Page 62 of Living for Truth
As soon as we walk in, a dark-haired man with a sleeve of floral tattoos jumps off the couch and practically skips to Elli. “Baby! Did you have a good day? I missed you.” He peppers little kisses all over her face, and she giggles. This must be Wes.
“I missed you, too. But it was good to catch up with Emma and Hannah.” Elli clasps their hands together and turns to Hannah and me. “This is Morgan, Hannah’s boyfriend.”
“Oh, I’m not—” I try to say, but Wes interrupts me.
“Nice to meet you, Morgan. Hannah, good to see you again.”
“Thanks for having us, Wes. It’s good to see you, too.” Hannah’s giving him a shy smile, and I tamp down the excitement at the fact she didn’t correct him about me being her boyfriend.
My own smile is huge as I express my own gratitude, and then he’s taking us along to meet the rest of the band.
I looked up Keely and The Kissers last night so I could listen to some of their music. They’re good, a little indie, a little rock and roll.
The lead singer, Keely, is sitting on the lap of a brunette that looks slightly out of place among the tattoos and piercings of the other members. Wes introduces her as Mikala, and the other two members as KC and Leah. Emma sits down next to Leah, and they immediatelystart flirting.
“Wait a minute,” Keely eyes me, “You’re Morgan Fowler. You played for the Mustangs!”
I nod. “I did. Big football fan?”
Keely scoffs. “Hell no. My brothers are, though. We grew up in Estes Park, so theyobsessedover the Mustangs. Made me watch every game. I was more interested in the cheerleaders.” She gives Mikala a saucy wink. “But I picked up a few things. Shame about your injury. They were super bummed about you having to retire. They’re going to be so jealous they didn’t get to meet you.”
I laugh. “Thank you, I appreciate that. I’m more than happy to sign an autograph if it’d lessen the jealousy.”
Keely waves me off. “Nah. I don’t get many wins over them, so I’ll take this one and milk it for all its worth. Thanks for the offer, though.”
The door to the room opens, and someone with a clipboard comes in and tells everyone Wes’s set will start in ten minutes.
Elli gives Wes a kiss on the cheek, and we head out to grab drinks before we settle in for his set.
Chapter 28
Hannah
I’ve never been to a concert before, unless you count “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square” formerly known as “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.”
This isdefinitelynot the same.
The crowd is a good size for an up-and-coming band, and while there are a few places to sit, we’re going to be standing off to the side and at the front of the stage so Elli can ogle Wes during his set.
Emma’s sipping on a gin and tonic—that she didn’t pay for. Leah, the bassist, followed us out to the bar and bought Emma the drink and gave her her number.
“How does she do that?” Elli whispers to me as we wait for our own drinks. Morgan is pressed close behind me with his hand on my hip because the space is filling up with concert-goers.
His touch is searing my skin through my dress. The moment at the apartment has left my blood feeling fizzy all night, and I’m anxious with anticipation. I wanted him to kiss me more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in mylife. I wanted to let him give his keys to Elli and Emma so we could stay in my apartment and release this pent up tension that’s been building since the first time we met in his flower shop.
“Do what?” I ask, trying to get my thoughts back on track.
Elli circles her finger in the direction of Emma, who’s now talking to some stranger covered in tattoos. “Just… flirt with random strangers. I wish I had her confidence.”
“You want to flirt with random strangers? I think Wes would object,” I tease, nudging Elli with my shoulder.
She huffs out a laugh. “I don’t want to flirt with random strangersnow.But dating was so fucking hard, and I think it would have been easier with confidence like hers.”
I never thought about that. How Elli must’ve felt dating in the church at her age. I was married before I could legally drink, and Emma left before she was persuaded to get married young. But Elli was considered “old” even at twenty-four.
Morgan cuts in before I can say anything, “I don’t know Emma very well, but to me it looks like she’s too scared to let anyone in more than surface level. I do think she’s genuinely a confident and friendly person, and obviously she’s pretty, but how deep can their connections really be if she doesn't give them more than a night?”
“That makes a lot of sense. It’s kind of weird to see her so adamant about not having a serious relationship. Growing up she was always planning her dream wedding and going on and on about how excited she was to have a husband—before she came out as bi, obviously. I think there’s more to the story behind her swearing offrelationships.” Elli nods in agreement, and Morgan squeezes my hip, in what I assume is acknowledgement, right as the bartender drops off our drinks.
