Chapter 1: Snaps
The bass from the club was a physical thing, a second heartbeat thumping through the soles of Caleb’s shoes as he shouldered his way toward the bar. The air was thick with sweat, perfume, and the sour tang of spilled beer. Red and green lasers cut through the haze, catching motes of dust and the glitter on a hundred shifting bodies.
“You look like someone just keyed your car,” Cameron shouted, materializing with two bottles of beer. He handed one over, his easy grin a stark contrast to the static in Caleb’s head.
“Just evaluating my life choices,” Caleb yelled back, taking a long pull. The beer was already warm.
“Your life choices are fine. It’s your standards that are the problem. You’re bored of the menu, but you keep ordering from it.” Cameron nodded toward a group near the dance floor. “Exhibit A.”
Justin was there, leaning into the space of a woman who was very clearly not his girlfriend. His hand was on the small of her back, his laugh too loud, too performative. Caleb looked away, a familiar knot of disdain tightening in his gut.
“He’s a piece of work,” Caleb muttered.
“He’s having fun,” Cameron corrected, though without much conviction. “You could try it sometime. The ‘fun’ part, not the ‘being a piece of work’ part.” His attention was suddenly snagged by a woman with a riot of red curls. He winked at Caleb. “Duty calls. Don’t overthink yourself into a coma.”
Caleb was left alone, adrift in the noise. He scanned the crowd, a meaningless catalog of attractive faces, inviting smiles that promised the same repetitive evening. Then he saw her. A woman in a simple black dress, dancing alone near the edge of the strobe lights. She wasn’t performing for anyone. Her eyes were closed, her movements a private conversation with the rhythm. There was an intensity to her stillness even in motion that felt like a splash of cold water.