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Simon leaned back on the arm of the recliner I was sitting in, his usual spot, and frowned at Kendra.
"You still have a couple of years before college. Don't be in a rush to grow up."
Kendra pouted, but then brightened. "At least I'll get to listen to you guys play tonight! I can't wait!"
"How exactly is Kendra getting into the East End?" Marcus asked.
"I have a fake I.D.!" Kendra was almost bursting with excitement and I heard Simon sigh.
"Kendra, you're only using that I.D. tonight. Grant was able to get that from a girl who looks like you, but it's only a loan." Simon glared at her. "And remember, the only reason I'm letting you come tonight is because you want to hear us play so badly. If I even see you within two feet of an alcoholic beverage I'm dragging you home, even if I have to jump off the stage to do it."
Kendra rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay. You can stop with the big brother act. I won't get within ten feet of a drink."
Simon looked satisfied with her answer and went back to eating, interspersed with absentmindedly massaging the back of my neck. Sarah was right—we were ridiculous with our affectionate touches, especially Simon, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
The rest of dinner was harmonious and the boys left earlier to prepare for the show. Kendra looked at us pleadingly after they left. "Can't I have just one drink? Please? I swear I won't tell my brother." She shifted her gaze, focusing her plea on me.
"Sorry, Kendra," I said, smiling affectionately. "Simon will kill us both if I let you have a drop of alcohol. If it makes you feel any better, I won't drink either."
Kendra's shoulders slumped in defeat. "But I wanted the total college experience."
Jenny patted her shoulder sympathetically. "I didn't even get served at the East End until a month ago when I turned twenty-one. But now I drink there all the time."
Sarah smothered a laugh and I just shook my head, not sure why Jenny thought that would make Kendra feel better.
I distracted Kendra by asking her what she wanted to study in college, and she took the subject and ran with it, forgetting all about her momentary distress. She was so much like Simon with her mercurial mood shifts. I wondered if these mood swings would put a wedge between Simon and me. I couldn't help thinking about how angry he had gotten earlier about a harmless joke, but I pushed the thought aside and focused on Kendra debating whether to become a veterinarian or a zoologist.
Chapter Fifteen
By the time we made it to the East End there was already a line formed outside. I held my breath when Charlie, the bouncer, checked Kendra's I.D. I felt bad lying to him, but I just smiled as he waved her through. We weaved our way to the bar after we checked our coats, snagging a couple of stools we could gather around.
We ordered drinks, and although Kendra and I were reduced to diet soda, that didn't stop her eyes from shining as she looked around the bar. "Is it always this crowded?"
"No, it's only like this when the Henchmen are playing," Jenny answered. "It's gotten even crazier ever since that stuff happened with Claudia. For some reason, it's made Simon even more popular, and in turn, the Henchmen."
I surreptitiously shook my head at Jenny, not wanting her to continue. The last thing I wanted to talk about was what had happened with Claudia, especially in front of Kendra. Not only did I not want to be reminded of the gruesome incident, but only Sarah knew the truth and I felt uncomfortable lying.
Fortunately, the Henchmen came out on stage and the conversation was forgotten. We made our way closer to the stage, although we had to risk a few elbows thrown our way. I drank in the sight of Simon, oblivious to the other members on stage. His blue t-shirt fit snugly over his broad shoulders, and I could only think about how strong and muscular they felt when I clung to them when he kissed me passionately. His blue eyes were intense as they swept the crowd, stopping to settle on me. I could almost feel the electricity between us as he gazed at me, and I could feel the tingle all the way down to my toes. It was amazing how he could make me feel breathless with just one look.
I was startled out of my trance when the Henchmen started playing one of their most popular songs and the crowd started screaming in approval. Simon's eyes broke away from mine as he started singing, but I still couldn't look away. He sang with the same intensity as when we were alone and his entire attention was focused on me, his hands caressing my body until I felt like I was on fire.
"They're awesome!" Kendra's squeal finally broke my concentration from Simon as I glanced at her. She was swaying to the music and looked absolutely in her element.
We watched them amidst the crowd for most of their set, but near the end Sarah started complaining about her feet hurting so we snagged a table removed from the dancing masses.
"Thank God," Sarah sighed in relief when we sat down, stretching her legs out. "I thought my feet were going to fall off."
"Everything for the sake of beauty, right?" Jenny looked at Sarah's four-inch snakeskin heels. "I wish we were the same shoe size."
Kendra stuck out her own heels for everyone's inspection. "I got these for 50% off!"
I drowned out their conversation about shoes as I studied the people in the East End. I couldn't help wondering if any of these people had been overtaken by their vardogers, and I was only seeing their physical bodies, their souls long gone. More importantly, I couldn't help wondering if any of these people were on the cusp of being overtaken and I was sitting here unable to do anything about it.
I sighed, trying not to think about it. I heard Simon announce that this was their last song, much to the dismay of their fans, and that it was a new one and hopefully they liked it. I perked up at his words, surprised that Simon hadn't mentioned the new song to me. He often asked my opinion of songs he was writing, but of course I always thought everything he wrote was brilliant.
Sarah, Jenny and Kendra also turned their attention back to the band, as curious about the new song as I was. The beat started out slow and Simon's voice was like velvet over steel, smooth yet strong.
I can't imagine my life
