Page 146 of These Wicked Hearts

There are a lot of people here, and the chatter from the crowd is making the place feel a bit small. “So, what are we doing? What kind of party is this?” I find a table toward the back and make our way to it.

“I don’t know,” I say, sitting down and casually scanning for Gage. “The invite didn’t say.”

“Looking for Gage?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been scanning the crowd. Kind of impressed. Should’ve been a goalie.”

“No thank you.” I exhale through my nose.

“What can I get you both?” Vanessa’s manicured hand rests on the back of my chair.

“Some kind of zero sugar soda. I don’t care what,” Knox says.

“Uh, same.” Vanessa smiles, turning away. “Hey, Vee?” She turns back around. “Do you know what’s going on right now? Like, why are they throwing a party here?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure. Gage asked me if he could throw a party here for some work thing with a couple of his friends. I said, you want to bring in paying customers to my bar, go right ahead. I had no clue he was in a band.”

“They’re only the greatest band alive,” Knox says.

“Please ignore him.”

“I planned to.” She smiles tightly then pats his head when he scowls. “So, what’s going on with you and Gage? He told me to let him know if I see you.”

“Uh, well, nothing really.”

She nods. “Uh-huh, can’t wait to be invited to another wedding born out of nothing.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll be back with your drinks. I’ll let your nothing know you’re here.” I laugh as she ruffles my hair.

“There’s a lot of people here.”

He’s right. I look up and scan the room, still not seeing Gage. I’m not sure who any of these people are. I don’t see his friend either. I look around the bar, and it’s only now I notice the clothes most of the people here are wearing. A little out of place for a small-town dive. Some people are wearing suits, and some dresses that probably cost more than my rent.

“What’s going on?”

Up on the little stage Vanessa has for local musicians, I see someone appear and notice Chen step up to the microphone.

“Hello.” He looks over the crowd, waiting for the chatter to simmer down. “Hello, hi. Thank you all for coming tonight. I know this was a little last minute, but I appreciate everyone’s attendance.” He takes a moment to scan the bar. “I know most of you know who I am, but there are also a handful of reporters here tonight who do not.”

He hesitates a moment, like he’s not sure he wants to say this next part.

“My name is Chen Wei, and I’m the keyboardist for Riot Heart.”

The flashes come immediately. A soft murmur rolls over the crowd. As he waits for their voices to stop, I see the man I saw at Gage’s walk up to the stage, furious. Chen pulls the mic away from his reach.

“That’s right,” he continues. “Perfect timing.”

Then I see him. Gage walks up to the stage with his two other bandmates behind him. I’ve never seen them without their masks, but they both stand hand in hand.

The older man who was in Gage’s apartment grabs for Gage’s hand as he walks by, but Gage swiftly moves his hand away and walks up to Chen.

“Now, if you don’t mind, my friend has a few words he’d like to say.”

Chen hands the mic to Gage as he walks onto the stage, and the older man from his apartment’s eyes narrow. Gage stands there for a moment, scanning the crowd. Then his eyes land on me. It’s like time stops.

A small smile hits his lips as he focuses back on everyone. A hush rolls through the room. Gage’s hand tightens around the microphone. “Thank you all for coming tonight,” he begins smoothly. “I know this is a little weird. Half of you know exactly who I am but have been kept silent per NDAs, and the other half have no idea why you’re here.

“For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Gage Hart. I’m the lead singer of our band, Riot Heart.” A soft murmur ripples through the crowd. “We just finished our most successful tour, and that’s something to celebrate.” He smiles softly. “Tonight, though, is not a celebration.”