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Hannah frowns. “Okay,” she agrees, resigning herself to the fact that she doesn’t have much choice.
We head outside, all four of us squeezing into Hannah’s Camry.
I text Brix to let him know we’re on my way.
Brix: You sure you’re ready for this?
Me: Ready as I’m gonna be.
Hannah“Are those men kissing?”
Mom gasps as she clutches onto the collar of her shirt as she shamelessly gawks at two guys making out against the wall of the club.
“Yes, Mom.” I sigh. “It’s a gay nightclub. What were you expecting, square dancing and charades?”
I knew this was a bad idea.
I should’ve tried talking her out of it the moment Nate suggested it, but she was all over the idea of seeing Brix perform that I had a momentary lapse in judgement. And now I was going to spend the whole night regretting it. I check my phone and wince, because I’ve still got so much studying to do. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as unprepared for anything as I do this first exam on Monday. If I ace it, then I start my new job next month.
If I don’t, then it’s back to the rehab clinic for me.
I didn’t follow Luke’s advice when he told me to interview for his position. I gave it a lot of thought, but then I realized it would be taking me away all the things I loved about nursing. I didn’t want to sit in an office, planning rosters. I wanted to be out there, in the middle of the action. I wanted to make a difference. And then Nate asked me something.
Was I getting that kind of rush working at the rehab clinic?
The answer was no.
So I started applying for jobs, where just thinking about them sent shivers down my spine. Like research hospitals, child cancer centers, and hospitals that specialized in saving babies who were on the cusp of viability. But the one I wanted most of all though was at the busiest trauma unit in the country, Hermann Memorial.
And I still can’t believe they want me.
I look at my phone again and sigh, but then I force myself to snap out of it. If I keep thinking about how much I need to do, then I’ll end up psyching myself out even more. I’ll just hang around here for half an hour and then I’ll catch a cab home. Mom or Sara can drive my car back.
“Hannah.”
I squint through the crowded room and spot Lou waving madly at me. I laugh. What the hell is she doing here? I’m even more confused when I see Sasha hanging off her arm. I walk over there, laughing when they embrace me in a group hug.
“Hey,” I say. “What are you guys doing here?”
I didn’t even know they were friends outside of me. A pang of jealousy hits me watching them laugh over something that happened outside. I do my best to push it aside, but it’s there in my mind, niggling away at me. This is what it’s going to be like when I leave.
Me there. All my friends over here.
And who knows where Nate’s going to be.
He keeps insisting he’s coming with me, but I know how much the workshop means to him. I can’t expect him to pack up his life for me. And then there’s Brix. Sure, he’s doing well now—really well, but what if us moving away undoes all that hard work.
“Hannah?”
I snap out of my thoughts and smile at Lou, who’s peering at me closely.
“You okay?” she asks, taking my hand.
I shrug, sure if I speak, the tears will flow.
“I’m fine,” I say, forcing the words out. I look around for Nate. I don’t see him, but I do spot my mother being hoisted onto the bar by two very scantily clad male dancers. “Oh God.”
Lou looks over and cracks up laughing.
“It’s okay, I’ll keep an eye on her. Here comes Nate.”
I smile and turn around. He slides his hand into mine, hugging me. It’s warm, familiar and just what I need.
“Brix is about to go on again. We should get closer,” he suggests.
“Sure,” I say, letting him head me closer to the stage. “It looks like everyone’s here tonight,” I say to him, glancing back at the girls and then over at Mom and Sara. I narrow my eyes. “Hey, is that Max over near my mom?”
He nods. “He’s friends with Nate too.”
I shrug. That’s true.
“I still can’t believe I got your mom into a gay club,” he chuckles. “I really never thought she’d go for it. Do you think this experience is opening her eyes at all?”
I glance over to where she’s dirty dancing with the two guys and cringe.
“Who knows?” I giggle. “Excuse me for not wanting to think too hard about that.”
I spy Brix standing by the edge of the stage and frown. He paces back and forth, talking to himself, looking more nervous than I’ve ever seen him. I’m immediately cautious, because I know how easy it can be for an addict to relapse. I shake off my worry. He’s about to perform. I’m sure that’s just it. The only thing is, when it comes to getting on the stage, nobody is calmer than Brix.
