Keep Me in the Dark by Karina Ashe Page B

sigh. “You guys are going to have so much fun.”
    “Uh, did you hear who Cassie was going to have to sit next to?” Dolly asks.
    Dolly dodges Cassie’s attack. “What the hell? You’re supposed to be my friend! Why did you even let your boy toy invite along that jerk?”
    I can’t help but laugh along with Anna. “I wish I was going.”
    Anna tilts her head thoughtfully. “Laura, we’re going to have a great time, but so are you. We’ll all go out after Thanksgiving.”
    That’s right. Tomorrow was the start of Thanksgiving break. Pretty much everyone in our building had already left.
    I slip my feet into a pair of tasteful black flats. Anna hands me my cello case with a brilliant smile. “You’ll have fun, just see.”
    I shift on my feet. “Okay.”
    Anna isn’t discouraged. “You’re beautiful, and you’re going to do awesome.”
    Dolly eyes Cassie to see if she’s going to spring another attack before giving me a thumbs-up. “My work is done. If tonight sucks, it’s your fault, not mine.”
    “Thanks Dolly,” I laugh.
    Cassie pats me on the back. “Kick some ass.”
    “This isn’t really an ass-kicking event,” I explain.
    “She means in the love department,” Dolly pipes in. “David’s going to be there.”
    I groan. What was with all these comments about David? “Stop it you guys. There’s nothing there. All you’re doing is making me feel self-conscious around him.”
    “A little bit of self-conscious wouldn’t hurt,” Cassie says.
    “Just give him a chance,” Anna adds.
    A chance at what? There’s nothing going on there! I groan and lean on the door right as someone proceeds to bang on it.
    I fly back. “Shit!”
    Cassie and Anna dart forward, catching me. The three of us are teetering and winding around each other like we’re playing Twister when Dolly opens the door with a smile. “David! You’re right on time.”
    Cassie grunts as she pushes me onto my feet. Anna falls on her knees. Unfortunately she’s holding onto Cassie so Cassie goes down with her.
    “You’re such a bitch, Dolly!” Cassie groans.
    “Hey, watch your language in front of the gentleman,” Dolly snaps back.
    David’s perfect brown eyes narrow with concern. “Is everything alright in here?”
    “We’re fine.” I groan as I shake my ankle free of Cassie’s grip.
    “Hey, you kicked me!” she squeals.
    “Sorry!” I adjust my grip on my cello and stumble forward right into David’s arms.
    “Hey Laura.”
    His voice is lower than usual. It makes his chest rumble. I wonder why I noticed that.
    He reaches for my cello case.
    I move it out of his reach. “I got it.”
    He grins. “But it’s part of my job.”
    David volunteered to be the roadie for Bruigh na Boinne for the event. Why did he? I have no idea. It’s not like he’s the kind of guy who needs extra credit. “Don’t you think you’re taking this job a little too seriously? I’m not going to make my friends carry my shit.”
    Cassie snickers. “Elegantly put, Laura.”
    David grins. “I don’t mind hauling around your shit.”
    I sigh. “You’re making this sound even worse!”
    Dolly marches over and wrestles my cello case from my hands. “Hey! Don’t you dare deprive him of his sacred roadie duties!”
    David grins as he takes it from her. “It’s my pleasure.”
    “Hey.” I reach for it, but this time he moves it just out of my reach. “Come on. Stop playing around.”
    “You should just let me take it for you,” he advises. “I’m not changing my mind, and if you put up more of a fight we’re going to make everyone late.”
    Anna beams as I reluctantly walk to the door. “You two have fun!”
    Yeah right. “I’m singing in front of a group of people. I only sing when I’m drunk. This is not going to be fun…unless David has some Peppermint Schnapps in the car?”
    He holds the door open for me. “I’m pretty sure I’d fail as a roadie if I let you get drunk before you go on stage.”
    I snort.