Page 30 of If the World Was Ending

“Thanks.” Colby nodded and brushed a wavy lock away from his face. “Are you coming out tonight? We’ve got Go-Go’s open mic night tonight. It’s just one song, but after we can grab drinks or whatever. Briar said she would pick you up since I have the car.”

“Briar would do that for me?”

“Yeah. Briar’s the best. You know that.”

“You and her ever…?” Hunter was not in control of his mouth today, apparently. All his inner thoughts insisted on being on the outside. Thank God it hadn’t been like this when he was interviewing with Ford, who he thought was a sketchy douchebag.

Colby smiled, but there was no dimple appearance because it was superficial and came with a shrug of his broad shoulders. “No. Honestly, we’ve talked about it a little, jokingly. Because we are soul mates. But we aren’t…”

“Sex mates?” Seriously, Hunter should have walked home. Heat stroke would be better than this. Colby was looking at him like he’d lost every single one of his marbles. He laughed a little.

“Is that a thing?’

“No. I mean, not technically, but it should be, don’t you think?” Hunter replied analytically. “I mean, soul mates are a spiritual connection, and it’s important, but there’s also a sexual connection, and sometimes you don’t get both at the same time. But both are needed for the real deal. Right? I mean on paper.”

Colby blinked, and Hunter wanted the earth to swallow him whole. Thankfully, he turned his attention to the rearview mirror as a car went around them, the driver shooting them an annoyed stare. “So, were you and Leandra soulmates or sex mates?”

“I mean we had sex, and it was good, but it wasn’t…” Colby glanced at Hunter again, and Hunter flexed his fingers in front of his face and made a sound like something exploding. “And she definitely wasn’t a soulmate. Those don’t leave you for a forty-year-old who lives with his mom.”

Colby’s lips lifted in a sympathetic smile. “So tonight? Should I tell my soulmate, but not sex mate, to pick you up?”

Hunter nodded and reached for the door handle again, just happy to get out of the car and away from this weird-ass conversation. He hoped his awkward, ridiculous tangents wouldn’t sour their friendship. He’d lost friends before because his vibe was like this—neurotic and odd. “See you tonight.”

“Thanks again for letting me borrow the car and congrats on the job.”

Hunter watched Colby pull away and then went upstairs to berate himself in private.

Chapter 9

This best friend shit was kinda great

“Holy shit,” Briar said with a sigh. “That was…”

“Incredible,” Hunter finished for her.

They were leaning against the bar, in the corner closest to the stage, near a long hall that led to the restrooms. Colby just finished a new song. It was fast and upbeat, but the lyrics were a punch to the gut, all soulful and angsty. And the bridge really drove that home because it slowed, and Colby’s whole voice changed and, yeah, it was incredible. The song was about wanting to be something you’re not because what you are isn’t what everyone wants. And dying inside as you failed at pretending.

Hunter didn’t know what exactly Colby had in mind when he sang that song, but for Hunter, it resonated with his current career situation. All he wanted was to act. To be successful and respected and desired in the field he’d given up everything to pursue. But lately it felt like giving up everything wasn’t enough, which meant he wasn’t enough.

“Everyone fucking loves it. Look at them. Listen to them,” Briar said, her voice raised because everyone around them was clapping so loudly.

Colby and the rest of Tidal stand to leave the stage, but the open mic director motions for them to stay. “I think we might wanna hear one more from these guys? What do you all think? Does Tidal deserve an encore?”

The room roared. Briar and Hunter joined in. Colby looked stunned. Keller looked excited. Trevor looked smug. That pretty much summed up the vibe Hunter got from them, too. Colby was always shocked that the band got so much love. Kenner was invigorated by it, and Trevor acted like it was about time.

They played one more song. One of the first times Colby had ever played for Hunter was months ago. It was less deep than the new one but just as catchy and enjoyable. There really wasn’t a song of Colby’s that Hunter didn’t think was epic. He’d heard them all because Colby played his guitar in their apartment every day. Hunter loved it, especially on mornings when neither of them had anywhere to be, and Colby would play while Hunter made them breakfast burritos and coffee. That would be tomorrow morning. God, he couldn’t wait until tomorrow morning when it was just the two of them. Hunter had never really had a best friend. He’d had friends, but none of them felt super close until now. Briar felt the same way about Colby, clearly, since she’d been his friend since high school. Maybe Colby was just the type of person who made people feel special.

“They’re not doing another song. Two is more than enough. If the venue wants another, they can pay Tidal and put them on a proper night,” Ford grumbled beside Briar as he sipped his whiskey neat.

Hunter tried not to glare or frown, but Ford actually had a point. He was making sure Tidal wasn’t taken advantage of. Still. “You should find the manager and have a chat.”

Ford looked over at Hunter with a cold, flat stare. “So you don’t just bartend, you advise talent managers now too?”

“It’s his side hustle,” Briar replied before Hunter could think of what to say. “Mine is bullying show runners.”

Ford’s eyes moved to her, and she winked, and he smiled. Then a woman walked by carrying a clipboard, and Ford peeled himself off the bar, leaving what was left of his whiskey, and called out. “Anita. Hey. Ford from Range. I also manage Tidal.”

She smiled brightly at him, and they walked off together.