The bass softened the moment they stepped outside Black Diamond, dulled by the thick, brick walls and distance from the speakers.
Mathias inhaled through his nose, easing himself down onto the steps with care, bracing one hand against the railing and his other on the concrete behind himself. He leaned his head back, letting out a slow exhale with his eyes closed.
"Sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to pull you away from your friends."
You didn't," Elaine said, shaking her head. "I volunteered."
A shadow caught Elaine's attention as someone stepped behind them. She slowly turned to find Jonah standing at the edge of the steps, jacket tossed over his shoulders, and his phone in his hand as if he'd been mid-text when he noticed them. "Mind if I join?"
"Please," Elaine said.
He dropped down next to Mathias, stretching his legs out. "That room's starting to feel like a pressure cooker."
Mathias huffed, tugging his jacket tighter. "That's generous."
