Page 89 of As They Are
I’d never been to a concert. Was it normal to feel your bones rattle with every beat?
Wren dragged me to the bar, ordering something for us both. I had no idea what she got because I couldn’t focus on a word anyone said. My attention was split between the music, the people, and the cameras following us around.
A cold drink made its way into my hand, and I looked at it warily. Wren grabbed my arm and put her lips close to my ear.
“It’s just a cocktail made with wine,” she said. “I can get you something else if you want.”
I shook my head, not wanting to cause any problems for anyone else, and managed to clink glasses with her before taking a sip.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too strong, but immediately, I felt some of the noise blur into the background as the alcohol hit.
I didn’t usually do this, but if I were to be here for hours, I needed something to help. And drinking was the only thing everyone else was doing.
“There she is!” a loud voice said, and we both turned to see Kerry approaching us. She pulled Wren into a tight hug. “You look so good!”
“Thanks,” Wren said. “Though I’m wearing a version of what I worked in today.”
“You look great in anything you wear.” She then turned to me. “You look good too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before.”
“This isn’t really my scene,” I replied.
“I bet you’ll change your mind once you get Wren on the dance floor!”
Absolutely not. If I had to focus on dancing, not making a fool out of myself right by a speaker? That would be a disaster.
“We still have our drinks,” Wren said, holding up her glass. “We’re good here!”
“Still, you have to dance at leastonce!”She laughed. “It’s tradition for the couple to do. I hear Mollie and Cain did.”
“We’ll see where the night takes us.”
“At least Jude has the spirit!” Kerry pointed to him, and true to her word, he was on the dance floor near Brooke, who he’d obviously taken an interest in. Brooke was one of the few people who wouldn’t have cared about Jude kissing someone else, and the star seemed to be soaking up her attention. “You could always join him if you wanted to dance, Wren. You’re still friends, right?”
I normally liked Kerry, but this was the first time I felt a true spark of annoyance toward her. I had been trying my best to be better than Jude was to Wren, but as always, I wasn’t the best choice. This was not something I was having fun doing. And I knew it would show. I wished I could easily force this feeling away and be exactly what I wanted it to be, but that wasn’t something I could do.
Thankfully, the cameras had moved toward Jude showcasing his dancing skills. Wren’s eyes followed the camera, and I wondered if deep down she wanted to go and be with him. The thought did nothing for my mood.
I took another sip, letting everything fade into the background. For a second, I closed my eyes and tried to pretend like I was at home. By the time I opened them, Jude had walked over.
“Wanna dance?” he asked Wren, and I swore I saw red. “I’m free.”
Wren’s eyes widened as if she was as shocked by his question as I was.
“N-no, I’m good.”
“Seems boring over here.”
“Boring is just fine, thanks.”
She shifted closer to me, pressing her body into my side. Somehow, it made me more grounded in the moment.
“Lemme know when you change your mind. I’d hate for you to miss a second.”
“Sure.” She shrugged.
He walked off, returning to the fun. The camera followed his every move.
“You could have gone with him if you wanted,” I said.
