Page 128 of Soul So Dark
I cast her a sideways glance. “Don’t judge.”
“Trust me,I’m not!”
“What?” Austin scrunches up his nose. “Likeyou?”
A smile pulls at my cheeks. “What can I say? Electrical linemen have a lot of useful skills.”
“Quit acting so demure, Austin,” Shelby scoffs. “I’ve seen the kind of porn you watch. Besides, this is what happens when you ditch us for a bunch of hoes on a golf course—you miss all the good stories.”
“Anyway,no,” I interject, “AJ’s not the reason I stopped seeing Bailey. The mask’s just a bonus.”
“This is weird,” Austin mutters dismissively.
“I don’t want anyone online to know who I am, and neither does he,” I retort. I don’t mention the streaming part. Wanting to remain anonymous as a girl on the Internet is enough to convince Austin that mine and AJ’s arrangement is understandable.
AJ might have different reasons than me, but it’s still common ground. He says it’s because of his family, that it’s not safe to flash around his real name or where he lives. He could be straight up lying to me, but it doesn’t actually matter. I respect his decision and he respects mine. It’s why we get along.
“Ooh, what if he’s royalty?” Shelby’s eyes go wide. “Or the son of some high-ranking politician? He could be abillionaire!”
“Or he’s just some loser in his mom’s basement,” Austin chuckles.
“Hater,” Shelby quips over her shoulder. “Anyway, what are you doing Saturday night? And if you say you already have plans, then no, you don’t.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Guesswho’s coming to Riverfront Live?”
I arch my brow in anticipation as Shelby leans forward dramatically.
“Shapeshift,” she hisses, her eyes ablaze with excitement.
“What?” I exclaim.
“What?” Austin’s head pops up. “Why didn’t you tell me until now? I’m leaving tomorrow for an interview in New York.”
“Where at?” I ask with intrigue.
“I don’t know,” Austin shrugs. “Out in the Hamptons—some guy my dad knows who works with the Knicks.”
“Well, that’s a bummer,” I mutter with a roll of my eyes.
“The band just announced it, you know how they are.” Then Shelby turns up her nose. “And maybe this is your comeuppance for only showing up after a breakup so you can watch movies, eat our food, and sulk.”
“I’m in,” I say, considering the matter closed.
Shelby lets out a whoop and prances to the door. “I’m going to bed, I have class in the morning.” She turns and shoots me a look. “You—prepare for the night of your life,” and then she turns to Austin, “andyou—good luck with your sulking.”
No mercy.
Shelby disappears around the corner and I take a seat on the edge of my bed next to Austin.
“She’s right, youdon’tcome here anymore unless you don’t have anyone else to entertain you.”
“Yeah. I miss you all…” He trails off for a few seconds, like he’s deep in thought. “I missyou,Dallas.”
“Tell me about it,” I scoff. “You used to play with me almost every night and now you barely ever log on.”
“You want to come with me?”
