Page 6 of Up In Flames
I look at my sister and draw from her strength. Livvy didn’t stick up for me six months ago, but shewasthe first in my family to start treating me normally again. She’s also stepped up to help fill the Damon-shaped hole in my life.
After an eternity, I nod and bring the mic to my lips right as the first line pours from me like I’m trying to bleed the poison left in my system.
Suddenly, I really wish I’d taken the time to put on all the rhinestones and glitter, because I’m about to break everyone’s heart with this performance…including my own.
Chapter 3
Knox
The couple onstage is drawing all my attention. A few songs in, and it became clear they’re the karaoke favorites. But as the next song begins, the guy looks at his girlfriend with panic in his eyes, causing her to race to his side, whispering something in his ear.
As the song progresses, Lauren disappears beside me, and I become mesmerized as the singer’s voice cracks with emotion. He’s singing with his entire half-naked body. His eyes are closed as he grips the microphone like he’s afraid it’ll disappear just like the person in the song. His free arm thrashes and swings in rhythm to the beat whose lyrics are hitting me square in the chest. At one point, he drops to his knees on the stage, and I know, behind those closed eyelids, he’s singing to someone who hurt him. Someone who left him.
And I feel that like a punch to the throat.
Maybe someonedidpunch me because it’s a little hard to breathe.
But I can’t tell if it’s the song, this performance, or the guy singing it that’s getting under my skin. Probably a combination of all three.
Lauren taps my shoulder to get my attention, but I put my hand up. I don’t want to be interrupted and risk missing a second of this.
A couple minutes later, the song ends, and the light catches a tear rolling down the singer’s cheek. I don’t even know the kid, but I’d love to hurt whoever made him feel like this.
Feel likeme.
He’s too young, too pretty, and toofragileto have been hurt like this.
The entire bar jumps to their feet, clapping and cheering as he whispers a brokenthank youinto the microphone. The girl onstage throws her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. I half expect her to shove her tongue down his throat, but she makes no attempt to do so. She says something, and he nods, before making his way off the stage, much to the crowd’s displeasure.
“My brother just needs a quick break, but we’ll be back!” the girl announces.
Brother.
That explains why my expectation of the kiss was wrong…but itdoesn’texplain the relief coursing through me.
I must need calories.
After being on-call at the fire station the last two nights and working overtime on a jobsite, I haven’t been taking great care of myself. I’ve barely had time to take a piss let alone eat a full meal.Huh, I guess it’s possible Stephanie made the right call…even if I don’t like it.
As the brother and sister weave through the crowd, I swivel on my barstool to watch them.
“Cute, aren’t they?” Lauren’s voice in my ear is accompanied by her hand on my forearm. My personal space boundaries are wider than most, and thefuck-offlook I tend to wear keeps most people at bay.
But not Lauren.
“What?” I ask stupidly, my eyes still followinghim.
“The singers,” she clarifies. “Aren’t they precious?” she asks again.
“Oh, uh, yeah,” I stammer, finally turning to look at my bar mate. Confusion slams into me as my gaze traces her features.
She isn’t the one I want to watch.
Something about the guy from the stage has me hooked, and my attention quickly travels back to him.
It’s probably his pain.
Misery loves company, as they say.
