Star-Crossed ✔️

16

- 16 -

"Where are you?"

I sighed, held my phone closer to my ear, and ducked into a dark hallway near the back of the building in an attempt to find some quiet. Loud music was coming from every direction, only amplifying the many, many voices shouting to one another at the various tables.

It was surprisingly calmer in the bathroom. "I'm at some club in Brooklyn with Noah and the band," I said and stared at myself in the mirror. "It's more like a theater than a club. It's a drag show."

Noah convinced me to put a little more effort into my appearance. I did, though it wasn't saying much compared to who I turned up with. I put on a nice red satin button-down and black pants with some nicer shoes than my usual sneakers. I even slicked my hair back all fancy-like, per Kailey's suggestion.

Imagine my surprise when Noah walked out of his hotel room wearing an almost sheer, dark, sparkly long-sleeved shirt that cut off an inch above his pants, showing just the right amount of midriff to make my mouth water. Then he wore these tight black dress pants that hugged his hips perfectly. I almost couldn't keep my eyes off of him as he greeted Chris and Kailey, who were accompanying us to the drag show like Noah wanted.

Back to the phone call. "You gotta tell me where you're going," Joey said and I rolled my eyes. "When were you planning on telling me you and Russo went and climbed a fuckin' mountain in North Carolina?"

"Is it that big of a deal?" I asked.

"Is it that big of a— Yes, Theodore, it is that big of a deal. On this tour, it is my job to make sure you make it from point A, to point B, to point C, and so forth. If you run off and fall off the side of a mountain or get kidnapped in New York City when I think you're sleeping safely at your hotel? That's on me. And I don't feel like getting cancelled this year."

I waited for him to finish patiently. "Okay, fine. I'll keep you in the loop, alright?"

"Thank you. Have fun. Do you need a driver?"

"Nope," I said. "Remind me to give you a raise."

Joey scoffed on the other end of the phone. "I already gave myself one. Goodnight, Theo."

I shoved my phone into my pocket and took a second to twirl the loose tuft of hair that curled onto my forehead. Kailey insisted I looked good enough to impress Noah, but I brushed her off. If I was going to survive hanging out with him during this tour, I'd need to just let things fall into place themselves. Essentially, after sleeping on it, I decided I wasn't going to make any deliberate moves on him. If it was meant to me, it was meant to be.

Everyone looked so excited when I got back to our table. Noah, especially. He was talking animatedly with Chris and it was then that I noticed he'd put the tiniest bit of glitter on his eyelids. Wow.

Kailey nudged my leg and I realized I was still standing by my chair, captivated by how he looked in the dim lighting of this dinner theater. He didn't notice.

"You're so obvious," Kailey giggled quietly into my ear as I sat down beside her. "It's gross, but kinda sweet."

I rolled my eyes and fastened a hand around my beer. No liquor tonight. I wanted to just relax and have a good night with my . . . friends? Could I even call them that? Noah was my friend, sure. The others probably still only tolerated me for a positive work environment's sake. I couldn't see myself ever liking Chris only because of my insecurities. Kailey was cool.