Page 7 of Unveil

“Cheers to that,” Benoit snorts, clinking another plastic cup—where the hell did that come from?—with Lucy’s. “But touché, little McKennon. Touché.”

He sips while Lucy downs hers. When she displays the empty cup proudly, he tips an imaginary hat to her and laughs.

God, I’m glad he’s having fun. Tonight was hard for him, even though he’d never show it.

Madam G passed last year. With her gone and his parents never found, he was heartbroken over finishing senior year alone. We were there for him, celebrating every moment, of course. But when you long for a home that no longer exists, nothing compares.

Brylie and Lucy disappear to find more drinks, but I grab Benoit by the suit coat from hisManoncostume.

“Hey. You know my dad will let you go. Being one of the Phantom’s shadows isn’t for life anymore, and you’re like a son to him. He’s thrilled for you about MCB. We all are.”

His smile doesn’t reach his glossy blue eyes. “I… I worry about leaving New Orleans. It’ll be like they’re actually gone.”

My chest squeezes, and the gin dries on my tongue. I have no idea what to say. I’ve never been good at this stuff. I open my mouth to try, but a wistful smile crests his face as he takes in the stage we grew up on.

“You guys are my only family now. I know it’s time. It’s just hard.” He smirks. “And what if I don’t even like it up there? Maybe I’m meant to be here forever. It’s home, you know?”

I nod. A lump clogs my throat, because I do know. I just feel the opposite. I’m dying to get out, an itch deep in my soul that only open roads and blue skies can scratch.

“Let’s take it one adventure at a time, okay?” I finally say.

He grins. “You’re right. I leave next week for rehearsals, but I’m still your shadow until then. So no funny business with Ozias Thrasher until I’m gone. Your dad would be so pissed.”

I roll my eyes, barely keeping myself from muttering,Fat chance.

Benoit is a shadow, one of Dad’s men. Uncle Jaime was Momma’s shadow before she officially met my dad, so bodyguard besties are kind of his thing. With all the training my friends and I have had over the years, it’s questionable who’s guarding who on our wildest nights.

“I know you can’t wait to get rid of us,” I joke.

“Actually, kinda.” He laughs. “No chick talks to me because they think I have a thing for you.”

We both gag. Dating Benoit would be the literal equivalent of dating my brother.

“Good thing you’ve got Nox to wingman you.”

“Don’t get me started. When it’s not your fault, it’s his. Girls can’t even see me past his tall ass.” His brows wiggle. “Good thing I don’t mind sexy seconds.”

He tilts his forehead toward Nox, now surrounded by dancers and actresses who apparently don’t care how big of a player he is. My brother doesn’t go to BC, attending New Orleans State instead, but his reputation precedes him anywhere he goes.

When he catches us looking, he makes a show of turning his baseball cap backwards. I roll my eyes so hard I swear I see my brain.

“Oh shit,” Benoit laughs. “He brought out the big guns.”

Lucy tsks as she appears. “That boy’s read way too many of my spicy books.”

“Hey, the manuals work,” Benoit counters, pointing a thumb back at Nox, happy as a clam amidst all his starry-eyed fans.

Brylie’s nose crinkles. “Do you think he’s gonna do that thing again? The one where he dances with everyone until he finds the perfect girl or two, then leaves the rest hanging?”

“It’s his schtick.” Benoit shrugs, then grins. “Which means at least one will need a strong shoulder to cry on when he’s done choosing. Wish me luck! Gotta go protect the Prince of the French Quarter from the swarm.”

“You’re gonna miss your turn to bow!” Lucy reminds him.

“Listen, if I find a girl between now and the time I’m supposed to go out on stage, I couldn’t care less about bowing.”

She frowns. “But it’s your last one.”

“You’ll understand when you’re older,” he jokes and snatches her cup, downing it with a smack of his lips.