Axel bats me on the shoulder. “Come on, you and Veer would look good together. And you like the music.”
Charlotte’s eyes sparkle. “Imagine all the double dates.”
My lips tighten. There’s more to relationships than outward appearances, although it would be nice not to have to sneak around. But not with Veer. Not with a guy who would sleep with a woman one night and then act as though nothing happened for the next two years.
Now I sound bitter about him, which I’m not. I shake off that thought.
“Veer and I are just friends.”
“Are you sure about that?” Axel asks.
My gaze switches to Charlotte, who gives me pleading eyes.
“What exactly do you two want from me?”
“Just say you’ll be there on Sunday,” Axel says.
Charlotte nods and gives me puppy eyes. “Tin Soldiers on Pluto has a VIP section for the whole night.”
“After our set, we can all enjoy food and drinks while watching the other bands,” Axel adds.
“If my new employer doesn’t ask me to work tomorrow, I’ll come with you to the matinée.”
The pair of them exchange smirks.
“I’m only going because you two won’t shut up if I refuse.”
“Yay.”
Charlotte flings her arms around me in a tight hug.
Then Axel joins in, crushing us both.
Oh, shit. What have I just gotten myself into?
ChapterForty-One
PHOENIX
On Sunday morning, a heavy fist banging on my door wakes me up at stupid o’clock. I throw the pillow over my head to smother the sound, but whoever’s out in the hallway keeps hammering.
“Phoenix,” Charlotte says. “Wake up.”
“Why?” I snarl. “It’s the middle of the night.”
She laughs. “What? Eight?”
“And?”
“Come on.”
Someone makes a rapid knock that sounds like a drumbeat. It’s too rhythmical to come from Charlotte.
“Axel, is that you?” I say.
“Wakey wakey,” replies a deep voice.
“No.” I squeeze my eyes shut and curl into a tight ball. Interruptions like this should be illegal.