Page 17 of The Sounds of Her

Everything is black, the floor, the walls, the ceiling. There is a long bar with two servers behind it. The wall behind them is lit up with white neon, but it’s not super bright and garish. There are row after row of bottles. Some with black labels I’m sure cost more than I make in a month.

With muted floor lights and strategically placed spotlights in the ceiling, it gives the place a mysterious air. Black leather couches are around the room, and they all have glass coffee tables in front of them.

I take a seat with Megan and Keira while Jenna goes to Adam. Elsa is already on Nick’s lap on a stool in front of the bar. Looks way too precarious to me, but Elsa has remarked Nick’s lap is one of the ‘most comfortable places she’s ever placed her derriere.’ While we’re chatting, Joey, Megan’s new husband arrives and whisks her away after greeting us with a grin. He may be a huge and scary MMA fighter, but Joey is a teddy bear outside of the ring.

“So it’s you and me,” Keira says, taking a glass of champagne from a tray someone has placed on our table.

“What do you mean?”

“Single,” she pouts out her lips. “Slim pickings in here too. I may have to go downstairs to see what is on offer.”

“You’re not going downstairs.”

Keira looks over her shoulder at her brother. She arches a brow at him, but he doesn’t seem at all put off. “Why not?”

“Because there could be weirdos down there.”

“I have a sitter, I look fabulous, and I’m going to have fun tonight. Who’s with me?”

I smirk at Adam and grab a glass of champagne. “Me, but let’s have a few of these before we go dance.”

“Amen, sister,” Keira clinks her glass with mine.

Before Adam can argue again, Jenna drags him away from the table, whispering something to him. He is giving it back until she crosses her arms. Keira and I laugh as he backs down.

If you live your life worrying about every little thing that might happen, you may as well lock yourself up at home. I’m all for living life to the fullest.

Keira is right, we’re hot in our slinky black dresses. Our makeup is on point and hair styled, albeit she has a soft blonde pixie cut, to my long dark curls.

I’m not the type to gush over anything, but I’d been so impressed by the dresses she made us for the wedding, I think I may have embarrassed her. I told her to own her talent and Keira seemed very pleased with that.

A few more people arrive, and I eye them to see if there is anyone interesting. Keira nudges me with her elbow.

“Who is Mr tall, dark and sex on legs?” she leans in close so no one can overhear.

“Which one?” I smirk, glancing back at the four men. One of them is Archer Harris. I do a double take because I didn’t recognise him. He’s rocking a thick beard and, oh my ovaries, he looks insanely hot with it. I can’t drag my eyes away from him, vaguely aware Keira is saying something to me.

I admit, I had a crush on Archer when I was first introduced to the band, then again, I’d crushed on all of them, or got way too excited at meeting these rock gods.

I’m over it. They’re normal people who I now hang out with. That wow factor is gone. But damn, Archer is wearing a black shirt with the top two buttons open. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his tattoos.

Momentarily, I imagine taking someone like him home to meet my parents. They’d lose their shit.

“Who are you smiling at?” Keira asks, looking in the same direction as me. “Oh shit, is that Arch? I was a little in love with him when we were growing up.”

I twist my head to her. Her saying that doesn’t bother me, of course it doesn’t. It’s just Archer. My eyes go back to him, the lights hit the silver of his belt buckle in his black pants. My cheeks flush as I realise where I’m looking. I better stop that shit before someone sees me ogling his junk.

“The feeling was not mutual,” Keira laughs. “Besides, Adam would have punched him in the dick if he even tried to hit on me.” She is scowling now.

“Were there a lot of scared boys in your high school?”

“He’s not that tough,” she sips her champagne. “To be honest, I appreciated how he looked out for me. Like with Jake’s dad.”

She gets my undivided attention now. I don’t know her well but what I know, I like. Jake is her son, and no one ever talks about his dad. “What happened there?” I ask.

“College boyfriend. He was a jock, slept around. A lot,” she rolls her eyes. “We had a hot and heavy month or two before he got bored.”

“Prick.”