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Miko dragged Kelvin through the crowd. Somebody yelled at them in passing. The music muffled whatever they said. He felt the bass rumble in his chest. The air smelled of sweat and alcohol. The spotlights blinded him.

Miko shoved her way to the front where a group of women danced by the stage. They cheered when she arrived, forming a new circle around them. Kelvin lost his breath. They swarmed him in a kaleidoscope of dresses, bare skin, and tattoos.

Miko twirled into his arms. She rolled her body against his then ran her hand up his thigh. His leg kicked. He tried to pull away, but her friends danced on him from every angle.

His heart started racing. He glanced over his shoulders, hoping to find the bathrooms. He checked every corner before he spotted the men’s. Miko noticed him looking around. With her hand on his cheek, she turned his attention back.

“Relax. We’re just dancing.”

On stage, Aja rapped like somebody pressed fast forward. The lyrics mimicked the sound of a helicopter. She saw Kelvin in the crowd and winked. The blood rushed to his head. He beamed until Miko whipped her hair and hit him in the mouth.

“I’ll be right back,” he hollered, “I gotta use the bathroom.”

“Oh yeah? Gotta rub one out or something?”

He glared at her. The muscles in his jaw tensed.

“I’m just teasing. Go. We’ll be here.”

Her friends continued to dance on him while the music played. They packed in so tightly he couldn’t get out. He asked them to move, but they didn’t listen. Miko had to step in to help. He hurried out the second he could.

In the bathroom, the noise finally settled. A row of sinks lined one wall with a row of stalls along the other. The frosted glass made it easy to see in. Luckily, he was alone.

Kelvin shuffled to the sink in the far corner. The mirrors were all star-shaped like the windows outside. Lights lined their borders, glowing a soft hue of purple. He splashed cold water on his face then checked his hair.

“I guess I couldn’t stand the heat,” he said, laughing at himself in the mirror. His reflection agreed. “I mean, that kitchen ain’t for me, but still, they make it any steamier, I’m gonna have to scream.”

He said the last part with an edge, the same edge he used when he rapped. He wasn’t sure he heard himself right. Was he rapping? That didn’t make any sense. He never slipped into rap unless it was about Aliyah.

He hunkered over the sink and stared into the mirror. His reflection stared back like he was confronting himself. Water trickled down his face.

What triggered it, he wondered. Was he just stressed? He supposed that could’ve been it. If it wasn’t about Aliyah, he usually rapped to calm himself down. Could it be that simple? Was it just because of Miko and her friends? He doubted it. He’d danced with Imani and her friends before. That was nothing. Something seemed different. Why’d he get so mad out there? And why was he freaking out about it in here?

He tilted his head, reminding himself of the rules. His reflection leaned in and squinted. The room blurred around him. Everything fell out of focus he was so close.

“Relax, dude, play it cool. Ain’t no play in breaking rules. They try to break you, play it cruel. Just walk away. Save the fuel. Remember how you made it here, staying here— You ain’t a fool. You play it cool. You walk away. You never gawk. And you stay in school!”

He shoved away from the sink after that. In the mirror, his reflection held up four fingers. He tapped his pinky to emphasize the new rule.

Kelvin sputtered his lips. Stay in school? Obviously. It wasn’t like he planned on quitting. He didn’t have any reason to stay in L.A.

Somebody walked into the bathroom then. Kelvin startled and hunkered back over the sink. He grabbed some paper towels to finish drying his face.

The man started washing his hands at the other end. His watch glinted in the light. He wore a sports jacket with the sleeves rolled up and the collar popped. His gold rings clinked under the water. He cleared his throat as Kelvin passed behind him.

“Enjoying the concert?”

The question stopped him just short of the door. His fists clenched beside him. The man sounded casual enough, but he couldn’t shake the feeling it was fake. He knew acting when he heard it. He put on his own act before answering.

“Absolutely. I’m a big fan of Aja, so this is incredible. How about you?”

His fists clenched tighter. Small talk was not his thing, especially in the men’s room.

