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PROLOGUE
Not all lovestories have happy endings.
Romeo and Juliet died for love. I wanted to live for it.
I wanted a love that would set the world on fire.
But I never thought I’d strike the match and watch it burn.
“Are you sure I look okay?”I eye myself in the broken mirror hanging crooked on the wall inside the Rathskeller’s ladies’ room. The bar is about fifteen minutes from campus and lucky for me, pretty lax about looking too closely at fake IDs. “Honestly, Emerson. I don’t know how I let you and your brother talk me into this. I sing show tunes, not rock. The guys would be better off with you out there, rather than me.”
I tug down the black leather skirt I borrowed from Em, then turn and look at myself from another angle.
Seriously, how does this cover her ass when it barely fits over mine?
I paired it with a strappy, bright-pink lace corset I had sewn over spring break. Em convinced me this was a killer pairing, then tossed me her black knee-high boots to finish it off. I barely recognize my own reflection tonight. It’s a far cry from my jeans and Chuck Taylors, but I definitely don’t hate what I see.
My entire body vibrates with nervous energy as I glare at her through the hazy reflection in the filthy mirror. “Swear to God, if the stage is too high, I’m going to be showing everyone my panties.” At least I didn’t wear the G-string panties that match the corset. Then I’d really be in trouble.
Emerson smacks my hands away and turns me to look at her. “It’s a two-foot platform, Carys. And it’s not like you’re doing a burlesque routine out there.” Her eyes run over me from head to toe before stopping on my boobs. “Besides, nobody is going to be looking up your skirt. They’ll be too busy trying to look down your top.” She runs her fingers over the lace. “Can you make me one of these? I love it.”
I nod my head and try to resist glaring at my roommate. “Your rationale is sometimes a scary thing, Em.” Last July, we were notified that we’d been paired up as roommates for our freshman year at San Diego University of the Arts. By the time we moved in a month later, I knew she was meant to be in my life.
The two of us were thrilled.
My family, not so much.
They hated that I was moving to the opposite side of the country for college while they were all together in Kroydon Hills, Pennsylvania. Not in an unsupportive way, more like ayou’re the baby, and we don’t want to stop interfering in every possible, increasingly boring aspect of your lifeway. They’d never understand.
I guess it makes sense when all I’ve ever told them is that I needed to figure out what I want to do with my life. Being away from their expectations is supposed to be helping with that.
So far, so good.
“Jack and Theo wouldn’t have asked you to sing with them tonight if they didn’t think you could do it.” She fluffs my dark hair over my shoulders, then hands me her red lipstick. Always red for Em.
Her brother, Jack, and his fraternity brother Theo are two years older than us, and formed their band, Six Day War, last year. They’ve been the Friday night house band here at the Rat for a few months, but their original lead singer/bass guitarist quit abruptly. He bailed when he got an offer to sing backup for some top-forty pop band, leaving them without a singer days before their next show. I think they’re trying to find another guy to replace him, but Emerson offered my somewhat willing vocals for tonight, while Lucas, one of their younger fraternity brothers, is filling in on the bass, so they didn’t have to cancel tonight.
What sounds like a fist slams against the wooden door, and I jump a mile. “Come on, Carys. It’s time.”
My eyes fly to Emerson’s, the nerves ratcheting up. “I don’t know how I let you talk me into this.”
“Suck it up, buttercup. You’ve sung in front of an audience before. Hell, you sang the National Anthem at the Philadelphia Kings football games in front of thousands. You can handle a little rock music in front of a bunch of drunk college kids at a hole-in-the-wall bar.” She smacks my ass. “Now get moving.”
One more deep breath and I raise my head to look at her. “I’m going to get you back for this. When you least expect it, I’m coming for you.”
Em laughs in my face. “Ooh. I’m terrified. Now get out there and get this shit done.”
I barely manage a single step through the door of the bathroom before Jack, Theo, and Lucas converge on us. Theo’s twirling his drumstick through his fingers until he sees me and stops. He whistles and motions for me to spin. “Hell-o, Miss Murphy.”
Theo is a goofball.
He never takes anything seriously, but he’s pretty to look at, so most people with a pulse give him a pass.
Okay, andmaybewe also hooked up after one too many games of beer pong at the beginning of last semester. “Looking good, Carys.”
“Of course, she looks good. But how’re you feeling? You good to go?” Jack hands me a bottle of water and then gets smacked by his sister.
“She’s better than good. She’s great. Knock ’em dead, guys.” Em squeezes my hand and throws a smile Lucas’s way before she disappears down the hall.
