Chapter 10: Ooey-Gooey

SLOAN

My head is so twisted right now. ~Ugh~.

I get into my car and plug my phone in, then turn it back on, but as I’m backing out of the parking spot, my phone is blowing up.

I park again to check it.

There are texts from Archie, but I don’t care because, right now, all I see are five missed calls from Marlene. ~Shit~. I call her back as fast as I can.

“Sloan! Where have you been?” she answers.

“I’m sorry, I got sucked into a project at the venue.”

“The curtains.”

“Yes. How do you know?”

“Because Jess took a picture of Kade Lawson helping you and sent it to us. We posted it on Instagram, and it’s gone viral.”

“Oh, God.”

“This is a good thing.”

“I just don’t know if Kade wanted that. He was just helping me as a friend.”

“He just commented on it.”

“What? What did he say?”

~“Sloan is incredibly talented and creative. I’m glad she let me be part of her process,”~ Marlene reads.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, wow! Good job, Sloan, you’re slaying this.”

“Thank you.”

“Can I meet you down there tomorrow to see your progress?”

“Sure, what time?”

“I’ll come after the morning meeting. Maybe 10 a.m.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

“See you.”

After I hang up, I sit in shock for a minute and then decide to call Kade.

“Hey, you,” he answers.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea, I didn’t know,” I admit guiltily.

“I didn’t know, either, but I don’t care; it’s a cute picture.”

“What?”

“I’m guessing you haven’t seen it yet?”

“No, I just got off the phone with my boss,” I explain.

“Well, is she happy?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s all good news, right?”

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure you knew I didn’t plan it.”

“I know, Sloan, I was with you the whole time. It’s fine,” he assures me.

“Thanks, Kade. I guess I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Yep, see you soon.”

After we hang up, I open Instagram and look for the picture and there it is, right at the top.

It is actually a really sweet picture. I’m lying down, drawing, while Kade is looking at me with a smile on his face. Archie never looks at me like that.

~Shit, Archie.~

I pull up my text feed with him, and it’s just him telling me how dumb it was to get a tattoo and that we need to talk, so I decide to put that off for the night. Tonight, I’m going to have fun.

I make the trip home and go upstairs to shower and get ready.

Soon, I’m panicked because I don’t know what to wear. I secretly want Kade to think I look good but I don’t want to push it too far.

Finally, I decide a silver minidress is the right thing to wear to a private club show. I’m a fashion consultant, after all. I know what I’m talking about.

Just as I slip my shoes on, the doorbell rings, and I open it to see Kade looking super hot in tight jeans, a denim shirt, and a leather jacket, and I almost stumble.

“Hey, I’m almost ready,” I say, recovering myself.

“You look incredible, Sloan.”

“Thank you, you look great too. I just want to grab a sweater, just in case, I’ll be right back.”

I fold up a small cardigan in my bag and grab my lipstick. After checking myself in the mirror one more time, I go back to Kade.

“Your chariot awaits,” he says, grinning.

“Oh, I’m a princess now?”

“Yep, come on, Your Highness.”

“Kade, you always make me laugh.”

He chuckles. “Tick.”

“Oh, no, we’re ticking boxes again?”

“You set yourself up for that one.”

Soon, we’re in Kade’s car, heading downtown.

“We don’t go on for like an hour and a half, so we can hang out. It’s only a half set, so I won’t be away from you for long,” he explains.

“It’s okay, I’m excited to see you play. I’ve only ever heard the one song.”

“Then I expect to see you front and center.”

“I can do that.”

When we get to the club, it’s a little glitzy compared to where I usually go, but I’m excited. It’s like an old-fashioned piano bar, much more low-key, and the music is modern but kind of jazzy.

Kade finds a table in the corner and pulls out a chair for me. “I don’t see anyone from the band, yet, but they’re probably going to be annoying when they get here, so I’m sorry ahead of time.”

“Aren’t they your friends?”

“Yeah, but until you got to know me, you thought I was insufferable. Imagine what they’re like.”

I burst into laughter again.

“Stop! Don’t snort! I can’t handle it,” he says, putting his hands up, so I swat his arm. “So, how are things on the Archie front?”

“He is super pissed at me, which I think is funny at this point because he’s the one who did something wrong. All I did was get a tattoo on my own body.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“No. He keeps saying we need to talk but he hasn’t called or anything, and I’m not going to go crawling after him.”

“That sucks, Sloan, I’m sorry,” he says and looks genuinely sad.

“It’s fine, I’m here with you now; we’re having fun, right?”

“I am but I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“The thing is, it’s not even weird that we’re not talking. It’s Tuesday; we never talk on Tuesdays. I’m not going to let it bother me.

“As far as I’m concerned, he can stay in the doghouse until I pull this party off and blow up at work.”

“That’s right! Good girl. I’m so proud of you.” He smiles and it lights up his face.

“Thanks for getting me here, Kade, for making me realize how screwed up this is, and for helping me with the party. This week would have been a lot more difficult without you.”

He laughs. “It’s been two days.”

“But doesn’t it feel like twenty?”

“I guess, I could see how it might.”

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve processed so much crap because of you; you helped dig me out of a hole.”

“I just don’t like seeing good people get taken advantage of,” he explains.

“Well, I think you’re a good person. You’re incredible.”

He chuckles. “Wow, Sloan, you’re going to make me cry.”

“Hey, I’m trying to be nice here.”

“I know, I appreciate it. If you must know, I was just masking my real emotions. You made my heart swell, and now I feel all ooey-gooey.”

“Aw, Kade has soft insides?”

“You bet.”

“Kade!” someone yells from behind me.

“Ooh, incoming, fasten your seatbelt.” Kade grins. “Sean, what’s up?”

“Not much. Is anyone else here yet?”

“I haven’t seen anyone.”

“And who is this?”

“Sean, this is my friend, Sloan. She came to watch the show tonight,” Kade explains.

I extend my hand, and Sean gives me a gentle shake and smiles strangely at me.

“Ugh, don’t be a weirdo. We’re adults. Watch.” Kade turns to me. “Sloan, I like you, I think you’re beautiful.”

I smile at Kade because I see what he’s doing.

“It’s not a secret. See? No more awkwardness.” Kade laughs and moves his hands through the air like he’s clearing it.

Sean laughs. “I’m not sure who I should feel worse for: you because she’s not available; or her because you’re following her around.”

Kade flips him off, and another guy comes over to the table. Once I’ve been introduced to everyone, I excuse myself to the restroom to catch my breath.

I’m standing in front of the mirror, trying to rationalize what is happening right now, when a girl slides up next to me. She is curvy, and her dress isn’t doing much to hide her huge breasts.

“Oh, my God, are you here with Kade Lawson?” she gasps.

“Uhh, yeah.”

“He’s gorgeous.”

“Can’t argue with you there, but we’re just friends. I have a boyfriend,” I explain.

“Oh, me too. I’m just saying, you’re lucky; he looks taken with you. I wouldn’t pass that up.”

“Um, thanks. I better get back out there.”

~That was weird.~

When I start to walk toward the table, Kade meets my eyes and gives me that smile that melts my heart.

“Everything okay?” he asks when I sit down.

“Yeah, there was just a weird girl in the bathroom.”

“I got you a refill.”

“I guess I won’t refuse since you’re driving,” I say, giggling. “Thank you.”

Kade smirks. “Want to dance or something?”

I smile. “Why not?”