angrier with Nathaniel. She hadn’t wanted to
talk about it. Nathaniel had told her later that Dominic had ended their
relationship. Noah had assured her that it was a good thing and Lydia would be
herself again soon.
“Maybe she has mono,” Trish suggested.
“No fever, no mono,” Caitlin said.
“Maybe she’s clinically depressed,” was
Trish’s next suggestion.
“They only dated for a week.” Caitlin
sounded irritated. “Lydia has dated guys for much longer than that and gotten
over them faster than this.”
“She’s right,” Trish agreed. “It’s not
like her to get so into a guy, especially one she barely knows.”
Lydia's behavior didn't make sense to
Hannah either, but she figured that she just didn’t know Lydia as well as she’d
thought. Hearing it from Trish and Caitlin made her worry more. “I wish she
would talk to me about it, but she’s completely shut me out.”
“I feel you sister,” Caitlin grumbled.
“How come you aren’t out with that
hottie you’ve been seeing?” Trish asked.
Hannah felt herself blush and was glad
for the darkness. “Nathaniel had a family obligation. He’s going to the opera
with his aunt.”
Trish shuddered. “Opera?”
“There is nothing wrong with opera,”
Caitlin objected.
When the doors opened, they were lucky
enough to get one of the few tables in the club. Caitlin went off right away to
get drinks for them without asking what anyone wanted.
“Oh my God!” Trish squealed. “Professor
Christiansen!”
When Hannah turned around, she saw Noah
coming in with one of Nathaniel’s cousins. Hannah couldn’t remember his name,
but she was sure she’d seen him before. He was the only one that wore glasses
and he seemed somewhat awkward.
Noah made his way to the table, looking
a little surprised to see them. “Hi, Trish! Hey, Hannah! What are you ladies
doing here? This doesn’t seem like your type of venue.”
“You didn’t tell me you were taking a
class with Professor Christiansen,” Trish said, punching her lightly on the
arm. It was obvious that Trish felt a little nervous in Noah’s presence.
“I’m not. Noah is Nathaniel’s brother,”
Hannah explained. She had to admit that she was just as surprised to see Noah
at the show. “I didn’t take you as a psychobilly fan.”
He looked down at his Tiger Army t-shirt,
and smiled. “I have kind of eclectic tastes. One of my students is playing
stand up base tonight. Have you met Isaiah?” Noah gestured to Nathaniel’s
cousin with the glasses.
Isaiah smiled shyly, and ducked his
head. Isaiah had longish hair that fell over his eyes occasionally. He looked
more out of place in the club than Hannah. Of course she got the impression
that Isaiah felt more comfortable in front of a computer than he did in a club.
“Diet Coke.” Caitlin set a cup in front
of Trish. “Tokyo Tea,” Caitlin added setting a drink in front of Hannah.
Hannah eyed the drink suspiciously. “I’m
not much of a drinker.”
“Just sip it like any other tea,”
Caitlin said as she took her seat. She noticed they had company and gave both
men a curt nod. “Where’s your brother?” she asked Isaiah.
“Parking the car,” he answered.
“Just great,” Caitlin grumbled
sarcastically.
“I didn’t know that you were friends
with any of Nathaniel’s cousins.” Hannah said in genuine surprise.
“Justin is premed too,” Caitlin
explained. “He’s a total prick. No offense,” she said to Isaiah.
“He really is,” Noah agreed with a nod.
“Then why are you here with him?” Hannah
asked.
“My truck wouldn’t start. Isaiah said
he’d drive me, and then Justin ended up in the car too. It all just snowballed.
No offense, Isaiah,” he said with an apologetic smile.
Isaiah was no longer paying attention to
any of them. There were no extra chairs so he leaned against the table and
fiddled with his phone.
Hannah sipped her drink as the first
band began to play. Eventually, Isaiah’s brother