Page 4 of Jinxes and Drumsticks

“Don’t apologize to that dick, sweetheart,” Damien says.

“Oh, god, you haven’t even asked for her name?” Satoshi asks.

Damien’s expression sours further, but his face pinkens. “I didn’t get a chance yet,” he grumbles.

“It’s uh—Lillith. Lillith Nightingale,” I say, trying to ease the tension between the band members.

“Mother of the Night. Badass,” Oren says.

I perk up. “Oh, you’re into mythology?”

“Yeah,” Oren says. “Is that your actual given name, or did you choose it?”

“It’s given to me,” I say. “Honestly, by a mother who didn’t like me very much. But my Nan who raised me thought it was pretty, and I learned to love it too.”

Oren’s face falls and I realize I’ve put my foot in my mouth again.

“I… It’s not a big deal, really!” I insist. “Like—I’ve totally reclaimed it. You know? Lillith, whether you’re talking about her more biblical iterations or her Sumerian ones, is a super powerful goddess and a great symbol for modern feminism. I’m really proud to share a name with her.”

Oren’s expression shifts and he looks over at Damien. “I like her, actually,” he says.

“Wait ‘til you hear that she runs a witchy shop in town,” Damien says, beaming proudly.

“Yeah? Where at?” Oren’s amber eyes light up with what seems like genuine interest.

“Corner of Sandbar and Pearl,” I say. “The Odd Bird Apothecary.”

“Cool name,” Oren says.

“Been in the family since the 1800’s,” I tell him. “It’s pretty cool. I’ve never had to worry about finding an affordable apartment in Southern California, either. Some very good forethought on my ninth great-grandmother’s part.. She had an eye for real estate, I guess.”

Oren laughs. “No shit. You’re sitting on a goldmine,” he says. “Well, hey, we do legitimately need to get to work. But come back to the green room once we wrap up the show, yeah? Come on, Devastation: by ‘we’ I do mean you.”

I try not to feel too crestfallen by Oren’s departure and his summoning Damien. It’s hard not to feel the twisting sensation in my gut as my opportunity to get ‘in’ with the band evaporates.

Satoshi knocks a particular rhythm on the old bank doors.

“For sure, I’ll be right in,” Damien says as the door to the venue opens behind me and one of the employees lets Oren and Satoshi in.

“Nice to meet you, Lillith,” Oren says as he vanishes inside with Satoshi.

“N-nice to meet you too!” I call after him.

I let out a puff of an exhale and look at Damien.

“Aww, don’t look so put off to be left with me,” he teases.

“That’s not why I’m put off,” I tell him. “When you walked up to me I thought we were both fans. I was looking forward to not having to stand around by myself. That’s all.”

“I could stay,” he offers.

“I’m pretty certain you can’t,” I say with a laugh. “Satoshi might kill you.”

“Shit, you’re probably right.” He laces his hands behind his neck in such a way that it emphasizes the slope and angle of every well-toned muscle in his arms. I find myself falling in love all over again. He. Is. So. Dreamy. “You should come in with me, then. Hang out in a green room.”

I want to. Gods, do I want to. But...Satoshi was kind of mean. And if I get too excited there’s a genuine possibility I’ll drop to the floor in a grand mal seizure. That wouldn’t be fun for anyone.

“I think Satoshi would kill me if I did that,” I say.