Page 83 of Driving Beats

How are you doing? Missed you at the rental the other night.

I’m enjoying my time back home! It’s great being with my roommates and going to my old haunts.

Am I laying it on too thick? Nah. It is fun seeing everyone, although… I kinda wish it were time for UC’s tour to resume. Not to see Coop or anything, of course—it just would be nice to live in the bubble a while longer.

JENNA:

Happy you’re having a good time. Can’t say the same for Coop, though. He was over last night and being totally mopey. He misses you!

I doubt it.

JENNA:

Was it your idea to return to GA?

Ibetter end this thread now. So what if Coop was “mopey”?

Yup - I bought the ticket and I’m thrilled to be back! See you next week when we go Down Under!

With renewed determination, I don a pair of skinny black jeans, high heels, and a sexy, sparkly top. I take one step and immediately regret my footwear choice. Kicking off the stilettos, I opt for ballerina flats that are cute, although not as “on the prowl” as the others. Seriously? Coop is cock-blocking me across the continent—but for his Range Rover, I wouldn’t have hurt my ankle. Damn him!

The front door opens again and Alexis yells, “Give me twenty and I’ll be ready to celebrate Nese’s return!”

However short lived. I pick up my red lipstick. “Sounds good!” Ensuring my makeup is flawless, I meet up with Alexis and Noah in the living room. Who both are wearing t-shirts and worn blue jeans. “Oh la la,” Alexis comments. “Fancy!”

Defending myself, I reply, “I wanted to look nice.”

“You sure do,” Noah says. “How was your call?”

Remembering the lie I told him to get him out of my room earlier, I shrug my shoulders. “It was good. Got the instructions for next week’s trip.” Luke sent them via email last week, but Noah doesn’t need to know this.

“Ready?” Alexis asks.

“Definitely!” I secure my purse around my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

We walk next door to the bar, which has a jukebox. I order us beers and bring them to the table Noah snagged. “Nice seat.” He beams at me as I pass out the drinks. Not my preferred pomegranate martini, but this place doesn’t make them.

Alexis joins us and not a minute later “Refocused Destiny” begins to play. “Remind you of anything?”

Yeah. The Oscars. Watching UC perform this song at all the gigs, from backstage. Dressing them. Dressing Coop. “I might have heard it a time or two.” For good measure, I toss my head back and laugh, then gulp some beer.

A few people stop at our table, apparently known to both Noah and Alexis. They talk about stuff around the neighborhood, things I would’ve known a year ago. Not now. They try to bring me into their conversation but it’s hard to concentrate.

A guy in a nice leather jacket (even if it is from a collection that came out two years ago) sits next to me. About six foot tall. Good, he’s taller. Short light brown hair. Which I overlook.

“Hi there. I like your style.”

I smile. He seems promising. “Thanks.” I touch his leather-clad arm. “I like yours too.”

“Haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new in town?” He notices I reach for my nearly empty glass and motions for the server to bring me another.

“Newly returned,” I correct him. “Been away for about a year.”

Two beers are dropped off. “I doubt anything much has changed.” He takes a swig from the bottle. “What do you do?”

“I’m in the fashion industry. You?” I sip from my second beer. Tastes like the first.

“I work in marketing.” A song by The Light Rail comes on and I start to bop in my seat. “Want to dance?”