I snatch one of the concoctions Rhett just whipped up off the bar before rushing over and plopping into my assigned seat. I make a show of scrubbing my hands together in anticipation for her performance. “I’m ready,” I tell her, digging into my wallet for some cash. “Take it all off, Annie!” I fan a wad of bills into the air, just as the guys move to join her on stage.

“Wait…” I look around anxiously, finding our security guys cackling at their post near the front door. “You fuckers better keep your damn clothes on.”

“Calm down, pervert. Ain’t that kinda party.” Annie straightens her blouse. “We’ve each prepared a special song in honor of your big day.”

“You’re singing?” My eyes grow wide because, holy hell, she is the worst. I’m talking so bad she can’t even get the lyrics to our songs right. This girl is a special level of musically challenged. “Oh, this I gotta see. This might even be better than a peep show.”

She ignores my comment, signaling Rhett up. “For our first act of the night, we have the one and only Rhett Taylor, who arranged a special acoustic rendition of ‘Danger Zone’ by Kenny Loggins.”

“Nice,” I say, snickering at his song choice as he lugs a stool behind him and gets situated at the mic.

A few lines in and I forget he’s trying to be funny. The guy’s got chops. He could record this shit and have a hit with it tomorrow.

“Lyle,” he sniggers into the mic as he strums the last chords on his guitar, “hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, my man.”

“All right, now that the professional has properly shown off,” Anika says, shooing Rhett away, “the rest of tonight’s performances will be conducted karaoke style. Nicholas Potter is up with ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ from musical legend Queen.”

Nice. “I’m beginning to sense a theme here.”

“Oh, you just wait.” Anika’s comeback has me wondering even more what the hell she’s chosen for her song.

“Congrats, bud,” Nick says when the first beats come through the speaker. “Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.” He takes a pull from his beer before stretching his arms out like he’s preparing for a sporting event. “Take that any way ya like.” With an exaggerated wink, he yanks the mic from the stand and puts all he’s got into rocking the joint.

As Nick winds to a close there’s a scuffle to the left where Anika and Aiden appear to be arguing over whose turn it is.

Next thing I know, Aid’s lugging her to center stage. “And now Anika will do her worst with Kanye’s ‘Gold Digger.’”

“Of course.” I shake my head, laughing to myself.