Page 86 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
Joy threatened to erupt in my chest, this feeling pressing full and heavy. With a tight nod, I forced myself out. The door clattered shut behind me as I stepped out into the brisk, vibrant cold.
I pulled my phone from my pocket so I could order an Uber and saw the notification that a text was waiting for me.
I fought a grin as I read it.
Unknown
It’s me, Raven, you sexy bitch. Surprise party for Emery TOMORROW night at Kane’s (his club, not his house!) Be there at 7! Wear something hot. Don’t make me hunt you down.
That grin spread wide.
Hope was such a risky thing.
That fluttering in my spirit that ached for this.
To belong.
To be held.
To maybe…maybe be loved.
And I was the fool who let Theo’s face flash behind my eyes when I thought it.
FIFTEEN
THEO
I strodethrough the front door of Kane’s to heavy music thrumming through the cavernous space.
The lights were cut low, and a seductive vibe drenched the space.
Strobes glinted against the soaring stained-glass windows high above and sent scatters of colored light sparking through the vast space.
I headed toward the booth in the far back left corner that was always reserved for our family.
It wasn’t quite seven yet, early as fuck, but the place was already jammed.
Kane had mastered having this place packed from opening to close.
Specialty cocktails offered to those who were just getting off work after five and were looking for a cool place to unwind. They’d gather on the slew of high, round-top tables set up in the big open area at the front of the club.
A more chill vibe before the bands took to the stage at about eight. They’d perform until ten or eleven, then the DJ would take over, playing dance music that would have half the town on thefloor below him, grinding their cares away as the drinks flowed free.
I wound through the crush that had already gathered, grin tugging at the edge of my mouth as I approached the roped-off area that had a giant horseshoe booth tucked in the corner. Four high-top tables were also protected within its boundary.
It was clear Raven had already had her way with things since there was a long buffet table against the wall with a bunch of round silver catering dishes.
A shit ton of flowers and balloons decorated the area, and a big banner hung over the booth that readCongrats to Emery for Catching that Dream.
To the side of the swirling words, there was a cute drawing of a woman leaping into the air, her arm outstretched and a star clutched in her hand.
Kane was probably having a coronary since it didn’t exactly match the raw aesthetic of the club, but we all knew Raven could not be stopped.
She was a force to be reckoned with.
The best kind of force.
Probably the first person I’d ever really loved as family when I’d never believed in loving at all. Not after my experiences growing up.
