

‘Man,’ she says, her hands now on her hips. ‘You’ve got some big ole fucking bo-jangles to show your face here.Estúpido chico rico, polla en un palo.’ Her hand gestures drive it home as he steps back from her.

I don’t know what she’s just said, but it was undoubtedly a string of profanity-laced insults based on Gunner’s shocked face. He glances between her and me, grimacing. He points to himself then Will, silently asking if he should do something here.

They are the best friends ever. Both of them nurture that part of me they know still loves him, but when it comes down to it, the way he hurt me pisses them off enough to attempt to protect me in a moment like this where my brain has suddenly seized up.

I shake my head at Gunner, who breathes a sigh of relief. We all know he’s a lover, not a fighter.

‘Liv,’ Will says calmly.

‘Whyare you here?! ’Cause it’s certainly not in response to an invitation,’ she snaps.

Cole lifts his beer. ‘Yeah, it is,’ he says guiltily. ‘Will’s my plus one.’ He glances my way, raising his shoulders like he’s silently apologizing.

‘Youinvited him?’ Alex asks. ‘Why?’

‘Isn’t a birthday party open to the birthday girls’ friends? Will and Berkley have been friends for over a decade.’

‘He relinquished that title,’ Olivia reminds him. ‘I study murder for a living, buddy. Don’t you dare think I won’t make you disappear if need be.’ She jabs a finger into his chest that he just takes, like he knows he deserves it.

Will’s gaze once again meanders to mine. His face is full of regret until a shy grin turns the corner of one side of his lips. When my feet are no longer made of concrete, I walk his way. Our mutual friends part like the Red Sea as I move through them.

‘I got this,’ I say to Olivia.

‘Sweets, I can—’

‘I don’t need saving, Alex. I can take care of myself.’ I hold a hand his way. Immediately he steps back, looking annoyed as he walks away towards the bar, Gunner following him.

Olivia takes to the stage behind me, attempting to turn the room’s attention. However, I feel like all eyes are still staring our way, so I decide to give things a moment to settle with his ‘Royal’ presence. I walk past him, knocking my shoulder into his bicep to get by even though there isn’t a crowd big enough to make that necessary. He sighs heavily as I continue to the bar.

‘Two tequila shots,’ I say to the bartender.

I feel Will walk up behind me. Even if I didn’t know he was here, I’d know he’s close. He sits on the barstool next to me as the bartender pours the shots. I grab both, finally turning to look him in the face, holding the glasses in the air between us.

He shakes his head. ‘I can’t, Berx, I—’

‘I wasn’tofferingyou one,’ I say, cutting him off and downing them back-to-back, slamming the glasses onto the bar top as I do.

His eyes follow the shot glasses.

‘I was saying a silent prayer to the tequila gods for helpnotto murder you in public. Word of warning, counting these two…’ I add up the shots I’ve done since I walked in here less than an hour ago. ‘I dunno, things are getting fuzzy, but I’m pretty sure I’m four or five shots in,plusa beer, so let’s cross our fingers, shall we?’ I cross fingers on both my hands, waving them in the air like a moron.

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