The man shut off the faucet. “Same. I got a buddy who’s obsessed with her. Wants to get backstage. Could you help with that?”

The airhorn blew outside. The bass dropped afterward, rattling the room.

He peeked over his shoulder to find the man admiring himself in the mirror. He was short and built. His hair, messy and blond. His roots grew in dark. Kelvin recognized him from somewhere but couldn’t place where.

“I saw you earlier,” he continued, “You were taking pictures with her, right? Up in Balcony C? With Aliyah?”

The pieces snapped together like magnets. It was Brian, one of Aliyah’s exes. They dated for a summer like two years ago. He was the son of some studio head.

“Are you a producer or something? How do you know Aja?”

Kelvin had to grit his teeth. He knew he didn’t care about Aja. It was more about fishing for info on Aliyah. He didn’t want to say anything, but he figured lying would only make things worse.

“No, I don’t work in the industry. I met her through Aliyah.”

Brian pulled a paper towel from the dispenser. “Aliyah, huh? And how do you know her? You an actor or something?”

“Nah, none of that. I’m just a fan. I met her at a signing.”

“A fan? You’re bullshitting me. No way is Aliyah dating a fan.”

Dating? He nearly blushed. Hearing it out loud gave him goosebumps. “Nah, we ain’t dating. We’re just friends. I go to school in Colorado. I’m just back for the summer.”

“College boy, huh? Thought you looked a little young.” Brian scratched the stubble under his chin. His beard grew in dark like his roots. “That’s smart, focusing on your future. Better than thinking you have one with her. That woman is all work, you know? All work and no play.”

“No, I know. Her career comes first. I get that. It’s kinda funny, actually. I imagine it’s really hard for some guys— You know, always coming second? Thing is, I love how hard she works. It’s why I’m a fan. I don’t mind the backseat, not when the car’s this nice.”

In the mirror, Brian glared at him. He either didn’t understand, or he totally took it wrong.

“I should get going.” Kelvin grabbed the door. “Don’t wanna miss any more of the show.”

“No, yeah, don’t let me keep you. Just be careful. A summer with Aliyah— Man, I know it. She’s incredible, but don’t lose yourself.”

Kelvin never returned to the dance floor after that. The concert lost its appeal if he could run into another ex. He already worried he said too much.

He went back to Aliyah’s balcony without realizing he forgot the keycard. He remembered just as he reached the door. His knuckles hurt by the time somebody heard him knocking.

Aliyah and Tiffany were standing at the rail when he came in. They cheered and laughed, sipping their margaritas. He sat on the sofa behind them without saying anything.

While the concert clamored below, he slumped and put his head back. All the ups and downs upset his stomach. He closed his eyes to focus on the music.

“You back already?” Aliyah nudged him with her foot. She hardly tapped him, but with how he flinched, she swore she kicked him. “Whoa, everything alright?”

“Yeah, no, I just kinda bumped into Brian.”

“Really? That figures.” She peered over at the other balconies. “He’s probably been watching us this whole time. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing. I think he’s still hung up on you, though.”

She snorted. “That’s funny. He’s the one who cheated on me.”

“No, I remember,” he said, keeping his head down, “I did kinda let slip I was a fan. He thought we were dating, but I told him we’re just friends.”

Aliyah finished her drink then set it on the table. “That’s no big deal. Was there anything else?”

“No, not really.”

“Good.”

As the airhorn blew again, she grabbed his hand and yanked him to his feet. He almost stumbled into her.

“You know, I saw Miko dancing on you.”

He banged his shin on the table. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“I ain’t blaming you. I was just saying. It made me jealous.”

“Jealous? Yeah, right.”

She popped her brow, flashing him a wry smile. Not even her acting packed that kind of punch.

Afterward, she dragged him into the open and pulled him close. She took his hands and put them on her hips. His knees buckled when she threw her arms around him. She moved them both to the beat, back and forth like a boat.

It got hot fast. She unbuttoned her blouse during the second song. By the third, it was off.