Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1)(72)

“Och, let’s leave her alone,” Marna said.

I kept my eyes averted and the room stayed quiet.

“You’ll get yourself killed if the Dukes find out, you know,” Ginger stated with too much enthusiasm for my liking.

“Let her be,” Kopano told her. “She does not know us. She will tell us when she is ready.”

Ginger sat back. I gave Kopano a look that I hoped reflected my thankfulness.

“Where are you guys staying tonight?” I asked.

“We were going to stay at Kaidan’s if Pharzuph was gone, but we’ll just get a hotel,” said Blake.

“I know there’s not a ton of room here, but—”

“Ooh! We can have a slumber party with Anna, Gin!” Marna cut me off.

“Oooh, yes, goody,” Ginger said in a deadpan tone. “The two of you can tell stories while I gag and puke.”

I looked at Marna. “You can stay here if you—”

“No.” Ginger cut me off. “Marna and I stay together.”

Marna gave me a consoling smile. I liked her. And while Ginger’s personality left much to be desired, I had to admit her loyalty to Marna was admirable. That was the only good thing I could say about her.

“How long will it take to get to this club from here?” Blake asked me.

“Maybe forty-five minutes to an hour.”

“All right. We’ll be back here to pick you up at six. Make sure you’re ready.”

“Um...” I felt edgy about tonight—the thought of seeing Kaidan again, the thought of hanging out with these unpredictable Neph, the thought of Jay meeting them, and the awkwardness of my two worlds colliding. “Tonight I’m going to ride down with my best friend, Jay, and you guys can follow us.”

“Who’s Jay?” Ginger narrowed her eyes with suspicion.

“He’s just a human boy. He doesn’t know anything about us. He wrote some songs, and Kaidan’s band is playing one of them tonight.”

“Best friends with a human,” Blake stated.

“It keeps getting better and better,” Ginger mumbled, standing up and holding out her cup of tea, not one sip gone. I stood and took it from her.

They walked out, Kopano giving a polite nod and Marna giving a wave with her fingers, before I closed the door behind them.

In four hours I would see Kaidan again.

Ginger’s untouched tea sloshed over in my shaking hand.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ENVY

I forewarned Jay on the phone about Kaidan’s four friends, but he was still struck dumb at the sight of them. I pinched his arm in the club when I caught him staring at the twins with his tongue practically hanging out. He wasn’t alone. Every guy in the club was staring at them, in their tiny dresses and heeled sandals. Jay wore his Braves baseball cap backward that night.

Double Doors was a two-story club. The bar was on the second floor and it looked down over the stage and crowd. Kopano, Jay, and I wore wristbands showing we were underage—not that it would stop the bartenders from turning a blind eye if someone slipped us a drink. The other three had fake IDs and now drinks in hand. We opted to stay on the top floor watching from the railings, rather than fight the crazy mob stagefront. Jay stood on one side of me and the Neph were on the other.

I did not look down at the drums when the band was announced. I was afraid that the others were waiting to see how I’d look at him. And I was more afraid of how Kaidan might react. Jay’s song was first on the playlist. I took his hand and squeezed it when the song began.

I knew the tune well. I’d heard it played on Jay’s keyboard so many times, in differing variations as he perfected it. But to hear it in its full glory with all of the instruments and a talented singer was a different experience. It wasn’t just stage-worthy; it was album-worthy. I had yet to look straight at Kaidan, choosing to focus on the music, looking at Michael or the bouncing crowd, or peeking at Jay’s exalted face.

At the end we broke into wild cheers, and I raised my arms to Jay for one of his giant bear hugs.

“I’m glad I came,” I shouted to him. “That was too amazing! You rock.”

Marna sidled up next to us and looked at Jay. “You wrote that? It was amazing.”

Jay released me and faced Marna.

“Thanks,” he said, and she twirled her hair. Their interaction made me uneasy. Marna seemed nice, but I didn’t want anyone messing with Jay.

“Don’t go making Jay fall in love with you, now.” I said it to Marna in a teasing tone, catching her eye and holding it. “I don’t want him left behind with a broken heart when you go back to London.”

Jay laughed, and Marna noted my warning, giving me a small nod.

I turned back to the railing and, without meaning to, looked right down at Kaidan.

Kaidan wore the red T-shirt. The one I had borrowed from him once upon a time. I let myself imagine that he’d thought of me when he picked it out tonight. Stupid. I also wore a red shirt, but mine was baby-doll style, with sleeves that cinched together at the shoulders. It had been a spontaneous purchase on my back-to-school shopping day.

I hated myself for staring. I wanted him to notice me, but I feared what I would see in his eyes. So when his head tilted up and his eyes blasted into mine, I held my breath. Neither of us moved or reacted.