Page 9 of Lost Summer
I chuckled. This was fun—a whirlwind of laughter with two of the most captivating girls at the festival.
“Okay, let’s get to that karaoke tent and have some real fun!” I insisted, the thrill of the moment pulsing through my veins as I took the lead.
Adele and Orion fell into step beside me, and soon Lloyd, Greg, and Max joined us, all grinning like idiots, their laughter cutting through the night. The alcohol had clearly hit them hard, and their unsteady footsteps and slurred voices were more than enough evidence.
Lloyd staggered a little but caught himself, his arm slinging loosely over Orion’s shoulders. “Karaoke...bad idea, Teddy,” he warned, his words dripping with mock seriousness. “You can barely hold a note when you’re sober. What makes you think a pint or three is gonna help?”
Orion practically snorted, nudging him with her elbow. “Oh, is that a challenge? ‘Cause I think I can out-sing all of you, easy.”
“You’re on, blue-hair,” Greg shot back, his voice teetering between amusement and bravado. “No way you’re taking me down, though.” Greg’s balance faltered, and he almost tipped over before catching Max, who grinned like it was perfectly normal.
Adele chuckled, walking close to me. “What’s your go-to karaoke song, Ted?”
I grinned, glancing down at her. “Usually, it’s something classic—a bit of Queen or The Stones, y’know, something people can’t argue with.”
Greg piped up from behind. “Nah, mate. You always pick Bowie after a few beers!” He shook his head, a goofy smile plastered on his face. “‘Let’s Dance,’ right? Gets the crowd every time.”
“See,that’smy problem with him,” Max added, slurring through his words. “Ted’s got this thing where he thinks he’s David Bowie.It’s fuckin’ hilarious, but it’s not even close.”
“Oi, shut it, both of you,” I warned with a wink, pointing at them. “Not everyone appreciates talent when they see it.”
“Talent, my ass,” Lloyd quipped, bursting into a faux operatic rendition of something unintelligible, causing everyone to erupt into drunken laughter.
Adele squeezed my arm, grinning up at me. “I’ll take a front-row seat for that.”
I shot her a glance. “Maybe one day.”
My words held the promise of another day together, maybe not here, but in the future. She bit her lip and tried to hide her smile, but it was too late—I’d caught it, and I wasn’t letting it go.
As we neared the karaoke tent, the murmur of excitement grew louder.
Max surged ahead, his gangly frame moving with surprising agility despite the booze. “First up!” he shouted, waving his arms dramatically. “Prepareyour ears, people!”
Adele laughed beside me, her voice light and airy with anticipation. “Looks like Max is ready to break the sound barrier.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” I said, turning to face her as we stepped into the tent. My hand brushed hers again, and without even a second thought, I intertwined our fingers again—the small, comfortable warmth of her grip felt too natural to resist. She didn’t pull away.
Inside the tent, the lights were dim. Rows of chairs lined the walls, and a few people slouched in them with tired smiles,beers clutched like treasure. At the front, a makeshift stage with a rusty microphone flickered under cheap neon signs commanding you toSing Your Heart Out!
Max had already grabbed the song list, flipping through it with exaggerated flair. “David Bowie...The Beatles...Cyndi Lauper!” His grin split wide. “Oh, it’s happening!”
Adele peered over my shoulder, trying to sneak a glance at the list. Her breath warmed the side of my neck, making my chest tighten with a need too raw for words.
“I think we’ll start with something epic, right?” Greg called from the other side; his goofy grin so infectious, even the walls seemed to hum with it.
Orion let out a snort of laughter. “Epic? More like tragic.”
I glanced back to find Lloyd sprawled across the nearest chair, his arms outstretched like a king surveying his subjects. “Let the failures commence!” he roared with an exaggerated flourish.
“Alright, alright,” Max huffed playfully. “Let’s do this.” He sprinted to the stage. “For my loyal audience, we shall begin with a heartfelt rendition of ‘Livin’ on a Prayer!’”
The crowd groaned, fragmented laughter exploding as Max’s warbled opening notes rattled off-key into the microphone.
Adele’s laughter was immediate, her hand clutching her stomach, doubled over. I could barely catch my breath either, the sight of Max attempting his best Jon Bon Jovi-wannabe rendition too ridiculous for words, his gangly limbs flailing with exaggerated devotion to the song. His voice cracked terribly, and yet the entire tent broke out into a raucous cheer as though we were witnessing a rock god’s debut.
“Is he...is he serious?” Adele asked amidst her giggles, her eyes glittering with amusement.
“Max is always serious...in his own way.” I shrugged with a goofy grin. “He genuinely thinks he’s nailing it right now.”
