Page 36 of Jinxes and Drumsticks

It’s a picture of her with another woman. This one looks like her polar opposite. She’s got raven hair styled in loose beach waves and a deep tan. She’s wearing Lululemon in bright yellow and her dark eyes are framed with smoky, shimmery eyeshadow and lash extensions.

She makes a kissy face at the camera while Lillith looks faintly flushed and nervous, as if the other woman insisted on taking the photo. It’s like seeing a Kardashian hanging out with Haley Williams.

Then again, Travis Barker fell for Kourtney, so who says it couldn’t happen?

I smile as I type out a text.

Who is that? Do you need rescuing again? I can be there in ten minutes, blink twice if you’re in danger.

It’s my best friend, Wren. She said we should send you a photo of us being hot.

Tell your best friend Wren that she has just been promoted to being my best friend. She was absolutely correct. Send more.

What comes next is a series of candid shots of Lillith, some with her hands in front of her face. Others with her laughing. They come so quick I think Wren must be doing the typing. The final one is a video of Lillith fleeing into the bathroom while our music plays loudly in the background. There are books fucking everywhere all over Lillith’s apartment.

I’m sorry, she ran away. You will have to make do with me. What are your intensions with the most perfect woman to ever exist?

Now that’s something we agree on. Intentions are only good things, I assure you. I’m actually hoping I can take her out on another date in a couple days. If that’s agreeable to you, anyway.

We shall see. When are you getting here? I can’t let my baby bean go out with just anyone. I’d like to meet you to make sure you don’t intend on wearing her skin or making her into people-sushi.

I mean. She does have nice skin.

Strike one. She has perfect skin you pleb.

I laugh out loud and Satoshi snatches my phone out of my hand before I even realize he’s standing near me.

“Dude, give me my shit back,” I shout.

He scrolls back through the conversation while playing keep away. His brows lift faintly.

“Who is that?” Satoshi asks. “The girl with the dark hair.”

“Her best friend, Wren,” I say.

His eyes linger on the screen as he zooms in on her kissy face. Something dark and satisfied unfurls inside of me.

“Oh, did you find someone to fall in love with? I thought your black heart wasn’t capable of it.”

“Fuck you. I can find someone hot without falling in love with them. We’re not all idiots like you,” he barks back, throwing the phone at me.

I catch it quickly thanks to my drummer’s dexterity. But also fuck him for risking it.

I shoot a text back to Wren, excusing myself and letting her know that I’ll probably be back at Odd Bird Apothecary a little before one in the morning. I put the phone back in my pocket and roll my eyes.

“Maybe if you can stop being a douchebag I’ll introduce you,” I say. “I don’t want to bring you around if you’re going to embarrass me in front of my girl.”

“She’s not your girl, you delusional psycho.”

“She will be soon. So fuck you.”

“Whatever.”

I focus on the final minor adjustments of our equipment, making sure all the pickups are operational and doing a sound check with Fletcher. I’m eager to get back to Lillith and meet her friend. I wonder if she’s going to stay long enough to actually meet me—if I should wear something nicer than the tee and jeans I’m wearing. Maybe some shoes that aren’t falling apart?

And that’s pretty much how the session goes. I play songs over and over while thinking unendingly of Lillith and Wren hanging out. I wonder if they’re talking about me. They must be, right? Why else would Wren insist on texting me?

And if she’s insisting on meeting me, maybe Lillith is saying good things. Maybe she’s as excited about me being into her as I am about her being into me. Wait. What if Lillith invited her best friend over just to talk about me?