Page 31 of Fate In Fiction

My arm slings over her shoulder as we step off the elevator and walk through the lobby. We could exit the side door to the parking lot, but the entire point is to be seen together. Comfortable silence fills the car as the clear night sky surrounds us.

“Winning over Emery and Stella is the next goal. Stella seems predictable to please.” I absentmindedly think out loud as we drive on a back road through the chilly night. “Does Emery hang out with you often? I imagine she works long hours as a chef.”

“She does, but she’s so down to earth.” So why do she and Josie hang out with a superficial girl like Stella? “Emery is observant, so I’m not sure how she will react. I have a feeling Stella is going to take more convincing that this is real.” Josie’s jaw tightens as I watch nerves settle in. “She has known me since I was nine and is already pressing at the speed of this relationship because she knows almost everything about me.”

“You’re quite secretive.” I loosen my grip on the wheel, raising my eyebrows at her.

“And she knows all of my secrets. Mostly. Except the one about us.” Josie lowers her voice and looks out the window. “No one but Clyde knows about this arrangement. He has known about my desire to escape this town for a few months.” I knew there was something going on between them when she walked up to the bar and shot down my whiskey. “I need to make sure this deal works in my favor, Emmett.”

“Make it easy for me, little darlin’. I need something only Stella knows about, and something you can trust me enough with too.”

Her lips roll inward as she debates what to share. Her fingers type away at her phone and it connects to my car. “This radio app is my favorite.” An older rock song comes through the speakers, and I chuckle to myself. “I love this song.”

“You know, I’m surprised you enjoy this style of music. I pegged you as a Taylor Swift fan or some folk indie bands.”

“Older Taylor songs are my jam.” She smirks and hums along to the song.

“Do your parents listen to this genre?”

“Oh, goodness no! They have no idea I listen to this type of sinful music from their era.” Her voice trails off. “Or that…”

“Come on now,” I pry, and without thinking, place my hand on her thigh to playfully shake her leg. “What are you hiding?” I retract my hand. “I imagine it is probably something worth winning Stella over with?”

She remains quiet and clears her throat as we listen to the song’s chorus to kick in. A soft smirk breaks across her face as she glances my way. “We’re running with the shadows of the night.” Her raspy voice shocks my system as she continues to belt out the song with more power than Pat Benatar.

What the actual fuck?

I pull the car over, picking my jaw up off my lap, and stare at the mysterious work of art beside me. The grit in her voice is in complete contrast to her soft exterior. Josie’s chunky sweater bunches as her shoulders shrug. Reaching forward, she turns down the music.

“Stella and Emery are the only people who know about my alter ego.” She laughs at herself. “Okay, not exactly an alter ego, but the love I have for performing rock songs has been our secret.” The seriousness in her tone alludes to building my trust with her. “That’s why I only hit up the karaoke bars in San Diego.”

“You use a fake ID, perform 80s rock songs, and then flaunt the world your shy, innocent smile throughout the week.” The quickening of my pulse makes me light-headed.

“I am the only one underage. Don’t rat me out.” Her mouth rambles so fast, as if I am about to tell the first person I see about this. “I have a righteous image to uphold, and being underage in sleazy bars doesn’t see to that.” The panic in her voice is loud and clear.

All I register is “sleazy bars” and feel my fingers flex before clenching. Josie in a room full of drunk people turns my stomach. My only guess is that she would wear a revealing outfit to make herself look older and the part. “Who the hell are you?” Seriously. Mixed signals are everywhere. “I get you’re trying to figure yourself out, but how much more is there to uncover?” The smallest slip-up will cost us both, and sneaking around out of state is grounds for getting caught.

“I don’t want to be a singer. I know that.” She avoids my last question. “I feel a bit cooler when I can burn off steam through a song on stage.”

“The more you speak, the more I still don’t know who you are or what you want.”

“I want the freedom to find that out.” Her tongue brushes along her lips, but I know it’s not an invitation. Though, I’m curious to taste all her secrets.

“You’re sure there is nothing to worry about with the girls?” I don’t need girl drama, or Stella being envious that I shot her down to get with her friend. “They won’t try to sabotage you out of jealousy? Stella did hit on me.”

“She’s over it. Stella is happy I am finally back in the dating world again.” She giggles quietly, slouching back into the seat. “Emery keeps to herself and has her own demons to deal with.” Her voice tightens at the end.

“I’ll do my best to get you where you want to go.”

“What about you?” she asks with a smile, then brings her legs underneath her. “What secret song do you jam out to?”

“I don’t jam.” Rubbing my hand over my jaw, I fight my smirk. “Fine. You better not laugh.” I point my finger at her, and she leans forward, attempting to bite it. “Feisty little thing, aren’t you?” I quickly retract my finger.

“Please?” Her eyes sulk as her bottom lip pops out, begging for an answer and tempting me to pull between my teeth.

“Back here.” I shift in my seat to adjust myself. “By BBMAK.”

A devilish smirk I’ve only just witnessed plays on her face as her thumbs type away on her phone. “I’ve never heard of it.”