The Other Room’s Better

The night air wrapped around us like a warm whisper, the quiet hum of the city buzzing just loud enough to fill the spaces between our footsteps. Teddy didn’t say much as we walked, which was fine—I wasn’t much for small talk when my mind was already racing in twenty directions.

The glow of The Other Room came into view about ten minutes later, a squat building with faded black trim and a crooked neon sign that flickered every third second. I expected chaos when we walked in—sweaty dancing bodies, lines at the bar, music that made conversation useless.

Instead, there were maybe ten people scattered around dim booths and high tops. A couple of them half-heartedly clapped as someone finished a surprisingly passionate rendition of Livin’ on a Prayer.

Relief fluttered in my chest. I liked crowds when I could disappear into them. Not when I had to fight for space to breathe.

Brody was on stage next, already mid-song, absolutely selling a boy band ballad with zero shame and two fists worth of dramatics. He pointed at a girl at the bar and dropped to his knees. She giggled and clapped like it was the best thing she’d ever seen.

I scanned the room and spotted Ellie curled into a booth, her legs stretched across the seat, head tilted back in laughter. I didn’t even bother hiding my grin as I ran up and practically tackled her with a hug.

“Blue!” she squealed, holding me tight before pulling back to look at me with glassy, happy eyes. “You made it!”

“You’re tipsy,” I said, eyebrow arched.

She gave me a dazed smile. “Only a little.”

“Who’s been feeding you drinks?”

Ellie shrugged dramatically. “The band drinks for free here. And since we’re with them…” She gestured to the table like it was obvious. “We drink for free, too.”

I turned to Teddy. “Wow. Another perk. Free drinks and groupies?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “We’re a full-service experience,” he said with a grin. “Comes with complimentary chaos and a punch card for poor decisions.”

I laughed, stealing one of Ellie’s fries before she could protest.

___________________

A few drinks and a couple of shots later—thanks to Ellie charming the bartender and Brody’s “we’re with the band” magic—I was feeling warm, floaty, and just reckless enough to say yes when someone handed me a mic.

Ellie whooped like I’d just accepted a Grammy. “YESSS, BLUE. SHOW ‘EM.”

I took the small, sticky stage, laughing as the opening notes of Pink Pony Club kicked in. “This one’s for the gays and the drama queens,” I declared, already shimmying my shoulders as the beat rolled in.

The mic was a little too loud, and the lights were definitely too bright, but I leaned into it. I spun, I swayed, I maybe overcommitted to a hip pop or two. It was flirty and fun in my head, but halfway through the second verse I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror behind the bar and thought, Oh god. Am I giving chaos?

But Ellie was still hollering like I was headlining Madison Square Garden, so I kept going.

Teddy was standing off to the side, drink in hand, watching me with that crooked smile like I’d just done something unexpected and cool. Like he wasn’t sure what to make of me—but he liked it anyway.

That gave me a little more fuel.

I twirled toward him on the chorus, pointed with a wink, and tried not to trip over a guitar cable someone had carelessly coiled near the monitor.

If I was messy, at least I was confidently messy.

And by the end of the song, the bar—even the tiny crowd of off-duty bartenders and fellow karaoke victims—was clapping along.

I handed the mic back, breathless and glowing. Ellie ran over and threw her arms around me like I’d just survived a war.

“You were ICONIC,” she screamed in my ear.

I laughed, slightly out of breath. “I was something, all right.”

Then I looked at Teddy again.

Still watching. Still smiling.

Still that same look in his eyes.

Like I’d just surprised him. Like maybe I was his kind of chaos after all.

⸻

I was still catching my breath, when the door flung open and a group of girls spilled inside.

They were loud, perfumed, and immediately magnetic—like they’d walked in with a wind machine and a theme song.

I blinked. Wait…

They looked familiar.

It clicked when the tallest one—long straight black hair, tan legs for days, and a slinky halter top that could’ve doubled as a scarf—locked eyes with Teddy and made a beeline for him.

Bar girls. From the venue earlier tonight.

She didn’t hesitate. Just reached up and trailed her fingers along his arm, like it was hers to touch. Teddy smiled—tight-lipped, polite—but he didn’t pull away.

They knew each other. Clearly.

And just like that, the tequila burned in my chest for all the wrong reasons.

I took a step back, my buzz cracking at the edges. The room suddenly felt too small. Too bright. Like I was waking up from a good dream mid-scene.

My eyes darted around for Ellie—and that’s when I saw her. Pressed up against Thomas. Making out like the bar was closing and they were on a timer.

Okay. So she was good.

I hesitated, then made my way over, tugging on her arm. “Hey. Hey, I’m heading out.”

She blinked at me, lips kiss-swollen, cheeks flushed. “Wait—what?”

I turned to Thomas and Brody. “Thanks for the night. Seriously.”

Brody gave me a sleepy smile. Thomas just nodded, still laser-focused on Ellie.

I thought about skipping Teddy. Just walking out the door and pretending none of this had ever happened. But that felt cowardly. And he had brought me here. Stood beside me. Watched me sing.

You’re a big girl, Blue. Just say goodnight and go.

I stepped toward him.

The tall girl was still latched onto his arm like it had a resale value. She turned when she saw me approach, her eyes giving me a once-over so fast and sharp I felt sliced.

“Um, we’re kind of in the middle of something,” she said, voice sugary with an edge.

I ignored her.

“Teddy,” I said quietly, eyes on him. “Thanks for bringing me. I had fun.”

He opened his mouth, like he might say something—anything—but I didn’t give him the chance.

I turned and walked out into the night.