AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Briar peels off a strip of paper protecting the glue and seals the bag. She offers the paper strip, which has a number written on it, to Tristan. “You’re number one. Be honored.” To me she says, “You’re number two. Hurry up.”
Swallowing a remark about how I’m always number two, I surrender my phone to the birthday girl.
“Don’t lose the paper,” she grumbles. “No matching number, no device at the end of the party.”
“You’re grumpy,” I rib her. “Nervous?”
She offers me an apologetic smile. “I wish Link was already here. You guys have been so busy in the past several weeks, I barely see him.”
“Why don’t you just crash our rehearsals like you used to?”
Briar sighs. “I would, but I’m busy too. Anyway.” She parks her fists on her hips. “Link said you won’t be playing anything new tonight, and I’m really bummed out. The Vipers are bringing something new, and you bet your tour bus, they’ll be all too happy to show off.”
I grasp this opportunity to banter with her, to dispel my own dark mood if nothing else. “Why are you acting like that’s a bad thing? You love them snakes to death. They’re your favorite.”
She snorts. “That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy seeing them choke on their own pride here and there. I can’t believe you wouldn’t cook up something for the occasion. Even a mock sea chantey would do.” Briar turns, her curled blonde hair flying through the air, and goes around the grounds to collect more phones.
The house rests quite close to the water, on a small hill that’s been flattened at the top for a building that’s more glass than its supporting wood and metal beams. The sky that reflects off the ocean waves and the glass is that rich shade of blue that soothes and inspires. Thewhooshof the waves has been tickling my ears all day, and I could listen to it my entire life. There are thousands of lights strewn all over the place, and blankets are spread out on the lawn instead of dining tables. Spherical lamps rest in the middle of each blanket to help light the evening picnic.
Man, I wish Laurel was here for this—it’s fresh out here and romantic, and I’m falling for her harder than I thought. I gave Bjornson a couple bruises for interrupting our moment that night he took a picture of us. The mood and the signs all pointed to an opportunity to kiss her. I had the perfect chance to check whether she’d be interested in something more serious than us working together or watching movies. I love doing both with her, but I feel like we’re a little too careful with each other. That’s not how we were in the beginning, and I miss the sparks.
Link and Jelly arrive soon after our conversation with Briar. We eat some snacks, then everyone meanders into different corners of the house for a few quiet minutes before the evening starts in earnest. Without a phone to kill time, I hunt down a guitar and turn to music. The sound of a solo guitar fills me with loneliness. I’d rather be with Laurel at her place than here, but Briar is a good friend, so I will stay for her sake.
A few minutes before eight, the place comes to life with the first group of guests. By eight fifteen, it’s a full crowd. My bandmates help welcome the new arrivals, and I make my way around, greeting, sometimes mocking, and even avoiding a few people.
“Jace!” Juliette pushes through a thick group and stands in front of me, bouncing on her feet from excitement. “I haven’t seen you in ages. I know you’re not recording, so I hope it’s your new girlfriend who’s keeping you busy. Is she here?”
“No.” I ruffle her hair, for which Juliette responds with a perfectly sharp slap on my wrist.
I chuckle, and we both eye the house as the sound of enthusiastic greetings rises above everything else.
“Oh, Bjornson! You made it!”
“Heya, Bjornson!”
My senses sharpen. I knew he’d be here, but is he alone? Laurel said she wouldn’t come. My feet weave me around people to check anyway.
“Where are you going?” Juliette asks behind me.
Angling through the crowd, I make my way toward Bjornson. My heart strains at its leash no matter how much I tell it to pipe down. If I give in to hope that Laurel has come and she’s not here, I might just ditch the party and go see her. That would be bad. It would also be fun.
Another step, another gentle shove to make room for myself, and I get to a sufficient opening to see my guitar fairy. People greet him on each side, guys high five him, girls lean in to kiss him on the cheeks. He’s a celebrity of his own sort here. The Rarity Hunter. The Gem Sleuth. The…Solo Attendee.
I release a loud sigh. I told myself to not hope. Then I get angry. Why is everyone so excited? Everyone here knows Bjornson. I grind my teeth and turn to go when out of the corner of my eye I catch a flash of fire I know so well.
I take a moment to brace myself. Another false alarm or…?
Okay, I’m ready to check. I turn around and my heart does a happy dance. Standing behind Bjornson, Laurel hugs herself and offers quick greetings I can’t hear from here. Her gaze sweeps past me once. Twice. Come on! I’m not that hard to see. I almost raise my hand and wave at her, but that would draw even more attention to her. She wouldn’t like it.
But Laurelishere.
“Are you okay?” Juliette stands beside me once more.
“Oh, yeah.” My face is nothing but one enormous grin. I watch Laurel, taking in her every move, every blink and wondering how she’s feeling. She must be beyond nervous.
What am I doing? I’m going over there.
