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“You guys have all spoiled me rotten.” Briar gets a hold of the mic once more. She presses her hands to her cheeks, all awe and astonishment. “I promise you, I wake up every day and can’t believe the kind of talent I’m surrounded by. You’re all incredible. Thank you for keeping up the tradition and the mind-blowing music that changes the world.”
Not my music.
“Before we get wild again, I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to perform. Does anyone want to throw in a grand finale and try to show up the Vipers?” She zings them with a playful smile.
Laurel tugs the hoodie’s collar tighter around her throat, eyes on the instruments, wistfulness lurking in her eyes. She could be out there with the best of them.
“Actually,” I say loudly and, grabbing her hand, stand and haul her onto her feet. “We do.”
“We do?” Laurel squeaks beside me, her fingernails threatening to pierce the skin on my forearm. Everyone around us whoops and smirks and whispers. Laurel’s face pales to beyond white.
“Do you?” Briar sounds intrigued. “Well, hurry up then, or I’ll die of curiosity.”
Laurel refuses to move or let go of my arm.
“Hey, we’ve messed around with your song so many times, I could play it half-asleep.”
“You mean your song?” she hisses. “We have never settled on a way to play it.”
“Then we’ll give them a beautiful mess. This will be a perfect opportunity for you to conquer some of your fears and play with people who know and understand.”
Her gaze hardens. “Okay,” she says. “But I’ll play it, and you sing it.”
I flinch back. “This is a terrible idea.” I don’t do much singing for a reason.
Laurel’s lips spread into a happily evil smile. “We do it my way or you can look like a fool.”
That’s not an uncommon situation, but her spitefulness burns away my caution. I love it when she goads me.
My friends start chanting for us to play. I smile back at Laurel. “Have it your way. I’ll sing.”
If that’s what it takes to bring her closer to feeling safe on the stage, so be it. I will pay the price.
Track 22
Like Magic
Laurel
My knees wobble as I follow Jace. This is insane. Once again, I’m drawn into madness by him. My pulse ratchets up and drowns out all other sounds. My palms begin to sweat. My feet feel numb. I’m panicking like I haven’t in a long time. He said we’d play for a crowd that understands, but what he forgets is that these people, these accomplished musicians, are the hardest crowd to please. They’ll judge every note, every word, and—
“Hello there.” Briar’s amplified voice summons my attention from the vortex of despair. “You’re a new face. I love new friends. What’s your name?”
She offers me the mic. I stare at it, struggling to breathe. Then something solidifies in my mind, and the dusty remnants of my stage training kick in. “Laurel Halifax,” I say into the mic. “It’s nice to meet you all.” I’m lying through my teeth. I hope it doesn’t show too much.
The crowd responds with a deafening cheer. What was it that Hal said about no one remembering me?
“Laurel Halifax?” Briar’s eyebrows take a hike. “Long time no see.”
“We’ve never met,” I mutter and cringe, grateful she wasn’t holding out the mic this time. My brain is shot. I can’t think straight at all.
Briar laughs. “Welcome to my humble party, Laurel.”
Humble. Sure.
Oh my gosh.
Why did I agree to this? Why did I get so ticked off at Jace and everything he represents that I got the insane idea to make him suffer by making him sing? The way he looked like he was about to throw up provoked me too much. I bet it’ll be no big deal to him. He’s playing a trick on me.
