Page 119 of Between Never and Forever
I knew I’d miss it. I just didn’t realize how much until I came back.
It’s like the first injection after a failed rehab stint. The first wave of euphoria after the third shot of whiskey. But for the first time in a long time, I’m not worried it will be the death of me. It feels like it’s giving me life.
“Sounds like you missed us,” I say with a grin, and when the cheers from the crowd grow louder, I feel lighter. Energized. I’m actually excited to play.
I wonder briefly if the rest of the band feels it, too, and as if in response, Mabel pounds out a quick beat on the drums behind me. I send her a wink over my shoulder before turning back to the crowd.
“We’ve got just a few songs for you tonight, but it’s been a while since we’ve played, so you might have to help us out.”
I strum out the opening chord to Just One More, and everyone goes nuts. It was our very first single, and years later, it’s still our most streamed song.
“Sing along if you know it,” I say with a smirk, then launch into the song.
Just one more, baby
Just one more
Whiskey and orange
What are we waiting for?
“That was amazing, right?” Mabel says to us as we hustle off stage.
We’ve got one hour to change and drive to the awards show so we can walk the carpet. I’m salty we have to give yet another show after already performing this one, but Mabel is right. This was amazing.
“I haven’t felt that good in a long time,” Torren chimes in, sidling up next to me and giving me a tentative half smile that I return.
I glance toward Jonah, but his head is down and he’s texting. He hasn’t said much at all to me. Ahey. Ahow’s the movie?And that’s it.
I try my best not to stare at him, not to analyze his every move, but it’s hard. My excitement at playing tonight fills me with guilt because I still think this is bad for him. I still can’t stop seeing him in that hotel room. Just seconds later, and he’d be dead.
I give Torren a questioning glance, and he shakes his head once. My heart sinks, and I whip my eyes back to Jonah. What’s happened since I’ve been gone? What’s been going on with the security/babysitter I hired?
Torren reaches down and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze, and I’m grateful for it.
“Hammond set us up in a suite to get ready for the awards show,” Mabel says, cutting into my thoughts. “Since this was so last minute, he’s already had stylists pick out our outfits.” She scowls. “I swear to god if he puts me in another dress I will end him. I will stain the red carpet with his black, putrid blood.”
I flare my eyes at Torren, who is grinning that lopsided grin that the fans are in love with, and even Jonah huffs out a laugh. It feels like before. I didn’t know how badly I needed this.
Fucking Hammond.
We get to the suite, and my irritation with Hammond explodes. I might end him with Mabel.
He’s got me wearing a black patent leather and lace number with a mostly see-through top and a ripped-up tutu-like bottom and shiny black knee-high faux snakeskin boots. It’s not the outfit I’m pissed about, though. This is something I’d pick on my own. It’s the fact that Torren’s outfit fucking matches. Shoes of the same faux snakeskin, suit jacket of black leather and lace. He’s not wearing a shirt under the jacket, and his pants are simple expensive black jeans, but it’s obvious we’ve been dressed as a couple.
My fingers clench with the need to hit something. Someone.
Hammond.
I’m scowling at myself in a full-length mirror, contemplating flushing the ring down the toilet, when Torren appears behind me.
“I’m sorry.”
I flick my eyes to him in the mirror and raise an irritated eyebrow in disbelief.
“Are you?”
“Yeah, Savannah, I am.” He sighs, and the pain on his face makes me ache for a new reason. “This isn’t how I wanted it to be. None of this how I wanted it.”
