Page 98 of Faux Real
“I’d rather drink alone,” I say.
“Just one teensy tiny little shot,” Raven coos, tossing me a flirty smile. “Please?” She pauses, biting her lip. “I’ll pay!”
I blink, letting out a chuckle. “Money is not the issue, believe me.”
“Come on, Ollie,” she begs. “Let’s have some fun! Celebrate and shit. Let’s go!”
I sigh, scanning Raven’s eager face. She wears a lot of black stuff around her eyes. It’s heavy. Thick. Distracting.
“Just let me get my phone from the basement."
Raven rolls her eyes. “You don’t need your phone, okay? I’ll entertain you.”
“You will?”
“Oh, definitely,” she smirks.
A distraction.
Better than disappointment.
thirty
Strawberry Lips
KENNEDY
Maxine’sadviceplaysinmy head as I approach the bouncer standing at the entrance of the bar.
Act cool. Don’t look nervous. Be confident.
“ID?” the burly bearded man asks, giving me a curious once over.
“I’m on the guest list,” I say, tone even as I peek at his clipboard. “Kennedy Carmichael?”
The bouncer grunts, checking the names. “Oh, Ollie’s friend.” He looks up at me. “You’re late, you know that, right? Their set ended fifteen minutes ago.”
“I know,” I whisper, guilt washing over me. I hope he understands. I’m sure he will. “I had a family emergency.”
“Right,” he hums, stepping aside. “Well, enjoy.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, anxiously adjusting the cuffs of the leather jacket as I squeeze inside the packed bar. The scent of stale beer and foul odor permeates the air around me as I look around for Oliver.
Where is he?
“Kenny, hey!”
I spin around to find Cliff standing behind me. “Oh, hey, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Oliver invited me last minute,” he says, looking over my shoulder. “Plus, Max was busy tonight.”
“Right,” I say, flicking my nails. “Have you umm seen Ollie anywhere?”
Cliff scratches his head. “I think I saw him head down to the rehearsal space downstairs a few minutes ago.”
“Where’s that?”
He points down the dark hallway. “That way.”
