Starting Fires by Makenzie Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

“See you around, Marlowe.” As he walked away, I felt a tension I didn’t even know I had leave me.
    “Who is that guy?” I asked, watching him head back to the bar.
    “A dick,” was all Lucas offered. I couldn’t question him further because Charles, Ian, and Wally joined us. As he talked with them, Lucas leaned forward, putting his forearms against the table. I frowned, almost wanting Fontenot to return so he would put his arm back around me.
    The three of them were deep in conversation about some sci-fi video game. Something about a shepherd and reaping, I couldn’t follow. Using the distraction, I leaned into Lucas, brushing my shoulder against his arm. “Thanks for the beer,” I said.
    He looked at me and a slow grin spread across his face. “You’re welcome,” he replied then leaned in, closing the distance between our faces. “Are you driving tonight?” I shook my head. “Then you can drink all you want. On the house. I better not see a single dollar come out of your purse.”
    “Okay,” I replied.
    “I mean it, Marzy. Not one dollar bill.”
    “I promise, but don’t blame me when I’m drunk and sitting in your lap again,” I said without thinking. Embarrassed, I drew my lips into my mouth and wished that I could take that back.
    Lucas’ grin widened before turning towards me. He draped an arm over the back of my chair and placed his other on the table in front of me, caging me in. “I think I’d like that.”
    Oh.
    I couldn’t help it and smiled back. “Hey Lovebirds,” Wally said, effectively ended my daze. I turned and saw that all eyes were fixed on Lucas and I. Immediately, I sat up and brought the beer bottle to my mouth.
    Lucas seemed unfazed and turned his eyes to him. “What?”
    “We play in like 45 minutes. Is everything set up?”
    “I checked it all before we opened. Should be good to go.”
    For the next thirty minutes, the five of us chatted while we drank. Occasionally, I would feel Lucas’ foot or knee brush up against me. I wasn’t sure if it was accidental or not, but I loved every second of it.
    When it was time for them to start playing, I remained at the table. It was close enough that I would have a good view of the show without having to be stuck in the crowd that was forming. I pulled out my phone to see if I’d received any texts from Nicole or Lacey. Just as I was about to ask them where they were, I felt a hand at my elbow, trying to pull me to my feet. Reactively, I resisted and threw a glare at whoever was trying to touch me. Realizing it was Lucas, I let my face relax. He had another beer for me and I stood. “Hey,” I smiled.
    His fingertips left my arm and rested on my back, right between my shoulder blades. “You gonna come up front?” he asked.
    “I was planning on sitting here.”
    “I can’t see you all the way back here,” he said with a smile.
    I turned towards him, putting our bodies close. “Well, where do you want me?” I didn’t realize the sexual connotation of my words until Lucas gave me a playful grin. Without a response, he began leading me towards the stage.
    As I stood in the front, Lucas hopped up onto the platform. I searched the crowd for Nicole and Lacey and spotted them at the bar. Looking like an idiot, I waved dramatically to get their attention. Once they saw me, they smiled and came over.
    “I’m so excited,” Nicole squealed and I couldn’t help it, I squealed, too.
    I heard the speakers come on and watched Lucas approach the microphone. He was met with whistles, clapping, cheers, and a “take it off!” He smiled, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and looked down at me. “Thanks for coming out,” he said nonchalantly and the bar erupted.
    Charles counted off on the drums and I watched as Lucas belted it out. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. The air rushed out of my lungs as I watched him pull back from the mic. Wally and Ian joined in with their instruments and Lucas grabbed the