Page 12 of The PTA President
“I wouldn’t leave your side if you paid me. You’re stuck with me.” Her eyes light up as we enter the building, before showing the bouncer our IDs. Her grip tightens on my arm, and I notice she’s buzzing with excitement. We’re practically skipping, which is totally not cool, but she makes me feel like the raddest person here.
The house band is warming up, clouds of cigarette smoke and the faint smell of urine clog my nostrils. There’s a seating area up top, with chairs and tables so you can eat if the band’s a little more on the mellow side. Down below is standing only. Normally when the band’s insane, there’s a mosh pit where people go if they’re feeling like bleeding from the head.
“Let's go upstairs, and we can sit and order food.” I grab her hand, leading the way.
The crowd is younger than her and dressed a lot grungier than usual. Her shoes stick to the floor with a squelch that makes her grimace every step. For a school night there’s a shit ton of people here. I’d hoped because this isn’t a rowdy band it’d be a good one to pop her cherry at.You know what I mean. Don’t make it weird.The main floor lighting is dim, illuminating the stage as the musicians walk in and greet everyone.
Her hands are on the railing, gripping tight, eyes wide as the lights bounce off the walls. The club stays dark apart from the stage—she's not hard to see though. I could spot her from space, she’s unbelievably stunning. Every curve from her breasts to her hips, down to those sexy, long legs, is highlighted by the warm light. It’s a good thing I’ve already seen this band because I’m watching her watch them and not paying attention to the songs at all.
When “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” comes on, all reason flies out the window as I scoot my chair closer to her. In return, she leans into me, allowing our shoulders to touch as the melancholy music plays around us. We’re back in our bubble, just the two of us. Music loud, lights low. It’s everything I wanted her to experience and I have front row seats to it.
“You were right. I think I feel this song.” Her voice isn’t loud or meant to be heard by me.
“I think I feel it too,” I whisper.
ChaptEr 8
Candace
Never have I ever experienced something that made me feel so alive. If this is what drugs feel like, call me an addict because I need this feeling soaring through my veins every second of the day. My eardrums popped, and Nat warned they might ring for a day or two. Aside from that, everything is awake. The music infiltrated my nervous system, seeping into my skin and riding my blood cells through my body. I never want this to go away.
We’re driving through the city back to the suburbs, a place I’ve called home for thirty-nine years. Strange as it is, I've never felt more at home than right now with a woman I barely know. Even though I have no idea what I’m doing, she leaves me in charge of the music. Bright lights shine over us, skyscrapers are lit up, and it’s as if the night is as alive as I am. Couples walk hand in hand along the busy downtown streets. Cars fly by with their music blaring while drivers happily sing along.
The moon is vivid and full, illuminating the dark sky. Every sense is heightened, the fragrant smell of food trucks, as people grab late-night snacks. Cigarette smoke still danced on my tongue from the room of smokers, mixing with the peppermint gum Nat handed me once we buckled up. An unfamiliar melody plays, and on instinct, I turn it up and roll the window down enough for my upper body to fit out.
“What are you doing?” she squeals, laughing while I hang out the window, arms stretched wide, soaking in the night air.
“I’m feeling the music!” I yell. The beat fills my body once again, as I exhale old Candace, inhaling and embracing this newfound freedom.
“Fun fact. The lead singer of this band named his daughter Apple. Imagine introducing yourself in kindergarten and telling people that’s your name amongst a room full of Jessicas.”
Her pop culture trivia makes me chuckle as we continue our drive. I take it all in as if it’s the first time I’m really seeing the world. I hope I’m not embarrassing myself—I just need more nights like this, especially with her.
We bolt out of her car, laughing hysterically at all the insane things rock stars name their children. In our little bubble, it’s not a school night, and we didn’t just pull into my six thousand square foot home. It’s just us.
Unlocking my front door, we burst inside, still panting from running up the driveway. She makes herself at home on my kitchen island while I grab the chocolate chip cookies I baked last night,just for her.
“Oh my gosh, you’re my favorite person on earth. That’s it, I’m moving in with you. Megan will understand once she eats one of these.” Warmth fills my chest at her praise.
“What is this high going through my body?” I shake my arms out above my head. “It feels like I’m drunk, everything's buzzing,and I can’t tell if I should sleep it off or go streaking through the neighborhood.”
“I beg of you,pleasego streaking,” she says, giving me a wink.
Before I can dissect that comment further, the living room lights snap on. My sister stands there. “Having fun?” she asks, arms crossed, eyeing both of us.
“Oh my gosh, Court!” I gasp. I totally forgot she was staying here tonight. Guilt replaces my buzz. I neveroncethought about my girls tonight, whether they went to bed, or when. My heart races as I run through the evening and how they managed without me.
“Oh, hey, what’s up? I’m Nat.” She nods from the counter.
“My sister must like you. Normally she rips me a new one if I walk on her carpet with my shoes on, and yet here you sit with your dirty ass pants right on her precious island.” She purses her lips, giving Nat a once-over.
My eyes shoot to her. “Court,” I growl. I’ve never thought twice about Nat sitting on the island, it seems so natural.
We both ignore my sister while Nat hands me a cookie. “How do you make these and not eat like twenty all at once?”
Courtney’s eyes widen in horror as I bite the cookie right out of Nat’s hand, savoring the chocolaty goodness. Crumbs stick to my face, she reaches over and wipes them away with her thumb, letting it linger. That’s when I realize Court is still standing off in the corner, watching us like we’re zoo animals.
“Um…it’s kind of late. I should probably go to bed. I’ve got an early meeting with my financial advisor.”
