“Hey guys, I’m glad you made it!”
“I told you I’d come.” Bo doesn’t turn in my direction, but I catch him swallowing hard when I turn in his. Rae and Regan stare anywhere else but between us.
“Well, I’m glad you did. Josh and Mon will be here soon, we should head out back.” I stand and the rest of them do the same. I see Bo catch a glimpse of Adrian, in deep conversation with Marley, and he stiffens for a moment before falling in stride behind me.
I tug on Adrian’s shirt as we walk by him. He shakes Marley’s hand and joins us outside, directly by my side. I swear everyone can see the lines of fire between Adrian and Bo, but I guess that’s just me—and Rae, who shoots me cautious gazes across the deck.
Josh and Monica arrive, along with more of our friends, and the party is a hit. Plenty of beer, liquor, and laughter flow through the crowd. Adrian rarely leaves my side; a point not unnoticed by Bo, who I catch staring at us more than once. I force a tight but polite smile every time our eyes meet. He doesn’t return them.
After an hour, Regan suggests we move the party inside, so we can play our surprise for Josh and Monica. We’ve spent as much time as we can composing a song for fiddle and guitar that expresses their love for each other, and the love that others see when they’re in a room with them. After each practice and performance, Regan and I would sneak to my place or his and work in it.
Everyone settles into their seats in front of the stage. Adrian always leans against the back wall when he watches me play, and I don’t know why. Either way, he’s standing back there, observing me and the crowd in one glance.
Regan seductively pulls his bow across the strings, and we begin the love song we’ve worked so hard on. My fingers are raw from playing all last night, but watching the looks of gratitude on my friends’ faces, it doesn’t matter. As hard as I try, I can’t stop blinking quick looks over to Bo, whose eyes never leave my hands. The drink in his hand shifts from beer to liquor, and a dark look shades his face. We finish amidst a hearty applause. Rae hops up on stage and hugs Regan, and I notice a small smile pull on Bo’s lips. Those two are really cute together.
“Great job,” Regan whispers to me when he kisses my cheek.
“Thank you. Thanks for the extra lessons, too.” I put my guitar in its case and lean it against the back wall.
“No problem. Take a break for a few days and let those babies heal, would ya?” He playfully grabs my fingers, making me wince.
“Rae and I are gonna get going, I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Have fun, guys. Thank you for coming.” I pull Rae into a hug. “Do you have to go, too?” I ask Bo as he approaches us. I fidget with the fabric of my dress.
“We drove separately because I knew they’d be leaving early. Is it OK if I stick around a while?”
“Sure. I’m going to get a drink. Drive safe, you two.”
Halfway to the bar, Adrian catches up with me.
“That was good, Blue. Real good.” He pushes my hair aside with his nose and kisses my neck.
“Thanks. I’ve been practicing.” I chuckle sarcastically in reference to our earlier argument.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I don’t mean to push you.”
“It’s fine. Things have been stressful the past few weeks. Now that the center’s open, I’ll have less time on the road, and I won’t be so crazy all the time.”
Monica sneaks up behind me. “Like hell. Your crazy-ass will find something to overwork yourself with.” She smacks my butt and muscles her way between Adrian and me before hugging me. “You’re skinny, what gives?” She pulls the strap of my dress and lets it smack against my shoulder blade.”
I shrug. “Stress, I guess.” I haven’t been this thin since finals my junior year.
Her eyes slowly study my bone structure before she rolls them. “This party is gorgeous, you’re an awesome friend. I can’t believe you went ahead with it despite what a bitch I’ve been to you lately.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m just gonna get a drink and head outside, meet me there.” I shoo tipsy Monica away before she reveals her total displeasure about us right in front of him.
The regular Saturday night crowd pours into Finnegan’s and, suddenly, cheers and hoots erupt as a gaggle of girls spot Bo sitting at a table near the bar. One of them, a regular, spots me and runs toward me.
“Is he playing tonight?” She squeals, pointing unabashedly at Bo.
I peer around Adrian’s shoulder and study the three empty glasses in front of Bo. “I don’t think so, he’s just here for Josh and Monica’s engagement party.”
“I’ll play,” Bo shouts from the table. “Can I borrow your guitar, Ember?”