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That of a spindly spider.
With legs encased in the tightest pants I’d ever seen. Heels capped it off.
A black widow. On the hunt.
Hank slung his arm around my neck, dragging me out of the trance she had me in. “You might not know this, but this guy right here is the heart of the Anchormen,” he said into the microphone. “He first had the idea for us to form a band when we were in high school. A dozen years later, and we’re still playing together.”
I smiled at my old friend then over my shoulder to Ethan, who lifted his chin to me. These guys were my best friends, my ride-or-dies, and yet that familiar pang in my chest reverberated against my ribs at our missing link, Patrick. I forced myself to keep smiling as Hank went on and on about how we were all in the marching band together and smoked so much pot behind the bleachers one game, we were stripping off our uniforms and trading instruments.
“Since it’s Dean’s birthday, I’m hoping you’ll all join me in singing,” Hank said, lifting his arm to the crowd in front of us and launching into “Happy Birthday.” Then Ethan counted off with his sticks, and without letting me know what we were doing, they started in on a rendition of the Police’s “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” It took me a bit to find the right chords before I joined in, but I could barely manage to play as Hank basically humped my leg, changing the lyrics of the chorus to be every little thinghedoes is magic, and had all of Walt’s singing along. My gift, I supposed.
It could have been worse.
“And we can’t forget about Dean’s sister, Laney,” Hank said, pointing at her. “This next one is dedicated to you from your lover boy.”
Behind me, Ethan pointed one of his drumsticks at her, mouthing something I didn’twantto comprehend, and led us into an alt version of “Always Be My Baby.” I kept my focus on my guitar the whole time so I didn’t accidentally find Taylor again.
After the last notes floated into quiet, Hank thanked the crowd and reminded them of our gig next month, and we all waved before starting in on the cleanup from our set. I couldn’t help but notice Taylor had found a seat with her sister at the other end of the bar. I tried to ignore how my back felt like it was on fire as I helped Ethan pack up his kit.
“That was great, guys,” Laney said, kissing Ethan’s cheek and high-fiving the rest of us. “I ordered some food.”
I checked my watch. Normally, Ethan and Laney scooted out right after. “You’re staying?”
“Yeah. Itisour birthday. We have to celebrate.”
“Thirty, flirty, and thriving,” Hank said with a shimmy in my sister’s direction. Laney tossed her head back and laughed that annoying, booming laugh of hers. It never failed to call everyone’s attention, and when I lifted up my head, I met Taylor’s eyes.
Kennedy was saying something to her, but she didn’t break our gaze.
I was the first one to blink away.
“What’s up with you?” Jerry asked, lightly elbowing my side. “Look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Tony and Jerry were in their late forties, a bit older than Ethan, Hank, and me, but we got along well enough to play together. Though, we never talked about personal stuff, so I just shrugged and offered to help him with unplugging the cords.
Once the stage was cleared, we settled down at the two tables pushed together, plates of food spread out between us. Yet I couldn’t stop flicking my eyes to the back corner.
“Who is that?” Laney asked eventually.
“Some ex-hookup?” Hank guessed.
I huffed. “No.”
Ethan looked over his shoulder, and I tossed a fry at him. “Dude. Don’t be so obvious.”
“What?” He stuffed the fry into his mouth. “I’m trying to see who everybody’s talking about.”
“We’re not talking about her.”
“She break your heart?” Tony asked, and a chorus of laughter rang out since I’d be the last person to get my heart broken.
And I needed to shut down this conversation.
“No. It’s someone I work with.”
Laney zipped her eyes right over Ethan’s shoulder. “Oh my god! It’s Taylor, isn’t it?”
I sipped my beer, suddenly very interested in the muted basketball game playing on the TV by the bar.
