21. Chapter 21

To say that I'm pissed at this entire situation wouldn't be enough. Jinx is still getting messages from her little stalker. I refuse to call him by his name. To know he was watching her at the party doesn't sit well with me. How did I not notice him? Liam is being a little bitch about his finger. The entire time at swim practice, he kept complaining to Bran and wouldn't get in the water. Luckily, he wouldn't say a word about how he lost most of his pinky. If Liam did, I would take another one.

Now I have no choice but to attend a concert. Mother made a big deal about attending as a family, but I'm unsure why. She hates Jinx and never wanted to do anything for her before. After Prescott kicked her out, it's like she's trying to make things right. I'm sure that ship has sailed. He doesn't want her back, and I don't blame him.

I've never stepped foot in Greywood Hall before. Being a band geek wasn't my thing, but this hall is massive. I figured it was one room, but they have multiple rooms for practices and classes. I follow Ash and the crowd to the concert hall. This school didn't waste a dime on interior decorations, that's for sure.

Three rows of red seats flood the first floor to the stage. Looking around, I notice the walls are lined with black panels leading to a curved cathedral ceiling. If a vampire jumps out, I wouldn't be surprised. When I look at the stage, I notice a black, glossy grand piano sitting in the middle with a spotlight shining on it. I'll admit it would be amazing to know how to play one, but I wouldn't have the patience to learn anything but the chopsticks.

"This place is interesting," Ash whispers as we take our seats.

I nod, agreeing, taking in the small raven carvings along the stage. "Yeah, you could say that again."

"I thought Prescott would've been here before us." Ash swings around, looking at the doors.

It is a little strange. "Maybe he's in the back with Jinx."

"That would make sense. He is the Dean, after all. But where is Mom?"

I take in the room. She should've been here by now, too.

"I swear if they are in the bathroom having sex, I'm gonna barf." Ash covers his mouth.

"I highly doubt that. Prescott looked serious when he kicked her out. I don't think he's getting his rocks off in the bathroom in a music hall."

"True. She's probably giving Roan a blowjob."

Fuckin' Roan.

The lights dim, and the curtains close. "Maybe we should've texted them."

Ash shrugs. "Sucks to be them. Good parents would've been here before the kids."

That's the thing. Prescott is a good parent unless he's staying with Jinx until she goes on. This is a big thing for her. Von is a dickhead for not choosing her. He shouldn't be allowed to teach here; sleeping with your students is disgusting. Then again, I'm sleeping with my step-sister, but it's worth it. And I guess if Prescott divorces my mother, Jinx won't be my stepsister; she'll just be Jinx.

The first pair takes the stage, and it's a violin and some other loud and annoying instrument you blow into. I don't think my ears are going to last until Maddox and Jinx take the stage. I need a fuckin' joint.

"I'll be back. I need a quick breather."

"Be quick. I don't know when they're coming on."

I duck between each person in our row, getting a few angry looks. I glare back at the old lady in the last seat when she doesn't move.

"A heart attack is in your future. I'll manifest it for you."

Her eyes widen with shock as I leave. I don't have time for petty people, and this school is filled with them. I know I'm an asshole, but only to those that deserve it, and that's mostly every person I encounter.

This place makes me insane; stepping outside in the cool air feels perfect. I dig the joint out of my pocket and light it. This will make the evening more tolerable, or even this text I have to send.

Me: Where are you? You wanted this to be a stupid family event and can't even show up. Typical.

What I really wanted to say to her was quit sucking Roan's dick and get over here. But that would be pointless. I take one more puff and put my joint out. Ash would be pissed if I missed Jinx on stage. I would be, too, and I wanna see Maddox play. It's his second chance up there tonight.

This time, the old lady moved for me, I guess she doesn't wanna die. If only I held that power. Ashton rolls his eyes when I sit.

"God, this sucks. Are my ears bleeding? Give me that joint. Half of these people probably wouldn't mind getting stoned."

I stifled a laugh, and he was probably right. "It can't be that bad." Two chicks are on stage, and one is playing the violin.

"How much longer do you think?" he asked with a curl to his lip.

