Page 98 of Loving Lies (Granton University 3)

But he seemed to be the only person dreading tonight. The performing arts center was packed; they’d already been shuffling along behind the crowd for five minutes just to get into the auditorium to find their seats. When someone squeezed past Tess, knocking her off balance, Jonah caught her around the waist just as she tumbled into him. Straightening her back upright, he glared at the kid cutting in front of them and nudged the guy—probably a little harder than he needed to—with his cane in order for Tess to regain the personal space she’d just lost.

“Watch it!” he and Bailey barked at the same time, Bailey appearing at Tess’s other side to help him flank her and keep her protected.

Hearing each other say the same thing at the same time, Bailey and Jonah grinned at each other over Tess’s head, and Bailey held out her balled hand for him to fist bump. As he clashed his knuckles with hers, pleased she was as protective of his girlfriend as he was, Tess gave a weary sigh.

“It’s like going out in public with two bodyguards.”

“Hey, own it, princess.” Bailey lifted her chin regally. “Only the truly important get more than one bodyguard.”

And Jonah had to agree Tess was one truly important person. Grinning, he pulled her even closer to kiss her hair. He loved her so much it was ridiculous.

As they shuffled along and entered the main arena, a pre-show singer stood on the stage in front of the closed curtains and sang an upbeat ditty next to a single piano which accompanied her performance.

Bailey moaned. “God, shoot me now.” When the people in front of them glanced back and sliced her a dirty look, she returned it with one of her own. “What?”

Tess elbowed her silently while Jonah rolled his eyes, unable to contain his grin. Waving his cane in her direction to remind her what had happened to him, he said, “Ixnay on the ooting-shay.”

“Oh, whatever. If people are going to be so sensitive about it, they need to—”

“Bailey!” Tess squeezed her arm as she hissed out the warning. “Filter, remember?”

Bailey huffed but shut up. “Fine.” She was silent the rest of the way to their seats.

Jonah figured the turnout had been so big because of people’s sensitivity, though. With protestors waving signs outside to warn everyone away, it had only gained the play more attention. There were even two news vans parked outside, interviewing individuals over whether or not they thought the play should continue.

Flopping down in the seat corresponding with her ticket, Bailey glanced up at Jonah and Tess. “There better be vendors walking the aisles, selling drinks and popcorn and shit, because I’m already starving.”

“It’s not a ball game. And I told you to eat a snack before we left.” Tess sat beside her. “It’s going to be at least three hours before the show’s over. Then we’re taking Aubrey out to supper, remember? We’re supposed to meet him forty-five minutes after the curtain closes at the side entrance he told us about.”

Jonah silently groaned as he eased down next to her. But three freaking hours in these snug little seats with cushions that would no doubt be killing his back before the curtains even opened sounded about as fun as going to the dentist for a root canal.

As Bailey begged Tess to dig through her huge purse to look for a snack for her, Jonah rubbed his thigh and propped his cane in the space between him and Tess. He turned his attention to the singer and watched her for a moment. She wasn’t half bad. There was a certain soothing quality about her performance, easing the tight nerves in his chest. Blindly reaching for Tess’s hand, he squeezed warmly when she immediately took his fingers.

Life was good, he decided. It wasn’t the same as it had been a year ago. But it was almost better. He’d give anything to have Sean back, but adding Tess, Aubrey, Bailey, and even Paige, Logan, and Samantha to his life had filled it with a love and friendship he’d never realized he’d craved.

When his phone vibrated in his pocket, he pulled it out to see Aubrey’s number and immediately smiled. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready, or something?” he asked.

“Omigod, Jonah. It’s a bust. Did you see all the protestors out front? No one’s going to show up.”

“Well, I see all the people crowding into the auditorium right now, and I’d say you’re dead wrong. It took us damn near five minutes to reach our seats.”

Aubrey gasped. “You’re here? Right now? You really came?”

Jonah shook his head, not sure why his friend sounded so shocked. “I said I was coming, bud. And it’s about two minutes until the play starts, so…where else would I be? This place is packed.”

“It is?” He could tell Aubrey was beaming by the awed tone in his voice.

“Yeah. Now get off the phone and get into character or whatever. You better give me a damn good show for making me sit through this.”

Aubrey laughed. “Yes, sir. Oh, wait. What do you think of my background? I swear there are at least twenty layers of paint on that thing because I just couldn’t find the perfect color. Do you like it?”

“The curtain’s still closed. I can’t see it yet.”

“Oh. Right.” Sounding disappointed, Aubrey sighed. “Well, tell me afterward. You’re still picking me up—”

“At the side entrance,” Jonah repeated dutifully since Aubrey had gone over it with him about fifty times already. “Forty-five minutes after the show. Yes, we got it. Now go break a leg.”

Bailey snorted as he hung up. “Yeah, because wouldn’t it be so cool if both of you were hobbling around on canes.”

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