“HEY, DO YOU guys have any plans next weekend?” I ask, setting down my tray and pulling up a chair next to Zach.
“No. Why?” Brad asks.
“Because it’s my eighteenth birthday and I want to do something different and fun with my friends.”
“You’re not having a party?” Zach asks.
I give him a look, reminding him how I feel about parties. “No, I was thinking of a weekend in Orlando at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. Emerson booked the whole top floor of the Hard Rock.”
“I’m down,” Brad says.
“I’ll do whatever you want, babe,” Zach says, kissing my temple.
“Yay!” Lexi claps.
“Tickets, hotel, and food are covered. Just bring a change of clothes. We’ll leave Friday after school since you guys don’t have a game that night. And get this, my mom’s chartering a bus. It’ll pick everyone up in the Heritage Bay Beach Club parking lot.”
“Is Cherry coming?” Brad asks.
“Of course, I am,” Cherry says, taking a seat beside Brad. “Don’t you want me to come?”
Brad wiggles his eyebrows. “Always.”
“Stop,” Cole gripes. “I’m eating, assholes.”
“You’re eating assholes?” Brad laughs. “That’s just gross, Mackenzie. Now I’ve lost my appetite.” He pushes away his tray, pretending to be disgusted and we all laugh.
“WHAT THE HELL was I thinking?” I say, digging my fingernails into Zach’s arm as we walk out of the haunted house. I feel his arm flex under my grip. “I think I peed my pants, Z.”
Zach laughs, prying my hand off his arm and wrapping it around me, tucking me into his side. “I’ll protect you, babe.”
“I think I’m gonna throw up,” Olivia groans beside Zach and me, holding her stomach, just before she turns to the bushes and pukes.
“Oh, come on!” A guy with a fake bush on his head jumps up and I let out an ear-piercing scream. “Okay, I definitely peed.”
“Oh, my God, that’s gross!” Cole backs away, covering his mouth.
“Shut up, Cole! Like you’ve never thrown up.”
“Yeah, but it’s still gross.”
“Then walk away,” Zach says, annoyed.
“We need to get her back to the room,” Evangeline says from behind me.
Pfffffffffffffft.
Lexi and I look at each other with wide eyes.
“Well, that’s my cue to walk away,” Evangeline says with a laugh.
Zach’s eyes go wide. “Did she just—”
“Z!” I shake my head in warning. Zach brings his fist to his mouth to stifle a laugh and Olivia groans in embarrassment.
“Oh, man,” Evan says, screwing up his face.
“Shut up, Evan!” Lexi snaps.
“Sorry,” he chokes out through a laugh.
I shoot Evan a death glare.
“What? She’s the one who farted,” he whispers and shudders in disgust.
“Newsflash, Evan. Girls fart, too,” Lexi argues. “It happens. See.” Lexi proceeds to stick out her ass and fart loud enough for the whole group to hear.
Oh, my God. I freaking love this girl. I fall against Zach and wrap my arms around his waist as I laugh my ass off.
“Lex!” Evan chastises. “Don’t ever do that again.”
I bite down on my lip and look up at Zach. “Don’t even think about it,” he warns, shaking his head.
Lexi stands up and points to herself. “That’s right, everyone. You heard it. The Homecoming Queen just farted. Whatch’all gotta say about that?”
“Word,” Evangeline shouts.
I raise my hand. “And I peed my pants.”
“Everything okay over here?” a security guard asks, walking up and shining his flashlight over us.
“Yes, sir,” I answer. “My friend just got a little grossed out from the last haunted house.”
“Yeah.” He nods and lowers his flashlight. “It happens. You guys have a good night.” He walks off.
Carter jogs over carrying a bottled water and squats down to rub Olivia’s back. Thank God, he wasn’t around hear it. For anyone other than Lexi, that’s just downright mortifying.
“Careful, man,” Evan teases.
“Evan.” I shake my head, silently telling him to shut up.
Carter looks up at Evan confused.
