Page 123 of Thirst For Me
I move to stand next to him. “I bought that at a music industry charity event that Sophie dragged me to, for way less than it’s worth but more than I could really afford. I just had to have it.”
Unfortunately, I also thought it might impress Kyle.See, I have art. I’m cultured.
Kyle called it “lowbrow art,” as if that was an insult.
“It’s awesome,” Mason says. “It’s so ... her.”
“I know, right?” I find myself smiling, thrilled that he gets it.
But of course he does.
I gaze at him, that handsome face I’ve come to adore. But when he looks at me, I look away.
“Come on, I’ll show you the best part.”
I grab his hand and pull him with me to the sliding door that opens onto the small but useable balcony. We’re way up on the nineteenth floor, with a sweeping view over the Georgia Viaduct, the stadium, False Creek, and across the water, Olympic Village.
Directly below, traffic flows and, admittedly, it’s noisy.
Right across the street is the enormous arena where a large digital sign shows a billboard for MGK’s Lost Americana Tour.
Mason chuckles. “You live right above the arena?”
“Yep. Totally sold me on this place. I go to as many concerts as I can, and I don’t have to worry about parking or fighting traffic, I just walk right down. Do you wanna know what thebestbest part is?”
He gazes at me, affection in his eyes, and warmth floods my veins. “I do.”
“I don’t even have togoto a concert to hear it loud and clear.”
He laughs again.
“Swear to god, when I’m broke, I just open the windows. Sometimes I don’t even need to open the windows. When Korn played last October, I thought it was gonna cause an earthquake.”
He’s laughing, so I laugh, too, happy tears pricking my eyes.
“You do realize that some people would consider that a reasonnotto rent this apartment.”
“Oh, I know. But I’m not one of those people. In the last two years alone I’ve seen Justin Timberlake, Pearl Jam, Olivia Rodrigo, Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry, Nine Inch Nails, and Cardi B, and eavesdropped on so many others from this balcony. I do actually have to open the windows if I really want to hear what’s going on over at the stadium, because it’s farther away. Unless it’s Guns N’ Roses, U2, or AC/DC. Then, no window opening needed.”
“Wow. I’m shocked you weren’t actually at those stadium shows.”
“Hey, I already saw GNR at the stadium once, and a girl’s gotta setsomebudget. I already spend too much on music.”
Mason leans on his forearms on the balcony railing. “Sounds like this balcony is a melomaniac’s dream.”
I grin. “A polyjamorist’s, too.”
He grins back, dimples and all.
“Wait. MGK is playing tonight ...”
“I see that. And are you going, or just eavesdropping?” he teases.
“Well, I sold my tickets for a pretty penny, because I thought I’d be in Orchard Cove ...” I bite my lip a little, then just say it. “Wanna hang out on the balcony and listen with me?”
“Hell, yes.”
“Great.” I try to play it cool, but inside I’m fucking dancing. Does this mean he’s sleeping over? “I think we can wrangle a couple of chairs out here and a couple of ciders. There’s a liquor store down the block. I wonder if they carry Sea Haven? Or Twisted Tree?” I raise an eyebrow, teasing him back.
