Page 99 of Love Medley
I inhale deeply, trying to hide my rising dread that everything is spiraling out of my control—again.
Jake’s friends meet us inside the karaoke bar and don't seem that excited to be here either. I realize then I don't know much about his friends. Luke, with his signature backwards Blackwell cap, is the only one I recognize out of the three since I saw him at TNT. I’m aware of a handful of facts about Trix and Luke, and I'm pretty sure Ian's a pro tennis player, but that's about it.
I’ve been a bit fixated on Trix the moment Jake told me about her, partially because I’m intimidated by her and Jake’s long relationship. She’s striking, slender but toned, with fierce glacial eyes and chin-length, white-blond hair. We couldn’t be more different in looks and temperament. Just by the way Trix carries herself, I can tell she’s confident in a way I’ve never been. I bet she’d never get herself into a bad relationship with a jerk like Weston or hide away from the world.
“I’m not a singer,” complains Luke, snapping me out of my moody reverie. “This is why I’m a bar manager.”
“Shut up and get with the program,” says Jake, as he slaps the lip of Luke’s backwards cap downwards, revealing a bed of hat hair.
But even as he’s ribbing Luke, he shoots me a concerned glance.
“At least there’s a bar,” Ian says. He has typical all-American boy-next-door looks. I’m sure a lot of women find him attractive, but I don’t.
I think I’m done with blondes.
“There are way too many people here,” Trix comments, her arms folded against her chest. She’s wearing an androgynous outfit of a gray athletic tank and dark green cargo pants. I’m in awe of how she pulls that off. Also, it’s easier to obsess about Trix than to contemplate my slow slide into chaos…not to mention the horror of singing in public.
“Will you guys cut it out? I’m enforcing a ‘you must have fun’ policy,” Jake gripes.
I manage to laugh with the others.
“You all suck,” Jake says.
“Fine,” Luke says. “But you owe us big time.”
“I think I’ll be done with people for at least a year,” Trix agrees.
“Anyone want a beer?” Ian is already pushing towards the bar to the left of the stage.
“Goddammit, let’s just get a table,” Jake says, obviously frustrated with his friends.
I’m siding with his friends on this one, but the part of me that isn’t freaking out is finding his teasing banter with them endearing.
Trix, Luke, and I obediently follow Jake to a round table with five chairs.
“I’m going to help Ian with the drinks,” Jake says. “Do you want anything, Lucy?”
I’m definitely going to need a drink. Or two.
“A cosmo would be great,” I say.
Maybe having some alcohol in my system will help me relax…and forget my worries for at least a night.
“Whatever dark beer is on tap,” Luke says.
“A Boulevard for me, thanks,” Trix says, already scrolling on her phone.
“Please don’t abandon me to these fools,” Jake begs me. The plea seems rooted in more than just the surface playfulness. He knows something isn’t right. “I’ll be back soon.”
Since I met Jake—he’s been a constant source of strength and reassurance. But now he’s the source of the raging tempest inside of me.
Thankfully, the woman on the stage has finished butchering Eric Carmen, and a guy replaces her who sounds decent. And maybe I’m just relieved because she’s done singing… not because Jake’s gone. Right?
“How do you know Jake?” I ask Trix once I compose myself.
“High school,” she says, putting her phone to the side. “He was one of the only people I could stand.”
“And you?” I turn to Luke.
