Rain's POV
The penthouse is too loud.
Not because of music. That's off. Not because of rehearsals—those are tomorrow. No, it's loud because Sky is loud.
She's pacing in fuzzy socks, oversized sweatshirt halfway falling off one shoulder, a protein shake in one hand and her phone in the other. Her long hair trails behind her like a dramatic cape. She looks like a walking Tumblr post from 2015—but it works. Unfortunately.
"And then Luca hit this note," she says, practically vibrating. "Like—bro, his voice? It's not just good. It's like molten honey with angst, you know what I mean?"
I don't. At all.
On the couch, Day snorts. "Molten honey with angst? That's a phrase?"
Night doesn't even look up from her magazine. "That's definitely a Sky phrase."
Sky beams. "Right? I told him he should record a live acoustic album. I even helped him pick the venue. Something rooftop. Intimate. Gritty but classy."
"Wait," I cut in, slowly. "You talked to him?"
Sky blinks at me like I asked if water was wet. "Yeah. We've been texting since the collab party. He's really chill. I think he wants to send me a demo."
Texting. Since the party. About music. About venues. About his voice.
Luca from Aries.
I know the guy. Tall. Tattooed. Pretty-boy, indie aesthetic. Thinks growling into a mic makes him deep. The kind of guy who chews on his guitar pick for fun and probably collects vintage records just to brag about it.
I clench my jaw. "Right. Luca."
Sky doesn't notice the sharpness in my tone. Of course not. She's too busy giggling about how Luca accidentally autocorrected "harmonies" to "ham orchids" and sent her a voice note apologizing in a British accent.
British. Jesus Christ.
"So you like his band?" I ask. Cool. Controlled. The exact opposite of what I'm feeling.
"I mean, duh. They're not Mars, but they're rising fast. Billboard #12 last month. And Luca's got this stage presence that's—" She pauses, searching for the word. "—unhinged. In a good way."
Night mutters, "You say that about every singer you get obsessed with."
"This one feels different!" Sky insists. "He's got that... chaotic genius energy."
I stare at her. She's beaming. Literally glowing. And for some reason, it crawls under my skin like static.
"He's not that good," I say.
Everyone looks at me.
Day raises an eyebrow. "You heard his last set? It was solid."
"Overproduced," I mutter.
Sky frowns, just barely. "No way. His falsetto is—"
"I could do better in my sleep."
Now she's really staring. "Rain, are you—are you jealous?"
Silence.
I look at her. Really look at her.
Flushed cheeks. Wide eyes. She's not teasing.
I scoff. "Of that guy?"
She grins. "You are."
Day leans forward, amused. "Oh man, this is gold."
"I'm not jealous," I say. "I just think he's got more image than substance."
Night's lips twitch like she's holding in a laugh. "Says the man who's never posted on Instagram but has five million followers."
"Exactly," I deadpan. "I don't need theatrics."
Sky bounces over and flops beside me, practically landing on my thigh. "You know, if you're worried, you could just say you like me."
My heart stutters. My brain short-circuits. I glare at her, but my ears feel hot.
"I don't like you," I lie.
Sky tilts her head. "You sure?"
I ignore her and grab the remote. "Movie night's canceled. Rehearsal's at 10. Go to bed."
She laughs as she gets up. "You're cute when you're mad."
And then she's gone—her laughter trailing behind her like glitter in the air.
Day whistles low. "Jealousy looks good on you."
I don't respond. I'm too busy pulling out my phone.
Luca from Aries.
Maybe it's time to see just how good this guy really is.