#underneath era

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT 

She spent at least a few nights a week in the seedy clubs of Ybor City, dancing and drinking with her coworkers. She had never really partied in high school and felt like she needed to sow some wild oats. Or whatever it was called. Jillian liked that she had a group of people to hang out with, even if they were all a little bit crazy.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

She had told him about Molly of course, but he had never shown any interest in the finer points of the their friendship. Jillian could tell that there was a part of Nick that was jealous of it. She had made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of time she spent talking about Molly to him, hoping to avoid any awkwardness. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE 

Taylor took a few gulps of beer. The lyrics and melody were simple, but sometimes that was when Zac’s genius shone through the most. His little brother had a tendency to over-complicate things. Isaac was constantly telling him to trim the fat, say what needs to be said, simple can be better.

CHAPTER FORTY

He thought about that night bitterly as he sipped his whiskey. Ike should be thanking him for the rest of his life for that suggestion. Now, Ike and Nikki could get married and be happy forever. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Zac wished he could feel as charged up as Tay after playing. Sometimes he did. But sometimes, he had other things on his mind he couldn’t shake. They had been in New York for three days and he hadn’t been able to think of anything but seeing Jillian again.

CHAPTER THIRTY 

They sat there in silence for a few moments, a skill they had acquired through years of friendship. Molly picked up one of Jillian’s magazines and Jillian descended back into a script she needed to finish reading for school. They didn’t have to be always talking, they were happy to just be in each other’s presence. But, as usual, Molly broke the silence.