Page 68 of Off The Rush
Luka snorts.
She tries touching Luka and Alec next but they shrug her off.
Her eyes narrow as she takes in our little group, clearly searching for a weakness to exploit. But as she looks each of us over, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride. We’re a united front.
“Actually,” she says with a smirk, “I was just wondering how you all know each other.”
My hand twitches at my side, itching to grab Alec’s or Luka’s for reassurance. But I resist the urge, knowing it would only give her more ammunition.
Instead, I smile sweetly and reply, “Oh, you know, we’re just friends enjoying a night out together.”
“Friends, huh?” she scoffs. “Well, I guess that’s one way to put it.”
“Is there another way you’d like to describe us?” I ask, my eyebrows raised in mock curiosity. It’s a dare, and I’m ready to face whatever she throws at me. Because no matter what, I refuse to let her control this situation.
“Never mind,” she huffs, clearly annoyed that her tactics aren’t working. She shoots one last glare at me before stalking away, leaving us to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
As soon as she’s out of earshot, I let out a shaky breath, feeling my nerves start to settle. The guys exchange glances, seemingly unfazed by her attempts to flirt with them. Their loyalty means everything to me, and I can’t help but smile.
Just as the tension begins to dissipate, Rachel seems to think better of herself and turns back around, her eyes narrowing. “You know, Emma,” she says, venom dripping from every word, “I almost forgot to mention how much I’m looking forward to seeing you in the Spring Showcase.”
“Thanks, I guess,” I reply warily, bracing myself for whatever barb she’s about to throw my way.
“Especially considering your last performance,” she smirks, clearly pleased with herself.
“Hey!” Luka snaps, protectively. “That’s not fair. Emma’s an amazing singer, and what happened last time wasn’t her fault.”
“Exactly,” Alec agrees, his arm wrapping around my waist.
Rachel’s eyes narrow even further, but before she can say anything else, JD chimes in. “Maybe you should focus on your performance instead of trying to tear down others. Just a thought.”
“Whatever,” Rachel huffs, clearly annoyed. She gives us one last glare before stalking off, leaving the four of us alone once more.
“Is she always like that?” Alec asks, his forehead creased with concern.
“Pretty much,” I admit, feeling deflated. “She’s hated me since I got a spot she wanted. It’s stupid but she never misses an opportunity to put me down.”
“Emma, don’t let her get to you,” JD says softly, resting his hand on mine. “We all believe in you, and we’ll be there to support you at your showcase.”
“Thanks, guys,” I murmur, touched by their unwavering support. “I just wish I could shake off her negativity.”
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” Luka says suddenly, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Why don’t we have some fun? We can go to that karaoke place downtown and you can finally sing for us. We can all show off our talent.”
“Or lack thereof,” JD jokes, grinning at me. “I promise you, my singing will make you feel like a superstar in comparison.”
“Alright,” I agree, laughing at the thought of JD singing off-key. “Let’s do it.”
We pack up our stuff and all pile into Luka’s car.
Chapter 30
The piercing sound of an off-key rendition of “Sweet Caroline” assaults my ears as we push open the door to the lively karaoke bar. Alec, JD, Emma, and I exchange amused glances before making our way through the dimly lit room, weaving past tipsy patrons enthusiastically belting out their favorite tunes. We find an empty table near the stage and slide into the worn cushioned seats.
“Wow, this place is really something,” Emma says, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. Her brown hair falls gracefully around her shoulders as she leans in, trying to make herself heard over the cacophony of voices and music.
“Definitely a unique experience,” I agree. JD and Alec nod in agreement, already flipping through the thick songbook on the table.
“Hey, do any of you want to sing with me?” Emma asks, her gaze flitting between the three of us. There’s a hint of vulnerability in her voice like she’s not sure if we’ll be up for it.
