Love's Game (LarssonSiblingSeries#5)

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

OLIVE

I stare after Dexter's back, watching him storm towards the exit. It feels so good to see his face, and hear his voice. I've missed it. Going away gave me the freedom to really work out what I want in life, helping me concentrate on the important things.

America gave me so many new opportunities.

I met the most incredible bunch of people that I know will be friends for life. Took road trips to places that blew me away, and learnt so much about the profession I'm so passionate about.

Delilah tugs on my arm when the lights start to lower, pulling me back to our seats. "Betty's openings are the best. You're guaranteed to get goosebumps."

"I can't wait," I giggle, resting our shoulders together when we do a little dance on the spot.

Bailey takes a big swig out of the tin of gin and tonics we brought from the VIP, almost snorting it out of her nose when Delilah and I both raise our eyebrows at her. "I have two days away from the kids. Leave me be!"

Delilah tips her head back when she laughs, "I'll drink to that, gorgeous girl. Give me the alcohol."

Bailey grins, bending down to get two more tins for us. "We gonna get drunk!"

I think it's safe to say that we're all more than a little tipsy. After sampling every type of cocktail and Prosecco on the food table, we turned our attention on the many gin tins lined up in cute patterns.

Rhubarb and ginger is my favourite, the sickly sweet taste curbing my sugar addiction. The others liked the plain stuff, but it's too sour for my liking. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm not for it.

We open the cans at the same time, saying cheers to one another before turning our attentions to the stage where the screen at the back of it turns a blood red and the deep sound of the bass guitar hits you directly in the stomach. All the hair on my body stands on end when the sound gets louder with the rhythmic sound of drums pursing the now heavy air.

"Yeeeeeeeeees!" Delilah screams at the top of her lungs, already dancing to the music, the red background turning almost black with snakes until they move to create an image of Betty's face.

And then Betty's voice sends me two steps back, the arena erupting with loud screams and cheers. It feels like an out of body experience as she hits every note with ease, her shadow standing at the top of a long staircase.

"Standing here, looking at you," she moves her body to the left, one arm in the air.

The crowd screams back, "Stale cigarettes and whiskey in the air," and then there's a bang before the lights point right at her and the music leads her down to the stage.

"You sexy bitch," Delilah screams when Betty starts to sing and move her body in all directions.

Bailey and I start to laugh so hard I have to take a few steadying breaths because it becomes hard to get any air in. I love that Delilah seems to be missing a filter. It's what makes her so special.

Delilah is too busy singing along to realise what we're doing. Shrugging at Bailey, I start jumping on the spot, singing at the top of my lungs. A camera filters around the crowds, people openly crying as they sing, scream and wave on the back screen.

Three songs into the set is when Dexter decides to join us. All three of us are dancing with all our might, so hard in fact that Bailey's hair has fallen out of its braid. I think he's filming us because the woman behind Delilah leans over with her flashing wand and pouts at him.