Managed (VIP #2)(68)

“Keep telling yourself that.” Jax takes a seat and grabs a handful of chips. “You don’t even have coasters out. There will be hell to pay.” His smile is wide, as if this pleases him greatly.

And then I realize, they want to get caught. Because they want Gabriel here too. Oh, they love teasing him, but they’re happier when he’s around. Why can’t he see that?

Brenna hauls in a karaoke machine, and Rye helps her set it up. “I don’t know why I agreed to bring this,” she tells me. “It’s a completely uneven playing field.”

“We’ll go easy on you, Bren,” Rye promises with a wink.

“Going easy on us won’t help,” I tell him. But I’m happy they’re here. The coach is filled with laughter, chatter, and the warmth of bodies—a far cry from the cold and silent place it had become when I was alone. Doesn’t stop the pervasive ache in my chest, though. I miss him.

But I’m not even going to utter his name in my head any more. Out of sight, out of mind, out of heart. It has to work.

“I have this app,” Brenna says as she curls up on the couch next to me. “It gives you a category, and you have to choose a song that fits.”

“Okay.” Rye takes a long pull of beer. “I’m ready. Hit it.”

Brenna taps a button on her phone, and we all crane our necks to see. I’m too far away, but Brenna starts cackling as Jax and Killian groan. She holds up the phone and announces, “Yo! MTV Raps.”

“How convenient,” Killian drawls, giving Brenna a look I can’t interpret. She avoids his gaze with a little sniff.

“Fuckin’ A,” Rye says with a chest thump. “I will slay ya’ll motherf*ckers.”

Jax blows a raspberry while making a jerk-off motion with his hand. “Sure you will.”

“You quake in terror, JJ.”

“Aren’t you the wannabe JJ?” he counters. And I bite back a laugh because Rye kind of does look like the linebacker, JJ Watt.

Rye gives him the finger before rubbing his hands together. “Okay, okay, this is gonna be good.” He glances around the room. “I’m picking Whip as my musical backup, and Jax, since you’ve been so encouraging, you’re with me on vocals.”

Jax makes a pained expression. “Hell.”

Rye nods. “We’ll go against Killian and Libby.”

Brenna settles down next to me. “He’s up to something good.”

“You know it, babe.” Rye winks at her.

Brenna flinches as if he’d pinched her instead before she’s back to her easy demeanor. “Well, get on with it.”

“Run-D.M.C.’s version of ‘Walk this Way’.”

Everyone starts laughing.

Killian grabs his guitar. “I get it. Libby and I are singing Aerosmith’s part, right? Because someone thinks he can rap.”

“Knows, Killian. Not think, knows.” Rye takes a mic and glances at Whip. “You good with the beat? Or are we using the karaoke machine?”

“You’re seriously asking me that?” he scoffs. He’s only got his small electric drum kit, but he’s already messing with it. “Don’t piss me off, Ryland.”

“Instruments it is,” Rye answers easily.

“This is going to be so good,” Libby says, her eyes bright. She doesn’t seem to be the type to get excited over trying to mimic Aerosmith, but she’s clearly in her element.

She and Killian put their heads together to plan, and the guys do the same in their corner.

“You know we’re next,” Brenna says to me.

I laugh a little. “I was terrified when I thought I’d have to sing in front of these guys. Because screeching cats is an understatement.”

Brenna grins. “So annoying, isn’t it? When they make it look effortless?”

“Daunting as hell,” I agree. “But rapping? Ha. I can rap.”

She raises one perfectly plucked brow, and I feel a twinge of heartache. That look reminds me of Gabriel. His brows are thick and imposing, but he and Brenna both have that elegant way of expressing themselves with a simple look.

“Most people would be more afraid to rap,” she says.

“Eh, it’s all about owning it. Besides, I had a babysitter who loved hip-hop. This is literally the music of my childhood.”

Brenna grins suddenly and leans in close. “I love hip-hop too. Which is why I totally rigged the game to choose that.”

“You evil genius,” I say with a gasp.

Her grin goes wider before she gets it under control. “I’m pretty sure Killian is on to me.”

So that’s what the look was about. I don’t mention that Rye seems very pleased by Brenna’s pick as well, as if she’s done him a favor too.

“I thought you’d be freaking out,” Brenna says, eyeing me.

“Now you know better.” I give her a nudge on the shoulder with my own.

She nudges back. “If Scottie hadn’t already claimed you, I just might.”

I drop right out of my happy place, and clearly my expression shows it because Brenna winces. Thankfully I don’t have to hear any awkward apology or deflated ego soothing. Whip starts up with a beat.

Killian begins to play the guitar, and they’re on.