The Rush (The Siren Series) - By Rachel Higginson Page 0,74

at my solid introduction. Everyone was looking at each other, sizing the respective strangers up and that only built on the levels of awkward stretching between the two groups.

Kenna especially had the bitch look going on. She was the only girl in the group though, so that could be understood. I smiled at her, trying to reassure her that they were as cool as me…. which let’s face it, was not all that reassuring.

“You made it,” Ryder swooped in from around the corner wearing a huge grin for my friends. Immediately tension started to melt between everyone. “Red, did you introduce everyone?”

“Yes,” I smiled back at him, happy with the attention he gave me.

“No,” Exie cut in, equally happy to see someone she knew. “She said these are Chase’s friends. We don’t even know which one is Chase.”

I flushed bright pink while Ryder laughed at me. “Ok, let me do a better job then. Exie, Sloane, this is my beautiful girlfriend Kenna. This giant over here is Phoenix, this is Hayden, Hudson and Cole. We’re all in the band together.”

“Sugar Skulls,” Phoenix piped up giving Exie an extra-long look.

“Where’s Chase?” Sloane asked, clearly dismissing all the boys in front of her. The hard-to-get-vibe was her signature and so ingrained in every one of her actions I wasn’t entirely sure she knew she was doing it anymore.

“He couldn’t come tonight,” I explained before Ryder could take over for me again. It seemed important that I knew where my boyfriend was in front of this crowd. “He has a big test tomorrow, so he’s at home studying.”

“Bummer,” Exie pouted.

“Lame,” Phoenix booed and then shot Exie a look like they had just connected over one word responses.

“I thought he was in the band?” Sloane’s eyebrows drew down in confusion.

This brought out hysterical laughter from Ryder and Phoenix.

Ryder explained, “Chase avoids this place as often as he can. He’s completely tone deaf.”

“Oh,” Sloane sighed. At the same time I realized Ryder knew more about Chase than me. Which wasn’t that hard to believe, because I had known Chase for all of one week, still it was annoying coming from Ryder.

We all fell into an awkward silence after that and it seemed to stretch out into the next three poorly performed songs.

“So this band is…. good,” Sloane commented dryly.

Phoenix snorted like he was offended. “Do you really think so?”

“Why do you know them?” Sloane asked carefully.

“Yeah, they’re a bunch of tools. Totally sold that they’re the next big thing,” Phoenix shook his head with disgust.

“So you’re better than them?” Exie asked slowly.

“Well, I mean….” Phoenix stumbled, clearly not used to being as cocky as his band mates.

“We’re better than them,” Hayden jumped in, not at all uncomfortable with being arrogant. He appraised Exie with hungry eyes and I felt the strongest urge to step in front of her and sacrifice my own body to save hers from whatever perverted thoughts were happening in his head.

“I guess we’ll be the judge of that,” Exie sighed.

I burst into laughter, knowing she was just kidding, but nobody else seemed to get the joke. She shot Phoenix a wink and he kind of stumbled backwards, not sure what to do under the pressure of the flirtatious winky face from Malibu Barbie.

“She was kidding,” I explained to the group when they all just continued to stare at her.

“No seriously I was,” Exie agreed. “I know you’re good. Ivy hasn’t stopped talking about how amazing you are all night.”

“Really?” Ryder asked in true surprise. He stepped back and cleared his throat as if he was as shocked by his question as everyone else was.

I blushed a deep red and turned around to the bar. I was first of all not used to blushing so much and second of all not going to wait around to embarrass myself more.

Sloane followed me showing how uncomfortable she was more than normal. “Are you Ok?” I asked as we found a place on the bar.

“Yes,” she answered in a clipped tone.

“What are you ladies drinking tonight?” Good old Neck Tattoos asked with a smirk.

“The usual,” I replied casually, careful to keep any tones of flirtation out of my voice.

“Alright, water on the rocks,” Neck Tattoos confirmed clearly disappointed. “And for you?”

“I’ll have a vodka-“

“Uh-uh,” I cut her off before she could continue. “Rehab remember?” I hissed fiercely and pointed at my chest. “I need you to be a good influence on me tonight.” I caught her eye and held it, willing her to make the