She simply nods in agreement. I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before pushing my way through the packed room. I say hi to the sound engineer and, after we’ve talked shop for a bit, turn behind me, hoping to introduce him to Lacy. But she’s nowhere to be found. I scan the crowd and finally spy her, not far away, shoving her way through a cluster of people—and carrying a waitress tray with a single drink balanced on it.
“Uh, Lace, why are you carrying a tray?” I ask as she approaches me.
“I went to the bar to get myself another vodka soda while you schmooze, and the bartender sent me over with this foryou,” she says. “Shealsoseems to think I’m your assistant or a groupie or something, I don’t know.”
“Why didn’t you say something? You shouldn’t be running trays here,” I say, taking the glass from the tray and placing it on a nearby table.
“It seemed easier to just take the tray,” Lacy replies with a note of helplessness in her voice.
I can’t help but feel a slight prick of annoyance. Why won’t she stand up for herself? All she has to do is tell people we’re friends. I’m not asking her to tell some big elaborate lie. And I’m not trying to hide her away. Here we are, having a great night out, and she’s being such a timid mouse that people are mistaking her for a waitress? Or my assistant? Or a groupie?
“You’ve got to stick up for yourself,” I say to her seriously. “And stop trailing after me all the time. When I introduce you to people, get involved in the conversation.”
“It’s all music industry talk,” Lacy replies with a shrug. “I don’t really have much to contribute. I don’t know what to say to all these cool LA kids and music industry bros.”
“Come on, Lace,” I say with annoyance. “You managed that interview earlier today. I guess you can shoot the shit with some ‘music industry bros’ for a little bit tonight.”
Around us, the crowd is getting rowdier, singing along to an up-tempo iteration ofIt’s Raining Men. I grin as I look around at the writhing mass of bodies and smiling faces. Sure, I have to schmooze and work the room when I come to a place like this. But I also enjoy it. The entire vibe is a good time. I want Lacy to have a good time here, too.
“What did you say?” Lacy leans forward, angling her ear toward me as she tries to hear over the noise. She seems totally oblivious to the joyous crowd. I grit my teeth in irritation.
“Forget it. Just try to stay with me instead of trailing after me. And get involved!” I urge her. I’m determined to make sure she can see the magic in this place before the night is done.
“What?” Lacy asks again, consternation furrowing her brow.
“GET INVOLVED!” I raise my voice to be heard over the crowd.
“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you! I’m not used to rowdy, noisy places like this!” Lacy wails, looking more lost than ever.
I take a deep breath before trying again: “I SAID, GET INVOLVED! DON’T JUST STAND THERE LIKE A WALLFLOWER. TALK TO MY FRIENDS!”
In my irritation at Lacy’s failure to stick up for herself, and my annoyance at having to repeat myself, I end up sounding louder and harsher than I intended. My words sound cruel and mean, and I regret them immediately, especially when I see the shocked expression on Lacy’s face.
Chapter Seventeen
Lacy
IstareatBen,my heart racing with angry adrenaline.What the hell is wrong with him?!It isn’t my fault that this place is so obnoxiously loud, I can barely hear my own words when I talk. Before I can say something in response, Ben grabs my arm and pulls me to the hallway near the toilets. The music is quieter here and there are fewer people, so we can finally talk.
“Lace, I’m sorry,” he speaks first. I’m still in shock from the tone he’s just taken with me. “I didn’t mean to shout. I was just getting frustrated because you couldn’t hear what I was saying.”
“It’s frustrating for me too, Ben. You don’t have to take it out on me.”
“I know. But I just want you to have fun here. This is my favorite spot in LA. I always have a good time. I thought we could enjoy it together.”
My heart softens slightly at his words. I love that Ben wants to pull me further into his world and show me the places that he loves, with the hope that I’ll love them too. It’s especially reassuring after those thoughts I was having earlier, wondering whether he considered our dynamic a relationship or not.
But tonight has been… Subpar at best.
“I mean, so far I’ve just been trailing after you as you talk shop with all these music industry people,” I say with a dismissive shrug. I’m not going to pretend like Ben’s behavior tonight has been okay.
“I get that it’s a lot of music industry people. But they’re my friends. They’re important to me. You could at leasttryto talk to them when I introduce you.”
“Arethey your friends though? Rob and Ella are your friends. These people are just, I don’t know, business contacts and drinking buddies.”
Ben pauses, looking thoughtful. “Maybe you’re right. I mean, they’re not close friends. But still. They’re connections I value and people I respect. I just wish you would try a bit more when I introduce you to people instead of shrinking into the background.”
“I mean, when people assume that I’m your assistant or groupie or whatever other type of hanger-on, it’s hard to keep up.”