"I'm not sure. Jinx didn't know either. But I'm hoping it's soon. I sent a message to Mother, but she never did reply."

He shook his head. "Doesn't surprise me, to be honest. She never did care about this shit. Not sure why we should be bothered by it now."

He's right. She's always been a flaky mother. I'm sure that's why our father never came around after a while. He didn't want to deal with her, and Ash and I suffered because of it. I'm sure she doesn't even care that we grew up without a father. Just all her boyfriends coming and going. Prescott has been the longest relationship, and in the beginning, I hated him and figured he would be like every other guy. He's the only one who cares about our future.

The curtains close, letting my ears get some rest.

"They better be next, or I'm headed back outside."

"Fuck you, it's my turn, asshole."

I watch as the red velvet curtains slowly open, and I lose my breath.

My little grim looks like a little vixen sitting on stage. Jinx looks so elegant sitting in a strapless black ball gown. I'm jealous of her cello sitting between her legs, and when she moves her left leg, it becomes visible from under her dress. One wrong move, and the crowd will see more than they should.

I watch Maddox move his stool beside her and position his guitar on his lap. He looks nervous yet excited to be up there with her. I haven't heard him play much, and never together. The slight tilt of her head and a wink, and I know she's trying to calm him down.

The first swipe of her bow, and I'm already carried away, but when Maddox starts playing. Wow. They make the perfect team. Ashton places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

"Amazing, aren't they, brother?" he asks, memorized by them.

I can't take my eyes off them either. "They are. I'm proud of Maddox."

"He deserves it, but what if he doesn't get picked? What if Jinx gets picked? What do you think will happen?"

I watch Jinx sway along to the music, knowing deep down what she would do if she were picked. She would sacrifice her winning for Maddox to get him out of this place. That's the thing about Jinx; she always places everyone before herself. It's annoying in some ways. Jinx deserves to get out, too; it has been her dream for years. That's all she talked about was getting out of this shitty place.

"The way that Von acts, it's hard to say. I wish Prescott would do something about all the shit professors at this school."

They both stand and take a bow. Ashton and I stand, giving them the loudest applause.

"Let's get backstage and get our girl."

Backstage isn't what I was expecting—as in, there is no backstage. Small dressing rooms line the side of the back of the concert hall, and it's busy with people moving instruments. When we reach the doorway, I spot a cascade of jet-black hair turning into the last room.

Maddox is on his knees, hugging Jinx tight around the waist. Her fingers work through his hair, along his jaw, lightly touching his scar.

"You did it. You showed them how remarkable you are, Maddox, and nobody stopped you. I'm so proud of you."

Her eyes met his, and a smile ran across her lips. He pulls her down fast, making her laugh.

"Thank you, Jinx." His kiss was featherlight. "I owe you so much." Giving her one last kiss, he stands her back up.

"She's right, you know. Fuck what anybody says. You owned that stage tonight," I tell Maddox, walking into the small room.

"Yeah, M. That shit was wicked. Who knew some kid without a dream could pull that off," Ashton said, laughing, pulling Maddox in a tight grip. "I'm so proud of you, brother."

"I can't believe I did that. I thought for sure I was gonna barf."

Jinx shook her head, smiling. "I told you, picture everyone naked."

Fuck, I hope not. Although he'd already seen me naked, half that crowd were old ladies. That wouldn't work so well.

"When do you know if you won or not?" I shake those thoughts out of my head.

Jinx rolls her eyes. "Monday, even though I'm sure I know who won, so it doesn't matter. All that matters is we had a good time."

"The view from where we were was perfection, but if you opened your legs anymore, the row in front of us would've been walking away happy, little swan."

My phone buzzes. It's probably Mother finally getting a hold of us, which reminds me.

"Where's your dad? He never sat with us."

"I don't know. I've been trying to get a hold of him all night. It's not like him to miss a concert." She moves to her bag, digging out her phone.

Witch: I'm sorry about tonight

Me: Are you? You wanted this to happen, and then you ditch out. I'm not surprised.

Witch: I was busy.

I glance at Jinx, and she's shaking.

"What's wrong, Jinx?"

"It's Dad."