Nellie giggled, the sound nearly lost in the DJ’s mix. “Beckham Jennings actually dances?”
“Oh, Nell-Bell, let me show you howwell.”
Nellie reached for my hand as Beck pulled her away, trying to get me to go with them, but that was aheck nofrom me. I wasnotgoing to third wheel them on the dance floor. No way.
Except that left me with Dalton, standing near the doorway where people filtered in.
He tried to say something to me, but it was lostas the beat dropped.
“What?” I called, frowning at his lips.
“I like your shirt!” he called back, gesturing to his arms.
I glanced down at it. In the dim lighting, the brown sheer material almost looked black. There were several celestial shapes in the fabric, like the sun, moon, and several stitched-on stars. I’d chosen it because it reminded me of Jamie’s bedtime story. My black skirt was a little tight on me, since it was Nellie’s, but the velvet material was flattering.
Any other time, my heart might’ve tumbled at the compliment. Now, I could hear how simple it was. “Me too!” I told him, looking him straight on. He’d shaved off the stubble he’d been nursing, and his dark hair was carefully styled back with gel. His white button-down glowed in the lights, the top two buttons undone, looking like the perfect image of a frat boy. “Gonna be looking for girls tonight?”
Now it was Dalton’s turn to frown. “What?”
I leaned in closer while he leaned down. My nose nearly clipped his cheek. “Are you looking for girls?”
Dalton leaned back an inch, shooting me a smile. “Why? Jealous?”
“No. I was just?—”
The song the DJ was playing suddenly wound down, and at the same time, mic feedback cut through. “Hey, everyone!” the singer on the stage called, and a spotlight swiveled to him. He was lanky, wearing a cut-up graphic tee, his dark hair spiked. “We’reCutlet!”
A scattered applause filled the half-empty club, withone person letting out a particularly energeticwhoop!It sounded suspiciously like Beck.
“Cutlet?” Dalton echoed, looking to me. “Like chicken cutlet?”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. And then mentally kicked myself for it.
“We thought we’d start off with a few old-school bangers,” the singer went on, glancing at his band. The drummer flicked his drumsticks, while the bassist beside him stared on with a stoic expression. They were really leaning into a stereotype, apparently. “Ones you’ll love. Just to get ya warmed up!”
This applause was stronger. After several beats, the guitarist started off with a few hard, solo chords. The song was immediately familiar. The drummer and bassist joined in, and I grinned when the singer started their first lines, reaching for where my phone was stuffed into the waistband of my skirt to text Jamie.
The band playing started with an Untapped Potential song lol. you’ll have to tell your sister’s boyfriend he’s famous.
Just when I pressed send, a text from Nellie came through.
Nellie
OMG IT’S AN UNTAPPED POTENTIAL SONG !!!
!!!!
The singer was slightly out of tune, but the ferocity oftheir guitarist covered for the faltering vocals. Their sound was good, though, and it still left me feeling warmer, more energized. I gravitated forward toward the dance floor like many other people filing in and filling up the club.
Dalton followed me.
I immediately stopped.
“It’s just dancing, Daisy.” He ducked in close again to say it, and then nudged my shoulder. “You think your boyfriend would have a problem with it? He’s that controlling?”
“You know he doesn’t like you.”
Dalton’s grin was so white that it glowed. “I know.”
