Page 18 of The Burdens We Share (Satan’s Angels #3)

“Nobody seemed to really give a shit about my singing voice because admittedly, it sucked. But they complimented my bass skills and after I performed, I made my way over to the bar and that was when I met Brody and Aria. The rest was history,” I finish reading my monologue from my script and wait until the recording light turns off before I remove my headphones and get up from my barstool.

I step out of the recording booth and Brody and Aria wait outside for me, smiles on their faces. They recorded their monologues earlier and insisted they listen to mine. “Isn’t it so weird to relive it?” Aria asks.

I nod, “Yeah, it’s like going back in time.” I have a little disbelief in my voice, but mostly nostalgia. I never once thought back then that this would be where I am now. Making the pit stop in LA was easily the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

My phone starts buzzing from where I left it on the couch and I walk over to it and flip it over to see who’s calling. I smile when I see it’s Nate. “Hello?” I answer.

“Hello, the love of my life, how are you?” He greets in response, playfulness in his tone.

I shake my head even though he can’t see me, “I’m tired, stressed, and in desperate need of some Nate time.”

“Perfect, because I was calling to tell you to show your face at the club later. I know you need a drink, and I need you,” I can hear the smile in his voice.

I laugh, “Nathaniel, are you flirting with me?” I use his full name.

He chuckles, “Yes. You already know I’m in love with you.” Nate and I may joke and play games, but he isn’t actually in love with me. I almost wish he was because he would be so easy to be with. At the same time though, I just don’t feel that way about him.

I roll my eyes at him, “Send me the details for later?”

“You know it, baby.”

“Alright, talk later. Bye,” I hang up the phone and turn around to find a hard set of eyes piercing through me. The smile immediately falls off my face as Dallas glares at me like he wants to kill me.

I raise a confused brow at him. Why is he staring at me like that? Is he mad because of the attitude I gave him earlier? I didn’t know he was that affected by my mood swing.

I hear Aria’s voice at my back, “Was that Nate?”

I turn away from Dallas, grateful for the excuse, “Yeah. He asked me to hang later.”

Brody’s eyes flicker between me and Dallas for a moment and I see something flash in her eyes that tells me she knows something she isn’t letting on.

I want to ask her what it is but something is telling me she might not tell me with witnesses around.

I make a mental note to ask her later. “Are you going?” She asks.

I nod, “Yeah, I could use a night out.”

Aria beams, “Oooh, where are you guys going? Maybe Sly and I will go.”

I perk up, “He’s gonna text me the details, but I assume a club. When he sends them I’ll send them your way too.”

Aria nods and glances at Brody, “You should come, B.”

Brody waves her off, “I’m not a big fan of the club scene, you guys know how it is. Every time we go out to a club as a group, nothing good happens.”

Aria shrugs, a small smile on her lips, “I’m not even gonna deny that because you’re right.”

A yawn escapes my throat and I interrupt my friends, exhaustion in my tone, “Guys, I’m gonna head home and try to sleep a little. I’m really wiped.”

They give me equally confused glances, “You don’t nap,” Brody reminds me.

It’s true. I’ve never been a nap girl. Today is an exception though because even though I slept a full eight hours last night, I’m unbelievably tired. I’m not sure why I’m so exhausted, but my body feels achy and just run down. I sigh impatiently, “I know, I just really feel like I need one today.”

Aria places a hand on my shoulder, “Are you feeling okay?”

I nod, “I’m fine.” It’s a lie. I know it and my friends don’t know it.

“I’m just really exhausted. I’ve been super booked lately.

” They know better than anyone that I always have energy.

My schedule can be stacked twenty-four hours a day and I’d still have energy.

I don’t know why lately even walking down the stairs feels like my energy is depleted. Maybe I’m getting sick?

Brody frowns, “If you need anything, let us know how we can help, okay? And why don’t you tell Selene to hold off on your bookings?”

I force a smile, “I’m fine. Seriously, don’t worry.” My eye twitches and I quickly look away, turning around. “I’ll see you guys later.” I quickly stalk out of the room and I feel Dallas at my back as usual

Dallas and I don’t say a single word to each other the entire time to his car and even on the ride back to my house.

When he parks the car I make a move to get out, but I just feel so run down.

My body lacks the energy to so much as grab the door handle.

Dallas, the observant bastard, notices and asks, “What is going on with you?”

I speak through half-lidded eyes, too tired to even keep them open, “I’m just tired.”

“Yeah, but why?”

I shrug, “I don’t know. Stress probably.”

I let my head roll to the side to face him and he’s looking at me with an unreadable, yet very intense expression. “Stop stressing. Let me handle everything.”

His eyes are burning so bright I know I’d be blushing if I had the energy to even do that. I use the last bit of energy I have to open the door and step out of the car before I make it to my room and fall right into bed, my eyes fluttering shut almost immediately.