Following Me by Linde, K.A. (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📗

a train like that.  I don’t know if I could do it,” he said, looking ather admirably.  “Sometimes, I wish I could.”

“You?” she asked, not hiding hershock.  “Why would you want to leave this?”

He laughed bitterly.  “Forsomeone so smart, you aren’t terribly perceptive, are you?”

She shook her head.  “Never havebeen.”

“I have my own demons that I’d behappy to run from.  My father, for one,” Garrett said, resting back heavilyinto the sofa.

Devon wondered then what shehadn’t wondered before.  Perhaps his life and the perfect relationship she hadthought he had with Hadley…wasn’t as perfect as she had suspected.  He didn’tknow about Hadley’s drug use—that much she was sure of.  But how much ofthat put a rift in their relationship?

“He’s controlling and demanding. He doesn’t see me for who I am.  He doesn’t care about anything that I careabout.  He doesn’t even like Hadley,” he said heavily.

“How could anyone not likeHadley?” she asked.

He shrugged.  “I’m not sure.  Hejust doesn’t think she’s good enough for me,” he said.  “What he means is thatshe doesn’t have enough money.”

“But she has a wonderful job,”Devon broke in, feeling like she needed to defend her friend.

Garrett shook his head.  “Oldmoney.  Status.  Prestige.  She’s from small town Missouri,” he said as if thiswas sufficient explanation.

Devon understood then.  She haddealt with prejudices her entire life.  She could see the weight on Garrett’sshoulders as he fought for the girlfriend he wanted, and the strain it had puton Hadley because she felt she would never be able to live up to it.  As Devonrecalled the first time she had stepped foot into the apartment, she understoodthe statement Hadley had made about Garrett going to his dad’s.  Devon hadn’trealized how anxious Hadley had looked until now.

Devon’s parents sometimes actedlike that, and she thought it was ridiculous.  Her family had lived inNashville for as long as Devon could even remember.  Old Southern money was aprivilege that afforded a person more luxuries than just status.  Devon hadtaken it for granted a lot in her life.  She knew the pros and cons of thatlifestyle.  She could empathize with what Garrett was going through.

“I’ve been there,” she said,reaching out to him and resting her hand on his.  “My parents are like thatsometimes.”

“Thanks,” he said, shrugging likehe didn’t want to talk about it any longer.

It was sure easier to talk abouthim than her.  This conversation did seem to strike a bond that Devon couldn’tshake.

“Sorry for changing the topic.  Iwas trying to help you out with your dreams,” Garrett said.

Devon smiled.  “I think youhelped.”

“Yeah?” he asked, raising hiseyebrows.

“Yeah, I think so.  It was…niceto talk about it and get it off my chest,” she said.

“I hope you sleep better now.  Ithink you have too many good things going for you to keep you from waking up intears from your dreams.  Maybe getting away from everything is exactly what youneeded.”  He turned his hand over and squeezed hers gently.

“Maybe it is,” Devon said.

She wished she could believe itas easily as he had said it.

DARKNESS HADN’T YET fallen on theChicago summer evening.  The weather was muggy after the series of storms thathad dotted the horizon the past week.  When Devon had visited the Navy Pierearlier in the week, waves had been crashing so hard that she had been forcedto leave.  Thankfully, the rain was holding off for now as she teetered downthe street in her impractical high heels and form-fitting dress.

The club was supposedly justaround the block, but Devon wasn’t familiar with this neighborhood.  She wishedshe had taken Garrett’s offer and went with him and Hadley when they left alittle later, but things were at a standstill with Hadley.  She wasn’t givingany ground, and anytime Devon had tried to push, Hadley would close offcompletely.  Devon was hoping that tonight would be a good starting point torebuild their relationship.

She double-checked the GPS on herphone to make sure she was going in the right direction.  She took the nextright and then found what she was looking for about halfway down the street. It was kind of a small, seedy-looking place.  The only indication that it was aclub was the unlit sign that read Open Mic Tonight.

As she walked into the place, sheimmediately felt overdressed.  No one had told her what to wear for this, andshe was too used to the music clubs back home.  She always used to dress up towatch performances.  Sometimes, even big names would show up out of nowhere todrink and play their favorite tunes.  Devon didn’t think this was that kind ofplace.

Devon paid the cover charge andwalked into the main seating area.  When she entered, eyes followed her aroundthe bar, and she immediately became self-conscious.  She didn’t think shelooked that great tonight, but the men here appeared ready to eat her alive. It was a discomforting sort of feeling, especially since Garrett and Hadleywouldn’t be here for a little while.  She scanned the crowd, hoping to seesomeone she knew.

The room was set up in aflat-tiered fashion with four to eight tables on each tier that formed asemi-circle around a small stage.  A single microphone and a beat-up woodenchair were the focal point.  A black curtain hung against the back wall as theonly decoration.  The room was dimly lit and clouded with smoke.

Devon craned her neck, lookingaround.  She knew other people from work were supposed to be here.  Most ofthem didn’t like her because she was the new girl, but it would be better tosit with them than to sit alone.  She was pretty sure she recognized someonewhen she felt a hand grab her ass.  She squeaked in surprise and whipped aroundfaster than she probably should have in her heels.

“Whoa there, honey,” the mansaid, eyeing her like he wanted to find out how many licks it took to get tothe center of a Tootsie Pop.

Devon glared at the man, and hesmirked.

“You lookin’ for a place to sit? I’ve got a place right here,” he said, patting his lap.  His friends roaredwith laughter while the guy just continued to look her up and down.

“No, thanks,” she said