Page 95 of Relapse

Mina’s smile appears instantly, but it’s a nervous smile. Guilty. Like she’s already imagining how disappointing this entire interaction would sound if repeated to her brother.

“Cece,” Mina says, leaning in for a quick hug. “Please tell me Draygon isn’t with you.”

Cece laughs, bright and easy over the music.

“No. Relax. He’s not here.”

Mina exhales so dramatically it deserves its own soundtrack.

“Thank fuck.”

The guy beside Cece arches a brow.

“Nice to see you too.”

Mina points at him. “Revel, you’re fine. Assuming you won’t call my brother and tell him I’m out making emotionally questionable choices.”

Revel’s mouth curves faintly. “Depends how questionable.”

“Don’t start.”

Cece’s eyes flick curiously toward me.

Mina gestures between us quickly. “This is Blair. Blair, Cece. And that’s Revel.”

I lift my drink slightly. “Hi. I’m apparently part of tonight’s questionable choices.”

Cece smiles like she appreciates that.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Cece glances toward the stage where someone waves at her from behind a mess of speakers, cables, and flashing lights.

“Shit, I have to get ready for my set.”

I blink. “You’re playing tonight?”

“Yeah they had a cancellation and well, I owed the organizer a favor so, here I am,” Cece says with a grin.

Revel’s hand settles at the small of her back, protective without even trying. “As nice as this is, you got about five minutes, we gotta move, mama.”

Mina squeezes Cece’s arm once. “Text me after? We’ll grab a drink.”

“Yeah of course babe, but only if you don’t get arrested first.”

“No promises.”

They disappear toward the side of the stage, swallowed almost instantly by smoke, lights, and bodies.

I turn slowly back to Mina.

“I’m gonna pee before these kick in,” I yell over the music.

Mina points vaguely toward the back hallway. “Okay but try not to die. I swore to your little boy toys that I’m a good baby sitter remember, don’t make me a liar.”

“No promises.”