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Luke slowly counted Jack’s, then my quarters. When he finished he faced us solemnly.
“I think I won,” I said loudly, making sure to sound super confident, only ruining it slightly when I lost my balance and had to grab onto Killian’s arm.
Stupid heels.
“It was super close.” Archer beat an unsteady rhythm with his hands on the table as Luke built up the anticipation by waiting a few seconds to declare the winner. “I’m sorry to say Tris, but Jack won by a single quarter.”
“What?” I forced a frown to my face and pointed at Luke. “No way. You fixed this. Count them again.”
“Yes!” Jack did an unsteady victory dance. “Victory and Peter’s lucky pick are mine!”
Luke stacked the change in two cylindrical towers, and sure enough mine was short one quarter.
I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. I bowed my shoulders, hoping I looked defeated.
“You don’t have to do this,” Killian reassured me.
“Fuck yeah she does.” Jack insisted.
“A deal’s a deal. I’ll get it for you,” I groused. Now I had to figure out how to get Peter’s pick without him noticing. Never mind after tonight’s confessions how much I was really pissed at him. Maybe I’d take the pick and tell him it was compensation for him being such an asshole.
Jack nodded. “That’s what I’m talking about! And just because I’m nice, I’ll stop giving you shit. Win-win.” He held up his hand and I gave him a lukewarm high-five.
“Gee, thanks.” I slid my arm around Killian’s waist and tucked my head into his neck. For the first time, I really noticed how his arm banded tight around me and wondered if maybe all along these displays of possession and affectionhadn’tbeen for show. “Do you think he’ll lay off now that he’s won?” I whispered low enough for him to hear.
“You didn’t—” I should’ve known Killian would figure out I threw the game.
“I did.” I lifted my head to look him in the eyes. “It was the only way.”
He rubbed his hand up and down my back as he led me to the table we’d vacated. I loved how unlike when we were younger we didn’t have to worry about someone taking it from us just because we’d gotten up.
Killian motioned for the guys to follow. “Can we just sit and enjoy the music like we came here to do?” He didn’t hide the frustration in his voice. There was no doubt he’d let his friends have it when I wasn’t around.
He sat and pulled me onto his lap, securing an arm over my legs when I started to slide off to go to my own seat. “Stay,” he demanded. “Please?”
I bit my lip and gave a tiny nod. And now that I knew about Killian’s feelings for me all those years ago things felt different between us.
As the music started up again and the guys and I settled in around the table, I sensed a renewed respect from them towards me. The tension and animosity had eased, and while it was likely a temporary truce, I’d take it. We were all friends again. I hoped.
During a pause in between bands, Luke turned the conversation to me, “So, what did you go to school for, Tris?”
Graduating from college seemed more like a lifetime ago rather than six years. “I double majored in Business and Music Production.” I couldn’t help but wonder what my life would be like now if I’d known about Killian’s feelings.
Killian stiffened behind me. “When did you change your major?”
It had been after I started college and Peter had taken me with him to one of his first recording sessions. “After the first semester, I think.”
“Why didn’t you do anything with Music Production, then?” Killian’s tone sounded both interested and concerned.
“I needed a job and … ” I hesitated. Knowing what I did about Peter and Killian, what I said next would feel like I was throwing it in his face. “Peter offered me one. The money was too good to pass up.” We had zero extras at the group home. The security of the job Peter offered was like the call of a siren to me. It meant I didn’t have to worry about a place to live or if I could afford to eat.
“Would you ever want to get back into it?” Archer asked.
I shrugged. “It’s been six years. People usually get a job through their internship, but it’s been so long I doubt mine would consider me.”
“You could ask Jareth to let you intern,” Luke suggested.
I winced. “He’s not my biggest fan right now. But maybe at some point I could see if he might have openings.”