Page 4 of Broken Harmony (Heartbreak Melody #2)

“It’s okay. The bartender wouldn’t serve you alcohol anyways without seeing an ID. You're fine to eat there if you’d like.”

“Oh, okay then. Yeah, sure, the bar is fine.”

She smiles, nods, and guides me inside.

The place is nice and packed. But still, even with so many people, it isn’t crazy loud. People are having conversations and laughing, but it feels like a very chill atmosphere. I like it.

“Here you go.” She points to the empty seat. “Here's the menu. Rachel, your server, will be by shortly for your order. As for drinks, Jenny, the bartender, will take your order.”

“Thanks.”

Taking my seat, I look over the menu and groan.

“Everything okay?” a male voice asks. I look to my left and see three men sitting at the bar, all younger, closer to my age by the looks of it.

“No,” I mutter. “There are so many good options. How the hell can I pick just one?”

They chuckle. “The pizza is pretty good.” The one with shaggy blond hair who started the conversation says.

“Chicken wings are too,” another one says, this one has short black hair.

“Nah, go for the chicken tacos,” the last one, a guy with wavy red hair, says.

I blink at them. “None of you are helping me right now.”

They all laugh again.

“Ugh,” I mutter to myself, going back to look at the menu.

The server stops by after a minute. “Hi, I’m Rachel. I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get you?”

Chewing on my lower lip, I glance over the menu again before answering. “I’ll go with the chicken tacos.”

“Yes!” the guy with red hair cheers, and I cast him an amused look. He winks at me before talking to his friends.

Shaking my head, I smile at Rachel and tell her that's all for now.

“Didn’t know you were so invested in my food choices,” I say to the guys once Rachel leaves.

“Sorry, we had a bit of a bet to see what you would choose.” The redhead grins.

“And what if I picked something completely different from what the three of you suggested?” I ask, raising a brow.

“Then we’d all have lost, I guess.” Blondie shrugs.

“But we didn’t. I won. And now you owe me a drink,” Redhead preens smugly. “Coke and rum, please,” he tells the bartender before looking over at me. “What are you drinking?”

A small blush creeps onto my cheeks. Guess they aren’t quite my age. “Ah, just Coke,” I tell the bartender.

“Not a drinker?” Dark-haired guy asks.

“Underage,” I reply, clearing my throat. “Never mind that. How about you tell me your names so I can stop calling you redhead, blondie, and dark-haired dude in my head.”

They laugh. “I’m Skyler,” the blond says. “This is Ryker.” He nods to the redhead. “And that's Tyson.” He nods to the dark-haired guy. “And your name is?”

“Ally,” I answer. “Nice to meet you.”

Skyler looks me up and down. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Was he checking me out?

I mean, don’t get me wrong, they’re all insanely good-looking. Who doesn’t love a hot guy with tattoos and rocker vibes? But I wasn’t here to get involved with anyone. I have a goal, and nothing is going to get in my way of it.

Also, all three of them are obviously Alphas. That much I can tell just by looking at them.

I’ve always told myself that I’m going to wait until I present to get involved with anyone who has already found out their designation. Last thing I want is to find out I’m a Beta or an Alpha and the people I fall hard for end up scent-matched to another person. Nope. No thanks.

Plus, I have someone I love. Even if I shouldn’t love her, I do. And that's not something I’m just going to get over right away, if ever.

No. Boys, or girls, are not on my list of options right now.

The guys end up having to leave by the time my food gets here. Tyson said they would have invited me out, but they were going to a club.

I thanked them anyways and wished them good luck.

By the time I’m done eating, I decide to call it an early night. Tomorrow is my first day of the competition. I want to be well rested and ready to go.

Heading back up to my room, I quickly shower, dry my hair, and get ready for bed.

I quickly text my parents goodnight and get settled into bed.

Of course, like always, as soon as I close my eyes, I see her, think of her.

Knowing that if I try to fight it, it will take me hours to fall asleep, I give in, letting my mind take control. Even though it hurts. If I couldn’t have her in real life, at least I’d get her in my dreams.

***

I’m going to puke. I’m going to hurl my breakfast all over the floor, right outside the room, and everyone is going to laugh at me and call me a loser.

I need to get a hold of myself. I’ve never been this nervous in my life. I’ve competed in talent shows for years now. Won almost all of them, too. And never once did I falter.

That was high school. This is fucking Hollywood. There’s a big difference.

“You okay?” a familiar voice sounds from a little ways down the hall.

I look up and see Skyler, the guy from last night.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, voice coming off a little clipped.

He grins. “Nice to see you too. Nice claws you got there.” He winks and I roll my eyes, but smile anyway.

“Sorry.” I sigh. “I’m just...”

“Nervous?” he finishes for me, and I nod. “Yeah, us too.”

“Us? Are the others here too?”

“Yup, just inside there.” He points at the door that I’ll be passing through very soon. “Just had to take a call.”

“So you're a part of the competition?”

“We all are.” He nods. “I take it, so are you?”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“Nice.” He smiles. “Well, I guess that's four of us down. Hopefully, the other six are assholes. I’m all for good competition, but I can’t stand backstabbing assholes.”

“Well, guess that makes the two of us.” I laugh.

That was another thing I was worried about. How the other people would act towards one another? I know we’re all fighting for the same thing, but I hate petty people. I hate bullies, and just like Skyler said, I hate backstabbing assholes.

So far, the guys seem pretty chill, so I hope Skyler means what he says. If so, maybe I won’t be alone in this thing.

“Ready to get in there?” he asks, nodding towards the door. “Don’t want to be late on our first day, do we?”

“No.” I smile, feeling a little bit better than before. “We don’t.”

“Then come on, my little Spitfire.” He throws his arm over my shoulders, guiding me towards the door. “Let’s go change our lives forever.”

I had no idea just how true his words would be.