Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 2.

"Hey Jeffrey. How was school?" I asked as I stepped through the door. He was sitting at the kitchen table, bent over his homework. He looked up and grinned.

"Hey Aurora. I'm good. You look tired. There's food in the microwave."

I smiled, my heart softening. "Aww, thank you, dearest."

I walked to the microwave, grabbed the warm plate, and sat next to him. He'd made spaghetti and meatballs. This kid, my baby brother, was only fourteen, but sometimes he acted like he was the adult and I was the one who needed looking after.

"Hmm... this tastes amazing, Jeff." I said with my mouth full. He chuckled, proud.

"So, how's school?"

"Pretty good," he said casually, but I noticed the little sparkle in his eyes. "I got my report card."

I straightened in my seat. "Really? Can I see it?"

He pulled out a neatly folded paper from his binder and handed it to me. I scanned the sheet, and my tired heart suddenly felt full. Straight A's. Again.

"Wow, Jeffrey! I'm so proud of you!" I beamed, blowing him a kiss.

He blushed and looked away shyly. "Thanks, sis."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before I asked, "Where's Mum?"

"In her room. She was looking for the remote earlier... Did you see it anywhere?"

"Uh...nope! Haven't seen it," I lied, taking my empty plate to the sink.

I turned on the tap—nothing. No water.

"Damn it," I muttered. "I forgot to pay the bill."

Jeffrey gave me a small, understanding look and went back to his book. I left the plate in the sink and dragged myself to my room. I collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Today had been going fine, until he showed up. Ryan. Just thinking about him made my stomach twist. That smug look. That voice. The way he treated people like they were beneath him.

I didn't have time to dwell. I had a gig at the bar tonight. Singing was the only thing that made me feel alive. Most nights I performed covers, but sometimes, when I was brave, I sang my own songs, pieces of my broken life turned into lyrics.

A glance at my cracked phone screen told me it was nearly 7:00 PM. I jumped up and rushed to the bathroom. I turned the tap, nothing, not a single drop.

"Ugh!" I groaned, hitting the sink in frustration. "Right. I forgot to pay the water bill."

 I slipped into my black leather midi dress and ankle boots. Red lipstick. Curls down. I rarely let my hair down—but tonight, I needed the confidence.

As I passed through the kitchen, Jeffrey looked up. "I thought you were staying home tonight."

"Nope, I've got a performance at the bar."

"Aww man," he sighed. "I wish I could come. But I have a chemistry test tomorrow."

"It's okay, sweetie. Come with me on Saturday. I'll be performing with Jordan then."

"Deal," he said with a smile.

I took a cab to the bar. Skylar was already there, waiting outside. The moment she saw me, her jaw dropped.

"Oh my God, Aurora—you. look. stunning," she gushed, hugging me tightly.

"Thanks, Sky," I said with a tired grin.

"You should wear your hair down more often. You're literally glowing."

We walked inside, and Jordan greeted us. He's my pianist—brilliant, reliable, and one of the only guys I actually trust. Sometimes we performed together when he booked a gig, but tonight was a solo.

The bar was packed. That surprised me. Maybe someone else was performing after me?

I took a sip of water as Jordan signalled me to come up. I climbed onto the small stage and took the mic. Tonight's cover: Never Break by John Legend.

I was always nervous at first. But as Jordan started to play, the music wrapped around me like a shield. I found my voice, and with it, my strength. I glanced at the audience, scanning their faces.

And then I saw him.

Ryan Tyler.

He was sitting near the back, his gaze locked on mine. He leaned over and whispered something to his friends. They laughed.

I ignored him.

I kept singing.

When I finished, the room erupted in applause. A few people stood. Skylar jumped up, clapping like a proud mom at a recital. I smiled and stepped off the stage—but as I turned, my heel caught on the cable.

I fell. Hard.

A collective "Oooh!" echoed through the bar. Some people gasped. Others laughed.

Skylar rushed to me. "Aurora! Are you okay?"

I nodded quickly, face burning. "Yeah. I need to get out of here."

We stepped outside, and the cold air bit at my skin. I hugged myself.

"I'm so sorry, Aurora," Skylar said softly.

I looked at her, trying to smile. "It's fine."

She pulled me into a hug. "Your performance was amazing. I loved every second."

"Thanks, Sky," I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears.

After a while, I went to Mikhail's office to collect my payment. He was puffing on a cigar, his thick Russian accent cutting through the air as I entered.

"The performance—great. But the fall? Not so great."

"I'm sorry, Mikhail. It won't happen again."

He studied me, then opened his safe and tossed a few bills onto the desk. "Saturday. No fall this time."

I nodded, took the money, and left.

Skylar was on the phone outside. She mouthed, "Emergency. I need to go. See you tomorrow."

I waved her off and decided to walk home. The night air was crisp, and my heels clicked against the sidewalk. But as I turned a corner, I noticed a car behind me.

It slowed down.

I kept walking.

It kept following.

My heartbeat doubled. I quickened my pace. Not tonight. Please not tonight.

I started running. My boots thudded hard against the pavement. The car sped up. I could hear the tires against the road, too close.

I turned a corner, and tripped again. My knees scraped against the asphalt.

The car pulled up fast. The headlights blinded me as it came to a stop in front of me.

My breath caught in my throat.