“Evan, say one more word and I’m not talking to you for the rest of the night,” Lexi threatens. That shuts Evan right up.
“You okay, Livi?” Carter asks.
I think it’s so cute that he calls her Livi.
Olivia nods but keeps her face buried in her hands. Poor girl. “I’ll take her back to the hotel and get her something for her stomach,” Carter says.
“We’ll go with you,” I offer before turning to Zach. “I need food and a change of panties.”
“WHERE’S THE BIRTHDAY girl?” a familiar voice calls out through the sound system.
I jerk my head up to the stage and see Lucas smiling down at me. It takes a second to register that it’s Lucas, and he’s really here. Cupping my hand over my mouth, I stand up from the table.
“Is that—” Zach starts to say, but Lexi shrieks over him.
“Oh, my God, that’s Lucas Wild.”
“He’s so hot,” someone says.
“So is Ace Matthews,” someone else adds as Ace walks onto the stage and takes a seat behind the drums.
“Oh, my God, Wesley Brooks.” Wes walks out, pulling his guitar over his head.
Lucas hops off the stage and walks toward me. In one swoop, he’s got me in his arms, hugging me tight. His hug tells me he missed me as much as I’ve missed him. Lucas and I have never been apart for this long.
Evangeline, Lucas, and I are growing up and our lives are pulling us in different directions.
It’s a painful realization.
“Hey, everyone! I’m Lucas,” he says into the microphone and then gestures to the guys on the stage. “That’s Ace.” Ace winks and taps out a drum roll. “And Wes.” Wes strikes a chord on his guitar and shoots me a wink. I wave. “We’re here to wish Jay a happy birthday.”
I HAVE NEVER seen Jay so happy. She’s beaming, lit up from the inside with a permanent smile on her face. It makes me smile. There’s a strong bond between Jay and Lucas; it’s clear as day the love they have for each other.
Someone sits in Jay’s empty seat and I don’t have to look over to know that it’s Bass. He’s kind of hard to miss.
“I haven’t seen her this happy in a really long time,” he says.
“I was just thinking I’ve never seen her this happy,” I reply, keeping my eyes on Jay as she and Lucas sing Pepper’s “Fuck Around.” Lucas claimed it was one of Jay’s favorite songs a few years ago and she played it all the time.
Tapping the tambourine against her thigh, she glances over her shoulder at the drummer, Ace, who shoots her a wink, prompting Jay to curl her lip and roll her eyes.
Bass chuckles. “That one’s a flirt. Marcus told him if he ever touched his baby girl, he’d have to learn to play the drums with his feet.” He breaks into a full-on belly laugh, shaking his head.
JAY PULLS ME aside. “Zach, this is Lucas. Lucas, this is my boyfriend, Zach. And before you go all big brother and embarrass me, remember it’s my birthday and I will punch you in the throat.”
Lucas laughs and holds out his hand. “It’s good to meet you, dude. I hope you’re taking good care of my girl.” She’s my girl. “This is my dad, Andrew.” He gestures to the older version of himself.
Jay told me that her dad and Andrew grew up together in foster care and started Royal Mayhem while they were in high school. For some reason, I feel like it’s Andrew Wild who needs to give me his seal of approval to assure all is right in Jayla King’s world. “I hope you’re treating my goddaughter right.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Uncle Drew, you’re making him nervous.” She smacks him playfully on the arm.
I let out a soft chuckle and wrap my arm around her. “It’s fine, Jay.” I kiss her on the temple.
Andrew smiles. “As long as you keep my little girl happy, then I’m happy.”
“I’m eighteen, Uncle Drew.”
“Sweetheart, you’ll always be my little girl and Lucas will always be my little boy.” He winks.
Lucas introduces me to the guys from his band, Ace and Wes. They’re all chill and they adore Jay. The rest of the dinner is filled with music and laughter from the embarrassing stories between Evangeline, Lucas and Jay.
Whether Jay accepts it or not, hanging out with rock stars?
This is her normal.