Page 6 of Signed in Blood

It’s a crazy thought. Our moment together was only a second in time, but it’s one of those moments you remember for the rest of your life. It’s impactful in a way that makes my heart race and my body shake. I think about him the entire walk to the bar and even when we’re ordering drinks.

Sabrina notices, calling me out. “You need to get laid. Like seriously. A man just touched you, and now I think you’re under a spell.”

“Oh come on,” I joke back with her. “Did you see how hot he was?”

“I’m not blind, and you can’t stop smiling!” Sabrina pushes, and I don’t even try to hide my grin.

“I’m just thinking about how strong he felt.” And all those muscles that have to be under that shirt…

“That’s because you’ve been screwing around with a boy and let me tell you, my friend, that demon was all man.”

“Not all men are demons.”

“Ha! Says the girl who just dumped one,” she says back, raising her brow.

“Yeah, but not all men cheat.” Perhaps I’m a sucker for love, but I’d choose that over being lonely any day.

“That’s true, but most do.”

“That’s a jaded way of thinking about love,” I tell her, feeling sorry for her in a way but not wanting to bring down the mood.

“I don’t want to fall in love,” she says confidently but I know it’s not true. She just doesn’t trust that kind of love.

Sabrina has been saying that ever since I can remember. She claims she doesn’t recall life before her first foster home, but I think her mind is suppressing memories she can’t handle, which would explain why she’s never been interested in finding a partner. Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t sleep around or anything, I’ve just never seen her with a guy that she’s serious with.

Sabrina is all about having fun, and I admire that about her. I wish I could be as carefree as her, but I guess that’s why opposites attract. Since we have fake IDs, we order two margaritas with Tajin around the rim. They’re strong, the tequila burns its way down my chest, making me feel warm all over.

“Ahhh!” Sabrina exclaims, grabbing my hand. “They’re on!”

Before I can protest, she drags me to the stage where we’re front row and center. I’m familiar with some of their songs, but not many. I can’t tell you their names, but I can tell you how much Sabrina is loving everything about this moment. I try to take in her excitement as one of the songs changes to something I know.

We’re rocking back and forth, lost in the lyrics and singing together. I catch on to the choruses quickly enough.

“How are we all doing out there?” the main singer, Jake, exclaims into the microphone. His cadence is decadent and exciting at the same time. The crowd cheers in response. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much in the last hour.

The bar is packed with people; it isn’t often that we have a popular indie band in our small town outside of Salem, at least not during offseason.

“Look at all these gorgeous people who are here with us tonight,” the drummer, Murphy, announces. “How lucky are we to have you here!”

As the music settles and the alcohol slips into my veins, I find something…just not right. When they aren’t singing, when they’re speaking to the crowd. The way they move is as alluring as it is cryptic. There’s something about them that feels off to me, not in a sinister way, but in a cautious one. Maybe it’s the tone in their voices or the dark clothes they're wearing. It may be black eye liner worn to make them appear devious.

Or perhaps Sabrina’s comments earlier are just now penetrating my thoughts. That most men are just fucking demons.

They continue to make love to the crowd with their music until they take a break and we find ourselves in front of them, catching their complete attention. Sabrina is a stunning girl with her blonde hair and blue eyes, while I contrast her light features with my dark ones. We’ve been told several times how well we complement each other and we often play into it.

“You two look too innocent to be here,” the singer announces, bringing my attention back to him. He drops the mic, since they’re on break now, but doesn’t move off the stage.

“Oh my God, it’s you!” Sabrina replies, smiling wide.

“Oh my God, it’s you!” the lead singer jokes back, and I think Sabrina is going to embarrass herself. I’m vaguely aware of the crowd that surrounds us, but the way the three of the men look at us…it’s like we’re the only ones here.

“Hi, we’re big fans,” I say, scooping my arm around hers to hold her steady.

“Yeah.” She daydreams right in front of our eyes.

There are three of them, a lead singer, drummer, and guitarist. They’re all good looking in their own way. It’s hard not to fawn over them. They aren’t as cute as the stranger on the street, but holy shit they’re talking to us and I can’t help but feel smitten over the fact. And just maybe…it’ll add a little hope for Sabrina that one day she could fall in love. Maybe with the singer of a rock band even. I’ve never been a groupie, but you wouldn’t know it if you saw how I was looking at them. I think I’m a bit starstruck; they’re my first indie rock band after all.

“You want to come have a drink?” Jake, with dirty blond hair long enough to grip but not so long that I would say he has long hair, asks. Holy shit. My whole body freezes in shock.